Synthesist Sam Battle (LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER) shared this preview of a new version of the rare Elektor Formant modular synthesizer that Erica Synths plans to release as a set of DIY projects.
The Elektor Formant is an analog modular synthesizer, designed by C. Chapman, that was published starting in 1977 as a series of articles in the European magazine Elektor.
Erica Synths plans to release the Elektor Formant DIY Kit on August 14th, 2025.
The above video offers an overview of the project, and the following video documents Battle’s 24-hour solder-a-thon with Erica Synths:
Check out the videos and share your thoughts on the project in the comments!
This is a monster build.
I wish it could’ve been produced on a smaller scale.
Does it use discreet components, or CEM / SSI integration?
I think it’s discreet. Got a non working one.. with diy cabinets and faceplates.. most of the modules are ok, but the harness making it semimodular needs to be rewired..
would be intersting when its euro rack and transformd to today standards for me…
Girts and Sam are both the coolest synth nerds
It’ not discrete, modernized where possible
I think the E&MM Magazine – Spectral Synthesizer (from 1981/1982) DIY is more practical and affordable; containing CEM chips for 2-OSC VCO, VCF, VCA etc.
These days, one could replace the analog keyboard with either a MIDI kbd MIDI > CV converter or USB-MIDI > CV converter to drive it.
Why not just pick u a Behringer System 55 instead? Probably cheaper than buying a DIY kit. And more stuff to play with and empty module slots.