Assembly Guide – Sonveskan Build Document

The Sonveskan is a three-channel feedbacker /mixer – utilising germanium transistors. Each audio path comes equipped with individual gain control, voltage controlled feedback, it’s own mute switch and direct unbuffered output.  The master output channel features an equalizer with two bands. When using the individual input channel gains at low settings – this mixer will produce all manners of distortion!

Each audio path comes equipped with an input, followed by two gain stages. They are wired in serial. The first gain stage can be adjusted via a knob, which is situated on the module’s front panel. The second one comes with a trim potentiometer on the circuit board. Results can be fed back to the channel’s input. The feedback intensity is editable via another potentiometer plus there is a CV input. After the gain stage(s), a mute switch and a direct output follow in each signal path.
The main channel offers an equalizer with two potentiometers for adjusting treble and bass.

Sonveskan – Build Document and User Manual

Features

• 3 Discrete Preamps
• 3 Channel Mixer
• 3 CV Controlled FeedBacks
• Master EQ High/Low
• Direct Out / Mute
• 16 HP Aluminium panel
• +12 : 0mA
• -12 : 10mA

Audio Demos

Build Document here.

This is a full kit which includes everything you need to build a working Eurorack Module, Panel, PCB, all components, knobs jacks, power cable, rack screws.

• 8hp / Red ink ‘AluPrint’ Aluminium panel
• Selected NOS East German military germanium transistors
• Input/output volume / feedback / fuzz with cv control
• Handy knobs for controlling chaos
• Eurorack standard supply, red facing down
• Designed in Plougastel-Daoulas, France
• Kits packed in Brighton, UK
• ‘Stupid breton name‘ – How Touellskouarn describe it

Please note the large knob in this kit is slightly different to the one pictured, we use a black MXR type knob instead:

Assembly Guide – Skorn Da Bask Build Document

Drone & Abstract Rhythm Generator – The Skorn Da Bask is composed of three analog sawtooth oscillators and a Resonant Low-Pass Filter. As well as generating audio signals, each VCO can be routed to modulate the VCF’s cutoff frequency. The filter is also able to process external signals and modulation. In true TouellSkouarn fashion, the Skorn Da Bask distorts like hell and is perfect for creating dirty, experimental sound structures and abstract rhythms.

The front panel of Skorn da Bask shows three areas highlighted in red. These zones contain the connectors and control elements for each of the three oscillators. Each VCO comes equipped with a pitch CV input, a tune potentiometer and two switches  – one to switch frequency range between low and high and one to switch individual VCF modulation on or off. In detail, the oscillators can be connected to the audio or CV input of the filter. Thanks to their range switches, each VCO is able to work with audio or low frequency rates. The oscillator pitch inputs does not follow the standard 1v per octave – After all, Skorn Da Bask is not an ordinary oscillator module, but an experimental sound generator.

The Low-Pass Filter features a slope of 24 dB per octave.The ‘Freqañs’ knob controls the filter cutoff while ‘Dasson’ sets the resonance. For processing external signals, there is an audio input with attenuator. As long as a cable is plugged into this socket, the VCOs are disconnected from the filter’s audio path. The filters frequency can also be modulated from an external source via a CV input. The audio output is equipped with a level control knob – high settings lead to juicy overdrive effects.

Trim pots on the rear of the module allow you to adjust the oscillator and filter levels as well as filter resonance.

Skorn Da Bask – Build Document and  User Manual

Features

• 3 analog Oscillators/LFOs
• 1 analog Low Pass Filter (24dB)
• Osc 1, 2, 3 CV Modulation input
• Filter Audio Input
• Filter Modulation input
• 16 HP Aluminium panel
• +12 : 25mA
• -12 : 10mA

Audio Demos

The 6hp AI002 DIY Mixer Kit is an updated take on a classic utility audio or cv mixer. All three inputs have a level control, with full clockwise allowing full volume prior to the summing mixer. The summing mixer is roughly at Unity when at 12’0 Clock. Perfect for adding audio inputs to a filter, or cv inputs to a cv input, and other mixing functions. This kit is ideal for those who know how to solder, but are still starting out in their DIY Synthesis journey.

