Stages is a multistage voltage source and sequencer. Envelopes, sequencing, it's all here, units can be chained together to create much larger, more complex sequences and envelopes

People who are inexperienced at SMD soldering might like to try building a Grids first.

Stages is an advanced level build. It uses a lot of 0402 passives, 0603 will fit on some pads, but you'll need to test the fit before you start placing or soldering them. some of the 0402 passives are very tightly spaced, I'd say someone who's managed a Warps and Veils could do this with no problems.

My suspicion is that Stages is best tackled by using a stencil and solder paste, together with strong magnification. Care will need to be taken soldering the SMD power connector.

Depending on your choice of sliders, you might need to consider an SMD SWD header instead of a through hole one (the Mutable version of Stages doesn't include this header as modules are now programmed at the factory using a custom rig with pogo pins instead. There are programming cables available now with pogo pins at one end instead of an IDC connector, one of these would be a good investment for anyone who wants to build these newer modules (any digital module from Plaits onwards).

This is a fiendishly challenging DIY synth project, many here are much easier, we have a guide to the difficulty level of each build on it's page.

If you've tackled Warps and Veils already I think you'll be ready for this, you'll definitely be ready if you've built a Kinks successfully.

The easiest way to flash Stages is to use a discovery board, Mutable Instruments use ST part Number: STM32F0DISCOVERY in the flashing and testing jigs they supply to their manufacturer, some people have had problems using a genuine STLINKV2 for this, but the disco boards work fine and are very inexpensive.