MFOS Modular Analogue Synthesisers!

[Stygian Shane]

I've now undertaken another project - heavily electronics orientated, and a lot of fun in building alone so far - actually using the finished products are going to be even better.

The project of which I speak are the modular synthesiser components from Music From Outer Space, or MFOS.. This has been put together by a bloke called Ray Wilson - a huge enthusiast and electronics guru. Everything on the site has been developed by him, and he's released schematics for all to use in their own DIY Synthesiser gear. From these designs, and others elsewhere, I hope to build up a formidable bank of modules. I have already started, in fact!

So far, among other things, I've ordered an absolute shitload of components to get me started. I do already have many tools needed, just not consumables. So many, many resistors, pots, IC's (both digital and analogue), etc etc - and a couple of PCB's ordered from MFOS - will get me with usable modules.

Until then, I'm working on the non-electronic side of things. Building fascias, (eventually) boxes, and working on a keyboard for monophonic control of the whole lot. In all, what I'll have to start, are the keyboard; a 16 stage sequencer, and an 8-stage phaser. In the works are the usuals for analogue synthesis - a VCA, ADSR envelope filter, LFO, VCO and a beefy power supply to run many, many modules.

Now; photos.



Knobs. LED's. Power transformer. Switches. One of my first forays into Jaycar to pick up parts for this project - and it's going to work out to be expensive. Very expensive.





The front panel, complete. Unfortunately I didn't take any progress shots through this. What it is:

1. Spare perspex, cut to size, primed and painted with epoxy aerosol.
2. The layout provided, printed onto an overhead transparency. Holes cut out.
3. Components mounted.

And the same, but with the two other panels. Essentially each stage of the sequencer has a coarse and fine adjustment control - nice and accurate to tune to whichever note is desired. Also a gate on/off control.




The business end. All parts mounted - pots, rotary switches, sockets (man there are going to be a lot of sockets in this project), LED.




Part of the wiring done. Nice and clean so far.




Knobs installed! All three panels - came out consistent - but I'm not happy with the transparency way for getting the design onto the panel. More to come.




Ah, there we go. Wiring completed, except for I/O to the control board. Nice and easy to keep it looking at least somewhat ordered, if the wiring between pots is done in a pattern. Note the wire buses across the switches and LEDs - this was much better to do than I anticipated. Some nice tinned hookup wire helped immensely.

[Stygian Shane]

Next up - the keyboard controller. This is a cheap-ish M-Audio KeyRig 49 keyboard that I bought from Music Swop Shop!. A fantastic store, for both buying and selling. If you're in Melbourne and you've got the chance, go to this store. You will not be disappointed.



The victim.




Taken apart. This was a prick to solder up for use, as it wasn't just a single switch per key. Double switches, with a definite but painstaking to find, pinout pattern. Got there eventually - needed to solder a resistor onto every keyswitch and then have 3 outputs.




And cut down! I'll be building a new case for it, to house a power supply and the control panel; see below.





This is some of the controller that I'm putting together - essentially so it can output a CV/Gate signal at 1V/octave. Fairly simple concept to it, but there are a few opamps in there for various controls. This keyboard also has a portamento, or 'Glide', function. Handy.




And the keyboard controller almost complete. One IC to go in, as you may see - plus a few transistors on order that I did not have. For the most part, finished. It's been done on Veraboard because I'm not game yet to work with etching my own (double sided) PCB's. Started designing it on paper, but ended up just building this on the fly, as I went. Easy enough.




And the reverse. Soldering work needs improvement.




Mockup of the front panel This time, I'm using 1mm aluminium sheet. So much better to work with. That is just a bit of paper for the overlay - the plan is to use laminated grey paper, as directed at MFOS. The transparency sheets just were too much work - a good part of it because to cut the circles out was near impossible without tearing out somewhere.




And the front panel finished! Laminated grey paper, just 80gsm. An absolute pleasure to use and cut the circles from. You can also see on the left, the 8 stage phaser. That is one I have a PCB ordered for. Everything further will be veraboard.


You can see the bit of blackwood, behind, that I'll be using for the sides of the new keyboard enclosure. Nice bit of timber, too. I'll post more as I do it! Now is time to clean up the work area because there is filth everywhere. I think I'm contributing to the lead content of the air in the house, too. Good fun.

[Willybomb]

Whoa, huge job.

[scorpydude]

So what is this thing / what does it do?

[kronikabis]

This is awesome....!! subscribed!

awaiting youtube vids of it in action!

[DJ Fusion]

I can see a step sequencer, but where is the synth?!

[Stygian Shane]

Scorpydude: Makes electronic noises, essentially. In time; whatever I want it to do.

DJFusion: read the text? Sequencer is the start. More modules to come; transcribing a VCA currently for construction. Envelope filter and LFO to follow.

[DJ Fusion]

Read the text? No way, I just read the thread heading and look at the pictures.

Have you already got another synth to use with that sequencer?

[Flecktone]

Hardcore...

how much $ is this all setting you back, if you don't mind me asking?

[Stygian Shane]

Nothing else just yet. Soon.

Cost? Too much cheaper than buying premade, but costly enough. That said, most of the cost so far is because I'm stocking up on components to last a long time. Probably spent $500 for initial outlay, but ill get a lot of modules out of this.

[BlueRaven]

Holy point-to-point wiring Batman!

Massive and awesome project, definitely subbed!

[DJ Fusion]

Originally Posted by Stygian Shane

Nothing else just yet.

Aw, I reckon you should've started with the LFO modules so you can make noises right from the start. This is like a guitar build thread which starts with the building of an amp. :P

[^catalyst]

Originally Posted by DJ Fusion

Aw, I reckon you should've started with the LFO modules so you can make noises right from the start. This is like a guitar build thread which starts with the building of an amp. :P

But what are you going to oscillate at low frequency?

Sick project, can't wait to hear it mate!

[DJ Fusion]

Whatever you like, pick your waveform.

[BlueRaven]

Big fat square waves. Work those speakers.