| My MFOS Links |
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Save project, song or catalog links.
Just click the yellow star!
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| KITS BACK IN STOCK |
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WSG
and
Sound Lab
kits are back in stock!
If you've been holding your breath you can breathe now... and get out your soldering iron.
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| Alien Screamer |
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The MFOS Alien Screamer
is a simple 9V powered noise box that will keep you and anyone in earshot
entertained for days. This project is along the lines of the WSG in complexity and capability.
PCBs and PLATEs IN STOCK!
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| Poster Campaign |
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If your school or university has a place where they allow you
to put commercial posters I would appreciate it if you printed
this one out and hung it up. MFOS' mission is to bring synth diy to
the masses. Thanks!
Get the MFOS poster (pdf)
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| MFOS Oct-Attenuator |
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Build an Oct-Attenuator for your MFOS modular.
This module adds 8 generic attenuators
to your modular for adjusting voltage outputs
and modulation levels. A super simple project.
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| JRC 13600 Sale! |
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We bought a BUNCH of JRC 13600D DIP16 chips.
These chips are the equivalent of the LM13600 and LM13700.
As far as MFOS projects go they work the same. The catalog pages
list them as "Add-Ons" for projects that require
them so you can easily add them to your cart if you like.
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| Fairchild 2N5457s |
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While many distributors have discontinued selling the 2N5457 N-Channel JFET, MFOS went out and found a truckload of brand new Fairchild parts.
MFOS has your back when it comes to your synth-diy component needs.
The catalog pages list them as "Add-Ons" for projects that require
them so you can easily add them to your cart if you like.
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| NEW MFOS T-Shirts! |
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These
new MFOS t-shirts
are really comfortable. Our logo on a sports gray GILDAN Softstyle 90% cotton and 10% polyester t-shirt.
Let the world know you're a synth-diy jedi master.
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| MFOS Wave Freaker |
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The
MFOS Wave Freaker
PCBs have been flying off of the shelves. The MFOS Wave Freaker is making itself at home in a wide variety of commercial and diy synths.
Sounds from subtle to "IN YO FACE" phat. Thanks to all of the customers that
are helping to make this module a success.
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| Brackets Anyone? |
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These
universal brackets are very useful when mounting
a PC board to your front panel.
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| MFOS IN THE CLASSROOM |
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There are several articles and applications on the MFOS site
useful to electronics educators. Here is a list of links.
Virtual Op-Amp Lab
Reading Resistors
Capacitors
Resistors in Parallel
Analog Synthesizers 101
Electronic Components
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| Virtual Op Amp Lab |
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I made this tool to help me when I need the results of an op amp setup quickly.
You may find it useful. It is idealized and simple but gives a decent approximation.
Check it out!
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| Sawtooth to Triangle |
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Convert your Sound Lab (Mini-Synth, Mark II, and ULTIMATE) synthesizer
ramp or sawtooth waves to triangle waves. Great way to prepare ramp or
sawtooth waves to use the Wave Freaker.
Check it out!
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| Matched 2N3904s & Tempco |
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Hand matched pair of 2N3904 transistors (Vbe of pair within 2mV)
and a 2K 1/4 watt 2% +3300 ppm metal film tempco.
Great for VCO or VCF expo convertors like those in the:
- Sound Lab Mini-Synth...
- Sound Lab ULTIMATE...
- ULTIMATE EXPANDER...
Great deal at a great price!
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| Swiss OpAmp Knife |
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Three (3) pack of great quad op amp kludge boards for when you
need some extra op amp related circuitry and you want a quality
pc board to put it on. Glass epoxy, plated through holes, solder
masked it's the creme de la creme of op amp kludge boards.
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This galaxy's coolest synth-diy site. If you're into electronics, can solder and
trouble-shoot, we have tons of cool analog synthesizer projects for you. Spend some time browsing and
you'll probably find a project of interest.
MFOS' mission is to help people realize their analog synthesizer dreams
by providing: complete schematics, assembly drawings, professionally
manufactured PC boards, and hard to find electronic parts. Check out these links
to learn more:
Getting the Most Out of the MFOS Website
From Getting Started To Your Very Own Modular
Introduction to Analog Synths
Start learning about electronics
Electronics and Analog Synthesizers Books
Keep imagining, keep inventing, stay ingenious!
