DIY
Synth
Kit
 
Lay everything out on the table
1× Breadboard
1× Integrated Circuit
1× 4.7k Resistor
1× 1k Resistor
1× Ceramic Capacitor
1× 100uF Electrolytic Capacitors
1× 10uF Electrolytic Capacitors
2× B470K Potentiometers
1× Button
1× Speaker
1× Battery Holder
Different Coloured Wires
1× Plastic Casing
1× Double-Sided Tape
1× 9v Battery (not included)
Find your breadboard
This is where you’re going to connect your electronic components to form a circuit.

Inside the breadboard, these holes are connected to each other, so you can make loads of different circuits!
Connect the power rails
Find the long black and red wires and connect the power rails: negative to negative, positive to positive.

Make sure to push the components as far as you can into the breadboard.
Find your integrated circuit chip
An integrated circuit (IC) is a pre-made mini circuit.

This one is an oscillator. Electricity enters in one steady stream, but leaves in pulses.

Each of the pins has a different number, that's how you identify its function, so it matters how you connect things to it.
Connect the IC to the board
If you're having trouble connecting the IC, slightly bend the legs inwards by pushing them against a flat surface like your table.

Tip: closely follow the numbers on the breadboard, that way your circuit will be exactly like the one in the image.
Connect the IC to the power rails
The red wire is where the power goes in. The black wire is where it exits.
Using the wires, connect the pins to each other
Find your resistors
A resistor slows down the flow of electricity.

Looks closely at your resistor.

The colours indicate how much they slow electricity down.

This is measured in Ohms (Ω). It’s like meters, but for resistors.
Carefully bend the legs of both resistors
Taking care of the colours, connect the resistors
The resistor is symmetrical with same length legs. This symmetry indicates that it does not have polarity, so can be connected into the circuit either way round.

Because it has long legs, resistors stick out from the board.
Find your capacitor
A capacitor is like a little bucket, it stores electricity and, when full, releases it back to the circuit.

Capacitors come in different sizes and can store different levels of electricity. This is measured in Farads (F).
Connect the capacitor
Find your electrolytic capacitors
This is a different type of capacitor that can store a bigger charge.

See the different length legs?

This asymmetry means it has polarity, and you have to connect the long leg to the positive side of the circuit.
Connect the capacitors, but remember the long legs
Find your B470K potentiometers
Potentiometers work just like the dials on car radios, ovens and microwaves! Look around your house and count how many you have.

In reality, they're resistors you can adjust — turn one way to increase the resistance,turn the other way to decrease it.

Are your potentiometers different? Get help
First, find and connect the long wires
Push the potentiometers into place
They need to be flush to the board. They might need a good push!

Are your potentiometers different? Get help
Find your button
A button makes and breaks a circuit.

When you’re not pressing it, the circuit is broken and the electricity stops flowing. When pressed the circuit is completed and the electricity flows.

Buttons! *on off on off*
Connect the button
Find your speaker
The speaker translates an electrical signal into sound.

Pulses of electricity cause a magnet to push the speaker back and forth.

This magnet is attached to a cone made of a flexible material such as paper or plastic which amplifies these vibrations, pumping sound waves into the surrounding air and towards your ears.
Pull off ends, twist wires and separate
Connect the speaker wires to the board
The speaker has no polarity so it can be connected either way.

Speaker wires not going in? Get help
Find your battery holder
This connects a 9 volt battery to power the circuit.
Connect it to the power rails
Plug in a battery, press the button, turn the dials and ROCK OUT!!
Your synth should sound like this (make sure you turn the dials).

Not working? Get help
Find your acrylics
Everything in your kit is usable, even your box!

Use it to make your DIY Synth Kit portable.

The colours of your acrylics may be different.
Put a piece of tape in the battery spacer
Stick the spacer in the box
This needs to align with the battery space on the acrylic.
Disconnect both the speaker and battery holder
Your circuit may look different.
Place the speaker and battery holder on top of the casing, then thread the wires from under the hole
Cut the last piece of tape in half
Place each half in a side of the box
If you have a piece of paper glued to your box, this is a good time to remove it.
Secure the plastic casing to the box
Peel the film from the breadboard
And secure it to the casing
Re-connect the speaker and the battery clip wires to the breadboard
Reconnect your battery and make everything nice and neat
Yeah! You built your kit!
But we’re just getting started. To complete your kit, we’re going to teach you how to make the most out of your kit.


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