I built an analog synth from 1979!

[@technoforbeer]

Incredible... FYI: In Japanese, the first line on the label of the box says: "Please enjoy this new sound in a new era", the second line: "Desktop (or Tabletop) Electronic Organ Realized by means of IC" and the third: "KIT 103". ;-)

[@05degrees]

Thanks!

[@valk_real]

Hmmm where are the 102 other kits?!

[@8083music]

It really was a new era.

[@floatingdoor]

You are like the bob ross of music, Giving people online the paint brush online to create their own visions thanks man.

[@xelidojamz24]

I know right! He’s soo good

[@patricksharpe]

Good analogy. Pretty accurate. :)

[@philmarsh5593]

I get the same good vibes with Dave's vids too - great analogy.

[@ChristopherStoppiello]

Am I delusional or do you leave this comment on several videos from different creators? Edit: I just checked a mylar melodies video and it was in fact a different user commenting that mylar is the bob Ross of synths. So I conflated things.

[@ianskinner633]

Yeah man. This guy and hainbach are super Bob Ross like

[@3DPDK]

The oscillator IC (LA-6458) is a dual operational amplifier. It is (was) manufactured for SANYO maybe in Japan, maybe in China, making it a rare IC in Europe and the US today. *A close US equivalent is a 555 oscillator IC.* It's wired on the PCB in a feed back loop where each amplifier controls the other amplifier, resulting in hysteresis, outputting a square wave. The square wave is put into a passive, low pass filter (signature curving sides of the triangle) to turn it into a triangular wave. The LA-4140 is an output amplifier. It uses a noise reduction, passive, capacitor filter at it's output. At high volume the capacitor reaches full charge before the wave has reached full amplitude and clips the top and bottom (in this case) of the triangle turning it back into a square wave with slightly sloped edges. There is actually a note in the data sheet of clipped output signal if a small value capacitor is used. The effect was probably intentional. For not being too much into the meat and bones of electronics, you did a good job of piecing this together. [edit] electrolytic capacitors don't degrade in the bag - they can degrade over time when in use ... but not always.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Ah, thanks so much for this detailed explanation. Really helpful!

[@erroneousbosh]

A 555 isn't a very close match to any kind of opamp! It's more like an LM358 or similar.

[@3DPDK]

​@@erroneousbosh *You are correct.* to a point. The 555 timer is a dual opamp IC but it is hardwired internally as an opposing comparator pair. It's meant to be used as a multivibrator - a signal or trigger generator, and impossible to use it any other way, where the LM358 has other uses as two separate amplifiers. Some "re-engineering" of the PCB and a 555 could be used in this circuit including the resistor ladder for tuning. The 555 also can sink 4 times the output current of the 358.

[@erroneousbosh]

@@3DPDK It's got a couple of differential pairs and a totem-pole output, that's about the only similarity between a 555 and a dual opamp. You could not use a 555 in this circuit.

[@3DPDK]

@@erroneousbosh I said "with a little re-engineering of the PCB" You couldn't just drop the 555 into the socket and expect it to work. If this was on my test bench, I'd spend no more than 10 minutes trying to find the data sheet on the LA-6458 I would cut the traces going to the socket, set a 555 IC up as an astable multivibrator and recalibrate the resistor ladder for the 555. I don't know your experience but trying to locate replacement Chinese ICs or find their data sheets is a nightmare. And when you CAN find them, the published maximum parameters are usually wishful thinking.

[@MrOrgeston]

Synth enthusiast: Woah, it's a square wave! Electronic engineer: It's clipping.

[@cantcomeupwithausern]

Yup.. I'm like, that's just clipping because the volume is too high.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

That's the smoothest clipping i have ever seen though.

[@SlenderSmurf]

another commenter mentioned this device had info that explained that this is caused by a filtering capacitor getting saturated at high volumes, and the effect was likely intentional

[@ismailaytekinsarkaya8925]

Or saying clock signal:))

[@LibertyRecordProductions]

LOL, clipping is now a wanted feature.