This diy mixer kit will not only familiarize yourself with IC Chips, Capacitors, and Resistors, it will also add a key utility module to your DIY Modular Synthesizer.

This is an ideal kit for a beginner learning DIY electronics, and requires no wiring at all! All parts are soldered directly to the PCB for ease of building and can be built in under an hour.

We recommend this kit as the second module you build. It is easy, and can be built in a single sitting. If it works, you are ready to build other modules.

The Eurorack Kit Contains everything you need to build your first DIY Analog Synth Module:

• High Quality 3.5 mm Jacks
• A PCB
• A Eurorack Panel
• High quality Alpha Potentiometers
• All components required to build the AI002 Mixer.
• Mounting screws
• Power Cable

The build guide is located here.

The VVCA is a fully analog dual linear VCA which can be used for audio and CV signals.

The VVCA features two identical VCA’s. What makes VVCA unique is that each VCA has a velocity input, allowing you to modulate the incoming CV signal with a velocity voltage (or any other CV source). When there is no cable connected to the velocity input, the VCA behaves just like any other normal VCA.

The VVCA adds a tiny amount of characterful soft-clipping.

Included in the kit:
-Panel(aluminum)
-PCB
-All components (Resistors, capacitors, IC’s, etc.)
-Connectors + hex nuts
-montage screws (M3)
-16 pin power cable

Specification:
• 4HP Aluminum Panel
• DC coupled input; can amplify both audio and CV signals
• CV Input: 0-8V
• Velocity Input: 0-5V
• Outputs at same level as Input when both the CV Input and Velocity Input are at max
• This module uses the 5V rail (16 pin eurorack connector)!

Build Guide

User Manual

Strakal Orsel is a brutal, yet highly musical tube distortion, which can also be used as an effect oscillator, noise generator or dirty VCA. If you send clean drum sounds into the Orsel – sounds as hard as nails will come out! Gently plucked acoustic guitar solos can be transformed into hardcore riffs, while other acoustic instruments and synthesizer sounds can be spiced up in the same way.

Tube Distortion
For traditional tube distortion, patch your signal into the input and set the Triodenn, Gounid, Ampled and Feedback controls to taste. You can control the feedback via CV by sending modulation to the Enkas Modulañ input and lowering the Ampled Knob (between 0 and 1 or 2)

Oscillator
To use the Orsel as an oscillator, leave the input unpatched and the Feedback switch up. Set Gounid and Ampled to taste. You can control the pitch of the Oscillatior via cv by sending modulation to the Enkas Modulañ input. (Sorry, this will not track 1v/Oct)

Noise Generator
To use the Orsel as a noise generator, leave the input unpatched with the Feedback switch down. Set Gounid and Ampled to taste. You can control sthe noise via cv by sending  modulation to the Enkas Modulañ input.

Crude VCA
To use the Orsel as a crude vca, patch your signal into the input with the Feedback switch down. Set the Gounid to taste. You can control the volume via cv by sending modulation to Enkas Modulañ input and lowering the Ampled Knob (between 0 and 1 or 2)

Features:

• 12HP / anodized aluminium panel / Red painted
• Jacks : Input, Output, CV Input
• Knobs : Feedback (Boukl Retroaktiñ), the big one, Volume (Gounid), between the 2 stages of tube amplification) and Gain (Ampled) set the level of distortion.
• Switches : Triodenn, switch the first tube in pentode or triode mode, Feedback (Boukl Retroaktiñ) (enable the use of the feedback knob)

Power Consumption:
This module needs a dedicated 5V bus from your case
(tested with Eowave source d’Energie, Frap Tools Silta, DotRed audios Power base)
+12v : 5 mA
-12v : 5 mA
+5v : 350 mA

****Tube equivalents :
The kit come with 2 x Russian Tubes – NOS – 6j1P
You can also use 2 x USA 5654 tubes (low noise premium-grade substitute for 6AK5), 2x 6AK5 or 2x EF95**** But we don’t sell these!

