DIY Synths Database
25 comments
·April 3, 2025kzalesak
Amazing! Is there any chance you'd know how to add my little digital addition? https://github.com/kzalesak/Digisynth
Or alternatively, what changes would it need to be eligible?
leslielurker
>Write about it in the repo discussions. Or make a repo fork, create a file in the _posts/ directory then submit a PR.
There are a few requirements on the about page (published schematics, firmware and a video demo):
frabert
Cool project! Why do you call it digital though? The oscillator is analog
kzalesak
Well, the oscillator is a Schmitt trigger. The trigger waits for a capacitor to discharge pas a hysteresis point, but uses discrete voltage levels to switch. So, maybe semi-analog?
frabert
I would consider a synth digital if it contains a DAC or at least a DCO, otherwise you'd say that relaxation oscilators are analog too :)
chrissoundz
If it helps anyone, bom-squad.com is a very similar project and the whole site behind it is on github as well. Full disclosure I contributed to this project myself.
lomase
Thanks to Mutable Instruments for putting out there all that DSP code.
pbronez
Absolutely - incredible to see how many places that code shows up.
Fraterkes
I you want a really accessible diy synth project: I recently did an m8 headless build inside of an anbernic r33s. It's basically lego, though you can do a little soldering if you want to, to connect the teensy directly to the r33s board (I used an external cable). And the m8 is one of the best portable synths out there. Cost me like 60€ total.
diggan
> I you want a really accessible diy synth project
On that vein, I just started building my own analog synthesizer from scratch, and found this YouTube series which is very beginner friendly and with lots of explainations even for us who don't have much hardware experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBatvo8bCa4
The circuit after part 3 already sounds good enough to be used in real projects, yet it's simple enough to fully understand.
kbouck
Anyone tried the SC1000 in this list? I want to make this, but as a MIDI controller instead of having self-contained music.
guardienaveugle
I built the ardutouch and it was a fun experience: https://notes.atomutek.org/diy-music-synth.html
I recommend it for a first hardware project.
myky22
I recently initiated myself into groovebox world with the Yamaha Seqtrak and just oadt week with the OP-XY.
Despiste YouTube critic about DIY Synth, I would give this project a Deep dive because I found myself looking at the NTS-1 / 3 this pasta week.
THX a lot
lavela
Great project!
If the database grows it would be nice to be able to exclude tags, not only to include them. I'd like to exclude anything modular for example.
m_kos
Great collection!
Are there any very affordable DIY midi control surfaces with a few knobs, pads, keys (two octaves), and BT?
ecocentrik
There's Faderbank 16n listed on this site that I believe outputs midi, cv and i2c. https://16n-faderbank.github.io/
For programable controllers, the Launchpad series from Novation is pretty handy. I've seen it configured as a sequencer controller among other things.
diggan
Sans the Bluetooth, something like the AKAI MPK Mini might fit? Not the greatest of keys, very plasticky, but it is cheap and has pots, keys, pads at least.
m_kos
Yes, it fits, but I am on a very tight budget, so I was hoping for a more affordable DIY option. Thanks for the recommendation, though!
piltdownman
Strangely enough no. There used to be some M-Audio 25 key offerings, but seemingly no longer. A MIDI->BT dongle is about €50 though.
Philpax
Cool as hell, thanks for sharing!
chr15m
Excellent catalogue!
Really great project and nice collection ! There also are some non-open source but still hackable synth out there, such as the Korg NTS-1. It's not exactly DIY but a "mount it yourself kit" and Korg maintains a C and C++ SDK for oscillo and fx.
Funny part with the x0xb0x, the creator mentioned that the x0xb0x is free as "Free your mind and your ass will follow", the funkiest open source clause