Elektor Surf Synthesizer Kit

Description

Ocean Sound Generator

The Elektor Surf Synthesizer convincingly imitates the sound of breaking waves. It is based on a circuit published in the 1972 summer edition of Elektor to celebrate the Summer Olympics held that year in Munich, Germany. The Surf Synthesizer can be considered a real analog music synthesizer, as it follows the paradigm of voltage-controlled subtractive sound synthesis made popular by Robert Moog and friends (remember the Elektor Formant?). Instead of a VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator), it has a noise generator as a sound source. A VCF (voltage-controlled filter) and a VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier) modulated by three LFOs (low-frequency oscillators) shape the sound of the waves.

The Surf Synthesizer comes as an easy-to-build kit using only through-hole components. The kit contains all the required parts, including a stylish wooden stand. First mount all the parts on the front side (showing the schematic). Terminate by mounting the battery holder on the backside (showing the circuit description).

The use of headphones (not included) is recommended for obtaining the best sound quality.

A 9 V (PP3) battery (not included) powers the Surf Synthesizer.

Component List

Resistors (5%, 0.25 W)

  • R30 = 100 Ω
  • R1 = 470 Ω
  • R39 = 560 Ω
  • R36 = 680 Ω
  • R26 = 1 kΩ
  • R35 = 2.2 kΩ
  • R18 = 4.7 kΩ
  • R2, R5, R6, R9, R10, R13 = 6.8 kΩ
  • R16, R37, R38 = 10 kΩ
  • R14, R24 = 22 kΩ
  • R15 = 33 kΩ
  • R7, R20 = 39 kΩ
  • R11, R19, R21, R28 = 47 kΩ
  • R4, R12, R17, R23, R25, R31, R32, R33, R34 = 68 kΩ
  • R22 = 100 kΩ
  • R8 = 180 kΩ
  • R3 = 270 kΩ
  • R29 = 680 kΩ
  • R27 = 1 MΩ
  • P1, P2 = 50 kΩ trimmer

Capacitors

  • C13 = 4.7 nF
  • C11 = 47 nF
  • C12 = 100 nF
  • C10 = 220 nF
  • C9, C14, C15, C17, C19 = 10 µF, 16 V, 2 mm pitch
  • C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 = 47 µF, 16 V, 2 mm pitch
  • C1, C8, C16, C18 = 100 µF, 16 V, 2.5 mm pitch

Semiconductors

  • D1, D2 = 1N4148
  • D3 = BAT48
  • T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10 = BC547C

Divers

  • BAT1 = PP3 9 V battery holder (battery not included)
  • K1 = speaker 8 Ω, 200 mW
  • S1 = slide switch
  • Elektor PCB 240095-1
  • Wooden stand

Specifications

Power 9 V, 100 mW
Dimensions 170 x 140 x 70 mm
Weight 250 g
Product form

Ocean Sound Generator The Elektor Surf Synthesizer convincingly imitates the sound of breaking waves. It is based on a circuit... Read more

€ 34,95€ 29,95 incl. VAT
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      Details

      SKU: 20896
      EAN: 7442105133130

      Description

      Ocean Sound Generator

      The Elektor Surf Synthesizer convincingly imitates the sound of breaking waves. It is based on a circuit published in the 1972 summer edition of Elektor to celebrate the Summer Olympics held that year in Munich, Germany. The Surf Synthesizer can be considered a real analog music synthesizer, as it follows the paradigm of voltage-controlled subtractive sound synthesis made popular by Robert Moog and friends (remember the Elektor Formant?). Instead of a VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator), it has a noise generator as a sound source. A VCF (voltage-controlled filter) and a VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier) modulated by three LFOs (low-frequency oscillators) shape the sound of the waves.

      The Surf Synthesizer comes as an easy-to-build kit using only through-hole components. The kit contains all the required parts, including a stylish wooden stand. First mount all the parts on the front side (showing the schematic). Terminate by mounting the battery holder on the backside (showing the circuit description).

      The use of headphones (not included) is recommended for obtaining the best sound quality.

      A 9 V (PP3) battery (not included) powers the Surf Synthesizer.

