Is it hard?

[Wavedude]

Is it hard to make a modular synthesizer. I mean, they are huge and require lots of wiring and/or time.

I understand that every module it hooked up through the patch chords. But to get those modules, are they expensive, or if you make them yourself, is it hard? And does it require allot of knowledge of circuitry?

(Just wondering if its harder that a WSG or not, lol. Thanks.)

[dougcl]

I just built a 6U aluminum subrack. Used a vice, hammer, punch, hacksaw, table saw, hand drill, screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Made a big mess too. Not really hard, but a little involved. But there is a lot of satisfaction in doing it yourself. I now have a design and I can whip out another one in a day or so. I state this as an example. This is just the rack, not the circuits. You have to want to do it, and want to learn. You have to enjoy the process of making things, because you will be spending a lot of your time that way. Regarding building modules, it's a similar situation. You need tools, first of all. After that it depends how deeply you want to go. Kit building is the shallow end of the pool and circuit design is the deep end. I would start with a single kit and see how you like it. I think there is opportunity to save money by doing it yourself (especially racks), but probably not much. By the time you factor in your time and the cost of the tools and materials, it's probably close to break even.
Doug

[Kwote]

[Wavedude]

For me, I just want to make a cool little synth one day to really know and understand a circuit, being small or big. To make a modular seems cool, but I know I might not make one, lol. Ill stick with small things for now. Thanks for the example and advice. It must be amazing to make something big like that.

[jksuperstar]

Well, then, I think you understand modulars more than you think. Start simple, build something you can build, and get to understand. Then grow from there. You're first modules will always be useful.

[lanxe]

thats how it starts though.........just a little curiosity.

i originally had the idea to build a couple modules to rack up just as sound processors (ring mod, filter, phase) and then i decided to make an oscillator which led to the need for a vca which meant i needed an envelop generator.......so i built two of each (since i was already sourcing parts for one, might as well just double up and make it easy )

now i am knee deep and cant stop.......i dont even make electronic music. thats a hard one to explain to people that come over and see the stuff i have.

Ryan

[morbius]

You may want to check out Synthesizers.com. They offer 'entry level' systems, which can fit most any budget. And this is not cheap breadboard and lable-maker stuff. Just check it out. You may be surprised at what you can get... and not have to go thru the 'building from scratch' thing.

Just a thought.



~Morbius~

[RF]

[Kwote]

just built my first kit saturday. it was a blacet dual linear vca,

http://blacet.com/VCA2410.html

i built with someone who's been building for a bit so the learning curve was definately lessened.

i'd recommend doing this if you can find someone willing to lend a hand.

in hinesight i think i could probably handle things solo but i'd have to be very careful and pull as much help off the net as possible.

i never soldered before so if you have experience doing that already you're halfway there. for me the hardest thing is identifying all the parts and remembering what part is what. but i've gotten the hang of it to some extent. i think after a few more modules built i should be more apt at things.

i highly recommend blacet.com for your first modules. comes in kit form with full instructions/parts checklist.