NAMM: Doepfer DIY analog synth

If you've ever dreamed about building your own x0xb0x 303-clone but wanted a little more modularity, or more synth features, than Doepfer has the kit for you.

Doepfer,the minds behind the huge A-100 modular system, will be unveiling a new DIY analog synth kit at this year's NAMM conference. The kit ships with only a PCB board, so the user will have to supply a case and power supply as well as knobs, switches, and sockets. You can even combine two or more units to get extra VCOs, LFOs, VCFs, VCAs, etc.

VCO: sawtooth and rectangle output (with variable pulse width), several frequency CV inputs, several PW/PWM
CV inputs, linear FM input, hard sync input
VCF: multimode filter, lowp, highp and bandpass output (optional low-notch-highpass with external
potentiometer), 12dB/oct, several frequency CV inputs, several audio inputs, manual resonance control,
resonance up to self oscillation
VCA: exponential control scale, several CV inputs , several audio inputs , audio output
ADSR: connections for attack, decay, sustain and release controls, connections for range switch (3 ranges),
connections for LED display, ADSR output
LFO: triangle and rectangle outputs, connections for frequency control (optional different controls for up/down
time), connection for range switch (3 ranges), connections for LED display
Slew Limiter: connections for slew control, input, output
Inverter: input, output

The kit will begin shipping spring 2010 at a super low cost of 100 euros or about $140. You can read more about the kit in the PDF file on Doepfer's page.

I know I'll be all over this kit as soon as it's available stateside. I've been on the x0xb0x waiting list for a little over a year, so have yet to build my own synth. Yet I feel the desire to build my own musical instrument a huge driving force behind learning to solder building electronics. That, and I've wished the x0x had more expandability.