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| Make: Analog Synthesizers is now available for sale! |
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I finally wrote a book about Synth-DIY and analog synthesizers in general. I'm betting that this book
will answer a lot of your questions regarding synth-diy, tools for your shop, soldering tips,
trouble shooting advice, and a lot about using chips I consider to be essential to synth-diy. The
explanations about op-amps, negative feedback and integrators may finally clear a few things up for you about
those black boxes. There are two chapters on the NOISE TOASTER (making one and how it works). When
all is said and done you can move on to recording projects using your gear and Audacity. You can't put
everything into one book but I really tried to put something for everyone into this one. Make: Analog
Synthesizers is available at these fine book sellers:
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| Build the Sound Lab Mini-Synth Mark II Analog Synthesizer |
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If you've been wanting to build a small but capable synthesizer this is the project for you.
The Sound Lab Mark II will surprise you with its array of sound shaping modules. I invite you to check out the
sound samples below which were made with the Sound Lab Mark II driven via a MIDI to CV convertor.
I used SONAR X1's effects for reverb but never for pitch correction. The VCOs in the Mark II
track very well as does the VCF when in oscillation after thorough calibration. Here are some YouTubes
which present the features of the unit as well as sound samples.
MFOS Stocks the harder to find components for this project
which you can order at the time you order your PC board and
professionally machined front panel.
The Sound Lab Mini-Synth Mark II is small, cool, well tempered and very versatile. It will become one of your favorite analog synthesizers.
Take me to the SLMS Mark II project...
For these samples I used SONAR Producer Edition for recording, mix down, and addition of reverb.
All sounds are directly from the Sound Lab Mark II driven via a MIDI to CV convertor or MFOS Single Buss Keyboard Controller (the last was recorded real time).
Prelude and Fugue in C No. 2 - J.S. Bach
Three Part Invention in C No. 1 - J.S. Bach
Sound Lab Mark II Symphony - RJW
Song tail w/the SLMS Mark II - RJW
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| NEW! - NOISE TOASTER |
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The MFOS NOISE TOASTER
is way more fun than you thought was possible with a 9V battery!
It's an awesome little 9V powered noise box that's like carrying around a miniature synth.
This project is a bit more complex than the WSG but has far more sound shaping and producing capability.
This is going to be one of your favorite portable toys (amp and speaker built in). PCBs and PLATEs IN STOCK!
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| Contribute a Composition to the Art of Electronic Sound Project |
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You've put blood, sweat and tears into building your very own analog synthesizer. Show the world what it can do.
Contribute a composition to
"The Art of Electronic Sound"
project so other creative synth-diyers can be inspired.
Whether you create: traditional, twelve tone, noise, soundscapes, dreamscapes, space music or something further out,
as long as it's electronic and you built some of the gear, we want to hear it. The duration of your piece can be
short or long and the content simple or incredibly textured. Whether you're a newbie or someone who's been building
for years submit a composition. Your composition might be the one heard by a famous filmmaker looking for an obscure electronic sound track.
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| 16 Step Sequencer Quantized Vari-Clock Module |
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Quantized duration adjustment literally adds a new dimension to your MFOS 16 Step Sequencer.
Check out our new project. It gives the MFOS 16 Step Sequencer the ability to
have settable duration per step in 16 quantized increments as well as multiple gate modes. It is definitely
an advanced and challenging project but I tried to document it thoroughly.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments on this project.
I think you'll really like the functionality provided by this circuit.
Click here to go to the project.
Check out the YouTube...
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| The Sound Lab ULTIMATE. Our most advanced synthesizer project. |
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The Sound Lab ULTIMATE packs: Three Musically Accurate VCOs, a White Noise Generator, an Active Mixer, a Voltage Controlled LP Filter,
a Voltage Controlled Amplifier, an Attack Release Envelope Generator, two Low Frequency Oscillators,
a Repeat Gate Generator, Sample & Hold, Attenuator Bank and Patch Panel into one totally cool synth-DIY project.
The following songs played by Arielle Wilson on the ULTIMATE.
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Original Star Trek Theme
Star Trek Next Generation Theme
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| MFOS Delayed Modulation Module |
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The MFOS delayed modulation module includes an Attack Release envelope generator, Low Frequency Oscillator with
square and sine waveforms, and a Voltage Controlled Amplifier. These separate elements are connected in the
classic delayed modulation patch such that the LFO is fed to the input of the VCA and the AR generator is connected
to the VCA's control input. When you apply a gate to the circuit the AR generator is gated on and the VCA responds to the applied envelope and
the LFO comes through the VCA. You use the output of the module to modulate other voltage controlled modules. Since
there is a complete AR generator built into the module you have some really excellent flexibility.
