LPG

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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...