Persision Rectifier VCF Eurorack using a Proto 1 Breadboard Module

Published on Feb 7, 2017 Reckless Experimentation Audio LLC

"Voltage Controlled Filter based around a precision rectifier,
using a Reckless Experimentation Audio
Proto 1 Eurorack Breadboard Module

schematic
https://www.pdf-archive.com/2017/02/0...

Part Value

C1 1uf
C3 10uf
C4 10uf
D1 1N4148
D2 1N4148
IC1 LM833
IC2 LM833
J1 Mounted to Breadboard Module
J2 Mounted to Breadboard Module
J3 Mounted to Breadboard Module
R1 10K
R2 10K
R3 10K
R4 20K
R5 20K
R8 100K Mounted to Breadboard Module
R9 100K"

Custom Red & Black Circuit Bent Roland MC-505

via this auction

"So, what's new on this machine?
Aside from the stellar paint job and wooden ends from http://www.customsynth.co.uk I applied a mini breadboard to give the MC-505 a patchbay for the nineteen or so newly-added contacts. This was a lot harder than it sounds, considering the casing is metal (always a risk of shorting connections) and there's not a lot of space to work with when reassembled. In the end, I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out..even if it took a few months.

This machine now allows you to short out only the sounds, but keep all the other functions intact. Everything behaves as normal when the breadboard is or isn't in use. The resulting audio is largely unpredictable but can be reproduced if noted. Think of it as the heaviest sequencer Roland never made.

Furthermore, all green LEDs were replaced with red (except for the main playback indicator at the middle top), the white buttons/keys were whitened with retr0bright, and the LCD screen was replaced with a snazzy, new red-on-black unit.

This project was something of a proof of concept which turned out to be pretty fun. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind piece that I never really intended on keeping for very long. Now it just needs a good home where someone will use it on a regular basis.

Those who might be interested in this unit would also be a fan of Metasonix gear, NIN's Year Zero album, Ed Banger-style techno, EBM, Nitzer Ebb among many other noisy electronic styles. /namedrop

All audio below is direct from the MC-505 with absolutely zero post-effects/EQ. Expect to hear some patch switching, knob twiddling and adjustments on the breadboard though. All patterns used were simple presets.

So, what's included?

- Modified Roland MC-505
- Power cable
- Nine mini jumper wires for patch creation
- A copy of each vinyl release on Radiograffiti
- A free copy of each album released by our DIY label from now on.

So, anything else I should know?

There are a few minor paint errors on the front panel which happened while at customsynth. I tried to take photos of this (apologies for the grainy shots), so please look them over to see if this is going to drive you nuts. I found that it's barely even noticeable when in use.

If you have two or more connections on the breadboard, please remember to remove the jumper wires before you power up the machine. Sometimes it will hang on power up *if* you forget to remove them. It's completely harmless...but it will cause a small heart attack when you forget and see that it's not powering on. Simply remove the connections, unplug the unit, wait a minute, and power it back up.

The breadboard has seventeen rows with five tie points in each row. Because there are only about nineteen connections made, only the center nine or ten rows (of five each) have any effect when used. This should be an ample amount of connection points for anyone.

The value wheel has been replaced, but the values still skip by two when cycling through at high speeds. This leads me to believe that it might be an OS issue, but don't quote me on that.

I've used this particular unit extensively for over three years now with zero issues, but considering the nature of circuit bent gear, the sale will be final with no returns. Contact me in the off-chance something does happen."

CLICK FOR MORE »

DSP Synthesizers Breadboard TS Now Shipping

Announced just last Friday, the DSP Synthesizers Breadboard TS is now available for order.

"The Breadboard TS is a development platform used to breadboard new synth ideas.

Features:
» 830 point breadboard with built in 5 volt rails
» 2 Octave touch keyboard
» MIDI, CV/Gate and SQR-oscillator outputs
» MIDI to CV/Gate input
» 3.5mm Audio jack output
» Built-in Oscilloscope
» Powered by one C-size 1.5v battery
» Measures 180x120x40mm
» Comes with 65 jumper cables
» Includes JVS-01 chip (DCO, DCF, DCA, Chorus)
» Includes KL5 chip (LFO)
» Includes ENV6 chip (6×AR envelope)
» Includes Patch book based on Fritzing

A gift card is included that enables you to buy any chip at http://www.dspsynth.eu at a 75% reduced price. The gift card is valid for one purchase but for multiple chips."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sedona Custom Synth

Sent to me from Eric of Metasonix. This is a DIY synth from Dave Wright. Title link takes you to more info and pictures. Love the cats. : )



"Dave Wright of Not Breathing took a dead Crumar Stratus and did this to
it, using various modules, mostly devised by Synth-DIY list regulars.

