DIY Modular Synth Drum Machine
Sometime in May 2020 I woke up and knew I had to build my own drum machine from scratch. Bass, snare and hi-hat synthesized through current manipulation.
As a synth and electronics newbie, I first created a software prototype based on VCV Rack. Then over time, I worked out the necessary parts to complete my modular drum synthesizer.
And in April 2021, I could then call the thing finished.
See the resulting modules below and check their video demos, schematics, stripboard/PCB layouts and references to other fellows’ designs ❤️️
| Section | Module | Finished |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Clock II 0.1 | ✅ |
| Gate to Trigger Converter 0.1 | ✅ | |
| Sequencer 0.1 | ✅ | |
| Bass Drum | Envelope Generator III 0.1.1 | ✅ |
| VCO III 0.1.1 | ✅ | |
| Snare | Envelope Generator 0.1 | ✅ |
| Exponential Converter 0.1 | ✅ | |
| VCO II 0.2.3 | ✅ | |
| VCA 0.2 | ✅ | |
| Envelope Generator II 0.2.1 | ✅ | |
| Noise Generator 0.2 | ✅ | |
| VCA 0.2 | ✅ | |
| Hi-Hat | Envelope Generator II 0.1 | ✅ |
| Noise Generator 0.3 | ✅ | |
| Mixing | Filter 0.2 | ✅ |
| Mixer 0.1 | ✅ | |
| Housing | Case II 0.1 | ✅ |
| PSU & Distro Board 0.1 | ✅ |