Hardware and software synth fans alike have a bodacious bounty of new synth introductions recently.
Here’s something cool for synth DIY fans – a new book from Ray Wilson, the founder of synth DIY headquarters Music From Outer Space.
WIlson has announced that his new book, Make: Analog Synthesizers is complete, and will be available digitally within a few days and in hard copy within a few weeks.
Here’s the official summary for Make: Analog Synthesizers:
Dive hands-on into the tools, techniques, and information for making your own analog synthesizer. If you’re a musician or a hobbyist with experience in building electronic projects from kits or schematics, this do-it-yourself guide will walk you through the parts and schematics you need, and how to tailor them for your needs. Author Ray Wilson shares his decades of experience in synth-DIY, including the popular Music From Outer Space (MFOS) website and analog synth community.
At the end of the book, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned by building an analog synthesizer, using the MFOS Noise Toaster kit. You’ll also learn what it takes to create synth-DIY electronic music studio. Get started in the fun and engaging hobby of synth-DIY without delay.
Wilson’s book is available via Amazon.
This excites me for two reasons. The first is that Ray’s designs are simple and clever.
The second is that the book targets Make readers who probably aren’t musicians and might otherwise never consider building or learning about analog synthesizers. Bring on the analog renaissance!
Just the electronic version of the book from O’Reilly, can’t wait to read it through. It seems as a good reading even for me with very, very limited electronic skills.
I wonder – does this cover MIDI CV conversion as well?
No, heavily emphasizes analog concepts, including components (the 13700 OTA chip, for instance) and common analog circuits such as VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs. There are sections that cover R2R digital to audio conversion and logic chips, though.
MFOS was the greatest site I have found for DIY synth building. I had zero experience of building anything electronic but found that it is a fantastic way to learn by following Rays practical guidance and superb schematics and plans. He doesn’t talk down to you like some and will help if you ask him nicely. My own synths were all shop bought and just played with. Building your own is so rewarding. I look forward to reading his book.
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