Death by Audio Synthesizer (LP circuit board)

[Fuzzonaut]

I bought the latest LP by A Place To Bury Strangers, as I like that band. Getting an LP sized circuit board with it, to build a DBA synth with 2 delay lines was pretty cool.

Sourcing parts was fine, just those rotary switches required some searching, as they had to be the exact type (Alpha, open) to fit the footprint.
Why there are gigantic holes for the potentiometer legs is beyond me. I had some contact mics at hand that I could use. What else? I used a different 9V jack, because I wanted something Lumberg. And I installed small rubber feet for cabs to make the thing stand somehow.



It sounds great, can make all sorts of drones and noises and the two delays offer a lot of potential to go wild.
Really cool is also the input. You can use it as a pedal if you want.

Here are some noises, using my bass going through the synth.

https://soundcloud.com/fuzzonaut-1%2Fdba-synth-on-bass

And here a snippet of just the synth on its own.

https://soundcloud.com/fuzzonaut-1%2Fdba-synth-1

 

[mdc]

Why there are gigantic holes for the potentiometer legs is beyond me.

It allows for a degree of tolerance in assembly. Enclosures are drilled, the pots are mounted to the enclosure, the PCB drops onto the pots and is soldered in place.

 

[giovanni]

I’m gonna have to get me one of these…

 

[Waldo_jeffers]

That’s sick!! I didn’t realize it had an input too

 

[Paradox916]

That thing is wild… but I can’t wrap my head around synth stuff, So have a hard enough time trying to program drums.

 

[p_wats]

Nice! Just build up one of these for a friend too (demo here)! Didn't really want one for myself, but then I had a few extra days with his and it was a lot of fun. Might have to track it down after all

 

[giovanni]

I got one recently but haven't built it so far. It's going to the bottom of a long backlog...

 

[EisengesisFX]

I love this idea and love that Oliver and company made it. Your demos confirm it sounds noisily delightful!

Definitely distantly on my list, I just feel like I get hung up on enclosureless DIY stuff because I immediately worry about what can get dinged up, dusty etc. The Echo Rockit may or may not be as versatile as this (I haven't played either), but it's designed with a faceplate and DIY box in mind and costs about as much. I wish APTBS at least sold an optional acrylic faceplate! Take my money, sheesh.

 

[Fuzzonaut]

I love this idea and love that Oliver and company made it. Your demos confirm it sounds noisily delightful!

Definitely distantly on my list, I just feel like I get hung up on enclosureless DIY stuff because I immediately worry about what can get dinged up, dusty etc. The Echo Rockit may or may not be as versatile as this (I haven't played either), but it's designed with a faceplate and DIY box in mind and costs about as much. I wish APTBS at least sold an optional acrylic faceplate! Take my money, sheesh.

Don't worry about dinge'n'dust, this is about rock'n'roll, innit?

And it's a great record, so just buy the LP and you'll get the PCB for free