The Tree Trunk That Plays Music
It’s not every day you stumble across a synthesizer that looks like it was carved from a tree trunk, but that’s exactly what the Daydreamer Synth 1 feels like at first glance. This isn’t just another budget analog synth—it’s a bold statement about sustainability, accessibility, and what synthesizers can be when freed from conventional design constraints.
Philosophy Meets Function: Accessibility, Affordability, Sustainability
Creator Jonathan didn’t just set out to make another affordable synthesizer—he envisioned something fundamentally different. The Daydreamer Synth 1 embodies three core principles that set it apart from everything else on the market: accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. At $299, it delivers genuine analog synthesis without the typical compromises, while its open-source nature invites modification, learning, and community involvement.
A Unique Wood-Centric Design Philosophy
The Daydreamer’s most striking feature is its nearly entirely wooden construction. From the case to the knobs and switches (save for a few plastic ports and the rear power switch), almost every external component is crafted from wood. Even the labeling is pyrographed—burned into the surface with a heated tool—giving the entire instrument a rustic, handmade vibe that feels both vintage and futuristic.
The wood casing is intentionally left unfinished to encourage user customization. You can paint it, stain it, or modify it to suit your personal style. Extra side panels are available for $39 if you want to experiment with different looks. However, if you plan to gig or travel with it, applying a protective finish is strongly advised to preserve the natural wood over time.
Serious Analog Architecture Under the Hood
Despite its unconventional appearance, the Daydreamer Synth 1 packs serious analog synthesis capabilities:
Core Sound Generation:
- 6 Analog VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators)
- 6 Analog VCAs (Voltage Controlled Amplifiers)
- LFSR White Noise generator
- Diode Ladder Low Pass VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
Modern Features:
- Velocity sensitivity
- Legato/Portamento/Pitch Glide
- LED Note Indicators that glow warmly to show active oscillators
- Digital-to-Analog Envelope Generator
- Digital-to-Analog LFO with VCO and VCF modulation
Effects & Polyphony:
- PT2399 Bucket Brigade Delay for warm, analog-style repeats
- 6-voice paraphonic operation
- Note recycling for smooth voice management
The Sound: Warm, Gritty, and Alive
Sonically, the Daydreamer leans warm and slightly gritty. There’s a faint hum in the signal path—likely related to the digital-to-analog conversion—but rather than feeling like a flaw, it adds character. This isn’t a pristine, sterile synthesizer; it’s alive with quirks that become part of its charm.
Where it truly excels is in ambient soundscapes. The combination of six analog oscillators through the diode ladder filter creates rich, evolving textures that seem to breathe. But the Synth 1 isn’t limited to ambient applications—with careful tweaking, it can produce warbly leads, nostalgic pads, and even punchy mono lines that cut through a mix.
Open Source: Invitation to Learn and Modify
One of the most admirable aspects of the Daydreamer Synth 1 is its commitment to open-source principles. Both hardware schematics and software are freely available, hosted on GitHub and the Daydreamer website. This makes it especially appealing to DIY modders, students, and anyone curious about synthesizer design.
Whether you’re looking to hack, repair, learn, or simply understand how analog synthesis works, the Daydreamer invites you in. This transparency stands in stark contrast to the locked-down nature of most commercial synthesizers.
Immediate Playability Meets Deep Customization
From the moment it’s powered on, the Daydreamer is ready to play. There’s no complex programming or menu diving—just immediate access to warm, character-rich analog sounds. The yellow LED indicators provide meaningful visual feedback, showing which oscillators are active and creating an almost magical glow that enhances the instrument’s organic aesthetic.
Yet beneath this simplicity lies surprising depth. The paraphonic architecture allows for complex chord voicings and evolving textures, while the analog delay adds space and movement to even simple patches.
Compact Dimensions, Big Impact
At just 40 × 16 × 7 cm, the Daydreamer Synth 1 fits comfortably on any desk or studio setup. Its compact footprint belies its sonic capabilities—this is a synthesizer that can anchor ambient compositions, add texture to electronic productions, or serve as an inspiring creative tool for sound design.
The Future of Sustainable Synthesis
The Daydreamer Synth 1 represents something rare in today’s synthesizer market: a product designed with genuine care for both musical expression and environmental impact. Its wooden construction, open-source philosophy, and accessible price point suggest a different path forward for electronic instrument design.
In an industry often focused on flashy features and marketing hype, the Daydreamer’s quiet confidence and handmade aesthetic feel refreshingly honest. It’s proof that innovation doesn’t always mean more complexity—sometimes it means stripping away everything unnecessary to reveal the essential joy of making music.
Ready to Daydream?
At $299, the Daydreamer Synth 1 offers something unique in the synthesizer world: genuine analog character, sustainable design, and open-source accessibility wrapped in a package that looks like nothing else on the market. Whether you’re a bedroom producer, sound designer, or someone who simply appreciates beautiful, well-crafted instruments, the Daydreamer invites you to see synthesis through fresh eyes.
Want to learn more? Visit daydreamersynth.com to explore the full specifications, download schematics, and join a community that’s reimagining what synthesizers can be.
About Me
Hi, I’m Canoy Dang. I grew up in Granada and now living in Málaga, in the south of Spain. Sound has always played a central role in my life — from early home recordings to the deeper, ongoing exploration of the modular synth world. Modular, semi-modular, and desktop synthesizers have become my main tools for expression, experimentation, and sometimes, simply for getting lost in the process.