Check out the Delayed Modulation Module project
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| The venerable Sound Lab Mini-Synth. Old school analog and still going strong. |
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The Sound Lab Mini-Synth is a great project. It is a complete mini analog synth on
one PC board. It has two VCOs, one LFO, one Mixer, one State Variable Low-Pass/Band-Pass
Filter, one AR Envelope Generator with repeat, and one VCA. It runs off of two nine volt batteries for a long time
due to its low current design.
Check out the MINI-SYNTH!
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| New Flexible Synth-DIY Experimenter PCB |
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Synth-DIY Experimenter PCB
This project helps creative electronics hobbyists
who have successfully completed the WSG learn more
about synth-diy. You make "patches" with the Sound
Effects project by patching the various "modules"
together, and adjusting knobs and switches.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PROJECT!
Multi-track demonstration of sounds you can expect (reverb has been added during mixdown):
SDIY Experimenter Board Opus 1 Wilson
A *.sfz compatible soft-synth and samples of sounds made with the MFOS Synth-DIY Experimenter PCB
were used to create this cool multi-track version of Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy".
Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Tchaikovsky
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The Synth-DIY Experimenter PCB contains some of the first synth circuits I started experimenting with
when I first got into synth-diy.
You don't have to build all of the modules. You can just build what you want to make a specific sound.
You want wind... just build the White Noise Generator and one VCF.
You want better wind build the White Noise Generator both VCFs and the output mixer.
How about birds or bell sounds... just build the Sound Effect Oscillators an AR Envelope
Generator and an LFO. You can go as far as you like with this project.
This project will NOT result in a 1V/octave Moog like instrument but it will provide you with a lot of sound making fun.
In any case it will be a fun learning experience and the finished project will keep you and anyone else within earshot very entertained.
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| Reading really is fundamental. Have you read any good books lately? |
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Do you want to become a vintage synth expert. These books will give you the knowledge to become a true analog synth guru.
Growing your hair and beard long and moving to a mountain top is optional.
Any would make an exceptionally thoughtful gift. See more books...
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| The MFOS Mini-Controller. This is too cool not to have so what are you waiting for? |
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The MFOS Mini-Controller
The MFOS Mini-Controller has a twenty nine note stylus keyboard (C - C - C to E) built right into the PCB.
It can be used to play your Sound Lab Mini-Synth or 1V/Oct modular.
The PCB supports four CV outputs (2 with portamento 2 without portamento).
There is one trigger output and one gate output.
This and a Sound Lab Mini-Synth would make a great combination for your first forray into synth-diy.
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| Will MFOS circuits work with a +/-15V power supply? |
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All MFOS circuits will work with +/- 15 volts with from none to
minor value changes. All of the chips I recommend are rated for the higher
voltages so you should be good to go. One small consequence
is that the peak voltage of things will be a bit higher. Oscillator P-to-P
outputs will be higher at higher supply voltages and AR or ADSR voltage peaks
will be higher also. Filters and amplifiers will have more
headroom and may need a bit of re-biasing if you find that the output is not
sitting at ground when the input is at ground.
For any circuit to which you want to apply higher supply voltage
examine the schematic and you'll find its not difficult to reduce the
output voltage to what you want. Where bias levels are set with resistor
dividers you may need to tweak values.
If it absolutely, positively has to be there with
a different supply voltage; breadboard it, apply the voltage you want, and tweak as necessary.
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| My Open Source Synth-DIY Philosophy |
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Everything on Music From Outer Space is free for non-commercial use.
Please feel free to use the information presented on the MFOS website to the fullest extent for non-commercial uses.
You can make your own PCBs from the layouts and drawings we provide or design your own if you prefer.
We appreciate a link to us (http://www.musicfromouterspace.com) if you blog or YouTube your work.
MFOS sells professionally made glass epoxy, double sided, plated through PC boards, electronic parts, parts kits and faceplates for many of the projects found here.
Please keep in mind that although I use these circuits in my synth I recommend that you review them thoroughly and/or breadboard
them before relying on them to make sure they'll meet your expectations.