Manual

Build Document

The Brunswick is perfect for those who want an introduction into the world of patchable analogue synthesis!

The Brunswick Synthesizer from Future Sound Systems is a newly designed, affordable synth voice with plenty of connectivity for exploration and integration with other devices. The Brunswick features a single VCO (Pulse & Sawtooth), multi-mode two-pole VCF and a character filled onboard VCA. The synthesizer also features it’s own internal LFO and envelope sections alongside FM inputs for the VCO and VCF. The Brunswick features a 24-point patchbay that allows for external voltage control over VCO pitch (v/oct) and envelope gate, as well as a slew of other inputs and outputs on 3.5mm mono jacks (see below for full list).

Demos

Features

• Full Synthesizer Voice
• Pulse/Sawtooth VCO
• VCO PWM & FM
• 2-Pole VCF with FM
• Internal Triangle & Square wave LFOs
• Internal Envelope & VCA
• PLL & Phase Comparator
• 24 point Patch bay
• Power: 2x PP3 9V batteries (+35, -20mA current draw)
• Batteries not included
• Dimensions: 194 x 120 mm

Patch bay I/O:

• VCO 1V/Octave pitch control input
• VCO PulseWidth Modulation input (normalled to LFO Triangle output)
• VCO FM 1 input (normalled to LFO Triangle output)
• VCO FM 2 input (normalled to Envelope output)
• VCO “Sawtooth” output
• VCO Pulse output
• Phase Comparator input
• Phase Comparator output
• Phase Locked Loop input
• Phase Locked Loop output
• LFO Triangle output
• LFO Square output
• Low-Pass Filter input (normalled to switched VCO output)
• Band-Pass Filter input
• High-Pass Filter input
• VCF output
• VCF FM 1 input (normalled to LFO Triangle output)
• VCF FM 2 input (normalled to Envelope output)
• VCA input
• VCA output
• VCA AM 1 input (normalled to LFO Triangle output)
• VCA AM 2 input (normalled to Envelope output)
• Envelope Gate input (normalled to LFO Square output)
• Envelope output

Build Document

Muffwiggler Build Thread 

IDEAL FOR SMALL LUNCHBOX CASES AND STANDALONE INSTRUMENTS

The “Beetle 1.4” provides a simple way to generate 12VDC bipolar power without the need for an AC wall wart.

The PCB is designed for a Meanwell NSD10-12D12, which takes 12VDC and generates bipolar +/- 12VDC.  It is intended to be a small power supply for standalone projects – The Meanwell can supply 420mA per rail.

It can also be built with the better (but more expensive) Meanwell DKM10A-12.  It has the same footprint except it’s only 1” square instead of 1” x 2”. The Mouser BOM includes a few other alternative DC-DC converters at various price points that should also work.  DON’T blindly order the Mouser BOM or you WILL end up with several more DC-DC converters than you need.

This kit includes everything you need to build the Mkii version of the Turing Machine. You just need to provide the tools and solder. Comes with 1ohp Aluminium Eurorack panel.

Since it was launched in June 2012, the Turing Machine has become one of the most popular Eurorack DIY projects. It is a random looping sequencer that spits out basslines and melodies. It generates strings of random voltages that can be locked into looping sequences. These sequences can be allowed to slip, changing gradually over time. This module was inspired by the long history of shift register pseudorandom synth circuits, including the Triadex Muse, Buchla 266 Source of Uncertainly and Grant Richter’s Noisering.

The 2016 revised Turing Machine has many improvements:

• Rotary loop length switch
• Pulse out
• Two boards, includes Backpack circuit to drive expanders (compatible with old Music Thing expanders)
• Easier to build: a larger PCB in the same width, clock and noise circuits are more robust
• Noise level trimmer & reduced voltage in noise circuit to make circuit more robust with different noise transistors
• Compatible with existing expanders (Pulses, Voltages, Vactrol Mix) but not the BYTES expander.

“I am interested in perceptible processes. I want to be able to hear the process happening throughout the music.To facilitate closely detailed listening a musical process should happen extremely gradually.” Steve Reich, Music as a Gradual Process, 1968.

