Option 1 PCB only - original green version

The Fort Processor is a touch and light controlled synthesiser and audio effect circuit designed by Isn’tses for Fort Process festival 2018. The event is held at Newhaven Fort on the Sussex coast, and Isn’tses have based the design and artwork of the instrument on the layout of the site, with inspiration from the surrounding landscape and ocean.

The circuit consists of:

• A section which distorts and octave-divides incoming audio (eg from a radio, walkman, mp3, synth etc.)
If no audio input is connected, the circuit instead uses feedback and acts as a self-contained synth
• Squarewave oscillators controlled by a light sensor and modulated by touching the metallic drawings across the centre of the circuitboard with fingers
• A chopper/ring-modulator which rhythmically slices between the distorted input signal and the oscillators
• ‘Twin-T’ section; a classic kick drum circuit mutated into a mysterious bass oscillator/drum/drone/filter which is influenced by the audio input.

Please note that this is the PCB only, you need to source your own components, the completed boards pictured here are for reference only. Build instructions and list of components can be found on www.isntses.co.uk/blog. Building this synth requires intermediate/advanced ability in soldering and knowledge of electronics. Please be aware that if you are building your own that we are not responsible for any errors made during the build.

This green PCB is the original version of the board which is slightly more advanced to build than the black one but also more open to modifications.