[@anthonyleanamusic]

This is so cool! RE: the effect the volume control has on the waveform/timbre of the synth, it seems like that volume control is more of a "preamp" volume than a "master" volume, in the sense that when you boost it, the circuitry following that gain stage begins clipping. So the true waveform of the oscillator is that initial sine/triangle shape, and as you bring up the volume control, rather than the signal increasing in strength in its unadulterated form, it comes up against a ceiling, the peaks get clipped off and it becomes closer to a square wave. So where a filter would reduce the high or low frequency content, this actually adds more harmonic overtones, kind of like having a fuzz pedal built into the circuit!

[@a.warner1418]

Went to the comments to point this out. Thanks for explaining this better than I could have!

[@elissitdesign]

That was exactly what I was thinking when hearing it and seeing the waveform. Wonder if the volume potentiometer can be adjusted for boosting to get more texture!

[@socialgutbrain7774]

I love how the sound is produced by metal tabs that get pressed down by the keys into a bar. It's quite simple yet genius.

[@andreivaughn1468]

literally how combo organs from the 60s work, except they were doing this with 3-5 bars (for extra harmonics), with 5-6 octaves and with full polyphony

[@sytiravajous]

Since they share the same bar, what happens when you press multiple keys? Does it just go through the path of least resistance or make up weird sounds with the combined resistance values?

[@jefferysaddoris]

This might be my favorite video you’ve done yet. It’s personal, educational, and entertaining. Well done.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darrelldourte9455]

Seems to be on slider short of a "happy meal". A bit more pinch clip experimenting with another pot and contact points should be able to seperate wave shape and volume. Added filter optional...I'll know more when I slice one into the ol' Yamahas I have available. Nice find.

[@monolito8556]

It's incredible you find soldering relaxing, ...

[@timdanyo898]

I was comparing my level of anxiety I’d experience to yours of patience and enthusiasm while building. It’s the “what if” and not knowing that you took on in good spirits that encouraged me. Thanks for another great video!

[@LazyCat010]

I need to find that calm patience when soldering. My hands shake

[@mbrombert]

Never seen a kit like this... wonderful! I absolutely love how the components were all laid out on the cardboard.

[@GRAHAMAUS]

A tip for making better solder joints on PCBs - don't bend the leads flat like this. Instead, just use the long-nose pliers to kink them at about a 30° angle close to the board. (grip the lead in the pliers a short distance above the board, pull gently upwards and across at the same time until the lead is bent in two places - one at the board, and one at the pliers). The solder will flow around the lead more easily, and it's much easier to clip off the lead neatly, making for an overall better appearance. It also makes it a lot easier to get the part out again if you need to later.

[@CristiNeagu]

He's asking for shorts. But there's no need to use pliers. Just splay the leads with your fingers, away from eachother. That will hold the part just fine. If you want it held even better, start with the smallest components and work your way towards the taller ones, and laying the PCB on the table will hold the part in place.

[@GRAHAMAUS]

@@CristiNeagu Yes, I don't mean use pliers to use a lot of force, just long-nose pliers used gently, which will give a sharp bend, but not a steeply angled one. I just got into that habit years ago and find that using the pliers is much faster with practice than fingers, and more precise. Hard to say if it's really better, but that's the habit I got into. It's definitely better not to bend the leads flat though, however you do it.

[@MrToradragon]

I usually just little bit bend them so they act little bit like a spring and then put match between the component and the board so there is bit of a gap between component and the board, so then all components have even gap from the board. And it helps little bit with cooling too.

[@Rouverius]

Seeing those 40 year old carbon resistors, I was all prepared to jump in the comments when the tuning was completely out of wack. What a wonderful surprize to hear such a great sound from it.

[@CrobinHood8BitGuy]

I’m working on assembling a vintage HeathKit rf signal generator, is that something I should be worried about when building it?

[@Rouverius]

@@CrobinHood8BitGuy It seems that some can to drift up in value a bit over the years. I'm guessing it'll be OK in your build. But if there's concern, try quickly testing them with multimeter. Anyway, sounds like a fun project.

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Totally radical. Once that reverb hits, the sound just warps you to another world.

