Jacks and Knobs and things...

New Paia modules

2011-03-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

I ordered 3 new Paia modules which arrived today - amazingly, customs only held them up for 2 days! I ordered a Noise Source, a Balanced Modulator and a Passive Mixer/Splitter from the new 9700 series of Frac modules. The Noise Source & Balanced Modulator are to go in the main Frac case, and the Splitter is for a separate sequencing case.

Looking at the new modules, I'm very impressed with the build quality. In fact, I don't know how they manage to sell them so cheaply. The front panels are very nicely done - they have the same 'mottled' paint effect as the 5U MOTM stuff - a very professional finish.

They are also very shallow - of the 3 I got, the deepest is barely 2 inches.

I've already given the Noise Source a quick test - it gives 3 different outputs, 2 of which are filtered versions of the main White Noise. Most of the output level seems to come from the far end of the pot travel, but most of the time this will be fed into a mixer or into the Bugcrusher, so I don't think that's a problem.

Based on these 3 I'd recommend getting a few of these modules - they are great value (even when having to pay customs duty).

New modules on the way

2011-02-26T14:16:00.000-08:00

I had to wait until the New Year before ordering up some more modules to finish up my Frac case. On the way are a Paia noise generator, balanced modulator and passive mixer/splitter; from Blacet, a Binary Zone, Window Comparator and Cloud Generator (this is the repackaged Synth Tech E340).

I also took delivery today of a BugBrand Wavefolder - they are starting to offer some modules in minijack again, the Wavefolder is the first.

Some things I need to finish off are a Fonitronik VCPS & MFOS Quantiser. I've spent too long trying to finalise a panel design for the VCPS, but I think I'm just about there now and have worked out all the hardware mounting issues.

Once they're done, they'll go into a 'sequencing' case - 1 row consisting of the VCPS, Quantiser, Binary Zone, Seq Switch & Divider.

Current State

2010-11-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

Well, here's a (bad) picture of my Frac system as it stands today.

The panel at the bottom is a patching panel, containing loads of multiples and a couple of attenuators. There are just a few more jacks to wire up before I mount it in the panel - but I detest that kind of wiring so it's a slow job. There are also a couple of quarter inch jacks on the panel so I can patch between the MOTM system & this one easily.

The space next to the VCO is for another VCO, which I hope to order in the new year, along with other modules to fill up the rack.

Module line up (top row): Blacet VCO, Blacet Mixer, LPG (Thomas White), Mattson Mini Modular JP VCF, Fonitronic Attenuverting Mixer.

(Bottom row): Blacet Midiverter, Blacet Micro LFO, Bugbrand Bugcrusher, Blacet DAD, Blacet Seq Switch (modified), Blacet Micro LFO, Blacet Dual VCA.

I'm currently trying to decide on what modules I'll get to complete the rack - hard job! But I won't have any cash for anything else for 2 or 3 months, so I've got plenty of thinking time...

2010-05-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

I've recently got a couple of other modules - another Blacet Micro LFO & Blacet Sequential Switch. I should take a photo of the system and post it, but that will have to wait until later. I also need to finish off my Mattson VCF. I got the PCB from and wire kit, I just need to make up a mounting bracket and order the front panel.

When I've done that one, I reckon my case will be about half full. Then I'm going to have to wait a while to see how much money I have left after our new Kitchen is fitted before I can get anything else :-(

LPG

2010-03-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick pic of my finished Low Pass Gate. It is based on the PCB from Thomas White, with a front panel from Schaeffer in Germany.

We have sound...

2010-03-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finally made progress and got a working system!

I built up the Oakley compact PSU, which was a fairly easy build - even so it's still a bit nerve wracking plugging in a DIY power supply for the first time. Luckily there were no bangs or any smoke.

I've also finished up my Low Pass Gate - wow, it sounds amazing.

So I've got a small working system with a Blacet Midiverter, VCO, DAD, Dual VCA, Micro LFO & Mixer, a Bugbrand Bugcrusher (minijack version) and my DIY Low Pass Gate.

I now need to finish off my Fonitronik Attenuverting Mixer & Mattson VCF.

I should also get some pictures together.

More Modules

2010-02-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

While I've been spending endless weeks working out Power Supply options, I've bought a few more modules, ready for the day when I have some power. I have got a Blacet VCO, Blacet Micro LFO & Blacet Dual Linear VCA. All picked up second hand.

I'm also about to order from Blacet a Midiverter & the new DAD.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - I've also ordered a DIY VCF from the Mattson Mini Modular range (it's not that DIY, the board is already populated). Once that little lot is in place I should be able to make some noise :-)

Power Supply: Update

2010-02-15T06:47:00.000-08:00

After much procrastination and indeciveness, I've decided on a power supply. I found one or two other options, but all of them seemed to have a max rating of 500mA. SO. in the end I've decided to go for the Oakley Compact PSU, powered by the Yamaha power pack.