Power – 40ma +12v, 0ma -12v

Depth – 33mm

Width – 10hp

Modular Grid – https://www.modulargrid.net/e/music-thing-modular-turing-machine-mk-ii

Build Document – https://thonk.co.uk/documents/turing2016/

Technical support and info – https://github.com/TomWhitwell/TuringMachine

The Manhattan Analog Discrete SVVCF multimode filter consists of a State Variable Filter combined with the CP3 Mixer. The CP3 Mixer is based on the old Moog Modular mixers that have a beautiful overdrive to them. This combination makes the filter very unique and capable of many different tones depending on how hard you drive the inputs. Jason from Manhattan writes:

“The Discrete SVVCF started out as the SVF design (based on the Jurgen Haible discrete 2040 gain cell) which Scott Stites posted over at electro-music years ago. After removing the original audio input section and grafting on the CP3 mixer circuit (more transistors!), the result is a very thick-sounding filter whose character varies depending on how hard you drive the inputs.

BOM and Build Support Thread – http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1529465

Features:

• Cutoff Control
• Resonance Control • CV1/CV2 Inputs & Attenuators
• Mix Phase Control
• 3 Audio Inputs• 3 Input Level Controls
• Mix, Br, Hp, Bp, Lp Outputs

Specs:

• Width: 14 HP
• Depth 45 mm
• +12v: 30 mA
• -12v: 30 mA
• +5v: 0 mA

The DTA is a high quality, fully discrete transistor based VCA designed by Manhattan Analog. Jason from MA writes:

“This is the last piece of the discrete monosynth backend I developed some years ago, which has so far led us to the DTM and the Discrete SVVCF.  The ‘Drive’ control is a simple input attenuator. At higher settings the audio input can really overdrive the module, depending on its amplitude obviously. The saturation happens at the input, so you can set the timbre as you like it with the ‘drive’ control and the VCA modulation/output level won’t change the drive character. From there it gets a little bit more interesting. This isn’t one VCA, it’s two in series and you have to open both of them to get any output. ‘CV’ is the control signal input for the first stage, ‘Volume’ is the control signal input for the second stage. Both controls have +V normalled through the jacks so you can still open the VCA(s) without any external inputs.”  Very useful for providing accented voices, velocity and complex modulation.

BOM & Build Support: https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=207284&highlight=

Specs:

• Width: 4HP
• Depth: 39mm
• +12v: 12 mA
• -12v: 12 mA
• +5v: 0 mA

This small utility is the pedal’s lover best friend, it allows 2 different chains of pedals to be independently connected to your modular synthesizer.

The Send channels attenuate the synth level to instrument level. The Return channels amplify the signal from instrument to synth level.

Specs:

• Width: 4HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Max current: 10mA

The Altura Theremin MIDI Controller emulates the behavior of the early electronic instrument invented by Russian physicist Léon Theremin in 1920. With Theremin’s gadget, as the player moves his right hand closer to one antenna, the device emits an eerie tone that rises in pitch. As the player moves his left hand farther away from the other antenna, the tone becomes louder. The device is very sensitive, and makes wonderful, spooky music – but it is very tricky to play. The performer can only play by ear: there are no frets in mid-air!

Altura MIDI Controller version uses sonar range finders in place of antennae, and rather than producing sound directly, the Altura emits MIDI messages that are interpreted by a separate synthesizer. The Altura was designed as a companion to the Macchiato Mini Synth by Zeppelin Design Labs: there are a few special features that will only work well when paired with the Macchiato. Otherwise, the Altura conforms with General MIDI specifications and should easily control any device bearing this mark. Many MIDI devices do not conform to the General MIDI specification. In these cases, you may need to fiddle with your synthesizer some before it will respond properly to the Altura. Please download the Quick Start Guide and Reference Manual for all the details!

