How to build an Arduino synth

This is a super simple and easily customizable little synthesizer. This is my first time using the Arduino and also with acrylic, both I found very fun to work with though.  This is also my first Instructables so hopefully I have explained this well enough.

Step 1: Part and tools

For the innards:

Arduino Uno
power source(I used a 9v with an adapter)
4- 5k linear potentiometers
200mm linear SoftPot(you can go smaller than this I just used this length because its what I had)
output jack
knobs
wire
solder
optional: Arduino holster(I had this made using a MakerBot) for easily removing the Arduino if you want to use it for something else.
all of this I was able to get off jameco.com except the SoftPot which i found at trossenrobotics.com

For the box:

Acrylic pane(found mine at Lowe’s)
Weld-On 4(found on Amazon)

Tools:
Soldering iron
table saw
router table
drill press
butane torch
Weld-on applicator bottle

Step 2: Wire It Up

This is extremely easy to make. 10-15 minutes of soldering and you are ready to go.

First just line up the five pots with the SoftPot. Then wire the first pole of each post together and solder it. The do the same with third pole. Then solder a wire to each of the center poles. The SoftPot center pole needs to connect to the A4 pin, the second pot’s center goes to A3, the third pot’s center goes to A2, the fourth pot’s center goes to A1, and the final pot’s center goes to A0. Then on the fifth pot solder another wire to the left and right poles, with the left pole connecting to the 5v pin and the right pole connecting to the GND right next to it.  The only thing left is to connect an audio output jack with the hot going to ~3 and ground to GND.

Step 3: Code

You will need a way to get the code onto the Arduino so if you don’t have it go download the Arduino program and their website: arduino.cc

I got the code from here: http://code.google.com/p/tinkerit/downloads/detail?name=auduino_v5.pde&can=2&q=

Now load the code onto the Arduino, hook it up to a speaker and check that it works. If not then just go back and check the diagram I made and make sure that you got all of the pots wired correctly and that you got the wires in the right pins.

Now I know nothing about coding but after looking at the sketch for a while I was able to sort of see how it worked. I was able to make some changes to the decays and the second pitch to get the sounds I was wanting, so I would say go ahead and mess around with it until you get the sounds you like even if you are like me and know nothing about coding.  Just make small changes at a time and then test it, if you do mess it up too much then you can always just reload the original sketch and start again.

Major Components in Project

For the innards:

Arduino Uno
power source(I used a 9v with an adapter)
4- 5k linear potentiometers
200mm linear SoftPot(you can go smaller than this I just used this length because its what I had)
output jack
knobs
wire
solder
optional: Arduino holster(I had this made using a MakerBot) for easily removing the Arduino if you want to use it for something else.
all of this I was able to get off jameco.com except the SoftPot which i found at trossenrobotics.com

For the box:

Acrylic pane(found mine at Lowe’s)
Weld-On 4(found on Amazon)

Tools:
Soldering iron
table saw
router table
drill press
butane torch
Weld-on applicator bottle

For more detail: How to build an Arduino synth