Thinking about building my own Analog Synth...

[Steve LeBlanc]

Am I a fool to try?

 

I don't need to own a Mini for collection purposes...I need a fat analog synth to play. The prices on MiniMoogs and comparable synths are inflated beyond what I'm willing to pay. I haven't researched what I need to build it but I'm definitly going to start.

 

Any suggestions ideas would be appreciated.

[Steve LeBlanc]

Thanks for the link...looks very interesting.

[UA]

Try this link - http://www.oakleysound.com/

 

the prices aren't that bad, and you can do it yourself.

[Slowly]

Steve, you are nuts to try a project like that. Go for it!!!!! The only suggestion I have. Get an old beat up or cheap synth and poke around inside to get ideas. Schematics of that same model would be nice to have. Keep us informed and Good Luck. Kcbass

[Steve LeBlanc]

Well in case anyone thinks I'm COMPLETELY nuts...I'm not going to try and do this all by myself...my brother is really good with electronics always has been so he'll be helping me out a lot.

 

Thanks for the link UA.

[jimmyspick]

I wouldn't bother with the Paia Fatman synth. I built one myself and while it was fun to build, the synth itself is terrible. It certainly doesn't sound as smooth and fat as a minimoog. In fact it sounds more virtual analogue when compared to vintage synths.

[Tusker]

Steve:

 

Fomr what I hear, you might want to separate between the experience of building a synth and playing a fat sounding synth that is reasonably priced.

 

The Sequential Pro-One, The Oberheim OB-1 and the Roland SH-2 (to name three) are all monosynths which haven't the astronomical prices of a mini-moog but have "big" sounds.

 

One other way to go is to try some (cheaper) new analog like MAM, the Evolver, etc. From what I hear the Waldorf Pulse (DCO analog) is a good deal too, excepting that it doesn't have front panel control... you'd have to program a fader box to do real time stuff.

 

YOu might want to check out some of the threads on this subject at Analog collector's communities like Analog Heaven and The Gas Station

 

Regards,

 

Jerry

[Wewus432]

Hey Steve: Many years ago I built two PAIA synths. The problem I had was they wouldn't stay in tune. I spent many hours turning the little rheostats on each note trying to get something resembling a equal temperament but the oscillators constantly drifted. They may have corrected that by now but I would make sure before I bought one.

[Steve LeBlanc]

Yeah well like I said this is all preliminary stuff...I might not do it at all...just considering the possibilities. I'm going to play a friends Sequential Circuits 6 track this weekend to see if I can be happy with something like that. I'm also considering buying a Prophet 600 again.

 

Anymore ideas are welcome...I'm gonna keep doing some research on my end too. I do know my bro and I could have a lot of fun building something but the more I think about what we'd end up with...well...I just don't know yet.

[D_dup3]

If you do build one (or more) consider the exterior design possibilties---you could be on that KBoard page with the "unique keyboards"!