FEATURES

• Right Sensor – MIDI Pitch (Note On/Off)
  • Octave Select – set 1 to 8 octaves, ascending or descending
  • Key Select
  • Scale Select – choose from 12 different modes
• Left Sensor – Send Control Change
  • Pitch Bend
  • Modulation
  • Velocity
  • Channel Volume
  • Portamento Time
  • Data value is adjustable to any range from 0-127, ascending or descending
• X-Y Mode: Both left and right sensors send Control Change data, any value, any two controllers
• Channel Select
• Articulation (responsiveness) adjust
• 9V DC Power Input — wall wart or battery
• MIDI Out
• Power On indicator
• 3-digit display
• ISP Header
• Requires 9V DC (Centre Negative) Power Supply

INTERNAL SOFTWARE

The Altura MIDI Theremin open-source software is covered by the Creative Commons Share Alike / Attribution / Non-Commercial License. The Altura code was written in the Arduino 1.8 environment and is available open-source on our Github page. Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the Altura using a programmer. Find detailed instructions in the README.md file on Github.

DOWNLOADS

• Altura Assembly Manual
• Altura Quick Start Guide and Reference Manual
• Cardstock Cabinet Template (Your Altura includes this template, but if you need another, here it is. Requires 11×17 printer!)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Here’s everything you will need to build the Altura Theremin MIDI Controller  kit:

• Digital multimeter, able to measure resistance
• #2 Philips screw driver
• Tiny straight screwdriver
• Soldering iron, 15-50 watt
• Wire strippers
• Flush cutters or small diagonal cutters
• Clamp or vice to hold the printed circuit board while soldering (optional, but handy)
• Solder sucker or solder braid (optional, but very handy)
• Solder

To build the acrylic cabinet kit, you will need the following:

• Steel straight edge
• X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife and/or scissors
• Plastic cement and/or Super Glue
• Toothpick
• Piece of tape

To make your own cabinet using the provided template, you will need the following:

• Stiff craft cardstock or a cereal box (30×30 cm)
• Steel Ruler or Straight edge
• X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
• Two push pins or thumbtacks
• Scissors
• Butter knife
• A few small binder clips
• Rubber cement

The Macchiato Mini Synth is a versatile 8-bit synthesizer that you can build and mod yourself! It features a built-in 13-note capacitive-touch keyboard with 2-note polyphony, MIDI IN, and eight control knobs for shaping your sound.

The Oscillator waveform can be switched between: Sine, Triangle, Saw and Square, while the octave range can switched over 4 octaves. Expression can be added with an adjustable Attack/Decay envelope and MIDI control over Pitch Bend, Modulation, Velocity, Volume and Portamento. Macchiato also features a built in low-pass filter with LFO modulation and controls for LFO Rate, Depth and Cutoff Frequency. LFO shapes available are Sine, Saw, Ramp and Square. Audio is routed to either a 3.5mm TRS or TRRS male jack or the 1″ built-in speaker.

This synth kit can be completed in a single evening – it’s an easy build and suitable for ages as young as 13 (with supervision).

FEATURES

• Capacitive Touch Keyboard, 13 keys, 2-note polyphony
• MIDI IN to control your Macchiato with any MIDI device:
• Responds to Pitch Bend, Modulation, Velocity, Volume and Portamento
• Wave Shape Select: Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square
• 4-Octave Shift: C2-C3 through C5-C6
• Adjustable Attack & Release
• LFO Shape Select: Sine, Saw, Ramp, Square
• Adjustable LFO Rate, Depth and Cutoff Frequency
• Volume Control
• LED Power Indicator
• 1″ On-board Speaker
• Audio Out — accepts 3.5mm (1/8”) TRS or TRRS male jack
• ISP Header for PC connection (to upload software updates/mods)
• Requires 9V DC power from battery or centre-negative wall adaptor

INTERNAL SOFTWARE

The Macchiato Mini-Synth incorporates the Mozzi Sound Synthesis Library for Arduino by Tim Barrass, and is covered by the Creative Commons Attribution / Non-Commercial / Share alike License.. The Macchiato code was written in the Arduino environment and is available open-source on the Github page.  Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the synth.  Find detailed instructions in the README.md file on Github.

