What is the cheapest hardware synthesizer, or where are schematics for DIY?
I have been looking into hardware synthesizers a lot, but have no where NEAR enough money to buy the MIDI to CV (already have a MIDI keyboard I got a while back ago), VCO, VCF/VCA, and then stuff for my own effects (like mixers, delay, reverb, echo, sequencers, etc.). Can someone give me (and I don't mean as an opinion, I want minimal or better to make SOME sound but cheaply) some pointers to cheap, functional synth modules I can purchase?
Also, I would be glad if someone commented some links to schematics for DIY synths (already found some VERY minimal oscillators online, but nothing more) as I am into electronics and would be glad to do it myself, also.
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Another neat little option if you already have the midi controller is the MeeBlip anode. It is open source hardware, too, so you could (in theory) just get the schematics and build it yourself. It's monophonic and super basic, but is tiny and fun.
It's probably hard to get anything cheaper than the Korg Monotron series. The Korg Monotribe is a bit more expensive, but is more full featured. Does not come store equipped with MIDI, but is prepared internally and can be modded for MIDI.
Don't think of it as "I already have the keyboard", because you'll be reducing your options. The big majority of synths come with keyboard, and few have a keyboardless model. I'll include keyboardless models here, but don't get too fixated, you might find another option to be better.
First note that you don't need a MIDI to CV module to control hardware synths, since most are MIDI compatible. Only specific modular systems need MIDI to CV conversion, but if you don't have the money for a MIDI to CV module chances are that you don't have the money for the full modular system.
The Portable-11 from synthesizers.com, for example, is at 1,700 USD, and I think it's the cheapest good quality modular you can get (it includes the MIDI to CV convertor). The MIDI to CV alone is around 260 USD.
But you don't have to go modular. There are many non-modular analog synthesizers out there that are MIDI compatible. We can look at some quality budget models like:
Arturia MicroBrute 300 USD.
Dave Smith Mofo (keyboardless) 400 USD
Moog Minitaur (keyboardless) 500 USD
Novation Bass Station II 500 USD.
Akai Timbre Wolf (4 note polyphony) 500 USD.
Pittsburgh Modular System 10.1 (keyboardless, semi-modular, includes MIDI to CV)
Polyphony is not common in analog synths, and when found it is very limited and probably expensive. The timbre wolf above has 4 voice polyphony, the other are monophonic.
If you want more polyphony, and other extras, you want to check virtual analog synths, which are digital and emulate the analog quality. The cheapest quality options are:
Waldorf Rocket (monophonic, keyboardless) 300 USD
Korg microKORG (4 note polyphony) 400 USD
Waldorf Blofeld (25 note polyphony, keyboardless) 500 USD
Novation MiniNova (18 note polyphony) 500 USD
Roland JD-Xi (128 note polyphony) 500 USD
Roland System 1 (polyphony varies by type) 600 USD
Virtual analog synths often include extras like effects, sequencers, vocoder, more oscillators, more modulators and modulation capabilities, more polyphony and voices, etc. They might not be able to perfectly emulate some analog dynamics though (filters can sound very different). So, if you are going for a very specific analog sound, make sure that specific model of virtual analog synth can produce it before buying it.
In general, it's a good idea to test and listen to the synth and make sure you love its sound before buying it.
And regarding schematics, if you want to go the DIY route, you should take a look at this book:
Make: Analog Synthesizers
It is very accessible and easy to follow, teaches you to build a basic subtractive synth: LFO, VCA, VCF, VCO, LFO, etc. It should be the less expensive option, if you can get a good price for the components, but it's also the less flexible model. The experience of building one is more than worth it if you are into this kind of stuff.
You might also want to consider going software synth. There are many excellent software synths and synthesis environments, including virtual analog software synths, many of which are free. Can't get cheaper than that!
You already have a MIDI keyboard, you already have a computer, so you are already good to go. You can buy a MIDI control surface to control the synth, if mouse and keyboard is not your thing.
There are countless software synths out there, this should be a good starting point:
Musictech top free software synths list.
GTPS top free software synths list.
Tutsplus top free software synths list.
Here you can find some from my collection of modules schematics: ru.pinterest.com/deliandiver/all-about-modular-synth-schematics/
Try searching for CGS Synth (Ken Stone's modular synthesizer), Music From Outer Space (Ray Wilson) and general searches like "Modular Synth DIY" for schematics.
Note, I think a MIDI to CV unit might be quite a difficult project - though note I've never built one.
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