[@ringsystemmusic]

Oh man those parts on cards are the *deluxe* treatment compared to bags of parts I got with my Brunswick synth. A tip for your next build: start from the shortest components first and move your way up through the heights. So start with diodes, then resistors, transistors, MOSFETs, IC sockets, capacitors, jacks, and finally potentiometers. This makes it easier to fit parts flush with the PCB since you can just flip it over and rest the parts on the table.

[@elissitdesign]

These old kits make me warm and fuzzy thinking of my childhood in the 80s, going to RadioShack with my dad. There is definitely something to appreciate here that’s been lost with time.

[@VirtualPainRecords]

@7:37 This is actually caused by the increased volume itself because it's giving it so much voltage that the device's limit is reached (harmonic distortion) and this leads to the 'cut' waveform and creates overtones. :p

[@aftertheendtimes]

I wish they did these simple kits today, thanks for shareing =)

[@drindy5166]

This is soooo frik'n disturbingly kool. First off, it is beyond me how you manage to track down these rare gems. Brilliant work assembling... and just nothing short of amazing sounds. Seriously, this wins the internet today 👊🧡👍

[@ITSGENDI]

I love these videos about old forgotten synths. And I love how you’ve been releasing some of the decent sampler packs for free. I’ve been using a few of the sounds in some of my productions. Thank you!! Keep up the awesome work!!

[@SanderAnderon]

love the "Sound - , Coolness 10" in the green ad....and your adventure here put me into in a major good flashback this morning. In '75 I ordered a PAIA keyboard kit with about 6 modules and, having zero soldering experience, got my aerospace engineer dad to teach and supervise me through it. Got about the same sonic bang for the buck as your PET, but man that PAIA did some great extra long gliss glides, ha.

[@05degrees]

Oh David thank you for showing waveforms the synth makes!! 🙏 I was liking its sound and now I can match them in a synth like Vital. 👏 AAAAAAA

[@05degrees]

Uh sorry I hope this doesn’t read as an undercut. This patch would be for personal use.

[@bad_robot]

seeing someone so passionate and patient with this little piece of history is so refreshing after all the 5 minute EDM tutorials all over youtube

[@RSpudieD]

This was so cool and it's impressive how you were able to figure out how to assemble it without instructions! It sounds great especially with the reverb and it really is like a little time capsule from 1979. It's like its been sitting there waiting for its moment in the spotlight and we finally get to hear what it sounds like! Overall, great idea for a video and it was nice to watch you build it! It's definitely one of my favorites you've done. Keep up the good work!

[@_OopsieDaisies]

I've built a few effect pedals from kits and you are so right that the process of putting together a relatively simple project like this is so meditative

[@Communitis]

The volume isn't acting as a filter, it's just clipping; you can tell it's the same wave form with the peaks and troughs clipped off with the scoped wave, and it's overdriving the speaker. That effectively makes the wave form more square like, which is changing the sound; an amusing artifact of this simple circuit. A rudimentary synth kit you can build yourself, how cool. :) Great content.

[@Space_Reptile]

given that you showed clean shots of the un assembled PCB, it wouldnt be too hard to make this from scratch these days

[@oskarroebuck6425]

i was just thinking that, actually. both the circuit board designing software and means to print said designs are literally at our fingertips. could be a fun project in the future 👀

[@Gainn]

Pretty easy to add in a second oscillator and panel mount the pots for some detuning.

[@erroneousbosh]

Literally my first thought on seeing that - "Oooh I hope he shows the track side" :-)

[@zvnavv3w5]

Though it will likely take some learning, you can design and build far better oscillators using modern, general-purpose op-amp packages (TL074), hex Schmitt-trigger inverters (CD40106), and a couple transistors (BC546-BC550) for like $5 per populated PCB. While this kit is kind of cool, there is little control over the waveform, the keyboard mechanisms will quickly degrade, and, well, it will sound like shit without additional processing and effects. It is also likely heat sensitive, meaning the tuning will change depending on the temperature, given I don't think there are any compensating components I could see. From my experience with power amplifiers similar to the one used (LA4104), temperature and EMI will also cause undesirable fluctuations, degradation, and interference. I know that's not what this video or kit is for, but I also think we should encourage modern design and engineering, over broken, nostalgic projects, as there will indefinitely be someone inspired by this video to hunt down $30 of counterfeit, obsolete, antique, non-functional/damaged packages that produce endless headaches and an even worse oscillator than this. As a bonus, investing in the modern parts and education I mentioned will also enable you to make all sorts of LFO/VCO/VCF/VCA modules that you can expand this crappy oscillator with.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

@@zvnavv3w5 Well yeah, i hope we see a slightly adjusted version of this kit using modern OpAmps and possibly more access to certain values to change and really making this more than just an "Organ". It would be amazing because most of the 555 Timer synthesizer kits i see are too expensive and boring.

