MAKER MEDIA INC Make: Analog Synthesizers: Make Electronic Sounds the Synth-DIY Way

A hands-on pathway into analog synthesis

I reached for Make: Analog Synthesizers because I wanted more than a bag of parts and a schematic—I wanted to understand why a circuit sounds the way it does, and how to tweak it with intention. This book succeeds on that promise. It’s a project-forward guide that balances theory with bench-ready detail, using a complete, battery-powered analog synthesizer as the teaching vehicle while giving you enough background to design and modify your own modules.

What’s inside and how it’s organized

Across its 183 pages (first edition, 2013), the book builds a grounded foundation in analog synthesis and basic electronics. Expect clear introductions to:

• Core building blocks: oscillators, filters, amplifiers, envelopes, LFOs, noise sources, and mixers
• Key components: op-amps, CMOS logic, JFETs, transistors, diodes, and passives
• Practical essentials: power, grounding, decoupling, panel layout, wiring, and troubleshooting

The centerpiece is a complete instrument—the MFOS Noise Toaster—which the book dissects module by module. Each block is shown in schematic form and explained functionally: what the section does in the sound chain, how the subcircuits shape behavior, and which component values matter most. It’s a thoughtful way to teach synthesis without burying you in abstract math or hand-wavy “turn this knob” instruction.

Learning by building: the Noise Toaster

I built the Noise Toaster following the guidance here and appreciated how carefully the author transitions from concept to construction. You get:

• A block diagram that contextualizes each module
• A full schematic with callouts and value explanations
• Practical wiring tips and sensible front-panel suggestions
• Straightforward calibration steps (tuning, filter behavior, envelope range)

The project runs on a single 9V battery, which keeps things safe and clean on the bench. Despite the simple power scheme, it still covers the essential analog signal path: a VCO that can track, noise for percussive textures, an LFO to animate, a VCF for tone shaping, an envelope, a VCA, and a final output stage. You’re not just assembling a toy-noise box; you’re building a compact synth that behaves like one.

Better still, the book encourages you to treat each section as a standalone learning tool. I broke out the low-pass filter on perfboard and powered it from a 9V with proper decoupling; it made an excellent, portable tone shaper for other small projects. That modular mindset—learn a block, reuse the block—runs throughout the text.

Clarity and pedagogy

The teaching style is friendly and practical. You’ll find enough theory to understand what’s going on (for example, how an op-amp integrator drives a ramp in a VCO), but the emphasis is always on making a working circuit and knowing which component choices change the results. I valued the op-amp chapter in particular; it connects directly to the synth modules and demystifies how to keep these chips happy on a single supply.

The diagrams are legible and annotated, and the pacing works well if you move chapter-by-chapter while building. A few passages read dense if you’re brand-new to electronics, but the payoff is worth it: once you wire a section, the explanations suddenly click.

If you’re deciding between formats, I prefer the print edition. Being able to mark up schematics, add measured values, and flag future mod points is genuinely useful.

Parts, tools, and sourcing

This is a 2013 first edition, and a handful of parts have become harder to find (notably certain JFETs used for switching or variable resistance roles). That’s not a deal-breaker. With a basic understanding of parameters—Idss ranges for JFETs, pinouts, and noise specs—you can substitute responsibly. I had success with common JFET alternatives by:

• Checking Idss ranges and adjusting source resistors to bias properly
• Verifying pinouts; JFETs are inconsistent across families
• Testing the part in isolation before committing to final solder

Sourcing tips from my bench:

• Order all parts up front and buy a couple extras of the semiconductors and critical passives
• Stick to name-brand op-amps to avoid counterfeit headaches
• Use 1% metal film resistors for repeatable results, especially in timing and filter sections
• Choose pot tapers intentionally; audio/log taper often makes more musical sense on level and cutoff controls

The book’s bill of materials is solid, but as retail parts counters have faded, you’ll rely on mainstream electronics distributors. Budget for shipping and lead time.

Tool-wise, you’ll want a temperature-controlled iron, fine solder, flush cutters, a multimeter, and ideally an oscilloscope. The circuits can be built without a scope, but even a budget USB model pays for itself during calibration and troubleshooting.

How it sounds and where it can go

Out of the gate, the Noise Toaster produces a satisfying range of drones, bleeps, percussive blips, wind and static textures, and tuned tones. With a bit of practice on the controls, you can coax surprisingly musical phrases. The filter is the star—it’s expressive, and the envelope opens up punchy or swelling dynamics. The noise source expands the palette into sci‑fi and percussion territory.

A few small additions made it even more versatile:

• Adding buffered output and input jacks for interfacing with other gear
• Breaking out LFO and envelope signals to patch points
• Swapping a couple of timing caps for extended range on the LFO and VCO

Those mods are easy to plan because the book explains what each node is doing. It doesn’t teach full modular synthesis, but it gives you all the right instincts.

Where it challenges you

• Component availability: Some semiconductors are less common today. You’ll need to cross-reference and possibly adjust biasing.
• Occasional density: A few explanations assume comfort with basic electronics. Beginners may want to read a short primer on voltage, current, Ohm’s law, and semiconductors first.
• Layout choices: The book favors clarity over compactness. If you squeeze everything onto a tight perfboard or a custom panel, plan the mechanical work carefully.

None of these are showstoppers. They’re the kind of hurdles that make you a better builder.

Tips from the bench

• Breadboard critical subcircuits (VCO core, filter integrator) before soldering. Verify waveforms and ranges.
• Decouple every op-amp generously. 0.1 µF ceramics at the pins and a few bulk caps at the power entry reduce hiss and oscillation.
• Star your grounds if panel wiring gets long; avoid ground loops through the chassis.
• Label the panel permanently. You’ll think you’ll remember; you won’t.
• Protect low-voltage CMOS from overvoltage. Double-check battery vs. external supply before power-up.
• Use shielded cable for the final output if you experience hum.

These small habits dramatically reduce troubleshooting time.

Who will get the most from it

• Ideal for: Electronics hobbyists, musicians with soldering interest, and tinkerers who want to understand analog synthesis at the circuit level.
• Good for ambitious beginners: If you’re comfortable reading simple schematics and using a meter, this can be your “stretch” project.
• Less ideal for: Readers seeking a pure theory text or a solder-by-numbers kit book with no explanation.

Bottom line

Make: Analog Synthesizers is one of the few resources that genuinely teaches synthesis by building a complete instrument while showing you how each block works in the broader ecosystem. Despite its age and the occasional part substitution, the fundamentals are timeless, the project is rewarding, and the explanations build lasting intuition you can carry into any analog design.

Recommendation: I recommend this book for anyone who wants to move from turning knobs to understanding the circuits behind those knobs. It’s especially worthwhile if you plan to hack, expand, or design your own modules. Be prepared to do a little sourcing legwork and spend time at the bench; the result is both a playable instrument and the confidence to shape sound with purpose.