If you find errors or omissions in the project documentation please email the details to
info@musicfromouterspace.com
so we can correct them and continue to improve the website.
Commercial Use
MFOS LLC has entered into mutually beneficial commercial arrangements with individuals and companies selling MFOS LLC designs and/or products containing MFOS LLC designs and PC boards.
MFOS LLC does not grant blanket permission to use MFOS LLC designs or PC patterns for unauthorized commercial use which includes using MFOS LLC designs to produce products for mass production and sale.
If you would like to use MFOS LLC designs or products commercially (i.e. to sell and make a profit), please inquire via email detailing the mutually beneficial aspects of the plan first to:
info@musicfromouterspace.com so we can discuss the idea.
More information...
Thank you, The MFOS LLC Team.
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| Is MFOS Synth DIY For Me? |
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Individuals often ask whether MFOS projects are suitable for them. The answer really lies with you.
Here are some things to consider before jumping in and ordering a project PC board or kit.
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- Have you built electronic projects before?
- Do you know how to solder and have a decent soldering station?
- Do you have electronic tools? These would include
smaller more precision tools: pliers, diagonal cutters, screw drivers, etc.
- Do you own or have access to electronic test equipment? For example
an oscilloscope, a digital volt meter, and a bipolar bench power supply.
- Do you have a friend or teacher that has experience building and troubleshooting electronic projects willing to help you?
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If the answer to one or more of these questions is no then you may need to gain a bit
more experience before starting an MFOS project. We at MFOS want your project
experience to be fun and successful but having the necessary basic knowledge and tools
is important or it could turn into a frustrating or disappointing experience.
I consider the
WSG
and the
Envelope Follower Filter
projects to be the most basic
projects MFOS provides. So if you are new and have answered
yes to the questions above go for it. Here is some additional
info on
getting started
Whether you are on your 1st or 101st synth DIY project I hope
you find MFOS projects to be interesting and enjoyable.
Good building.
The MFOS Team
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| Solder Planet Is Live |
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All of the tools, music and toys (they're back) that used to be here are now over on SOLDERPLANET.COM.
I hope you'll get a chance to check it out and hang out for a while. There will be more to come over
there including improving the tools and adding more cool toys. But please rest assured that all of the synth-diy
content you've come to know and love plus a whole lot more to come will be right here on Music From Outer Space, your Synth-DIY Headquarters.
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| Where in the world is MFOS located? |
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Music From Outer Space is located in beautiful Parker, CO, USA. We're blessed with
miles and miles of bike and hiking trails, mesas, mountains and canyons.
We try our best to provide all project information on the project pages but if we missed something
we want to hear from you so we can fix it. I check email frequently
and respond to people within a reasonable period of time.
You can always contact us at info@musicfromouterspace.com.
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Music From Outer Space
c/o Ray Wilson
7311 Meadow View
Parker, CO 80134
USA
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| Payment Options |
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You can purchase MFOS products using PayPal or Google Wallet.
Purchasing products from MFOS...
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| Every website needs a little fine print... |
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The fine print... This website assumes a basic level of
electronics proficiency and knowledge. To build the projects found here you must be able
to read and understand schematics, relate schematics to physical components, solder, do
panel wiring, case building, and trouble-shooting. None of these projects has step by step
instructions to follow. There are; schematics, circuit descriptions, pc board layouts,
suggested panel layouts, and suggested modifications. Please read over any project's information
in its entirety before attempting to build it to make sure there is sufficient information for
you to succeed. If you are interested in electronics or are just getting started in
electronics check out this page for some ideas to help you get going:
How Do I Get Started In Electronics?
All information contained in this site is provided "as is" without
warranty of any kind.
MFOS product prices are subject to change without notice.
The information provided by this Web site is only intended to be general
summary information to the public. Please breadboard any circuit prior
to writing to me for information that can only be gathered by
breadboarding and testing the circuit in question. Please study carefully or breadboard
circuits to be sure you will be happy with the results before you purchase
project PC boards. Thanks.
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| EXPRESS ROUTE TO WSG |
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| Substitute Op-Amps |
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In the table that follows I show op amps that can
be used to sub others shown in some older schematics.
Note however that the LF44XCN can be replaced only
when not used in sample and hold applications.
All op amps must be in DIP format.
