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I’ve been toying with the idea of building a “learn analog electronics” course by having the student build a musical synthesizer one stage at a time, starting w

by samtho 3y ago

I’ve been toying with the idea of building a “learn analog electronics” course by having the student build a musical synthesizer one stage at a time, starting with dual tone generators that can be made to deliver frequencies and a selectable wave pattern, then through to evelope filters, modulator (which part of it exists as the wave selection from earlier), and all the controls to make it happen. Not sure if this has been done or if it’s a dumb idea.

TylerE 3y ago
The trickest part I see there is you're going to need some sort of midi input and associated parsing to actually make the thing playable. Or are you thinking of building a keyboard as well. I suppose there are probably MIDI to CV modules out there one could source.
- samtho 3y ago
  I was going to have them build a rudimentary octave (12 note keyboard segment) but that has been something I’ve been trying to sketch out as well.
  - TylerE 3y ago
    A theremin input maybe? Could even be part of the build experience. No mechanical parts, which is nice, and pitch bends are fun sounds.
- dreamcompiler 3y ago
  You could use the D/A on a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino to generate the control voltages.
  - TylerE 3y ago
    Not good enough. Gotta be able to play it. That’s where the fun is.
cmpalmer52 3y ago
It sounds like a great idea to me. I’ve been trying to carve out time to do more electronic tinkering and learning and that sounds like a neat set of projects.
mikelovenotwar 3y ago
Erica Synths and Moritz Klein have released an educational eurorack synth range of modules with many resources for learning: https://www.youtube.com/@MoritzKlein0 https://www.youtube.com/@MoritzKlein0 https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-kits-1/mki-x-esedu-diy-system/ https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-kits-1/mki-x-esedu-diy-s...
pkaye 3y ago
Have you checked out Lantertronics on YouTube? He has a course "Analog Circuits for Music Synthesis" but it might be tough for beginners to follow. https://www.youtube.com/@Lantertronics/videos https://www.youtube.com/@Lantertronics/videos

by samtho 3y ago

TylerE 3y ago

The trickest part I see there is you're going to need some sort of midi input and associated parsing to actually make the thing playable. Or are you thinking of building a keyboard as well. I suppose there are probably MIDI to CV modules out there one could source.

samtho 3y ago
I was going to have them build a rudimentary octave (12 note keyboard segment) but that has been something I’ve been trying to sketch out as well.
- TylerE 3y ago
  A theremin input maybe? Could even be part of the build experience. No mechanical parts, which is nice, and pitch bends are fun sounds.
dreamcompiler 3y ago
You could use the D/A on a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino to generate the control voltages.
- TylerE 3y ago
  Not good enough. Gotta be able to play it. That’s where the fun is.

cmpalmer52 3y ago

It sounds like a great idea to me. I’ve been trying to carve out time to do more electronic tinkering and learning and that sounds like a neat set of projects.

mikelovenotwar 3y ago

Erica Synths and Moritz Klein have released an educational eurorack synth range of modules with many resources for learning: https://www.youtube.com/@MoritzKlein0 https://www.youtube.com/@MoritzKlein0 https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-kits-1/mki-x-esedu-diy-system/ https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-kits-1/mki-x-esedu-diy-s...

pkaye 3y ago

Have you checked out Lantertronics on YouTube? He has a course "Analog Circuits for Music Synthesis" but it might be tough for beginners to follow. https://www.youtube.com/@Lantertronics/videos https://www.youtube.com/@Lantertronics/videos