10 ms·

Sound Lab – A Simple Analogue Synthesiser

112 points by chrisjj 2y ago

varjag 2y ago
Knew which Visaton part number is that speaker from the first glance… I should really switch away from audio.
meta-level 2y ago
those who like this probably also like the kastle (https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/kastle https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/kastle)
- chaosprint 2y ago
  very nice visual design as well
- chrisjj 2y ago
  B.b.b.but... digital! :)
  - meta-level 2y ago
    you're right, LFO and VCO are digitally implemented.. B.b.b.but.. you won't recognize it from the outside if you're not a professional (and in this case maybe you have the big devices anyway). In contrast to the Volca, NTS or comparable devices you don't have a tact, scale, harmony or anything else which makes it easy to create "music" out of the box, but you have oscillators, inputs and outputs and create connections using wires..
    - chrisjj 2y ago
      "has a unique digital lo-fi sound" :)
- lomereiter 2y ago
  ...or Korg NTS-1 (or even both together), which is not as modular but fun and hackable in its own way
- partomniscient 2y ago
  According to switch setting it appears the cat is unable to provide power via USB.
readingnews 2y ago
Looks cool. if you are interested in analogue sounds and synths and like to make your own, this website is a good place to start. https://musicfromouterspace.com https://musicfromouterspace.com You can buy kits there which are similar to OP. I have not purchased any, but many times have had them in my cart :)
- naters 2y ago
  The intro to the article notes that this was based on a design by Waveform Processing, which was run in part by the late Ray Wilson who was the man behind MFOS! His site even hosts the instruction manual for the WP-20: https://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/THE_CAVE/WP20/WP20_PG1.html https://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/THE_CAVE/WP2....
aanet 2y ago
OMG, this is too cute!! I heard some of the samples - they sound awesome! Kudos!! A job well done!! My first thought - where can I get one?? And second one - how do I save the sound / output it to my Mac? Fab project!!
- munificent 2y ago
  > My first thought - where can I get one?? Looks like you source the components and build it yourself. > And second one - how do I save the sound / output it to my Mac? It has an audio out port, so you should be able to run an 1/8" TS cable from the audio out port into your computer's microphone input. If your Mac doesn't have a mic input, you'll need to get an audio interface. There are many many audio interfaces out there, but a Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a good starter one. If you're interested in dabbling in analog synthesizers but don't want to break out the soldering iron, then something like a Korg Volca Bass might be a better way to start.
  - octo1026 2y ago
    Do you think an oscilloscope is necessary for a project of this scale?
    - munificent 2y ago
      I don't know. I have only barely dabbled in electronics myself. I've soldered a few kits, but don't have an oscilloscope and have never really had to calibrate anything beyond what I could do with a tuner.
    - chrisjj 2y ago
      Definitely not. Chris (Sound Lab owner)
      - octo1026 2y ago
        Cool thanks!
TomWhitwell 2y ago
A slightly more complicated DIY analog synth (with a computer attached) https://musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/ https://musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/
inatreecrown2 2y ago
for a more patchable experience check out the projects from slightlynasty.com
_DeadFred_ 2y ago
Seems like I'm the only person that is happy to keep all my old synths in the closet and do everything in my DAW. My DAW, associated VSTs, and their ease of us is like one of the only good things about living in the future.

112 points by chrisjj 2y ago

Knew which Visaton part number is that speaker from the first glance… I should really switch away from audio.

those who like this probably also like the kastle (https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/kastle https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/kastle)

chaosprint 2y ago
very nice visual design as well
chrisjj 2y ago
B.b.b.but... digital! :)
- meta-level 2y ago
  you're right, LFO and VCO are digitally implemented.. B.b.b.but.. you won't recognize it from the outside if you're not a professional (and in this case maybe you have the big devices anyway). In contrast to the Volca, NTS or comparable devices you don't have a tact, scale, harmony or anything else which makes it easy to create "music" out of the box, but you have oscillators, inputs and outputs and create connections using wires..
  - chrisjj 2y ago
    "has a unique digital lo-fi sound" :)
lomereiter 2y ago
...or Korg NTS-1 (or even both together), which is not as modular but fun and hackable in its own way
partomniscient 2y ago
According to switch setting it appears the cat is unable to provide power via USB.

readingnews 2y ago

Looks cool. if you are interested in analogue sounds and synths and like to make your own, this website is a good place to start. https://musicfromouterspace.com https://musicfromouterspace.com You can buy kits there which are similar to OP. I have not purchased any, but many times have had them in my cart :)

naters 2y ago
The intro to the article notes that this was based on a design by Waveform Processing, which was run in part by the late Ray Wilson who was the man behind MFOS! His site even hosts the instruction manual for the WP-20: https://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/THE_CAVE/WP20/WP20_PG1.html https://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/THE_CAVE/WP2....

aanet 2y ago

OMG, this is too cute!! I heard some of the samples - they sound awesome! Kudos!! A job well done!! My first thought - where can I get one?? And second one - how do I save the sound / output it to my Mac? Fab project!!

munificent 2y ago
> My first thought - where can I get one?? Looks like you source the components and build it yourself. > And second one - how do I save the sound / output it to my Mac? It has an audio out port, so you should be able to run an 1/8" TS cable from the audio out port into your computer's microphone input. If your Mac doesn't have a mic input, you'll need to get an audio interface. There are many many audio interfaces out there, but a Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a good starter one. If you're interested in dabbling in analog synthesizers but don't want to break out the soldering iron, then something like a Korg Volca Bass might be a better way to start.
- octo1026 2y ago
  Do you think an oscilloscope is necessary for a project of this scale?
  - munificent 2y ago
    I don't know. I have only barely dabbled in electronics myself. I've soldered a few kits, but don't have an oscilloscope and have never really had to calibrate anything beyond what I could do with a tuner.
  - chrisjj 2y ago
    Definitely not. Chris (Sound Lab owner)
    - octo1026 2y ago
      Cool thanks!

TomWhitwell 2y ago

A slightly more complicated DIY analog synth (with a computer attached) https://musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/ https://musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/

inatreecrown2 2y ago

for a more patchable experience check out the projects from slightlynasty.com

_DeadFred_ 2y ago

Seems like I'm the only person that is happy to keep all my old synths in the closet and do everything in my DAW. My DAW, associated VSTs, and their ease of us is like one of the only good things about living in the future.