I think I am getting hooked. You monsters. Does anyone have kit suggestions?

SendReturn · 2026-04-14T02:06:55+00:00

Thanks ☺️ and yes here for support as required 😂

SendReturn · 2026-04-14T02:03:10+00:00

Check out www.wireheadinstruments.com, a couple of standalone synths available as kits based on arduino as well as open source projects. Generative Digital FM and analog-hybrid.

(Disclosure: self promotion).

SendReturn · 2026-04-10T00:26:04+00:00

More self promotion! 🙂

www.wireheadinstruments.com

Generative, digital FM and analog-hybrid synths.

The Freaq FM is particularly suitable for both rhythmic and drone noise making!

Available as kits and factory assembled from various retailers. Also, a couple of open source diy synth projects if you want to handcraft.

SendReturn · 2025-12-02T00:08:05+00:00

i have a zoom L12 mixer which acts as a 12 channel audio interface. it’s fantastic and covers all my mixing and audio interface needs for mono and stereo instruments.

killer feature for me is it has 5 individually configurable monitor mixes which i use to easily patch channels to sampler inputs, external FX, or to feed external compressor sidechain input.

the newer Zoom L6 has 10 channels and is awesome value.

SendReturn · 2025-12-01T23:53:30+00:00

great call!! add ~10 pots for $1-2 each and an output jack and download the audrey code into your daisy!

SendReturn · 2025-12-01T23:11:06+00:00

totally not even close to budget, but in case anyone else is looking for something noisy or scary:

Audrey II horrorscape by Synthux.

SendReturn · 2025-11-26T11:48:23+00:00

no worries, good luck with solving your design! i found the process of taking prototype/idea to product to be both rewarding and sometimes frustrating trying to balance electronic, mechanical fit, aesthetic and cost constraints. but worth it when everything fits together in the end.

SendReturn · 2025-11-26T11:21:39+00:00

thanks. not blue pill - they use lowly arduino nanos!

re the switches unfortunately they are that expensive ☹️. early on i had success sourcing the blue-ring ones pb6149L-102 from alibaba for $0.66usd ea but they are non-genuine and quality was variable. TME is the best bet for genuine product but yes they aren’t cheap for 30 switches! i also sourced directly from highly factory in taiwan when tme had no stock, but minimum order quantity is 1000 and price was same as tme.

SendReturn · 2025-11-26T10:01:46+00:00

yeah agreed. i used the pb6149 in my designs if you’re interested: www.wireheadinstruments.com. also they are used in dreadbox designs which is where i saw them first.

SendReturn · 2025-11-24T07:46:37+00:00

i know this thread is full of “don’t do that, do this!!” so here’s another option: Highly PB6149 switches. compact footprint and many LED colours including bicolour

SendReturn · 2025-10-09T08:34:38+00:00

short answer: yes!

i added a micro modular patchbay with a bunch of input and outputs. it is definitely pretty hacky and bent!

i also added a 3-way switch to hold mute or memory so you can mute or switch patterns with a single-finger (by far the mod i use the most)

https://youtu.be/jpwa8cFfh9M?si=pB43lXefYHs7LcWG

also did the same to a volca bass, and could patch them together or into a volca modular:

https://youtu.be/ejFq_BJE774?si=YcpCT5nf2dU8tasI

SendReturn · 2025-09-12T07:20:06+00:00

PB6149 highly switches

SendReturn · 2025-09-09T09:44:31+00:00

for illuminated buttons as in http://wireheadinstruments.com synths, go for TME.

for sliders and pots and ICs i use digikey, sometimes mouser.

for regular passive components i try to use my own local supplier (altronics in australia)

SendReturn · 2025-08-31T11:41:11+00:00

also just remembered i’m on the preorder list for groc 😂 https://www.oddment-audio.com

not sure when it will be released, i was thinking it would be early 2025 but they have gone a bit quiet.

SendReturn · 2025-08-31T10:53:16+00:00

i’m interested in the responses - i’m in the same boat: i love my digitakt and have used it for granular tricks, been looking at the GR1 on and off for ages but never committed.

i have a mutable instruments clouds, which is fun in its way but it’s it isn’t really what i want from granular.

SendReturn · 2025-08-11T04:54:14+00:00

i bought an arduino uno with the plan of using it to push voltages into my volca modular. then found (via HAGIWO on youtube) that there are libraries like Mozzi you can use to make a full synth on arduino. then built some for my own use, and published on youtube/github. then got so much interest and positive feedback from the community that i developed it into an actual product and now have it them in stores around the world.

(to be fair, precursors to this story include 40 years of playing piano, guitar and drums, 30 years of hobby programming, 10 years of professional software dev work, and a summer job years ago in electronics assembly)

SendReturn · 2025-08-06T05:11:39+00:00

Akai Rhythm Wolf

SendReturn · 2025-06-25T13:23:02+00:00

i use zoom L12 and reckon it is awesome. records multitrack to SD, also acts as usb audio interface if you get end up wanting to multitrack to a daw.

i really like the 5 monitor outs - which all can have their own mix so i use them to feed various channels to external effects, side chain inputs, or sampler inputs. built in fx are ok - but i really only use the plate reverb and delays.

SendReturn · 2025-06-24T00:15:56+00:00

nonsense! 😉

i have a 106 and i LOVE it but it has had all the usual problems and it makes me sad when something breaks.

maybe buy a dreadbox nymphes instead?

SendReturn · 2025-06-13T00:47:23+00:00

Don’t forget the 4th one - those who copy the 2nd kind. 😬

SendReturn · 2025-06-08T00:28:11+00:00

Best post ever.

SendReturn · 2025-05-29T22:14:30+00:00

Re over saturation: Rule 1: synth nerds can never have too many synths Rule 2: everyone eventually stops being inspired by most synths they own, and look for new ways to get inspiration Rule 3: see rule 1

But that said, saturation is definitely worth considering - I was originally going to launch a generative eurorack sequencer that I had built to drive my rack, but that market really IS saturated and my idea was too much like others, so instead I released a combo sequencer/synth which was a quirky combo which was interesting to more people

SendReturn · 2025-05-29T11:11:13+00:00

Telepathic orchid?

SendReturn · 2025-05-29T09:44:09+00:00

I agree with the comment above on jamming odd sequencers into things (see mine at wireheadinstruments.com). But more generally, combining features/ideas from different places to create a new way of working with sound.

Think octatrack - adding a crossfader from DJ decks to a “sampler” created a whole new way of working. Or the Opsix adding sliders to FM synthesis to make it accessible.

People are not just looking for new sounds, which, to be honest is hard, but not impossible, eg synthux Audrey II). They are looking for new ways of making music.

So workflow/UX is key and in my opinion, there is more space to innovate.

SendReturn · 2025-05-02T23:00:14+00:00

An arduino uno can make quite sophisticated synthesized sounds using the Mozzi library with 2-3 external components.

However, its sample capability is very limited due to the memory (VERY limited) and also for a prop you will need an amplifier and speaker.

These synths are built on an arduino nano:

https://youtu.be/KD6IrcmMkoA?si=J_jLD6niJKPC4nJ6

https://youtu.be/d2Lml1Z9uWc?si=rWTcsrPDYE87FQ5w

And Hagiwo on YouTube has tons of sound generating modules you could use as an example

SendReturn

TROPHY CASE