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In this workshop you'll design and build your own subtractive synthesizer. We'll learn about subtractive synthesis signal flow and solder a few potentiometers on the Simple Fix Synth board. The board allows you to design your own instrument interface, and since we're using the Daisy Seed microcontroller (included), you can tweak and modify your design as you see fit.
The code we use is open source, so you can easily change it and learn programming along the way. A video course on synth programming is also included with the workshop, so you can continue to learn and develop your ideas at your own pace after the workshop.
The Simple kit has 80 footprints for knobs, switches and sockets. You can design and build your own unique layout within a couple of hours. And, we're using the Daisy Seed microcontroller, which allows lots of sound design flexibility. It's so immediate, you'll have a sounding instrument in the first workshop day!
This package includes our complete Simple Synth DIY kit and access to our beginners video course - Introduction to Synth Programming on the Daisy Seed. If you want to build your own instruments, this is the perfect place to start. The course will take you through, from scratch, all the way to programming your own MiniMoog style subtractive synthesizer!
The Simple Synth DIY kit is a package full of components and two electronic boards, designed specifically for synthesizers.
The small board (Simple Fix) allows you to quickly get started and program your first synth. The large one allows you to design your very own standalone (or Eurorack) instrument. The boards are modular, so you can choose where to put knobs, faders, switches and jacks. Make it your own, and learn synthesis, programming and design skills along the way!
Simple is 21cm wide (42HP in Eurorack terms) and 11cm tall (3HP in Eurorack terms). It's a perfect size for a standalone instruments. but can also be used as a monstrous 42HP Eurorack module.
The Simple board has 80 modular sockets (footprints) where you can stick potentiometers, switches, jacks and even faders. You can connect various microcontrollers on it Daisy Seed (included), Teensy and Arduino Nano.
Included in the kit is the Simple Fix is a tiny electronic board, designed for the Daisy Seed, Teensy and Arduino Nano microcontrollers. Perfect for programming quick sketches and playing in small setups.
On the left of the board you'll find 4 modular sockets (footprints) that can hold potentiometers, trimmers, switches and jacks. On the right you'll find two additional footprints. These are normally used for audio in and out, but they can also be used for controls like the ones on the right. At the bottom right there is a small prototyping board for connecting additional circuits if needed (for example, a touch sensor (also included in this kit).
The video course - Introduction to Synth Programming on the Daisy Seed, is the perfect place for artists and musicians to get started with synth design and programming. Below is one of the lessons in the course, to give you an indication to the content and quality.
Check out the Simple Synth Manual to learn about synth design, soldering, synthesis techniques and more. This document is constantly being updated with more resources for you to learn from.
In this workshop you'll build your own subtractive synthesizer, and learn how to flash other instruments on the Daisy. You'll also solder some components and understand how the Simple board works.
As you'll learn during the workshop, there are all sorts of open source instruments on our Github page. From subtractive to FM, samplers, arpeggiators, sequencers and drum machines, drones, strings and effects. You'll have plenty of ideas to explore and learn from! The code is commented and open for you to try. And, there's the Discord community where you can ask questions after the workshop.
This workshop is just the beginning! Meet and connect with other makers around the world on our Discord server. There are well over 1000 makers there, with different skill sets. Some are engineers, some designers and of course musicians. You can already join using the link below:
The workshop is a great starting point, and also fun to meet other synth nerds, but the learning continues with the video course. Access to the video course is included in the package. The video course is designed for musicians with no background in programming, so you'll learn all the fundamentals in an engaging and accessible way. Check the Synthux learning environment for more info.
Sam Knight is a musician, technologist and teacher. Sam has been working with various audio programming platforms and in particular DaisySP to create guitar effects and instruments. Sam is a Berklee alumni from the music technology department. He is currently working on a Synthux video course covering sound effects and DSP techniques on the Daisy platform.
We will be using the synth DIY kits below during the workshop. These are not mandatory, but they make your life easier. They also allow you to build more instruments and follow other workshops in the future.
Mac or Windows ideally. You can follow this 4 minute tutorial to install the Arduino IDE and the additional libraries and drivers required.
We'll need a micro USB cable to connect our synth to the computer and program it. Make sure your cable can transfer data (some cables can only charge).
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