In fact, Dave is one of the most prolific DIYers I've ever seen. Look at
the galleries at carrionsound.com for more."

Eric Barbour
owner, METASONIX
senior editor, VACUUM TUBE VALLEY


the guts:

ray wilson 1v/oct single bus keyboard pitch/gate extractor - gate/trig/pitch output on back - cv/gate inputs bypass - portamemto2 - on breadboard

2 ray wilson VCOs - four layer slider mixer controls vco1/2's saw and pulse outputs - knobs control sine outputs of both

to mixer - knob controls amount of cross modulation from vco2's tri to vco1's cv in - 1v/oct in on/off both, pulse width

modulate VCO1 from VCO2 tri switch

1 noise source using old crow's PIC code for digital noise - to mixer

1 CGS DC Mixer (slider bank/varios pots)

1 PAIA Dual VCF w/ ASR - bandpass/highpass/lowpass for both stages via two rotary switches, cut off and Q knobs for

both, ASR w/ led - attack/decay and depth knobs, LFO/ADSR cycle, Gate IN On/OFF switch

asr is dedicated to both filters cutoff

JOYSTICK controller controlls X= VCF1 Cutoff Y = VCF2 Cutoff - knobs for depth

1 4011 Cmos based RING MODULATOR on breadboard - grabs vco 1 + 2's pulses - to dc mixer

1 CGS Psycho LFO - rate, glide, depth knobs, LED, VCO1 or VCO2 on/off routing switch

1 Rene Schmitz ADSR on breadboard - attack/decay/sustain/release knobs, wired straight to VCA on breadboard

1 Rene Schmitz VCA using 1583 transistor - manual volume pot on breadboard

2 Cats

DSP Synthesizers The Breadboard TS – Weekend Sale

via DSP Synthesizers

"The Breadboard TS is a development platform used to breadboard new synth ideas.

Features:
» 830 point breadboard with built in 3 volt rails
» 2 Octave touch keyboard
» MIDI, CV/Gate and SQR-oscillator outputs
» MIDI to CV/Gate input
» 3.5mm Audio jack output
» Built-in Oscilloscope
» Powered by two AA-size 1.5v batteries
» Measures 180x120x40mm
» Comes with 65 jumper cables

This weekend there is a sale on the Breadboard-TS.
It is available for $99 including shipping.

This offer is available until Sunday 24:00 and includes only the base unit and patch cables.

A perfect match for breadboarding chips from http://www.dspsynth.eu"

Collin's Lab: The REAL Breadboard

YouTube Uploaded by makemagazine on Apr 6, 2011

"http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/04/collins-lab-th...eal-breadboard.html

Ever wonder why they call it an electronics "breadboard"? Way back in the day, folks had to be pretty resourceful to pursue an electronics hobby. So power down the soldering iron and go grab a hammer - it's time to try building on a *real* breadboard."

The Breadboard TS – Release Sale

via DSP Synthesizers

"This weekend only there is a release sale for the breadboard TS.

The Breadboard TS is a development platform used to breadboard new synth ideas.

It is available during this weekend only for $149 (ordinary price $199)

The offer is valid until Sunday 24:00"

No-longer-accidental Polysynth

YouTube via MusicMiK. follow-up to this post. Be sure to see the second vid below.
"Day #2 of this. Another 4 hours or so. Cleaning up the breadboard with immediately creating new chaos on the clean surface. But now, i can put everything of the voice onto it.
The goal is to have the complete synth, reduced to 1 voice, but the rest as in the 8-voice version, on the breadboard before soldering everything together. This is how development is done most efficiently, in my eyes. It's just a bit complicated to get everything on a breadboard, if the circuits get a bit more complicated.

Anyway - i hope, you like it, the project now has a name - PolyMiK (even if the MonoMiK and the MiK-one still are incomplete :), and i'm looking forward to get good progress in this thing."

PolyMiK breadboard sound demo

"Okay. Added the ring modulator and the OTAs for feedback (resonance) and the VCA.
Things to do - some tricks for offset handling of the multiplexed exponential converter, will give a bunch of trimpots i think.
Need to make sure that i have enough buffer caps for the power, as i have some sync effects i don't want, but all in all, the result is quite okay for less than 12 hours i spent up to now.
More to follow the next weekends.