      Component List

      Resistors (5%, 0.25 W)

      • R30 = 100 Ω
      • R1 = 470 Ω
      • R39 = 560 Ω
      • R36 = 680 Ω
      • R26 = 1 kΩ
      • R35 = 2.2 kΩ
      • R18 = 4.7 kΩ
      • R2, R5, R6, R9, R10, R13 = 6.8 kΩ
      • R16, R37, R38 = 10 kΩ
      • R14, R24 = 22 kΩ
      • R15 = 33 kΩ
      • R7, R20 = 39 kΩ
      • R11, R19, R21, R28 = 47 kΩ
      • R4, R12, R17, R23, R25, R31, R32, R33, R34 = 68 kΩ
      • R22 = 100 kΩ
      • R8 = 180 kΩ
      • R3 = 270 kΩ
      • R29 = 680 kΩ
      • R27 = 1 MΩ
      • P1, P2 = 50 kΩ trimmer

      Capacitors

      • C13 = 4.7 nF
      • C11 = 47 nF
      • C12 = 100 nF
      • C10 = 220 nF
      • C9, C14, C15, C17, C19 = 10 µF, 16 V, 2 mm pitch
      • C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 = 47 µF, 16 V, 2 mm pitch
      • C1, C8, C16, C18 = 100 µF, 16 V, 2.5 mm pitch

      Semiconductors

      • D1, D2 = 1N4148
      • D3 = BAT48
      • T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10 = BC547C

      Divers

      • BAT1 = PP3 9 V battery holder (battery not included)
      • K1 = speaker 8 Ω, 200 mW
      • S1 = slide switch
      • Elektor PCB 240095-1
      • Wooden stand

      Specifications

      Power 9 V, 100 mW
      Dimensions 170 x 140 x 70 mm
      Weight 250 g

      Customer Reviews

      Based on 7 reviews
      71%
      (5)
      14%
      (1)
      0%
      (0)
      0%
      (0)
      14%
      (1)
      S
      Sylvain D.
      Chouette kit!

      Merci pour l'envoi rapide. Le design de l'ensemble est de qualité!

      R
      René J.
      surf synthesizer kit

      fonctionnement correct correspond à la description

      P
      Peter d.H.
      Blij mee!

      Mooie kit om een surf synt mee te bouwen. Heel compleet en goed werkend. Is één verbazing. Zowel de pcb als de batterij houder hebben passende gaten maar de boutjes en moeren zitten niet in de zak met onderdelen 😬

      P
      Philippe C.
      Kit facile à assembler

      Très bon kit et le résultat sonore est très bon. La pile 9V s’épuise assez vite mais assure quand même des heures d’effet.
      Une chose également, les 3 vis qui doivent maintenir le boîtier à pile ne sont pas fournies et il faut absolument des têtes peu épaisses et de bonne longueur. Pas facile à trouver. Elektor aurait pu les mettre dans le sachet.

      S
      Steve H.
      John Simonton was the "King of the Surf" sounds

      John published several designs of the "Surf Synthesizer". first analog, then a digital version. They can all be found online. Popular Electronics, February 1972 was similar to this design. Then PIAA Electronics (Oklahoma, USA) made a kit called the "The Wind", modified slightly (I think) to sound more like wind. Then the digital version was called the "Surf Man", this version, that was published in Radio Electronics (USA) August 1992. I have a home made digital version here and I also have a version that used John's digital back end coupled to a PIC 16F for the front end timing. Here's to you John! Many years of fun I have had looking at and building your designs! :-)

      I
      Ing. E.
      Synthesizer Kit

      Schnelle Lieferung, Batteriehalter hat 3 Befestigungslöcher, Schrauben werden nicht mitgeliefert! Funktioniert perfekt.

      J
      Joachim P.
      Surf Synthesizer Kit

      Ocean Sound Generator Kit

      Ich würde ihn nicht mehr kaufen, habe bessere Qualität und Funktion erwartet.
      Alle Bauteile fliegen wild durch die Verpackung, abgesehen von denen die am Lautsprecher haften. Beschreibung in Englisch auf der Platine, Deutsch wäre schön ( meine Muttersprache) aber Englisch geht auch. Weiter Informationen auf der Verpackung verteilt.
      Die Bauteile stehen sehr eng zusammen, die Leiterbahnen sind sehr dünn und schmal, die Lötpunkte sehr empfindlich, gehen sehr leicht von der Platine ab. Kenne ich bei Platinen aus den 70‘gern so nicht. Auch der Kontrast der Leiterbahnen zur Platine ist sehr schlecht,
      die Leiterbahnen sind sehr schwer zu erkennen. Messungen an der Schaltung sind schwierig durch die Bauweise. Die Schaltung hat mit einer Lautstärke von ca. 50 dB gerauscht, finde ich leise. Habe mir das Rauschen des Meeres vorgestellt und wurde immer an ein MW Radio oder Röhrenfernseher erinnert. Jetzt rauscht es nicht mehr, was ist kaputt, ich weiß es nicht. Für mich ein Dekoteil zum selber bauen aber dafür zu teuer.
      Wie gesagt, Ich würde ihn nicht mehr kaufen.

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