Circuitry and electronics is the main focus of my third year at uni; university is a vehicle to hone my skills regarding the fabrication of audio hardware. In the past I have run into difficulties completing projects due to trying to learn too much at once. I think I would succeed better if I set manageable goals for myself, and also was dedicated to finishing just the next step of each project, rather than being so focused on the overall image.

My current overarching goal is to make a polyphonic drum machine. The most basic signal flow to fabricate such a device is as follows: oscillator into VCA controlled by an LFO, and then a summing amp for however many channels are required. I will make each of these circuits one after the other, working out any kinks and testing to see that each circuit works with all of the preceding modules before commencing with the next. Then, once there exists working prototypes of each module that comprises a channel, I will work on creating 4 of each of them total, neatening all of the topologies and making my wiring more efficient and easier to troubleshoot should something (or rather when something) blows up.

Just a couple of days ago, maybe a couple days after the first lecture back at uni, I finished making a drone machine. This is a purely proof of concept board that happens to kill two birds with one stone. A mono summing amp and two oscillators, combined accordingly. Some component values need fine-tuning, and I also think I may need to buffer the outputs of my oscillators before they are summed, but the concept holds true. I have some transistors coming in the mail, and those will be used to configure my VCA once they arrive. If I’m twiddling my thumbs, I may try and dabble with some filters as it they would be nice to have onboard. Alternatively, a noise oscillator might be useful; and I assume not too difficult.