CMOS Synthesizers

In the Spring of 2017 I started researching how to build my own unique and interesting electronic sound-making devices. There are many DIY circuit schematics out there but I was particularly drawn to the CMOS-based circuits for my creative work. CMOS-based synthesizers or Lunettas are chaotic sounding in nature which is great for improvisation. They provide a node-based approach to building complex systems and interactions. They are fairly inexpensive to make and provide a nice platform for teaching basic electronics, synthesis, and sound design. The links and pages below document some of my experiences exploring CMOS circuits.

Performance with Mark Trayle & Andrew Bucksbarg

I recently discovered this gem from the first annual CEAIT Festival in 1997! It is a performance with Mark Trayle and Andrew Bucksbarg who both have unfortunately left this plane of existence so this was especially meaningful to find. The instruments are circuit bent toys or mini cmos synths that we had around. The performance [...]

CMOS Noise Camerata

The CMOS Noise Camerata is a group of CalArts music students from diverse musical backgrounds who met in my Fall 2017 Electroacoustic Seminar class at CalArts. Each member of the group built their own CMOS-based synthesizer from scratch using old and new schematics. Once the instruments were completed and sonically explored, a series of conduction [...]

CMOS Monster

CMOS Monster is an improvisation using three CMOS-based synthesizers that I built in the summer of 2017. The video below is from a performance at the Wild Beast Concert Hall at CalArts on September 7th, 2017.

Cacophonator

The Cacophonator is an amazing noise making synthesizer based on the 40106 IC chip. The sonic complexity of this circuit is surprising considering its small part count and easy to decipher board layout. The circuit contains four oscillators that are easily manipulated and combined for unique noises and sounds. One unique feature of the Cacophonator [...]