Wiggler - Expressive Synth using Daisy Seed and Flexure

In this video I describe an expressive synthesizer I'm working on called the Wiggler. Here's what we cover:
0:00 - Intro Jam
0:26 - What are Expressive Synthesizers?
1:02 - Wiggler Overview
2:07 - Daisy Seed
2:25 - Flexure enables motion
3:09 - Hall Effect Sensor measures motion
4:00 - Build Process
5:15 - Synth Patch Breakdown
8:55 - Outro Jam
This is the first of many videos. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggested topics I can follow up on.
Patreon:
/ soundwerkshop
Instagram:
/ soundwerkshop
Affiliate Links for Synth & Video Supplies:
Cap Touch Modules - amzn.to/3XPoMUB
Audio Recorder - amzn.to/3IPrHZe
Tripod - amzn.to/3Zdvk0b
Soft Box Light Kit - amzn.to/3Zdvk0b

[@loopop]

Sounds and works great! Thanks for the walkthrough

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks Loopop! I learned from the best! ;)

[@sound.workshop]

Actually, now that I think about it, your continuumini video is where I first heard about expressive synths, so thanks again!

[@tomasruzicka9835]

@@sound.workshop Looks like you could have a hard time using the wiggle by only touching the capacitive sensor. That's why you added the hot glue wedges I assume. If you want to make it as a product I would consider making the wiggle with as little resistance as possible and then allow configuring some artificial resistance in maybe with some clamps or something.

[@gilgomush]

How many Flexes does it take to get the center of the univer- I mean until it breaks?

[@dawnspies1974]

Crossing my fingers that you decide to go open source with it instead. A lot of people without electronics knowledge would probably still be willing to buy it from you still.

[@toddpeterson360]

This has to be one of the best sounding DIY synths I have heard online!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks! It’s all about the expressive interface.

[@toddpeterson360]

Yes, I showed my dad. It might be a .real game changer. You ought to try to get a patent (if you aren't already applying). I was awarded US # 9,024,168.

[@ThumpingThromnambular]

I genuinely had the ideal for something like this as a teen, never even thought to learn. The engineering skills to make it though.

[@gougav]

Amazing work ! Probably the best DIY synth I've seen in a long time, the essential is there, a great instrument doesn't need more features. I would love to see the programming in detail in a future video, and I would buy this for sure as a DIY kit, or a finished product with this form factor.

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks for letting me know Louis. And extra thanks for a video suggestion! I’ll make some programming videos in the future

[@julisity6640]

​@@sound.workshop Awesome! I'm very interested.

[@NeilMaron]

Very cool. Looking forward to your programming videos.

[@BenjaminSmith-zy2xr]

this is possibly the coolest synth build i have seen yet. I want to build one!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@g_niac]

this is rad. it’s reassuring to know there are good ppl preserving the awesome potential of music via science and engineering! hoping more young artists’ promote stuff like this. nothing cooler than being able to share literally building an instrument. no plugin or software subscription model will ever be able to rival how cool it is to be able to say you built that sound. dood, thx for making this. solder on!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks for the lovely comment! I really appreciate it. Yes I totally agree. That’s one thing that makes synthesizers so cool. You can dream up any instrument. And these days there are some pretty magical tools to build with.

[@johnaweiss]

I love how your sound effects have human-understandable labels, instead of techno-jargon.

[@peterxyz3541]

BRILLIANT! I appreciate this as a tinkerer. I wish I had musical skill to accompany my tinkering side.

[@sound.workshop]

Haha thanks. honestly I think this is good for beginners because all the notes sound good

[@Ambr]

I would buy this in a heartbeat. This is incredible, I love how expressive you can be with it its insane! Great work!

[@sound.workshop]

Nice, thanks for the encouragement. Ya I love how alive it sounds despite its simplicity. It’s all about the expressive input

[@j0hmama]

I learned a bunch from this video. I've heard the terms, but seeing on the scope being described was really helpful.

[@sound.workshop]

the visuals from scope helps a lot! Glad you appreciated it

[@VintageSynthesizerSolutions]

Amazing build, great job!

[@michaelhu427]

Brilliant demo. Super inspiring.

[@lizzyfrizzy4969]

>haptic drive for synth Sweet

[@princequestly2218]

What an amazing build. Next level.

