Next Generation Formant: Small project outline

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I have build my first synthesizer end off the 70’s out of a kit which was based on the schematics from Elektor, a German DIY electronics magazine. This synthesizer was called “Elektor Formant”. This was way before the Internet gave us access to so many resources. Nearly everything has to be ordered via mail order. Or bought in shops if you was lucky enough to life nearby. The only resources then were some magazines or rare books. While life went on the building stopped. The synthesizer was stored away in a closet.

Some five years ago I started to restore my original Elektor Formant and got it working. Over the last years I build a lot of more modules from other sources first on strip-board and now on PCB. Mostly my own designs inspired by many fellow SDIY builders. I have done some bigger projects like Shakuhachi to Synthesizer which enables the Shakuhachi player to steer the synthesizer from the flute, or a 24 Band Vocoder.

Now it is time for another bigger project. Over the years I heavily modified my original Elektor Formant to enhance the performance, usability and add new features. This was done partly on the original Elektor Formant PCB or with additional circuitry on strip board. The additional functions leads to more knobs and plugs on the front panels. That means new face plates. And so on.

Finally I decided to build a complete new analog synthesizer to put all features and enhancements in it. All analog with PCB’s and today (end 2016) available parts, staying as close as possible to the original Elektor Formant. Here are the corner points:

  • Keeping all original features and the architecture
  • Front panel format 3HE
  • Audio Signal 10Vpp
  • CV and Audio interchangeable
  • Working on +/-15V and +/-12V as well
  • Gate +5V
  • All internal control voltages stabilized
  • PCB size max. 10x10mm
  • Portable housing

In the course of this project I will describe all changes that I made to the original Elektor Formant as well. Those will show up in the Elektor Formant Mods section on my website. The Next Generation Formant project will have a dedicated website with the current state of all modules.

One thought on “Next Generation Formant: Small project outline”

  1. This is great! I encourage you and will follow your new adventures, maybe I can do something along your journey, if all will be available, because I have a lot of 3HE rack cages asking me to fill it. Anyways, I hope you can do something great and, at the same time, enjoy the path to it.

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