My build progress

On NonLinearCircuit’s website :


(NO NO !!! Don’t go look there !!! Or you’ll need two more cases fast ! every module has schematics).

Specifically here for the sloth module:

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I think I will look and take the risk :wink:
thanks @eric !

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Like the undertaker in a Clint Eastwood movie I’d start measuring up a new case.

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Much good stuff there. I’ve built the Timbre wavefolder and the Sloth Chaos (using their PCBs), there are others I want to do at some point. Some of it’s through hole, some SMD. Very unfortunate that they now have to start charging $20 for international shipping, it used to be $5. But they’re available from SynthCube, Modular Addict, and Thonk which may offer cheaper shipping at least in US and UK.

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I was looking for a power supply connector for a new module I’m working on and I found a so called IDC box that resembles the connectors I’ve been using in my strip board designs quite well. In easyeda this connector is displayed with a small triangle near pin 1. Can anyone confirm (or deny) that the labels are connected with the right pins here? And one more thing, is the connector displayed pins (the ones that are soldered to the pcb) down?

connector

It’s correct, and since the connections are mirror symmetric, whether this is seen from above or below really doesn’t matter. But in KiCad the footprint is


and the 3D view is
image
Odd numbered pins are on the side with the notch.

Added: Just noticed the label “2.0mm 2*8P Straight IDC Box”. Does that mean pins on 2.0 mm spacing? The headers normally used for Eurorack are (as in the KiCad footprint) 2.54 mm spacing.

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You tell me. No idea how this is measured.

Hmm, the difference could be problematic. One would think however that this type of connector is a ‘standard’ component.

There’s no one standard pitch for IDC connectors:

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OK, then I’ll have to find a different connector.

This EasyEDA project uses correct header symbols and footprints for Eurorack power:

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Finally built the Seq. switch that @CTorp sent me forever ago lol

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Got the knobs several days ago but wanted to shoot some video before putting it together!

See AO Noise Bells ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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So, I am working to put my midi controller design on PCB. With this, I am trying to split the duty of everything into its own 100mm x 100mm design to take advantage of JLCPCB pricing. These boards will use IDC connectors to hook up to each other.

One such module I wrapped up tonight is what I call the “MUX HUB”. It’s duty is to bridge the gap between the “Brain” board which has the microcontroller on it, and the up to 8 other modules that each contain up to 8 controls. Power and GND from the brain board is passed along the same bus as the outputs from the 8 multiplexers that will be relayed to the brain board.

I have elected to use many of these components to keep costs down, and for easy sourcing. Time will tell if these buses are a bad idea.

(Board preview with OSHpark’s gerber viewer, since it does a nice job with the graphics.)

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Man, 10 chances to plug power into this board :slight_smile:

Have you factored in the cost of the connectors and cables in the savings you get from using 100x100mm boards ?
And with all these cables reliability may also suffer.

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Just woke up, realized I will need a ground plane added. :slight_smile:

To answer your question @eric and correct something:

Power is “plugged in” only once with the bus going to the brain board which has the power supply. The power and gnd lines in the mux buses are designed to carry power and gnd to up to 8 module boards. I plan on making this a modular setup so that people can select what type of controls they want.

The costs are absolutely cheaper this way, by a mile. Cost reduction is a major part of this design. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am aiming for a low cost alternative that can be easily sourced. I plan on selling these in kits, as well as completed deals, and I won’t do that unless it is both reliable for the end user, and cheap enough for me to offer for a low price, while also making profit. All this is, is an optimization problem at this point, my proof of concept works well, and it’s just a cobbled together strip board mess.

Additionally, this modular setup can enable people to choose to get just specific modules from me that they need, without the overhead of cost and space that a whole package would cost. If all you want/need is a board to bus all of your multiplexer signals, why bother with everything else? Also another benefit is, I am designing multiple brain boards with varying costs and connectivity options. If I did not modularize these, I would have to manufacture strictly more stock that may or may not be used.

I am well aware of the potential for reliability issues, as I mentioned in my first post, time will tell. I actually suspect everything will work just fine. Strictly speaking, a user may not even have a need for all 8 modules at once. I plan on this mimicking a modular synth in that you can buy each piece bit by bit, and still have something useable as you are filling up your box.

The design is not finalized, but I am happy with the initial idea. I have been trying to go with a modular design for diy midi controllers since starting my adventures here.

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That was a joke, regarding the number of people who plugged power in the link connector of the 1222 VCO board, which has only 2 connectors… here we have 10 connectors, that’s… just… too… much… of… a… tentation :slight_smile:

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Hint to builders: don’t install the link connector until you intend to use it. If one is installed, plug an empty plug into it so you don’t accidentally connect it to power.

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I intend on making that process as clear as possible. Though, i am curious whether harm would actually come to anything if you did invert it. My design uses significantly lower voltages than the bipolar eurorack power supply.

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I haven’t built anything for a long time. The reason for this is because, firstly, I’m waiting for a large Tayda order (1500 pieces … but most of them are resistors :slight_smile: ) and secondly, I got a MicroBrute as a gift. My first “real” synth. And I love this little beast. Well, in the last few days I’ve been messing around with it and using FL Studio for the first time with external devices, the whole midi thing is still new to me, but everything feels very exciting and refreshing! I just brought 2 short excerpts here. I’m slowly coming towards the 80’s like sound.


This is the MicroBrute and an OB-Xd plugin based on the Oberheim OB-X which I think sounds really good. I’m only talking about the plugin :wink:

And that’s the MicroBrute and my Korg Volca, just to test the recording in FL Studio.

I hope you are all well. Please take care of yourself

Cheers Thomas

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If you ever need assistance setting stuff up in FL, I am also a heavy user of that DAW so just let me know.

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