Catalinbread Knight School Synth - DIY Kit

An Ambitious DIY Project Inspired by the Great Tradition of "Noisemaker" Circuits

The Knight School Synth fits within the DIY culture that popularized playful and surprisingly musical builds using simple components, notably the CD40106 chip. The core idea: convert your guitar into a square wave, then "shape" it via pulse width variation, an approach associated with the spirit of vintage monophonic synthesizers. The circuit also echoes design work shared by DIY figures and adopts a cleaner pre-gain method with fewer parts, while retaining that unique and experimental grain.

Who Is It For, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?

This kit is aimed at guitarists, tinkerers, and sound explorers who want to break new ground. If you enjoy monophonic synth-style lines, "8-bit" riffs, drones, or acid leads, you'll quickly find inspiring settings. It's an excellent choice for the studio (layering takes, doubling lines, creating hooks) as well as for live use if you like effects that radically transform the guitar. Practically speaking: assembly remains simple but requires basic soldering skills and some care for a clean and reliable result on your pedalboard.

Controls, Playing Logic, and Operation

The Knight School Synth offers a clear interface: Pulse sets the pulse width of your square wave, directly affecting the timbre (thinner, more nasal, more "synthy," or thicker depending on the range). The LFO switch lets you choose between a stable sound (LFO off) and automatic animation (LFO on). In the latter mode, Rate controls the modulation speed, while Depth adjusts its intensity. The Volume controls the output level to match your amp, audio interface, or the rest of your signal chain.

Sound Character

Expect a very pronounced coloration: this is not just a saturation effect but a transformation of the guitar into a monophonic synth-like behavior. The sound is edgy, sharp, and particularly expressive on precise playing (clear attack, palm mutes, isolated notes, well-controlled legato phrases). The square wave adds a "digital grain" and retro vibe, while the PWM (especially with LFO) introduces organic movement, ranging from subtle tremolo to pronounced pulsations. Depending on your settings, you can shift from a tight, stable lead to vibrant, almost "talking" textures, perfect for experimentation and unusual atmospheres.

Technical specifications

Effects	Synthesizer	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Blue

Rate	speed at which the LFO automatically modulates the pulse width	Pulse	adjusts the pulse width of the square wave derived from the guitar signal
LFO Switch	activates or deactivates the LFO	Required power	9V DC (center negative)
Volume	output level	Current required	at least 0.5 mA (higher capacity acceptable)
Depth	LFO intensity	Minimum consumption	0.5 mA