DIY Workshops - make your own electronics project with us
DIY Schedule
synthCube
167 Prospect St Unit 1, Waltham, MA
Herer’s our monthly workshop schedule with our pals at synthCube - more details as we work them out.
April – 4/19
U-235 Suboctave Generator - PARASIT STUDIO
AS220
95 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903
- DIY Theremin, Sunday April 27
Scroll until you find it.
- DIY Altoids Fuzz Effect Pedal, Sunday May 04
Scroll until you find it.
- DIY APC Hand-held Synthesizer, Sunday June 01
Scroll until you find it.
New England Synth Fest
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- DIY Music Electronics project, Saturday May 03
Choose the DIY Theremin project or the DIY EuroRack Tank Reverb project.
Keep up to date with all of our workshops and activities. See how our workshops run. See what others have made. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CramAudio and sign up for updates:
Cram Audio Technologies regularly offers electronics building workshops. It can be at your location, or ours. These projects work well for many enthusiast groups. I’m glad to answer your questions and help to develop successful DIY session for you, your team and I.
Printed Circuit Boards from our friends at:
Synthesizer Workshop - build an Atari Punk Console synthesizer
In this workshop we will build a version of the Atari Punk Console synthesizer that fits in an Altoids tin. You'll get all of the necessary materials and detailed instructions. We'll have all the equipment: soldering iron, hand tools, and more. I'll bet that you have fun.
The synthesizer runs on a 9V battery and is made to plug in to a guitar amplifier via a quarter inch jack. There are two potentiometer controls – Pulse Width and Frequency, which contour the synthesizer's tone. Once your circuit it built and running, we will experiment with its sonic capabilities by using a guitar amplifier and effect pedals.
This is a low part count project - easy build for beginners! But if you need help with your circuit, your instructor has 20+ years’ experience building, designing, and troubleshooting electronic circuitry. So rest assured that we will get your synthesizer working and get you ready to explore the worlds of lo-fi synthesizers and electronics. Expect this workshop to last 2 – 3 hours. Four adult participants minimum attendees.
Altoids Fuzz Workshop - build an analog fuzz effect pedal
In this two-hour workshop we will build an analog fuzz effect pedal that fits in an Altoids Tin. The fuzz sound was popularized by the psychedelic movement in the 1960s. You hear this guitar sound from bands like The Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Iron Butterfly, The Ventures, J. Mascis, The Cramps, The Stooges, St. Vincent, and many more.
We will build a fuzz circuit that produces that rumbling saturated tone. Usually, you may bring your own guitar and amp so you can try out your Altoids Fuzz as soon as you build your circuit. We will provide the soldering iron, parts, instructions, and all tools you’ll need.
If you need help with your circuit, your instructor has 20+ years’ experience building, designing, and troubleshooting analog and digital circuitry. So rest assured that we will get your fuzz working and get you jamming. Expect this workshop to last 2 – 3 hours. Four adult participants minimum four attendees.
Reverb Workshop - build a EuroRack Reverb Modue
The Cram Audio DIY Tank Reverb is an analog circuit that uses an actual spring reverb tank to gives you a lush reverb effect. The module offers control for Mix and Feedback allowing you to tailor the reverb from subtle to overdriven, with many interesting settings along the way, helping you to craft the unique tone required to set your composition apart from the crowd.
The Cram Audio DIY Tank Reverb drives the reverb tank via discrete transistors to ensure rich clean reverb tone. The Mix potentiometer helps you to proportion the wet & dry signals and the Feedback potentiometer helps to extend the natural decay of the reverb tank - almost to infinity if desired.
Build your own reverb module. Learn and save. You will solder, assemble components, and customize your very own musical instrument. This is our most advanced DIY so far, but no prior experience soldering is necessary - bring your creativity and enthusiasm to learn more about effect pedals! Don't miss this opportunity to dive deep into the world of DIY electronics and create a unique and sophisticated effect pedal.
If you need help with your circuit, your instructors have 20+ years’ experience building, designing, and troubleshooting analog and digital circuitry. So rest assured that we will get your effect working and get you jamming. Expect this workshop to last 3 – 4 hours. You’ll leave with a working module and a good handful of electronics knowledge. I hope to see you there! Four adult participants minimum attendees.
One Knob Fuzz Workshop - build an analog fuzz effect pedal w/ true bypass
In this workshop we will build a vintage sounding one knob fuzz. You'll get all of the necessary materials and detailed instructions. We'll have all the equipment: soldering iron, hand tools, and more. I'll bet that you have fun.
The fuzz sound was popularized by the psychedelic movement in the 1960s. Fuzz tone shaped the sound os guitarists like Jimmi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and David Gilmour. We will build a fuzz circuit that produces that thick saturated tone. This runs on a 9V battery or a 9V negative ground power supply.
Bring your own guitar and amp if you’d like so you can try out your one knob fuzz as soon as you build your circuit.
If you need help with your circuit, your instructors have 20+ years’ experience building, designing, and troubleshooting analog and digital circuitry. So rest assured that we will get your fuzz working and get you jamming. Expect this workshop to last 2 – 4 hours. This workshop is best for participants who have some prior soldering or electronics experience.
8-Bitar Workshop Workshop - build an octave down pedal w/ true bypass
In this workshop we will build the Parasit Studios 8-Bitar Octave Down Pedal kit. You'll get all of the necessary materials and detailed instructions. We'll have all the equipment: soldering iron, hand tools, and more. I'll bet that you have fun.
The 8-Bitar sound is a minimalistic octave down pedal. The sound is familiar, but sounds like this do not usually emanate from a guitar. Impress your friends! Amaze strangers with the crazy sounds you make with your very own 8-Buitar! The 8-Bitar runs on a 9V battery or a 9V negative ground power supply.
We invite you to bring your own guitar and amp if you’d like so you can try out your 8-Bitar as soon as you build your circuit. We will provide the soldering iron, parts, instructions, and all tools you’ll need.
If you need help with your circuit, your instructors have 20+ years’ experience building, designing, and troubleshooting analog and digital circuitry. So rest assured that we will get your fuzz working and have you jamming. Expect this workshop to last 2 – 4 hours. This workshop is best for participants who have some prior soldering or electronics experience.
U-235 Suboctave Generator Workshop - build an octave down effect pedal w/ true bypass
The U-235 Suboctave Generator is a PLL based octave down effect with a couple of cool features that you normally don't find in an analog octave down pedals, such as a detuned output and a voltage control input.
U-235 Suboctave Generator produces "dangerously" low mostly clean octave down. The selector switch allows three different modes: 1) one octave down(kill), 2) two octaves down(destroy), 3) detuned combination of both one and two octaves down(obliterate). Two-piece bands with solo guitarists often use this feature to compensate for the lack of a bass player, think The White stripes. This thing is serious! The tones will have you shaking things off the walls! Pairs amazingly with the Cram Audio Technologies Tube Overdrive.
A fully assembled U-235 Suboctave Generator from Parasit Studios would set you back ~$180. Build your own. Learn and save. You will solder, assemble components, and customize your very own musical instrument. Bring your creativity and enthusiasm to learn more about effect pedals! Don't miss this opportunity to dive deep into the world of DIY electronics and create a unique and sophisticated effect pedal.