Modular Synth

In the summer of 2013 I began to build a modular synthesizer.

The panels are roughly Buchla sized. I like the look of Buchla panels, but I had no intention of having compatibility with Buchla synths. Patching is mostly banana jacks, like the Serge systems. Most of the core modular synth circuits (VCOs, VCFs, VCAs, etc) are build on Music From Outer Space PCBs.

For interfaces I have the PAiA Midi2CV8 for controlling with MIDI, and a 1V/Octave keyboard from an old Korg that works with the Music From Outer Space 1V/Oct module.

Module List

• Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter

• CV Matrix Mixer

• Dual 8 Step Sequencer

• Dual Control

• Dual Delay

• Dual ADSR Envelope Generator

• Dual LFO

• Dual VCF

• Dual VCO

• MIDI to CV and Dual Portamento

• Output Mixer

• Prototyping

• Quad Divide

• Quad Envelope Generator

• Quad VCA

• Ring Modulator

• Sample/Hold & Noise

• Utility Mixer

Banana jack color code

Since banana jacks are available in a wide variety of color, I thought it would be nice to attach meaning to the colors of the jacks on my synth. This is just a guide and not strictly enforced; I’m sure irregularities can be found among my modules.

• Red dc coupled input. Can be audio or CV.
• Gray ac coupled input. Implies audio input.
• Green Gate input, high voltage “on”, +5 V to +12 V.
• White Trigger input, rising edge triggered, +5 V to +12 V.
• Purple Oscillator hard sync input
• Blue audio or CV output
• Orange Gate output
• Yellow Trigger or clock output
• Black System ground reference