(photos by CookieM)
Japanese kit-maker Gakken has just released a special special edition of the Otona No Kagaku publication focussing on music synthesizers. The issue includes an SX-150 stylus-input analog synth kit which appears to require relatively little effort in the way of assembly (a feature which may be a demerit in the eyes of some avid solderers). Have a look/listen of the device in action –
The external control source seems to hold a lot of potential – and from what can be discerned from the compressed audio, the unit seems to sound rather nice. (want want)
16 thoughts on “Gakken analog synth kit”
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That last half reminds me of old SciFi like Lost Planet.
That’s not fair! The soldering is almost done!
@Shady – agreed :(
it would seem not everyone enjoys circuit assembly as much as we do.
Man, this thing looks awesome! Awesome I tell ya!
I’m still trying to get my hands on their theremin kit, and now I find this little beauty…
The basic design reminds me of a Stylophone, the vintage synth that uses a stylus to connect a circuit. Although stylophones didn’t have knobs to fiddle with, their keyboard interface was actually in scale (like piano keys).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubreq_Stylophone
Thank you for using my photos. This kit is easy, simple and cheap! The detailed explanatory is also attached. Then, this is the core of a first step for “MAKE”. Many people already enjoy modification.
I have just received my Gakken Synth today, coincidentally at the same time as the man across the hall got one. Both of us built them in 5 minutes, they both sound great, however neither of the external source functions work. Any ideas??
@smcg – I’ll have one on hand for testing soon. I’ll let you know if i can lend any insight.
ok – I could see how the external source jack would seem unresponsive – it’s designed to respond to frequency, but requires a pretty hot signal to do so. It worked well with me benchtop function generator.
the frequency/pitch input seems an odd choice, i was expecting a control voltage input – but that can be had by wiring to the stylus