Analog Synths???

[slipperybidness]

Maybe I should have posted in the steam vent, but DIY may be appropriate.

I am in the process of building the PAiA Fatman Analog Sythesizer. It is quite a fun build and learning a little bit too. This is all completely new territory for me (the music making side that is).

Anybody know much about analog synths or synths in general?

I guess my biggest question is how to control it. I know I will need some type of MIDI controller or keyboard, or perhaps a sequencer. Are the computer interfaces for MIDI control worth messing with? I need a USB to MIDI cable for that?

I'm considering maybe a touch-pad controller (maybe some MIDI controllers are built into drum machines???) and running the output into a pair of powered monitors.

The bottom line for me is that this is a huge learning experience, and that is why I took on this project to begin with. I think it will be fun and a great opportunity to sharpen my soldering skills and learn a lot about electronics along the way. The music side of it is just along for the ride.

Anybody got any experience or feedback to share?

 

[shadyJ]

I would get a midi keyboard just for the freedom of a keyboard. Sequencers and arpeggiators are cool but that can all be done on computer software, and you can't just sit there and noodle around with a computer interface they way you can with a keyboard. Besides that it's a light easier to lay down sequences with a music keyboard anyway than with a mouse. But since its so easy and cheap to have a computer interface too, you might as well go and get one of those. Here is a cheap USB midi interface that will work well for you. Get some sequencer software and some arpeggiators and you can have a lot of fun.

 

[slipperybidness]

It's......................alive!!!!

Fatman synth is officially up and running. Everything seems to be operating correctly. This was definitely a complicated build, but it worked on first try!

I just gotta get together with a musician/electronics friend to learn a little about music and get some help getting it tuned.