Part One: sound generation strategy

Originally I wanted to use voltage-controlled oscillators for sound generation. This is the classic synth method, used in the original Moog synthesizers.

VERY COMPLICATED!

Instead, I chose to use 12 555 timers-one for each note-instead of 12 voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). This decision was driven by the simplicity and efficiency of the circuit: 555 timers require fewer chips and would make the layout less complicated. I also thought that square waves would be easy to generate and make frequency division straightforward. The only downfall is that they don’t produce a very pleasing sound on their own.

To address this, I plan to add filters to shape the harmonics and make the sound more palatable. This approach streamlines my design while giving me creative control over the keyboard’s tone.