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HDD Synth

Making hard disk drives loud again!

Most retro PCs are retrofitted with a solid-state hard drive these days, due to the rarity, unreliability and inconveniences of using a traditional mechanical spinning drive. 

However, that means when using a retro PC you miss out on the full nostalgic experience of hearing the HDD:

  • Spin up when you power the system on
  • Click and whir as your favourite games load
  • Spin down after powering off

The HDD Synth is an ISA expansion card that recreates the sound of a mechanical hard drive for your retro PC

Features

  • Sample based recreation of mechanical hard disk drives operating sounds
    • Spin up when PC is turned on
    • Idle hum whilst standing by
    • Access clicks and crackcles
    • Spin down when PC is turned off
  • SD card to hold multiple HDD sample packs, to recreate the sound of different mechanical hard disk drives
  • Volume control to make it very loud or silent
  • HDD detection via HDD LED or ISA bus for true plug and play

Roadmap

Prototype MKI [Completed] ✅

Initial ISA PCB test

Prototype MKII [Completed] ✅

Adds volume control, ability to change sample pack, spin down

Prototype MKIII [In progress] ▶️

Adds ISA based HDD detection, metal back bracket, external status LED, 3.5" drive bay adapter kit, balance (between access and idle sound)

Production

Create units for general availability, planned for Q3 2026

Planned production models

HDD Synth 1000

The full experience

  • SD card with multiple sample packs
  • Spin down playback when power is turned off
  • True plug and play with no HDD LED cable required)

HDD Synth 500

Cost reduced

  • No SD card reader, just a single sample pack
  • No spin down
  • No ISA based HDD detection, requires connection of HDD LED cable

Links

Credits

 

Support ❤️

If you'd like, you can donate to support this project on Ko-Fi 

Media coverage

Strife Enterprises: 2000 - 2026 / HDD Synth / Contact