[@haydenkinley5266]

Can't really solder due to health reasons, so I can't build stuff I'd like to, but watching peple solder and generally fiddling with microschemes is oddly relaxing. I'm living vicariously through videos like this, and I love it. This video in particular is fantastic, it's educational, covers a very cool subject and the music is so nice! Thank you for this.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Not even when you have a solder-fume vaccum working?

[@tsrenis]

@@KRAFTWERK2K6 there are different reasons why people can be medically unable to solder beyond problems with fumes.

[@bricelory9534]

What a lovely discovery! It's a bit of a shame its story is lost to time, it seems, but I am glad it is able to be preserved as a sample instrument. Your passion is a lasting value for us all ❤️

[@Sesaon3]

Every time one of your videos drops into my notification David I know I'm in for treat. You are a class act and not long to go to 100k subscribers which you will richly deserve. This took me back to when I built a Clef Drum Machine in about 1981. Great work.

[@jazzper_nl]

I'm from 1979 too but don't feel like an untouched time capsule.

[@LibertyRecordProductions]

Tip. You bend the leads into the track, then clip them first before you solder them. The final soldering job looks much neater, there is also no chance of having exposed copper which might happen if you clip the leads later.

[@J4hjhh]

I love his voice, its very calm and soothing. It gives me the vibes that I got in the first day of school and hearing my teachers voice for the first time.

[@aetry]

i just wanted to say that i went from not caring or knowing anything about synths to eating up all synth content and learning how to eventually use them for myself. you are for sure one of the best creators on the entirety of this website and i hope you continue to keep making awesome content!♥

[@thetomster7625]

little tip: the volume slider doesn't change the wave form, its simply at the upper limit of the output amplifier, so the top of the original waveform gets cut off ;)

[@koniistarr]

Yep! So it makes it from a triangle+sine kind of sound, to (basically) a square!

[@thetomster7625]

​@@koniistarr first of: its not really a square... and second: he said it acts like a filter and that is also not true... it acts as a volume limiter. So, my point was: its not like a hidden feature, its just as I said, I amplifier going to its limits

[@nullify1337]

Which leads to a thing named audio clipping :)

[@iannalemme]

the idea of having something new from 40+ years ago is amazing. very nice video!

[@bobolulu7615]

I built a PE Minisonic synthesiser in 1975. I still have it!

[@peppersalt]

The volume knob is not acting as a filter, it's a wave clipper at max volume since the amplifier can't supply the needed voltage to scale the original wave properly, hence creating distortion

[@NeonDreams7]

Love these old builds and rebuilds! Thanks for sharing!

[@davidchiasson563]

Man, I get excited seeing these videos. Thanks for being a part of the reason I bought a Elektron Syntakt to start the fun hobby of beeping and booping about.

[@AnonDe71]

Thank you very much! Such joyful and beautiful journey!

[@Acolytemedia]

Ive watched one or two of your videos before but i have to say, your work is so relaxing and just a joy to watch. Part music and sampling nerd and part electrical engineer who has his own giant box of capacitors lying around. The guy who said you were like the bob ross of music is spot on. I am also considering joining your patreon. Great stuff dude! Keep up the fabulous work! ❤❤❤

[@chat6128]

absolutely love this channel, hope you keep making content for the foreseeable future

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

I only have one thing to say brilliant!

[@billsimpson1085]

Your videos are always so fun to watch! Inspiring.

[@bigbasil1908]

It looks like it would be great for a project for experimentation, adding more features to it like a pulse width modulator, signal generator, ring modulator etc and of course the switches and pots to be able to use those extra circuits.

