Vancouver has a thriving "maker" culture that extends deep into electronic music. If you want to build your own oscillators, solder your own cables, or customize your gear, these are the hubs of the local DIY community.
1. Vancouver Hack Space (VHS)
VHS is the epicenter of the city's maker scene. They host regular "DIY Synth Nights" where members and the public can bring their projects, share tools, and troubleshoot circuits. It’s a volunteer-run space equipped with soldering stations, oscilloscopes, and a community of experts in analog and digital electronics. It’s the best place to start if you're new to the soldering iron.
2. Vancouver Modular Synth Meetup
This active community meets monthly for performances and social gatherings. It’s a great place to see unique DIY modular rigs and learn about local workshops. Follow "@vansynthmeet" on Instagram to stay updated on their next session. It’s less a formal class and more a collaborative exchange of knowledge between local synth-heads.
3. IEEE Vancouver Section (Kelowna Workshops)
For those in the interior, the IEEE Vancouver Section often hosts hands-on PCB design workshops at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna. These sessions cover professional tools like KiCAD and are essential for producers who want to move from breadboarding to manufacturing their own specialized audio hardware.
4. Vancouver Sound Designers
While not purely about DIY hardware, this Meetup group brings together over 600 local professionals and hobbyists. It’s a vital networking resource for finding collaborators who understand the technical side of synthesis and sound design.