book

Make: Analog Synthesizers

by Ray Wilson

May 2013

Beginner to intermediate

184 pages

7h 29m

English

Make: Community

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How I Got StartedMy Electronic RootsMusic From Outer SpaceWhat You Should KnowWhat’s Next?Conventions Used in This BookUsing ExamplesSafari® Books OnlineHow to Contact Us
A Bit of Analog Synthesizer EtymologyWhat Can I Build?How Far Can I Go?
Instrumenting Your WorkbenchThe OscilloscopeFrequency Response (or Bandwidth)Input ChannelsSensitivityWhat Else Should I Look for in a Scope?The Digital Multimeter (DM)Multimeter Advanced FeaturesLogic ProbeThe Bench Power SupplySome Nice-to-HavesSecond MultimeterCapacitance MeterFrequency CounterFunction GeneratorTips for Reliable SolderingTemperature-Controlled Solder StationSoldering TipsDesoldering Is Important, TooObtaining Electronic ComponentsSurplus PartsCapacitorsCapacitors to Keep On HandResistors to Keep On HandMechanical ComponentsActive ComponentsSolderless BreadboardingHand ToolsTroubleshooting TipsHow to Minimize TroubleshootingDivide and Conquer
Three Configurations: Normalized, Modular, and HybridVoltage ControlThe Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO)The Voltage-Controlled Filter (VCF)The Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA)The Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO)The Keyboard ControllerThe Envelope Generator (EG)AR Envelope GeneratorADSR Envelope GeneratorThe White Noise GeneratorThe Sample and Hold (S&H)Audio and DC Signal MixersThe Ring ModulatorThe Voltage SequencerPutting It All Together
Noise Toaster Block DiagramBuilding the Noise ToasterGathering the PartsThe Bill of Materials (BOM)The Noise Toaster Printed Circuit Board (PCB)Populating the Noise Toaster PCBMaking the Noise Toaster Front PanelMaking the Noise Toaster Front Panel Legend OverlayInstalling the Noise Toaster Front Panel ComponentsWiring the Noise Toaster Front Panel ComponentsPreparing the Noise Toaster CaseWiring the PCB to the Front PanelTesting the Noise ToasterTesting the White Noise GeneratorTesting the VCOTesting the VCFTesting the VCATesting the AREGTesting the LFOTesting the Output JackMy Noise Toaster Is Being Sullen and Listless
Op Amps as AmplifiersNegative Feedback DemystifiedOp Amps as ComparatorsPositive Feedback (Hysteresis)
The Noise Toaster SchematicsThe Power SupplyThe Attack Release Envelope Generator (AREG)The Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO)The Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO)The White Noise GeneratorThe Voltage-Controlled Low-Pass Filter (VCF)The Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA)The Audio Amplifier
Connecting a Project to Your Computer’s Sound CardIntroducing AudacityThe Audacity InterfaceSound Card Interface DiscoverySaving ProjectsExporting Audio FormatsTransport ControlsAudacity ToolsAudacity Edit ToolbarSound-on-Sound RecordingAudacity EffectsEffect TailsRecording ExercisesMusique ConcreteMultitrack LayeringMultitrack Volume Envelope LayeringFloobydust

BuffersInverting BufferNoninverting BufferHigh-Impedance Buffer FollowerComparatorsA Basic ComparatorThe Window ComparatorSignal MixingSimple AC-Coupled Audio MixerSimple Multichannel DC Modulation MixerSimple but Useful Op Amp OscillatorsSingle Op Amp Square-Wave OscillatorTwo Op Amp Square- and Triangle-Wave OscillatorDigital-to-Analog Conversion Using Binarily Weighted Resistors or the R/2R Resistor LadderThe Binarily Weighted Resistor DACThe R/2R Resistor Ladder DACLight Up Your Synth with LEDsThe Simplest Way to Light an LEDIsolating the LED Control Source with a Transistor (I)Isolating the LED Control Source with a Transistor (II)Isolating the LED Control Source with a CD40106 Inverter (I)Isolating the LED Control Source with a CD40106 Inverter (II)Light an LED Using a Comparator (I)Light an LED Using a Comparator (II)
LM13700 ManufacturersLM13700 Chip DetailsThree Examples of LM13700 CircuitsA Simple VCA Using the LM13700A Simple State-Variable VCFA Triangle-to-Sine Converter
Logic Chips in Synth-DIYCD4013 Dual D Flip-FlopCD4011 Quad Two-Input NAND GateCD4001 Quad Two-Input NOR GateCD4066 Quad Analog SwitchCD4024 Seven-Stage Ripple Carry Binary CounterCD4042 Quad D LatchCD4094 Eight-Stage Shift RegisterCD40193 Binary Up/Down CounterCD4514 4-Bit Latch/4-to-16 Line DecoderCD4017 Decade Counter with 10 Decoded OutputsCD4067 Single 16-Channel Multiplexer/DemuliplexerCD40106 Hex Inverting Schmitt TriggerCD40106 Square Wave OscillatorCD40106 Pulse Wave OscillatorCD40106 Multiple-Input NAND GateCD40106 Multiple-Input NOR GateCD40106 Positive Edge to Negative-Going PulseCD40106 Negative Edge to Positive-Going PulseCD40106 Narrow Pulse Stretcher

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About the Author

Ray has been interested in analog synthesizers since the first time he heard "Switched On Bach" back in 1968. That magic box on the cover of the album with all of the knobs, switches and patch cords grabbed his attention and never let it go. After working at U.S. Steel, Intec Systems, Siemens Pacesetter, and Telectronics, he now runs his popular web site Music From Outer Space full-time. Most of his electronics learning has been hard won and experiential with hundreds of hours devoted to reading, bread-boarding, experimenting and appreciating analog synthesis.