[@komradesnoipah1036]

i absolutely love it, its so clean and is a gorgeous little time capsule

[@SierraDelFiego]

I love the tranquility you spread while you are doing this beautiful and interesting thing

[@carlos-ferreira]

I'm so glad that KZbin decided to show your video in my feed.

[@mikeshvedov6981]

WOW. After looking at you working I think of trying working on boards and soldering myself. Soooooo satisfying.

[@tyeman3039]

Sweet find! I wish I knew this was out then. In 1980 I had a science project that I built a monophonic sine wave synth. Got the idea from one of those science “150 in 1” experiment boxes they sold back then. Wow… I’m old as dirt!

[@Nukle0n]

Fascinating kind of kit. It'd probably be kinda expensive to do these days since there's a lot of individual components but it's laid out so nicely..

[@Donut-np5jy]

I am from Serbia and I just found this listing, looks like a big brother of this organ. Anyway, your channel is great. Keep up with the great work! All the best.

[@uxwbill]

That is a really cool little "organ" kit, and it does sound quite nice.

[@TerenceKearns]

Loving this series. You are a living legend my friend. What a wonderful legacy.

[@fajarsuryantoro7025]

thankyou for a really good video with no ads at all

[@reggiep75]

I remember 'that's solder smell as my Dad was a TV engineer when I was a kid. It's probably why my brain is a little fried with all the lead in the solder, pre-lead solder days. Nice project! 😊👍

[@Skir_plunx]

Such a joy watching these videos. Cant wait for what's next!

[@timcheeseman3762]

I looooove these videos, thank you so much for archiving these lost sounds

[@infectedzero]

You are such a delight to watch, thank you. Your videos are incredible.

[@alexplaysplaysplays]

Another wonderful video Dave. So interesting and calming all at once. A fantastically romantic snapshot of the past put together with such skill and curiosity. Thanks!

[@peteytwofinger]

you know me , i hear ANALOG and i get excited. especially when i am on youtube . electronics is a dark art . you are a genus .

[@ForrestYoung]

I'm so glad you explained the basics of adding pieces to the circuit board. There's seems to sometimes be an assumption (in many youtube videos) that certain knowledge is a given. I never learned anything about electronics, so your choice to take a short moment to go over basics, as well as mentioning how relaxing it can be, is much appreciated! Cheers, - Forrest

[@philmarsh5593]

Always get a real feel good, relaxed vibe from hearing you talk and make stuff. So so creative but also positive. Thanks. About time I did the patreon thing too. All the best to you.

[@minimalglitch6675]

I have had the most stressful Sunday before going back to working in a school and ended up having to clear a pump sump of silt and we found that rats had come in for winter, and bit through an expensive dog food bag, storing food all over the cellar....sat down for 5 before making a tagine and needless to say watched the most chilling 9 min vid. Once I can afford the patreon I will be signing up and giving myself a few mins a day playing that old 79 organ. Thanks for the video. Really made my day.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

I'm vacationing in Japan after living here for 9 years and moving back to the US. I thought I could provide a translation of the language on the box. So, here it goes: -新しい時代の新しい音を楽しみ下さい。 -new generation's new sound enjoy please (direct, word-for-word translation) -Enjoy the novel sounds of a new generation. (Snazzy translation with delicious personal taste)

[@rizzbod]

i am so blessed that i found this channel today! thnx man

[@csilt]

I really enjoyed this video. You describing how the repetitive act of soldering the board was relaxing makes me want to learn how to do this stuff. I had one of those 2001 kits from Radio Shack back in the day with springs to make all of the connections and I remember enjoying making things with that back in the day. I made an alarm and even a simple video game.

[@jean_mollycutpurse_winchester]

Some time about 1969 1970? I bought these synthesiser modules that were like little brown bricks with wires coming off them and somehow, I connected them all together and made a case and created loads and loads of noise. Goodness knows what I did with them. Who made them I have no idea, but I do remember doing night work for a week in order to afford them. I was inspired by Wendy Carlos, of course.

[@paulbennell3313]

I always think it's a bit sad when a kit doesn't get built so seeing this finally built and singing made me very happy! Not only that but it transpires it makes an awesome, musically relevant sound! It obviously found a home with the right owner.