By the way - in the last video, i forgot the filter capacitors. Thanks to all those stray capacitance of a breadboad, it worked anyway :)"

DSP Synthesizers Introduces The Breadboard TS – A Synth Builders Wet Dream

via DSP Synthesizers

"The Breadboard TS is a development platform used to breadboard new ideas.

830 point breadboard.
2 octave touch keyboard with MIDI and CV/Gate output.
MIDI to CV/Gate input.
Built in oscilloscope.
Runs on a 1.5v battery but has 5 volt rails.

Comes with 65 jumper cables, VCDM and ENV6 synth chips."

MIDIbox 64: controller inaugural performance with Ableton Live

MIDIbox 64: controller inaugural performance with Ableton Live from Stuart Mitchell on Vimeo.

"2 weeks after first breadboard [below], my MIDIbox 64 controller is fully operative
inaugural performance with Ableton Live just after completion

see midibox.org and ucapps.de for more information"

MIDIbox 64: controller breadboard test run from Stuart Mitchell on Vimeo.

"First test run of a breadboard MIDIbox 64 controller project

testing freshly-soldered PCBs,
twisting prototype knobs,
tweaking impOSCar's filter"

G-Storm Electro DIY VCF Module

Classic Synthesizer Filter Breadboard

Published on Nov 9, 2017 gstormelectro

Watch the above video if you want to guess what the filter is modelled after. The answer is in the video below, so don't look if you want to guess.

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c.2017

My first video in HD 1080p! Today I am demonstrating a classic lowpass filter circuit study on a breadboard. Shrill audio alert! - Self-oscillation audio tests are performed here. All I can say at this time this circuit is not exactly Moog per se, and the self-oscillation droid sounds are another BIG clue. I run a pulse from my Pittsburgh Synth Box, sweep the frequency cutoff, then use CV modulations with an LFO and then sample/hold. I am planning a glorious eurorack module of this circuit so stay tuned."

CLICK FOR MORE »

PolyMiK breadboard synth

YouTube via MusicMiK. Remember you can search on MusicMiK on the top left for more.
"I started this project last weekend and i think this will be the synth with the shortest development time i ever made :)

Okay, in fact, much of the design was heavily inspired by the Korg Trident and the AAC Tiracon 6V, i just added sub oscillators, ring modulator, and some of the surrounding electronics. The firmware later will add a lot of power with several LFOs, multi-stage envelopes (thinking of 8 stages), microtuning and we'll see what more ideas i add into this.

I'll try to use an AVR to control this, but if it's not powerful enough, it will get an AT91SAM7S for this - like the one i use to control it currently.

The (nearly) complete 1-voice version of the synth is built on the breadboard, controlled serially by just 5 wires from the computer board, which of course will be on the main synth PCB also later.

Need to add the offset correction trimpots now, check if it's possible to do a fine calibration, then i think i will etch some voice boards to clean up the breadboard."

emSynth Affordable Breadboard Modular Synthesizer System

via emSynth: "the electro-music synthesizer is a compact miniature modular synthesizer system designed for anyone with an interest in low cost modular synthesizers. Here you will find affordable modules that plug into a breadboard or custom wiring harness in an enclosure. You can build entire musical systems using emSynth modules alone, or you can mix them with your own custom designs on the breadboard itself. With emSynth the sounds you can create are unlimited!

Traditional modular synthesizers are large, wall-sized investments in sound. They are composed of racks containing modules that cost $300 or more each. emSynth replaces these racks with breadboards holding tiny modules that cost about $15 each..."

Current modules include an Oscillator, Sine Wave Thing, Stereo Out, Stereo In, Pseudo Random, Step Sequencer, Any Gate, Melody Generator, Spacializer, Ring Modulator, and LED Display.

Check out emSynth for the full details.

Bastl Instruments bitRanger ADDON boards - BITBOARD & SYNAPSIS & OMSynth miniLab

Published on Dec 5, 2016 Bastl Instruments

OMSynth miniLab

Published on Dec 5, 2016 Bastl Instruments

"The BitBoard is a breadboard add-on module that allows users to build custom circuits and user interfaces for the BitRanger. It is solidly attached to the bitRanger and provides performance friendly stability. It either comes just on its own, or with with 2 pots, 2 buttons and 4 switches which can help you to start designing your own bitRanger interface."