[@inp1ace]

oh the sound! this is excellent, thank you for shring.

[@typebin]

amazing piece of art !

[@walrusbyte263]

Super cool project!

[@henriquematias1986]

really well done on the synth and on the patch and on the playing!! good stuff

[@ETA555]

Love your work 👍

[@nixonkutz3018]

Excellent design and construction. Your explanation is both basic enough for those new to music synthesis and also experienced synthers. Well done!

[@sound.workshop]

Great, I’m glad you liked it.

[@MartinMerven]

I love what you've created, and I'm really excited to see what you'll share next!

[@wati52]

This is really neat, thanks for showing us.

[@claussoegaard]

Incredibly cool - I hope this video blows up!

[@victormoncau5770]

Awesome work! Can’t wait to follow your journey and best of luck along the way 🎉

[@bishoy95]

Just Awesome 🥰 And it sounds pretty gorgeous 😍🥰

[@AdamVanHine]

That is so cool! Great work!

[@rafapontello]

Really really awesome!

[@3THYBOI]

what an amazing creation

[@jimquinn]

Reminder, that I would purchase one, and maybe more..... thanks, JQuinn

[@sound.workshop]

absolutely! Still working on it. Thank you for the encouragement

[@schizophrenicghost]

Beautiful concept!

[@Karl-P]

Sound amazing, nice and simple!

[@JeanDearCanada]

Very, very cool project.

[@lucien7904]

Wow thank you for sharing this !!

[@jackisgoofingoff5510]

Very cool project!

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Are you bringing this to market? This is seriously a great idea! Worth refining and presenting to prospective buyers.

[@sound.workshop]

thanks for your interest! Yes I'm still working on it. More info later this year

[@sleet2k4]

good job dude, I‘m sold ❤

[@Gingerhousedesigns]

This is awesome!

[@DavisidMatius]

Awesome!, thanks for sharing

[@jacobcrowley8207]

Wonderful expressiveness.

[@francesco10797]

Wow great stuff!

[@SophieCompaan]

Amazing!!

[@klausthaler1192]

Very instructive!

[@dosergiobr]

Very nice project!! My respect

[@diegodorado]

beautiful!

[@Synthikat]

Awesome! Nice work.

[@nathanherrold6887]

Very nice!

[@Probbie]

So awesome! Good luck with it..

[@daveshindig149]

Using those flexures on an instrument is a 200 IQ idea. That's cool man.

[@zoeyzhang9866]

This is EPIC! Looking forward to the upcoming version!

[@sound.workshop]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[@AndroidFan238]

So amazing 😮😊

[@DarrylMcGee]

Nice work!

[@AiMR]

Very cool build!

[@bricelory9534]

This is a really cool controller - I absolutely love the keyboard - as a cellist, this fits perfectly in my sensibilities. One thing I'd love to see with this would be to be able to include the modulation for attack into the vertical movement of the controller as well - perhaps some way that you can have it be controlled only by the knob or to turn it up so that as you use the controller to open the filter, it can also shorten the attack by a dialed in amount (similar to how the filter cutoff works already) - this could allow you to have both expressive, softer playing as well as more aggressive attacks accessible only through the keys, which will lead to a much wider space for performance and emotive playing. Just a thought! Seems like a really cool concept also to explore for a more generalized MIDI controller! Slapping a standard keyboard layout and possibly giving an octave or two more range without needing to hit an octave button could make this a powerful expressive controller for a wide variety of sample instruments and synths. I know that opens up the development requirements quite a bit, but it'd be a cool dream!

[@sound.workshop]

I agree with you it would be nice if there was some way to use pressure or velocity to modulate the pluck intensity or make the pluck speed. It’s on my mind. Hard to think of a clean way to do it on the front panel

[@moogik1892]

AMAAZING! A very expressive little Box, there!

[@jans7237]

Great work!

[@Jawmsie]

Oh man, I would definitely buy one of these.

[@aiiaznsk8er]

this is a cool project, good luck!

[@AllexBessa]

Amazing work !!!!

[@thefourthknock-cristosgiot4081]

Brilliant! Love it !

[@beauhanson3318]

This is INCREDIBLE

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks Beau!

