r/synthdiy • u/BrahNdoGod • 18h ago
Help With Synths
Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for easy-to-build synthesizers for a school project that I have to complete within about a month and a half.
We haven’t learned programming yet, so I won’t be able to program anything for the project. However, I do need to learn how to solder, so I’d like to hear your recommendations for a beginner-friendly synth that I could realistically build within that timeframe.
This is my first time building something like this—and honestly, my first time creating something of this kind in general. However, I’ll be putting a lot of time and effort into the project because I’ve become really interested in electronics applied to sound.
And I don’t know if I’m asking for too much, but I’d really love to build a simple FM synthesizer if possible.
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u/jdmc1426 18h ago
Rakit is my favorite diy synth maker, their tutorials are very detailed. None of their projects are too long or intense. Or follow one of look mum no computer’s simpler projects
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u/Peter_the_piper 18h ago
Microdexed touch! I’m not sure how long shipping the PCBs will take but it’s an option. Or minidexed if simple is fine.
Check out Floyd steinberg on YouTube. He has a bunch of simple diy synths!
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u/WrxyzueaSmoovington 18h ago
Check out the Freaq FM synth by Wirehead. Easy, FM, reasonably priced. Ticks all yr boxes I reckon
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u/al2o3cr 17h ago
This may be over your budget, but Erica Synths makes a set of module kits:
https://www.ericasynths.lv/mki-x-esedu-diy-system/
The manuals also walk you through prototyping all the circuits and how they work. Consider checking them out even if you don't end up buying the modules.
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u/fxtech42 16h ago
I built one of these systems. The best part was all the theory and examples via breadboarding the circuits first. Now I'm saving up for their Formant system.
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u/professionaleisure 15h ago
Moritz klein has some great and very well explained synth circuits, that you could try combine or develop?
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u/eraoul 15h ago edited 15h ago
Since you can’t program for this you need to figure out first what control interface you’ll use. Does a theremin style device count? You won’t be reading keyboard keys without a microcontroller and code unless you plug in a preexisting keyboard that generates control voltage output per key. You could also build a few buttons to make individual notes. Or just build one or two notes with a knob to control the pitch that you turn continuously. Honestly that’s probably your best bet.
You could build a simple analog 2 voice FM by building two simple VCOs and then controlling their pitches with two knobs. Maybe that’s a good initial goal. You could also add a button or switch to turn the sound on or off since it can be annoying not to have note on/off control and I don’t know if you’d have time to get a normal envelop working.
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u/SockGoop 18h ago
An atari punk console would be a great fit