De-Generator DIY synthesizer

Short overview, what is the De-Generator?

First, the De-Generator is a complete DIY project. On this website we explain how to build and how to use it.

The De-Generator is a monophonic sampling synthesizer with open software architecture, designed especially for the creative musicians with a DIY background.

Attention - it is not an easy to build DIY kit. You must have good knowledge in electronics and also the tools like a good solder iron, an oscilloscope and multimeter.

electronic can be also sexy , here is the De-Generator electronic from the top

Here is the inside. The left PCB (red) is the CPU board on the right you see the stereo filter PCB (white).

2 oscillators can load normal waveforms or also samples from a SD RAM card as a wave file in mono

The maximum sample time is round about 20 seconds, this, if you use one oscillator as a sample player. If you now load one Sample in oscillator 1 with the sampling time 12 seconds, you can load in the second oscillator a sample with 8 Seconds, or 10 and 10 Seconds, or 2 and 18 seconds.

Both oscillators can work as a normal synthesizer oscillator too. For this we have implemented 16 different build in waveforms and a bank with 128 user waveforms.

User waveforms mean that you can add a new bank with your own 128 waveforms.

The user waveforms are in a 'raw' format. This format can handle a normal (free) audio Editor.

On the PC/MAC it is possible to draw new waveforms and than simply store it in a folder on the SD RAM card.

Than the waveforms are ready to use. While using 2 oscillators, equal if you have load samples, samples and waveforms or double samples you have also the possibility to ring-modulate, distort, bit-crush or synchronise both oscillators.

The oscillators/sample oscillators are route now through a stereo multimode filter. This Filter can have different filter types like 6, 12, 18, 24dB low-pass, 12dB high-pass, 12dB band-pass and a high-pass band-pass mix.

2 ADSR envelopes do the VCA and also the filter cut-off work.

To get maximum flexibility you can control a lot of parameter direct in the 12 x mod matrix.

De-Generator contains three LFO's. This is more than enough to bring sounds alive. Also there is flexible routing in the modulation matrix

FX delay, you can control it in time, feedback and volume and with the mod matrix. Do not await clear digital sound, we use an analogue chip for this and this warms up the sound.

Stepper, another creative tool is a built in 16-step sequencer. Functions are real time record direct from the MIDI keyboard, transpose, you can also edit all notes manually. The sequence is stored with the sound patch.

The sample record menu

With the build in microphone the De-Generator record samples in real time. In the integrated sample editor you can loop, cut, delete, reverse or section play the sample. Especially the 'section-play' or 'section-play-Loop' allows you to mark a loop in the sample and play only this loop! Then you can store this loop as a new waveform.

After a real time record you can edit the sample

Sample LOOP - set a simple loop, plays from the beginning to the loop and repeat the loop

LOOP reverse - reverse only the marked wave

LOOP mute - mute only the marked wave

LOOP cut - cut only the marked wave

LOOP SEC - plays only the marked wave one time

LOOP SECL - plays only the marked wave in loop

*** This works also with all samples in the Library

12 x modulation matrix, this is the basic for all modulations and controls.

One last word on the memory; the De-Generator can use up to 64GB SD RAM cards.

You can store 100 banks with 128 sound patches, 128 samples and 128 user waveforms

Samples are stored 1 x global, and second with all loop parameter direct in the patch.

I think it is more than enough for a complete live performance.

We like it to have a good analogue sounding creative instrument and especially in 8-Bit. The De-Generator sound can be smooth or hard, crunchy and dirty. With the real time sampling function, using the build in microphone, you get stunning results in seconds. Sounds that you have never heard before.

The De-Generator can substitute a sample in a given sound by simply recording a new sample. If you save the patch, the sample is stored direct into the sound patch.

Because the De-Generator is a stereo instrument, it is possible to use different samples for the left and right channels, and the best, with different loops.

Bit reducing and distortion or ring modulation is also possible. Sample to sample, or oscillator waveform to sample is possible for that extra dirty sound!

The build in wave-editor can modify the samples with a loop, part mute, part select, and a cut function. Especially the part select function plays only the selected area from a sample. A reverse function is built in too.

In the oscillator section you have the possibility to use 16 build in waveforms, or up to a bank of 128 user waveforms. The waveforms you can simply draw in your PC/MAC audio editor and chain it together, than copy it to your SD ram card and load it into the De-Generator.

Another creative toy is the step sequencer. The stepper menu contains manual editing or real time record (MIDI Keyboard), transpose via MIDI keyboard. You can adjust velocity, note length, note value, note on/off on each step. For real time record we build in a mute function. So you can generate note mute while playing on the Keyboard.

Hi guys, we have spent more than 4 years developing this and I cannot give a complete overview about all of its functions; so we have made a lot of videos and manuals to explain the De-Generator.

If you have interest, please see the videos, the DIY manual and also the instructions manual