DOWNLOADS

• Macchiato Mini Synth Assembly Manual
• Macchiato Quick Start Guide and Reference Manual
• Cardstock Cabinet Template (Your Macchiato includes this template, but if you need another, here it is. Requires 11×17 printer!)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Here’s everything you will need to build The Macchiato Mini Synth kit:

• Digital multimeter, able to measure resistance
• #2 Philips screw driver
• Steel ruler or straight edge
• Soldering iron, 15-50 watt
• Wire strippers
• Flush cutters or small diagonal cutters
• Clamp or vice to hold the printed circuit board while soldering (optional, but handy)
• Solder sucker or solder braid – optional, but very handy
• Solder

To build the plastic cabinet kit, you will need the following:

• X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
• Steel straight edge
• Scissors
• Some medium and fine sandpapers (180, 240 and 320 grit)
• Plastic cement
• Super Glue
• A few binder clips

To make your own cabinet using the provided template, you will need the following:

• Card Stock from Zeppelin Design Labs, or from a craft store; or a Cereal Box
• Steel Ruler or Straight edge
• X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
• Several push pins or thumbtacks
• Scissors
• Butter knife
• A few small binder clips or large paper clips
• Rubber cement

The SeM20 is a 2-pole state variable filter loosely based on the Oberheim SEM filter, but with the resonance section of the MS20 grafted on for an extra bit of grit! It won’t self oscillate usually, but with the right input, or the High Pass out plugged into the Input, it will howl. The Input section is set up much like the input of the OSCar, when the input is at 5 it’s full volume. Beyond 5 the filter will begin to overdrive and distort.

SeM20 Build Document – Assembly Guide

• 12db high pass, low pass and notch filter
• 6db band pass
• 2 CV frequency inputs with attenuators
• Notch filter balance – sweeps between high and low pass
• Width: 14HP
• Max Depth: 30mm
• Power: 70mA@ +12V

The VCOb is a voltage-controlled analog oscillator based around a classic triangle core VCO. The range of the VCOb is one of the widest in the analog modular world. And like all triangle cores the real fun is in the FM. Since we’re starting with a triangle core it’s easy to produce a real Sine wave output. There is also Saw and Pulse outputs. The Pulse will almost become fully positive or negative with the pot, and will go all the way open and closed with CV.

The VCOb offers FM in both the Linear And Exponential varieties. With FM set to full in Expo mode this will act as a second 1V/Oct input for things like transposing. The tracking is all analog and will give 4-6 octaves, depending on how picky you are. It is very stable and they do track together very well.

VCOb Build Document – Assembly Guide

Features

• Outputs: Saw, Pulse, Sine, Triangle
• Range: 10 Second cycles – 21.4K Hz
• FM input with linear and exponential mode
• Pulse Width Modulation & Sync inputs
• Width: 8HP
• Depth: 40mm
• Current draw: 100mA@ +12V , 100mA@ -12V , 0mA@ +5V

The uLFO is an voltage-controlled analog low frequency oscillator based around a classic triangle core VCO running through a series of waveshapers, giving the user an extremely wide range of outputs and modulation options. In the low range the uLFO will take over 60 minutes to complete a cycle and will go up to 40hz. The high range goes from 4 minute cycles at the lowest up to 3.6khz at the top of its range, making this a very good low and mid range VCO as well as an outstanding LFO.

The uLFO offers 7 simultaneous outputs; saw, ramp, pulse, triangle, sine and shaped sine as well as a square output (available as the sync out). The pulse and shaped sine waveforms are voltage-controlled and have attenuated inputs. The pulse width modulation works like most others, from going from 0-100% with either the PWM pot or with control voltage. But the shaped sine is fairly unique in the modular world. This allows a sine wave to be swept from a positively biased non-linear triangle down to a negatively biased non-linear triangle.

There are two frequency modulation inputs that both offer linear or exponential FM with attenuation pots for the incoming control voltage. In addition to the two FM inputs there is a single 1v/octave input that allows 4-5 good, solid octaves of tracking. Taken as a whole this one of the most full featured LFOs on the market today.

uLFO Build Document – Assembly Guide

Specs:

• Width: 14HP
• Max Depth: 60mm
• Power: 100mA@ +12V , 100mA@ -12V , 0mA@ +5V