@analogoutput is quite right, but if someone is confident enough to knock them out for the community to use we could sidestep the whole DAB variant supply issue. Also it would be possible to have a QFN package pad directly on the board but then have it routed via through hole pads for a DIP32 for the DAB or an adaptor modified chip. Then folks could have the choice between what package they wanted to use based on what is available locally, what they are willing to spend and their level of soldering skill. This is, however, still the most expensive of the āall in oneā chips (unless you buy the QFNās in bulk), but itās also the only one that supports thru-zero FM āout of the boxā that I have found thus far.
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This might be taking us too far in the wrong direction, but I might as wellā¦
ā¦why donāt we just go for SMT Assembly for the whole thing? I guess that might defeat the fun of soldering for a lot of people, but to be honest, at the end of the day, I really just want to make music and not pay a huge amount of money for overpriced eurorack modules.
I think it might even end up being cheaper in the long run - a SMD TL072 is fifteen cents at JLCPCB, and only one cent to have installed. Thereās a setup cost per run, but thatās only 7 dollars. I think weād end up still having to do DIY pots and jacks, but thatās no biggie.
Even if we donāt do this for CAKE, Iād still happily take some pre-soldered boards for all sorts of modules. Maybe Iāll give it a go for my next order if I can figure out the KiCad.
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As mentioned by @fredrik above, JLC will only do the parts that are in their library. PCB Prototype & PCB Fabrication Manufacturer - JLCPCB
That could knock out 90% of the parts and in the end it would probably be cheaper for the end user, who would then only be faced with as you said, soldering jacks and pots, chip sockets, and a few parts that were not available at JLC or were in the extended library (which costs an extra $10 per reel change).
Iām cool with it either way.
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Iām confident in my SMD skills and could easily put these together for the community if you would like. Iāve used those converter boards as well, but @analogoutput is right in that you might as well just put them on the board if youāre going to do it. That being saidā¦if I were doing a bunch all at once it might be easier and cheaper to just use those converter boards instead of shipping the entire PCB somewhere. Iād just have to ship the small converter board to whomever. Iāll do whatever you prefer though.
Anyway, if you guys want to use that or any other SMD chip. Donāt let the SMD aspect of it stop you. I can do it and I can do it quickly too.
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bump for CAKE! Is it time to do polls yet? 20chr7
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Did this die a death, or is it still on the cardsā¦?
Hereās something to get started thenā¦
Which kind of synth voice should we build?
- West Coast module (additive synthesis)
- East Coast module (subtractive synthesis)
- Something else
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edit: pinging @BratAttack @JonGreen @MacMannes @moscione @heckseven who we havenāt seen in a while 
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Iāve been about & around, generally reading and building stuff quietly in the background 
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I know I wonāt be much help with the design . I voted other , only because I would like an dual oscillator with both additive and subtractive in the same module . yeah I know it would be quite large and basically be two individual modules in one .
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Hey,
My work has taken up a lot of time recently. Thanks for pinging!
I have also voted for āsomething elseā, but mostly because I think that this module should feature a bit of additive synthesis, a filter and some digital control 
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I made a GitHub organization for this project so we can collaborate on the same files whether that be PCB design, panel graphics, documentation, etc etc. Itās at github.com/kosmonuts .
If you want to join post on here or PM me your GitHub username so I can give you write access to the repositories.
I have sent invites to analogoutput, jaradical, BlackDeath, MacMannes, heckseven.
@JonGreen @BratAttack @fatboab do you have Github? (also if Iāve missed anyone lmk)
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In the previous discussion it seemed to me there were several disparate ideas being brought forward with little if any convergence happening. Iām now tending to think a voice module is too ambitious and too nebulous a goal for a first collaborative effort. Maybe mine the Module requests topic for something more focused and easier for people to get behind.
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Something Iāve been pondering over the past week is a kind of ārecordable knobā. Inspired by this video:
It would use an Arduino to record the voltage values of a knob of a CV input while either a button is pressed or a gate input is high, and then output the recorded voltage values when another button is pressed or gate is high. Kind of like a sampler for envelopes.
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Iāve been thinking of something similar, more of a looper than a sampler. Would be nice to be able to clock it, record one cycle, then have it loop. Iād opt for a cv input with a pot normalled to it, so also eg a joystick controller can be plugged in. 4 or more channels into one module.
That being said, I donāt think this is particularly suited for a collaborative development. The voice was a nice idea, as it can be divided up into parts. Agreed with AO, we need a solid plan first.
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Would it be an idea to plan a live brainstorming discussion on whatever video/voice-chat platform suits?
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here ya go:
That thread went way OT for a while.
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If this thread is getting bumped, I still think DAB2130 SSI2130 Through Hole Adapter Submodule is the best target.
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I think that would be a good choice. Thoughts, anyone?
Iām actually already 80 percent done with the schematic of a vco based on this. Just need to finish the sync part and the subosc, it will be quite an elaborate beast. I got sidetracked for a bit, but I should be able to pick it up again soon.
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