Lab PSU extender

What? Why? A simple, but useful one-day project – a laboratory PSU extender. Bench PSUs are almost always bulky, ugly and take a lot of precious space. For my usual synth-related workflow they most valuable features like current limiting and variable output voltage are not used very often – mainly during first circuit startup. Then […]

Best Synth DIY tools

…or “16 surprising synth DIY tools that will make your builds shine “* * most clickable header due to blogging specialists   Some time ago I was looking for tools which can boost my synth DIY into the next level. I watched countless YouTube videos like “Top 10 best tools for DIY” and 99% of […]

Photo of the device

Another Passive Volume Control

The purpose of my passive volume control build was simple – I just needed an analog regulation of headphones loudness my laptop was missing (and nothing feels better than a potentiometer knob in your hand). This project was so incredibly boring, that at first I didn’t want to write about it. However, apart from its […]

Scope with protoboard

Korg Volca Modular and Arduino

Introduction As Korg Volca Modular prices dropped recently to around 100 euro, it became a great and quite cheap introduction into the World of Voltage Controlled Modular Synthesizers. With additional Arduino and few components, you can ensure yourself many nights of modulation heaven (or hell, it all depends). So, how to connect Arduino to Volca […]

Korg Microkorg repair?

Nobody reads labels It must have happened, I just waited. When I was enjoying playing Bomberman in another part of the city, my girlfriend decided to hit some tunes on my old, trusted Microkorg. When I returned home, she seemed scared. I asked, what happened. She replied, something happened to my synthesizer, it behaves strangely. […]

Totoro – 1-IC simple synth

Stay calm, this is simply the beginning Durning my early synth DIY days I made a lot of simplest stuff – all kind of “beginner friendly” projects. They were cool devices to make, but after an initial exciment phase, a reflection came – they make some bleep sound and thats it :/ (It think the […]

Make some pink noise!

All the designs were used only for comparison and not for any commercial purposes.   At the beginning… Around a week ago I’ve got a strong internal need to synthesize a sea waves sound (we don’t have an ocean in Poland), as I try to design an updated version of my Binaural Beat Generator. Usually, […]

Syntom II eurorack closeup

Syntom II

Back to 2006 It was year 2006 and my electronic knowledge was extending. I’ve allready build a ICL 7107 voltometer and a dekatron spinner, therefore I felt I can do something really complex. One day I saw a Syntom II, an electronic drum synthesizer project printed in Electronics and Music Maker magazine, (E&MM, 1983). I […]

ENVY – LEGO figure showcase module

GF: What does this module do? Me: It shows a LEGO figure. GF: And? Me: Thats all. GF: … (gives me that you-have-wasted-a-week-of-your-life look and walks away). I was inspired by Gieskes “non-musical” modules, like “bottle opener” and “do-not-touch”. My module is a small display window with a iluminated LEGO figure. But not the ordinary one. It comes […]

SDSV hihat expander

It was back in 2014. Thanks to user hidden behind wutierson nickname I managed to finish digital “metallic” sound generator based on the one used in Simmons SDSV hihat / cymbal drum modules.   The story SDSV drum brain was shipped with only 5 modules – bass, snare and 3 toms. Hihat didn’t belong to the […]

Kraft Drum

Kraft Drum (aka V829 Drum) is a Vox Percussion King inspired device. VOX PK is quite rare drum synthesizer from about 1967. The most noticable use was on Kraftwerks track called Autobahn – you just cannot miss this punchy and somehow distorted bass drum.   The circuit First, I got some lovely Vox Percussion King […]

Tetsuo – PSU supply indicator

Tetsuo eurorack power supply indicator was my first eurorack module and it detemined the graphics for my entire modular system. It was inspired by “Akira” movie stadium scene, when Tetsuo, sitting on the concrete armchair, sets free his power. To be specific, I made two versions of Tetsuo – one with power socket and one without it.   […]

HC-2 handclapper

Not everybody needs an 808 Some time ago i started a DIY handclap project. The design was not based on Roland TR808, but Boss HC-2 (or Amdek HCK-100, if you like). With some problems I completed the prototype and made an eurorack module – it works really well.   The circuit Boss circuit is different […]

Hip Bass Drum

Hip bass drum is project brought to you by Craig Anderton. Compared to other drum circiuits it’s very simple (but unique) design. The schematics scanned form Polyphony, October ’83 can be found all over internet (but if you have any problems getting one, call me). It is hard to find any clear demo of the […]

Modular synth case

One day I decided to move my modular drum synth into bigger case. The main reason was my girlfriend wanted to use my previous Ikea Rast style case as an balcony table. I had no choice.   The plans The design is based on Doepfers A-100 Low Cost 9U case. I made few “improvements” to […]

Modular synth busboards

There is no modular synth without busboards. My design is based on Doepfers A100-BUS. It is simple, cheap easy to make. Same as Doepfer, mine has CV and GATE buses – thus 16 pin power connector. Schematic is very simple, but you have to do it before PCB design. Nothing fancy here, 14 2×8 pin […]

Modular synth power supply

This  article was updated  slightly on 21.05.2018 and includes filtering capacitors change and some output voltage measurements.   Introduction Every modular synth needs a power supply (except systems containing only blanks and Giskies 12 HP Bottle Openers). Switched power supplies sometimes cause problems (when you have a lot of small modules, all with input power […]

808 cowbell drum module

It’s my attempt to build a famous 808 cowbell drum module. I must say, it sounds like nothing else (including real cowbell). I made some mods in original circuit – some of them are well known: decay mode – lets you choose between 2 decay times: “original” and shorter one, filter mod – changes output […]

MFOS Echo Rockit

MFOS Echo Rockit is an small, portable synth / effect processor. The original project can be found on www.musicfromouterspace.com and belongs to Ray Wilson. The device is somehow similar to Korg Monotron Delay, but it has more modulation options. In my construction I have added amplifier with small, but very pugnacious Visaton speaker. In small […]

GT2 Tube Amp Simulator

Every electronic engineer in his life have to build: a strobe light, a clock, adjustable LM317 power supply and guitar effect. I build all previous devices and only effect left to make. I decide to build SansAmp GT2 overdrive – I don’t own a guitar, but I like the hardcore style disorted bass drum sound. […]

Binaural beat generator

  When two sines, with similar, but not equal frequencies are mixed together, beating effect occures. But when they are played by separated channels (f. e. in stereo), mixing happens in your head, resulting in binaural beat. This device lets you make this kind of beats. Please welcome, one and only (I couldn’t find any […]

Catophonator – your cat will love it

Catophonator, first try (15.02.2015) If you ever build cacophonator DIY syntesizer, you probably experienced bleeding from your ears. Catophonator (derived from bunch of screaming cats) is more “gentle” version of cacophonator and allows for some more “musical” results. Or more unmusical, it depends on what you like. The circuit is very simple and synthesizer can […]

SDSV voice board

There is a story behind this module. Using my countless stupidity, i menaged to broke both hands while riding my bike. After that, i had a lot of free time, but i wasn’t able to many things. With some training i menaged to master computer mouse with partially plastered hand and keyboard striked with pencil. […]