Ray Wilson, the synth DIY guru behind Music From Outer Space, has died.
Wilson (7/14/1955-7/21/2016) was a leader in synth DIY for years – offering a variety of projects via his Music From Outer Space (MFOS) site.
His DIY designs include a complete line of analog synth modules, lo fi noise boxes, sequencers, the Sound Lab Mini-Synth and the Weird Sound Generator.
Wilson was also the author of the book Make: Analog Synthesizers.
Wilson’s family announced in November of 2015 that he was fighting Stage 4 cancer and that he could use the help of the synth community.
When Wilson’s family announced that he was fighting cancer, family, friends and fans of his work raised over $45,000 to help out. And a group of synthesists created a tribute album, to Wilson and his work.
Countless synthesists had their first experience with synth building with Wilson’s kits, and many modular synth designers got a start with Wilson’s designs.
via Robert Dorschel
Sad news, I’m so sorry to hear this.
RIP Ray Wilson
My Deepest condolences to Ray Wilson, and i hope for family that could stay strong.
My condolences. Such a shame.
Such sad news. I hope his family take some small comfort from the fact that his spirit lives on in thousands of homes via small boxes that emit and transmit joyous beeps, squeals and otherworldly tones.
May his soul dance with the stars and fill outer space with magic.
Very sad moment in history. Ray was a synth legend and I mean legend in every sense of the word. You will always be rembered.
Bye Ray! :’-(
Thank you for your wonderful instrument.
I remember watching Ray’s webcast a few years ago and thinking what a great teacher he was. He was such a generous person with his time and work that influenced myself and, I guess, many others around the world.
The world has lost a brilliant, good-hearted person. His incredible contributions to the synth-diy community will never be forgotten.
Thank you Ray. I would have liked very much to know you. Wherever you are, I hope you are making strange noises.
It was honor working on that benefit album with the other musicians. Ray did hear the music and said it was fantastic, and that the money we raised did help quite a bit.
The benefit album is now free, with a “name your price,” and we’ll send any proceeds to Ray’s family.
https://benefitraywilson.bandcamp.com/
So sorry to hear this news, I’ve been a long time fan of Ray’s work and always admired his voracious attitude to all things synth. My deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.
the DIY community has taken a hard hit today for sure.
I hope that some cans keep what he has made going though
Oh Ray Ray thank you for so much, your work will outlast as all.
Deepest love to everyone close to you.
This is a sad day.
I’m really sorry to read such sad news…
This man’s contribution is so huge ! The DIY Synth community will remember him forever !
I have his book and planned to buy a MFOS kit, just at the moment he had to close the shop…
My deepest condolences to the Wilson family
Thanks so much for your wonderful contribution to the synth DIY world. You will never be fogotten, and I’ll think of you every time I play my MFOS synth.
My condolences and thoughts go out to Ray’s family.
Rest in peace.
r.i.p great loss 🙁
Terrible news. My best wishes for the family and my hearty thanks to synthtopia for continually reporting on this.
This is such sad news. I owe a great deal to Ray and his wonderful MFOS website. His work and examples were honest and open, and you could see the passion, brilliance and kindness behind the truly outstanding analogue electronic circuit designs that he wanted to share with us all. It is a sad loss. My deepest condolences to the Wilson family. Ren.
Very sad news. Ray’s designs brought the resurgence of analogue synthesizers to the masses. I hope that his legacy – part of which is his website – will live on under someone’s care. RIP and sincere condolences to his family.
I shall remember him every time I turn on the power to my studio. I built the whole thing using all of his designs over the past 3 years. He generated a love of sound and creation for me and now my son who has taken to ‘hands on’ synthesis for music making.
Very sad to hear the news of Rays passing.Like many who may not have known Ray personally, but built one or two of his designs you know how much he communicated his experience and enthusiasm.DIY synth making is made great by people like Ray ,as it is a shared experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROz_dcNlAw4
Just heard the bad news, my sincerest condolences to his family, I never spoke to Ray but became a massive fan of his work earlier this year, I feel a great loss as no doubt do many others, R.I.P. Ray the pain for you has now gone 🙁
Thank you for your passion and love of sound exploration Ray, to your family and close friends I offer my sympathy for your loss. To us differently musical folk he was an inspiration.
Sarah Bonham
thanks a lot ray for your time and that make me having a lot of reflexions. god bless you.
I owe him so much
I am grateful to the synth DIY community for the generous outpouring of support during Ray’s transition to outer space. I wish he could have met you all.