Daydreamer Synth 1 is a new 100% open-source 6-voice paraphonic analog Synthesizer with a sustainable touch.
The easiest way to obtain a Synthesizer in 2025 is to purchase one from a physical store or online, with just a few clicks. There’s another way. You can also build your Synthesizer by sourcing the components yourself and then soldering them together.
DIY synths or projects where both hardware and firmware are open source are ideal for this. Daydreamer has created just such a project with the Synth 1.
Daydreamer Synth 1
Synth 1 is a new open-source 6-voice hardware paraphonic Synthesizer. Both the hardware and the corresponding firmware of the Daydreamer Synth 1 are open source.
In addition to the very welcome open-source factor, the synth is also sustainable. Unlike most synths, the Synth 1 has an all-wooden case and wooden based knobs.
On the feature side, it’s a paraphonic synth with six analog voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) and six analog VCAs. It has individual controls for each oscillator. There is also a white noise generator using a linear feedback shift register.
Then, we move on to the filter that can be controlled with classic cutoff and resonance controls. Since it has only one diode ladder low-pass filter (VCF) and not six, it’s a paraphonic, not a polyphonic synth.
On the modulation side, it has a digital-to-analog ADSR envelope generator and D-A square/sine LFO. The latter can be used to modulate the VCO or VCF. Further, to refine your sounds, it also includes a PT2399-based delay.
Connectivity
A look at the backside. You can find a line output, MIDI in, and MIDI Thru on 5-pin with a dedicated MIDI channel selector, a power ON/OFF switch, and a power supply input.
The MIDI implementation also sends velocity, legato, portamento, and pitch glide to the analog engine.
First Impression
An interesting open-source project. Unfortunately, the synth sounds out of tune in many places throughout the demo. Towards the end, it’s fixed, and it sounds solid.
It’s certainly not a mighty Synthesizer that can compete with flagship paraphonic synths, but it can serve as the basis for more. Plus, if you are in DIY and soldering, it could be a cool project.
The Daydreamer Synth 1 is available now for $299 USD. You can download the schematics from the Daydreamer site, and the source code is available via GitHub.
More information here: DayDreamer
Will the Synth also be shipped to Germany?
“Sustainable” because it’s got some wood? That’s utterly absurd.
Agree. Ridiculous marketing terminology.
cool, I just created a marketing thing. They don’t say something of sustainability but for me it’s more sustainable to have a case of wood than plastic or so. It’s better for the environment.
Info, because it’s so often told wrong: PT2399 ist NOT Bucket Brigade delay (BBD).
indeed sorry I correct it.
FWIW, the project lists:
PT2399 Bucket Brigade Delay
And, of course, it IS a bucket-brigade… just with digital buckets. 😀
sustainable could mean ready to throw away
299 for a diy kit that looks like that is obscene.
DIY is here that you are doing every yourself. 299e is an assembled one for people searching for an non DIY version
I could do without the wood knobs and such (seems you waste a lot of wood making those!) but overall nice to have this sort of thing made open-source. Great project that can be put into whatever package and definitely serve as a starter for more!