[@SpikeBlighty]

Amazing Synth. So expressive. Great job.

[@sound.workshop]

thanks for letting me know! stick around to see me develop it into a product

[@natec1]

Wooo! Awesome project. I'm here for your jouney!

[@sound.workshop]

Thank you! More videos coming soon

[@RodHartzell]

Dude! This is totally brilliant! I love it.

[@sound.workshop]

Thank you!

[@dawn9340]

Awesome work, that thing sounds really cool.

[@sound.workshop]

thanks a lot!

[@WACkZerden]

amazing! nice work

[@richdecibels]

congratulations on a great build, thanks for the video and looking forward to see what comes next

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks! Working on v2 now

[@shanepython]

This is the best YT video I've viewed this month. :) Awesome!

[@aBucketOfPuppies]

I love this! Can't wait to see what happens with this channel!

[@sound.workshop]

thanks for the encouragement

[@shimondoodkin]

Fantastic

[@lumotroph]

Super cool!

[@postRMO]

sounds beautiful

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks! It’s funny when I worked on it it sounded bad for a month but luckily it all clicked together in the end

[@postRMO]

@@sound.workshop youve really inspired me down two paths with this video, one the sound and two the interaction mechanisms. Its ignited some positive thinking after a block so thanks!

[@nanaandbump.]

This is brilliant, thanks for sharing! Great explanation too

[@sound.workshop]

Glad you liked it! I rolled the camera for 50 minutes and cut it down to 9.5.

[@acriliqueofc]

This is amazing.

[@DECIMA1]

This is amazing

[@rowdyvoyeur]

This is amazing. Love it!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks!

[@aetry]

what a dope project!

[@muulwarf]

Good luck with everything! Great project and nice presentation so far. Also really cool seeing Barnaby Dixon and loopop here :)

[@V3RYG00D]

Like that a lot. That's a lot better. Good product. Would absolutely pay for a midi device like that.

[@sound.workshop]

thanks a lot! There will be MIDI out and some CV outs

[@victor86zgz]

Congrats, both on the product and video. Awesome use of hall effect sensor.

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks, I’m really happy by the positive response

[@bharatmadho3742]

Amazing!

[@Lostxanfound]

This is absolutely amazing man, you are very smart!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks for the encouragement 👍

[@fancysandwiches]

Extremely cool

[@stefansynths]

Great work, both on the instrument and the video!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks! I actually filmed it 3 times. The video was too long until I realized my target audience is the daisy seed crowd, then I was able to cut out a lot of fat and assume a certain amount of familiarity by the viewer. On the third day of filming I rolled the camera for about 50 minutes to get these 10 minutes of good takes

[@chrisw1462]

Nice use of linear Hall Effect sensors! Can't wait to see the next version.

[@CallumRG]

very cool, good job!

[@MaggieKeizai]

Wow, what a neat project! I want one.

[@Futt.Buckerson]

That is a great key design!

[@pedroeustache5511]

This is BRILLIANT!! Congrats for a great job!! "BRAVO"!!!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks for letting me know. Stay tuned for more!

[@JackANDJude]

This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing :)

[@chaksa]

You got something here with alot of potencial. Hope to see more upgrades to this amazing machine.

[@jackvial5591]

Fantastic instrument! Thank you for the detailed walkthrough of how you built it.

[@sound.workshop]

My pleasure, thanks for letting me know

[@granolakitti8521]

Whoa that sounds amazing!!!

[@sound.workshop]

It’s really coming to life. And this was just my lapel mic audio. I’ll get better audio in future vids

[@Beatboxing]

Really love the sound this produces, awesome work. Can't wait to see the progress of turning this into a full-on product!

[@sound.workshop]

Thanks! I’m going to need more video ideas if you have any requests let me know 👍

[@OnixMox]

VERY nice work...

[@sonicase]

nice vid,..cool floating keybed

[@farrang]

So great. Please keep posted on production and when it becomes available!

[@sound.workshop]

Will do!

[@miriamramstudio3982]

Great video. Thanks

[@craigsurette3438]

Ye Gods ,this is frigging fantastic!!!

[@warzeli1]

ur flex solution is amazing!

[@sound.workshop]

Yup it’s a flexy boi