[@edwardferry8247]

Fabulous video, thank you. Decent sampler is a favourite of mine, so this will be a lovely addition.

[@peterhanzo8230]

I am fascinated by your wide range of knowledge and skills and grateful for videos with valuable content. Thank you ;-)

[@KrunkCobain]

So cool, way to keep history alive! It was interesting to hear how the volume control worked similar to old guitar tube amps of the time, turning the volume up also turned up the gain so there's different sweet spots to play with by ear.

[@ecsantana]

after seeing Your hard Work and Hope on this odyssey I really must say that the World is a VERY much better place because of You, my Friend... me, I'm just struggling to get a job so I can finally give You something back by supporting Your Patreon... wish me luck on that!

[@hm.till97]

never watched such calming youtube videos like yours before. keep your channel up, I really love it!

[@TheZooman22]

That was really cool. You've even managed to find the old missing parts. It looks like you traveled back in time and bought it brand new.

[@rottenheavenly6245]

pretty easy to follow ..that arriving with no instructions how to build it sounds like fun

[@smithfield06]

I love analog synths well done, amazing sound

[@smtgpox1767]

This synthesizer organ looks like new. Great video, thanks

[@everytongueconfess]

I'm so excited for this!!! Thank you

[@fredkelly6488]

beautifully done. lovely!

[@SolarLantern424]

They used to say it was an organ when it was a keyboard that just made a scale. It's not a synth as there is no way to synthesise different sounds except the thing you found with the volume control. To be a synth you would expect it to have at least ADSR or something or a way to create new sounds. There were a lot of electronic organs. Some could even have different voice presets but they couldn't synthesise sounds. The casio VL-Tone was kind of the first toy synth. It was VERY limited in what it could do but there was an envelope. The distinction was important so you understood what you were buying!

[@bonsaibloom]

wow this a wonderful documentation! lovely writing

[@nightnaj5278]

that.. was one of the most satisfying videos ever, great stuff

[@jimpenjao594]

Love the warmth of old synths

[@GenteelCretin]

Hell yeah, a $125.00 winning bid? The PCB is kinda cute, too. I love the eye printed on it. It looks like the waveform widens and then is clipped internally as the volume turns up.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

It's good practice to solder components in order of height, resistors & IC's first.... I loved watching this, even though it's not exactly a Roland....

[@CircularMirror7]

Nice job troubleshooting without schematics. 👏 Looks and Sounds awesome. 😃

[@leszekjezierski9414]

Unbelievable! Absolutely awesome!

[@sivoltage]

Wow! What a find, love it.

[@DeniseAngeliqueBanta]

Wow it's wonderful

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Love it! Fun to watch and listen to this Time Capsule come to life.

[@KUPHSER]

That’s pretty cool, never knew something like this existed. A build it yourself one oscillator mono synth.

[@JimAlfredson]

Nice video. Perhaps it's been mentioned, but when populating a circuit board, a good order to go by is to solder the lowest profile parts first, then work you way up in height. For example, first solder the resistors because they do not sit very high above the board. Then the transistors, then the capacitors, etc. It's much easier this way and you don't have to work around higher components. Also, while bending the leads does prohibit the component from falling through when you turn the board over to solder it, it also makes the part much harder to remove in case of error or fault and you run the risk of over-heating the solder pads and possibly lifting them in the removal process. Try using tape instead to secure the part to the board temporarily. I like painters tape because it holds well and comes off cleanly. This works well with the height method mentioned above.

[@margg_margg]

Born in 1979! This hits different 🎉

[@evancookaudio]

really lovely work! might just sit down this holiday season and diagram this so i can make it open source

[@BookieLukieiexist]

it sounds so good with the reverb

[@vincentcarrot]

Fantastic, thank you! The volume pot could benefit from some cleaning spray.

[@Rastafarai805]

This is incredible, what an interesting project

[@A.M......]

When you added the reverb, the sound reminded me of the synth lead at the end of All I Want by LCD Soundsystem

[@soundlink]

You really rocks men!! amazing how you solve the puzzle.