Gray Area: Breadboarding Modular Synthesizers

In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to design basic electronic oscillators with integrated circuits and discrete components. These principals will allow us to synthesize musical sounds from the ground up and arrange them into melodic and rhythmic patterns.

Over the course of two days, we will focus on two circuit typologies: square wave oscillators for synthesizing pitched instruments and sine wave oscillators for emulating percussive sounds. After learning how to build these circuits out on breadboards, we’ll explore two ways of interacting with our circuits – one a button-based system for actuating sounds, and another an automated circuit for sequencing them.

By the end of the workshop, you will have built your own unique, playable instrument capable of generating synth melodies and sequencing drum patterns in real-time.

No previous experience is necessary and all materials are provided for you in this workshop.
Course Logistics

Dates: Saturday November 23 & Sunday November 24, 2024

Times: 1-4PM PT

Location: Gray Area / Grand Theater
2665 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Cost: $250

Scholarship: We also offer Diversity Scholarships.
Apply by November 9, 2024.

Experience Level: Beginner

Requirements:
• No additional tools required

Additional Information:
• No refunds or exchanges
• View our FAQ here
• Contact info@grayarea.org with any questions
Workshop Outline

Day 1

Build out a basic square wave oscillator + amplifier
Build out a basic twin-T sine wave oscillator
Troubleshooting and Q&A with an explanation of both circuits

Day 2

Using buttons and switches as an interface
Build out sequencer with binary counter + multiplexer
Circuit variations and discussion of further possibilities