This should give me plenty of power for what I need and have a bit spare. It's on Order now, so it won't be long before I'll start building this up!

Power Supply

2009-11-19T02:10:00.000-08:00

A synth is nothing without a power supply. So I've been looking at the available options to power my new rack.

The obvious option is the Blacet PS505, which is rated at 500mA. The problem is the modules I currently have planned will consume around 460-470mA, plus I have left a couple of gaps in my rack for other modules, so I'd be a bit worried that I'd be pushing supply beyond its limits. Then I need to factor in that being in the UK, by the time I've paid shipping it works out at almost £100, not including the usual import duties/VAT/admin charges that usually add on another 20%. So it starts to look a rather expensive option.

The other options are all DIY based.

First off, there is the Oakley power supply based around a Yamaha power pack that should safely run up to 750mA. This is quite a good option as there is a minimal amount of wiring up to do, apart from having to build up the supply board.

Next up is an open frame Linear type supply from Power One or Calex. These are available in various configurations & current ratings, but require more wiring up to get the required power options.

The other option is a Traco switch mode power supply. These are enclosed and deliver around 1A. Wiring up is minimal, and as it is enclosed the risks are lower. However, I'm yet to find a definitive answer as to whether switch mode supplies are good to use with modular synths. They usually are more noisy than regular linear supplies.

So at the moment, I'm undecided. I've narrowed it down to either the Oakley DIY option, or the Traco option (if I can find out for sure if switch mode supplies are OK).

Decisions, decisions...

Attenuverting Mixer

2009-11-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

I have populated my Attenuverting Mixer PCB from Fonik. I have been working on the front panel layout using Front Panel Designer.Here is what I have so far:

In my layout I have removed the switch and have separate outputs for AC & DC. I need to order some pots, then I will print this layout out and put on to some cardboard to try the components out to double check the hole sizes and positioning.

Thinking of Modules

2009-11-04T03:40:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about which modules I might have in my new Frac system.

I've already got the Blacet 2790 Mixer, plus a Lo Pass Gate PCB & Attenuverting Mixer PCB. Others I'm tempted by include:

FOH Plague Bearer
Blacet Midiverter
Blacet Micro LFO
Blacet Mini Wave
Blacet Dual VCA
MOTM Moog VCF
Synthasonic Phaser
Metalbox Digital Noise
Metalbox Psycho LFO

I can feel some Rackplanner sessions coming on...

1st FRAC module

2009-11-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

So I've got my empty case for my second modular, but no power supply. I've got plans to DIY a couple of modules. In the meantime I saw a fairly cheap Blacet mixer module going on eBay, so I grabbed it! And it's arrived.

It's the small 2790 mixer module. Although I will be DIYing another mixer module, you can't have too many mixers. Plus it's handy to have a proper FRAC module around while I finish up my case.

I can't do anything with the module yet, but it's nice to know I've made a start on my new synth :-)

My Next Synth

2009-11-02T03:39:00.000-08:00

I've got just enough room to squeeze in another small modular. Yay!

I can just about squeeze in one of the Ikea 'Rast' cases, which is the ideal size for two rows of FRAC format modules.

What's going in it? Who knows!

I've got an Attenuverting Mixer PCB from Fonik, and a LPG PCB from Thomas White, so it will be those two modules at least. I'll make it up as I go along, but I want it to be able to be used as a synth in it's own right, as well as being an extension to my current MOTM modular. I guess I'll have to make some patching panels to convert between the two systems. Oh yeah, I'll need a power supply and another MIDI-CV converter.

My Current Synth

2009-11-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

My current modular synth is based on the '5U' MOTM format. Modules include 2x MOTM-300 VCO, 1x MOTM-310 VCO, 1x 820 MOTM LAG, 2x MOTM 320 VCLFO, 1x MOTM 120 Sub-Oct, 1x MOTM-420 VCF, 1x MOTM-410 Triple Res Filter, 1x MOTM-110 VCA/Ring Mod, 2x MOTM-800 ADSR,1x MOTM-101 Noise/S&H, 1x Oakley Multimix, 1x Oakley COTA VCF, 1x Oakley Superladder VCF, 2 x Oakley Little VCA, 1 x Oakley Little EG.

Phewww, I remembered them all :-)

I started this synth in about 1999/2000. Most of it was DIY built, but I got the 410 ready built and recently the Oakley COTA VCF ready built as well.

I'm very constrained by space, so this is as big as this synth will get. However, in my workspace I have worked out that I can fit in a small extra system, so my lust for more modules will have to be satisfied there...