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| Op-Amp | Sub. | Pkg. |
|---|
| LF444 | TL074 | 14P-DIP |
| LF442 | TL072 | 8P-DIP |
| LF441 | TL071 | 8P-DIP |
| TL084 | TL074 | 14P-DIP |
| TL082 | TL072 | 8P-DIP |
| TL081 | TL071 | 8P-DIP |
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| Synth Cabinet Ideas! |
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Anyone with a few tools and some good old ingenuity can do it. Find out how.
Show me!
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| MFOS Product Fabricators |
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MFOS designs are available from the following sites: (If you are not listed let me know and I'll list you)
Buyers! Please contact anyone you intend to buy a module from to make sure you know what you are getting first and what
if any return policy they may or may not have in place. Please remember that the sale is between you and the seller.
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| MFOS Cart Changes |
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We recently changed our shopping pages and cart a bit.
Now the "Add to Cart" button will accumulate items in your MFOS Shopping Cart.
When you're ready, you can use either PayPal or Google Wallet to process your payment.
We've also added "Add On" components to many of the products to make it
more convenient for you to meet your project goals. Cheers all.
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| Pricing Changes |
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As the big world keeps on turning the cost of living goes up.
The prices MFOS pays for stuff goes up too. As of Mar 8, 2013
shipping and handling costs have increased as well as some product
prices. Just keeping everyone in the loop.
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| Get the MFOS SCOOP |
|
Stay in the loop with the MFOS SCOOP.
I send a newsletter slash promotional
email a few times yearly. It's free to
sign up.
Subscribe to The MFOS Scoop
Or... unsubscribe.
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|
Check out previous issues:
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| Got Parts & Equipment? |
|
Jameco Electronics has been
serving electronic hobbyists and pros for
35 years. It's a great place to buy parts, tools
and equipment. Click an item to go to Jameco's
catalog page.
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| Power Supply Kits |
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MFOS is offering parts kits for the
LM317/LM337 and Wall Wart power supply
boards.
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| Quick Links |
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Sound Lab Mini-Synth |
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Sound Lab Mini-Synth-PLUS |
| |
Weird Sound Generator |
| |
Sound Lab Ultimate |
| |
Ultimate Expander |
| |
SDIY Experimenter PCB |
| |
Component Suppliers |
| |
MFOS Newbie Search |
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| CV & Gate Distributor |
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The MFOS Control Voltage & Gate Distributor is a great addition to your modular system.
Expand the outputs of a MIDI to CV convertor. Add zipperless analog portamento to your MIDI to
CV convertor's CV output.
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| NEW! V/Oct Calibrator |
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This circuit makes calibration of your volt per octave equipment way easier.
Build one today and get in tune.
Read more...
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| NEW! MFOS MFM |
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The MFOS Multi-Function Module (MFM).
Two DC voltage mixers, a linear lag processor, an RC lag processor and
a LED voltage level meter make this a great all around module.
Read more...
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| Bend Your WSG |
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Some simple mods for the WSG that will keep you making weird sounds into the next century.
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| MFOS uses DIP |
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Always order DIP package chips for MFOS boards.
No offense SOP packages but gentlemen prefer chips with longer legs.
You can also buy type adapters.
DIP Spec. vs.
SOP Spec.
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| Newbie Questions ??? |
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Please read over the documentation for the project you're interested in to see if your question is already answered first.
I'm happy to respond to pertinent questions time permitting.
I encourage you to find a local electronics information resource since long distance trouble-shooting can be next to impossible.
Here are some helpful forum links. electro-music.com and
synth-diy
Read over any project you intend to build to make sure it is presented clearly enough for you to build
and trouble-shoot yourself (or with local help). Breadboard it and experiment.
Here are some good
circuit trouble-shooting tips.
Good learning & building
The MFOS Team
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| ULTIMATE EXPANDER |
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Designed as a companion for the Sound Lab ULTIMATE
the EXPANDER has become the favorite "Swiss Army Knife"
module of many advanced synth builders.
Read More...
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| Help Support MFOS |
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If you benefit from MFOS please show your support.
Not everyone can contribute monetarily but you can
spread the word about synth-diy and the MFOS web site
or click the Facebook 'Like' button as this helps
increase our exposure to potential synth-diy enthusiasts.
If you would like to, and can afford to, please click on the button below to help support our
site with a small contribution payable via Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal. Does not require a PayPal account.
You have our sincere thanks.
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