| Name | NetID | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Gallagher | swg3 | ECE 110 and ECE 120 |
| Ryan Chen | wjchen2 | ECE 110 and ECE 120 |
| Matthew Casper | mcasper3 | ECE 110 |
| Brayden Haas | bthaas2 | ECE 110 |
Statement of Purpose
The goal of this project is to create a simple analog synthesizer. The group wants to develop a deeper understanding of how a synthesizer, a common feature in a large amount of popular music, functions. This project combines interest in music and the arts with engineering and electronics. To state the purpose generally, we hope to further develop our technical skills while creating a working, albeit simple, synthesizer.
Background Research
The earliest example of a synthesizer was patented in 1897, but digital synthesizers did not come into widespread use until the 1970s. This makes them a very recent addition to the field of music making, where strings, wind, and taught materials (like drums) have been the only options for centuries. Simply put, a synthesizer is any device where digital or analog processing creates sound. The sounds may be created or filtered in such a way as to emulate a traditional instrument or to create unique sounds.
We undertook this project to embrace our interest in engineering and music. We hope to develop technical skills that will be useful either in employment or later in our education while learning how electronic pieces can be assembled to create sound in a controlled and hopefully pleasing way.
This project is similar in category to The Illini Piano (Fall 2020) because they relate to music and the creation of sound. Both projects seek to generate sound electronically in response to a stimulus. They are different because the goal of the project is different and therefore the execution of the project will be different, most notably the fact that ours will not contain any corn.
Block Diagram / Flow Chart
Below is a flowchart showing our general plans for the design of our synthesizer.
System Overview
The keyboard/input is what tells the VCO to produce sound. In the case of the keyboard, the keyboard will tell the VCO the pitch at which the signal should be produced.
The Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) is what produces the signal. We hope to build VCO modules that can produce both sine waves and square waves. The signal produced here is the source of the sound output, which in turn is altered by the VCF and VCA.
The Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) can alter the signal’s frequency range. In a broader sense, this module with EQ the signal, by cutting off or amplifying certain frequencies.
The Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) alters the volume of the signal.
ADSR stands for “Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release”. These are envelope generators which act upon the VCF and VCA modules.
Parts
Operational amplifier
Audio power amplifier
Transistors
Diodes
Linear Taper Potentiometer
Resistors (a LOT)
Capacitor Ceramic
Capacitor Electrolytic
Speaker
Switches
Keyboard
Potentially an Oscilloscope
Possible Challenges
Utilizing the various advanced circuitry that none of us are familiar with, including: voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO), voltage-controlled filters (VCF), and voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCA).
Working on the project as a group - whether meeting up in person or delegating tasks for members to do if they aren’t able to meet in person
Static could possibly interfere with the system
Implementing a keyboard into a design
References
MasterClass. 2021. How Do Synthesizers Work? Definition, History, and Role in Producing Music. [online] Available at: <https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-synthesizers-work#what-is-a-synthesizer> [Accessed 18 February 2021].
Web.mit.edu. 2021. So you want to build an analog synthesizer?. [online] Available at: <http://web.mit.edu/klund/www/weblatex/node2.html> [Accessed 18 February 2021].
YouTube. 2021. DIY Analog Synthesizer Build. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB9N5MH30zQ> [Accessed 18 February 2021].