The project addresses the challenge of making analog signal processing and synthesizer operation accessible to beginners, since conventional synthesizers are often costly, highly complex, and difficult to interpret without prior technical knowledge. To address this, a modular educational system called Synthesizer Blocks was developed, in which individual signal-processing functions such as waveform generation, filtering, mixing, and amplitude modulation are implemented as physically interchangeable blocks. This architecture enables users to assemble signal chains while directly observing waveform changes through built-in test points, supporting a clearer understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals. The scope of the project included the design, fabrication, and validation of PCB-based functional modules capable of producing audible output while serving as a hands-on instructional platform for signal processing concepts.
The problem was addressed by designing a set of modular blocks, allowing users to build and modify a synthesizer by physically connecting blocks together. The electronic circuits for each block were first modeled and tested in LTspice to verify expected waveform behavior before hardware fabrication, while the physical enclosures were created in SolidWorks to ensure that each block could securely house its components and connect reliably with adjacent modules. After simulation, the circuits were assembled on breadboards for initial testing, then refined into custom printed circuit boards and installed into 3D-printed enclosures for improved reliability. This combination of simulation, CAD-based mechanical design, and modular hardware development produced an accessible educational system that demonstrates sound processing step by step.
By the end of the project, a functional prototype of the Synthesizer Blocks kit was produced, consisting of multiple interchangeable modules capable of generating, modifying, combining, and outputting sound. The final system included a working waveform generator, mixer, filter, speaker, voltage-controlled amplifier, and low-frequency oscillator blocks, all assembled with custom printed circuit boards inside 3D-printed enclosures powered by a USB-C connection. Testing confirmed that the modules successfully produced audible effects such as waveform filtering, signal summation, and amplitude modulation, while most measured electrical performance closely matched simulation targets. The completed prototype demonstrated that a modular synthesizer can serve as an effective educational platform for introducing signal processing and electrical engineering concepts through hands-on experimentation.