EDU DIY VCO

Ever wondered how synthesizers actually work? This kit is your chance to find out – by building a real VCO from scratch. Using just a handful of components and a breadboard, you’ll create a fully functional analog oscillator – the core building block of any synth voice. Along the way, you’ll learn about basic electronic concepts like voltage, current, and resistance, and how they come together to create oscillation, control pitch, and shape waveforms.

You don’t need any background in electronics. The manual walks you through the process step by step: from plugging in your first component to tuning the finished circuit. Every idea is explained in plain language, with clear diagrams and intuitive visuals.

By the end, you’ll have a working analog VCO with saw and pulse outputs, 1V/oct tracking, temperature compensation, FM and PWM inputs… plus the option to turn it into a proper Eurorack module using the included PCB and panel.

But more importantly – you’ll understand how it works.

What’s included:

All components for the breadboard build
Eurorack panel + PCB (for final assembly)
Power cable
40+ page illustrated manual (PDF download)

What you’ll need:

A breadboard
Jumper wires
Dual power supply (or two 9V batteries with clip connectors)

Want a smoother start?

The mki x es.EDU Labor is our purpose-built prototyping platform designed to make your DIY synth journey as intuitive and frustration-free as possible. It combines everything you need to build and test circuits – no extra gear required. Check it out here.

This is the first kit in the mki x es.EDU series – a collaboration between Erica Synths and Moritz Klein to make analog synth design accessible to everyone.

NB! These kits are self-guided and designed for learning. While we don’t offer individual support for failed builds, the manuals are detailed and beginner-friendly, giving you the tools to troubleshoot and succeed on your own.

EDU DIY VCO on Modulargrid & Modwiggler