Ray Wilson authored this content while he was actively running MFOS as the founder and resident genius.
We retain the content because it reflects a valuable point of view representing that time and place.

Article by Ray Wilson

Introduction This project is fun for someone with intermediate to advanced electronics skills who wants to make cool sounds. It makes a great first synth project but is interesting enough for the seasoned synth-diyer too. The board includes 1V/oct scale adjustment trimmers for the oscillators You will get a couple (maybe three) octaves of in tune scale. If you have a sampler you can use this unit as an analog synth sound source to make excellent samples with. Some of the wiring is done on the chassis but the drawing I have included will make it very easy for you to do a neat job while you build it.

Dry mp3 Samples Unusual Popping Sound. Siren Extravaganza Drone With Repeating AR Envelopes Noise Through The VCF Resonant Drone Through The VCF Bell Type Sounds Laser Gun Extravaganza Machine Gun Noise Thing Extravaganza Storming The Castle With A Battering Ram Spacey Sirens Woob Woob Woob... Tribute To Moe. Derr Derr Derr... Kind Of Thing. Noise Bonks Through The VCF Larger Weird Machine Running. Effects Added mp3 Samples Sound Lab and Sequencer (Reverb)    (See... Sequencer Project) Sound Lab and Sequencer (Reverb)    (See... Sequencer Project) Sound Lab and Sample & Hold (Reverb)    (See... Sample & Hold Project)

Interact with other Sound Lab Mini-Synth builders at electro-music.com

Click the image to see an excellent block diagram of the Sound Lab Mini-Synth created by Tom Fenn of Birmingham, UK. It will help you imagine the sounds you can make.

How much will the Sound Lab Mini Synth parts cost? Back to Top Well that depends on where you buy your parts. If you look for deals on pots and switches (which will most likely be the most expensive items) you may be able to find them for as little as 50 cents a piece. Try All Electronics for surplus pots and switches. Jameco sells brand new pots for about 90 cents when you buy ten pieces of the same value. Also keep in mind that a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) switch may be on sale when you need a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switch. Well a DPDT switch can be used in place of an SPST or an SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch. So don't pay more for an SPST or a SPDT if you find cheap DPDTs. Another example is dual pots. If you find cheap dual pots in the value you want they will work fine as single pots. A dual pot is a pot with two resistive elements, two wipers connected to the same shaft and two sets of terminals (they are typically used as stereo controls). You just use one set of the terminals as if it was a single pot. Resistors and capacitors are relatively cheap but they are only pennies a piece if you buy in bulk (100 or 200 at a time). Values like 100K, 1M, 10K, .1uF, .001uF, 100pF always come in handy as do 1N914 diodes, 2N3904 NPN transistors and 2N3906 PNP transistors so having a few extra around for future projects and experiments is good and you will pay a lot less per part. If you belong to an electronics club or have some electronics buddies that live near you go for bulk buys and split the cost. OK, all that having been said I think that the price for parts will range from about $70.00 (you stock parts that you buy in bulk) to $100.00 (you buy just what you need for a particular project). Here are some good places to order parts from: Small Bear Electronics and SynthCube I hope this is helpful.

The Clear and Unambiguous PC Board Return Policy Back to Top If within 30 days of the original purchase you are unsatisfied you can return the clean, un-marred, un-soldered board and I will refund the purchase price of the board. You must include the original email you received from the on-line payment service regarding the transaction and pay for the cost of shipping it back to me. Please remember that the only stipulation to this offer is that the board must be in the same condition as it was when I sent it to you (clean, un-marred, and un-soldered). You can return it to me in the same envelope you received it in if you don't open it or if you open it carefully and tape it back together securely. There will, of course, be no refund if I receive a damaged board or an empty envelope. Paste my address on the outside and when I receive it I will issue a refund to you of the purchase price using the same on-line payment service used to make the purchase.

The Clear and Unambiguous Kit Return Policy Back to Top If within 30 days of the original purchase you are unsatisfied you can return the clean, un-marred, un-soldered kit and I will refund the purchase price of the kit. You must include the original email you received from the on-line payment service regarding the transaction and pay for the cost of shipping it back to me. Please remember that the only stipulation to this offer is that the kit must be in the same condition as it was when I sent it to you (clean, un-marred, and un-soldered). You can return it to me in the same box you received it in if you tape it back together securely. There will, of course, be no refund if I receive an empty box or a damaged or incomplete kit. Paste my address on the outside and when I receive it I will issue a refund to you of the purchase price using the same on-line payment service used to make the purchase.