Weird Sound Generator

Ray Wilson's "Weird Sound Generator" is capable of producing a wide spectrum of sounds, patterns, and textures. It is often described as one of the most versatile synthesizers for beginner builders and is the recipient of much comparison to cosmic phenomena. There are two separate voices, each comprised of three variable frequency oscillators. Two of these oscillators can be heard as sound output for each voice, or one can be used as a gate to filter the other. A third oscillator modulates the oscillator that provides gate control. Each voice has a switch to select between a triangular or square waveform output, as well as a switch to select between a gating function or dual frequency output. A low-pass filter with controllable levels of resonance and fine/coarse cutoff-frequency  is another important feature.

Using the PCB layout design provided by MFOS, I transferred a toner image of the WSG circuit to a sheet of copper with an iron.Toner with a plastic base is not effected by etchant and creates a protective seal over the copper that it comes into contact with. I submerged the partially coated board in ferric chloride. Only the protected copper  remained on the board after the acid bath, forming the conductive path  between the circuit's soldered components.

WSG surface panel and controls.

WSG Sample I: Imitating LFO Pulse by Young Rites WSG Sample II: Triangle Waves by Young Rites WSG Sample III: Gating and Modulation by Young Rites