The SynTesla Is A Steampunk-Inspired DIY Synthesizer

In this video from Pj Tardiveau, we get acquainted with the SynTesla, a steampunk-esque synthesizer that is built from Tesla Vacuum tubes, with the sound generator being based on a Waldorf Streichfett Expander.

The main difficulty of this project was to adapt an existing Synth PCB with controllers directly soldered to the main board. I had to carefully rip of all the potentiometers, switches and buttons and replace them with parts that could fit a thick wood control panel.

The entire structure is made of French Oak wood, with a Steampunk style. The idea was to create a synthesizer that looks like an old electrical control panel from the late 19th century.

It has 3 octaves keyboards with no modulation or pitch bend wheels, but 2 octave up and down buttons. The sound characteristics are directly related to the Waldorf Expander. It’s a dual sound engine, featuring a polyphonic strings section and an eight-voice solo section. You can “morph” the different sounds using the big wheel on the board. Twelve patches can be stored and selected in the Memory section just under the big Voltmeter.

The SynTesla steampunk synthesizer certainly a invokes some otherworldly nostalgia to say the very least! You can visit Pj Tardiveau’s Youtube channel for more awesome synthesizer videos.

Next: The Nanoloop Is A Handheld Synthesizer With A Game Boy Feel