"The synapsis is a 4×4 pushbutton matrix that offers performative control of the Bit Ranger.

There are 8 patch points connected to 4 rows (ABCD) and 4 columns (1234) of buttons. Pressing button A1 connects point A to point 1. A2 connects A to 2. B2 connects B to 2 and so on."

"The OMSynth (Open Modular Synthesizer) is an electronic musical instrument development interface that embodies the ethos and technical methodology of modular synthesis but is designed specifically for inventors. One way this is achieved is by encouraging invention to start at the breadboard level. From here circuits can be built up to robust, road ready instruments. By starting at the breadboard circuits are cheap and flexible and the inventor is free to quickly build and change designs without fighting against a high level form factor.

FEATURES: 3 channel audio mixer 1 Watt audio amplifier and built in speaker and ¼” audio output jack 5 modular potentiometers 3 modular DPDT latching pushbuttons Circuit prototyping area"

Prototype Demo: Breadboard Based Modular Synth System

Prototype Demo: Breadboard Based Modular Synth System from Phillip Stearns on Vimeo.

"This video demonstrates some prototype modules being developed by Phillip Stearns and Pete Edwards for a larger breadboard based modular synth system. The current collection of modules demonstrated here were developed and designed by Phillip Stearns using a stackable, header-based form factor designed by Pete Edwards. Each module features a curated collection of CMOS chips configured into powerful core multipurpose functions. At the heart of the design approach and ethos is the desire for endless musical and electronic invention, exploration, and discovery from the bottom up or the top down.

The current lineup of modules includes:
The Shifter: A complex signal generator that utilizes an 8-bit linear feedback shift register.
Divide by 2 by 2 by 2 by 2...: a frequency divider that produces 12 sub octaves with three programmable 1 of 8 outputs.
Divide by 3 - 10: A frequency divider that produces subharmonics
The Digitizer: A real-time 3-bit ADC
The Rhythm Brain: Three synchronized, independently programmable binary rate multipliers."

via STEIM

A quick and dirty Voltage Controlled Oscillator on a Proto 1 Module

Published on Jan 29, 2017 Reckless Experimentation Audio LLC

"A quick and dirty Voltage Controlled Oscillator using a Proto 1 Eurorack Module by Reckless Experimentation Audio LLC

Module can be purchased here
http://recklessexperimentationaudio.com

Schematic here
https://www.pdf-archive.com/2017/01/2...

Parts list

CLICK FOR MORE »

Tymkrs Protosynth Midi Released

Some of you might remember the Tymkrs Protosynth breadboard videos posted back in 2012 here and here. The final version has just been released with MIDI.

via Tindie (via the comments of this post and via @JohnS_AZ):

"This is a powerful MIDI prototyping platform that converts incoming MIDI events into electrical signals that make experimentation easy!

A few years ago we built a synthesizer prototyping tool called Protosynth. The project was such a big hit that people requested the ability to buy their own, so we designed a powerful MIDI controlled version!

Over the last few years, we have refined Protosynth Midi to be powerful, flexible, and easy to use.
Protosynth Midi are built in limited quantities by hand here at the Tymkrs Wrkshp. Every unit is assembled, tested, and given a unique serial number. The beautiful handmade hardwood cases with traditional joinery hold your circuit at an angle so you can tinker in comfort and style!

Protosynth Midi allows you to quickly prototype whatever you dream up on built-in breadboards, then play your creation from any MIDI controller. Protosynth Midi enables you to experiment at your desk without the epic mess.

Protosynth MIDI is far more than only a MIDI to CV unit. For each of the two MIDI channels (you can pick which channels) it includes a Note Port and a Control Port. The Note Ports allow you to chain modules out to 128 notes worth of outputs. The Control Ports allow you to chain modules out to 128 control change values (each one 0-127 and with Analog Shift modules you can turn all of those control change values into analog voltages). What could you do with 256 digital outputs, 256 analog voltages, 2 control voltages, 2 gates, and 2 triggers? Would you control them from a DAW, from a MIDI controller?

To make getting started easier, we have developed a collection of compatible modules for many common tasks. 555VCO, AND8, MIX8, Analog Shift, Shift Me, Amplify Me, VU Meter, Hear Me, NPN8, TTL8, Under Me, and Over Me. With a selection of these, you can get started with modular synthesis without ever turning on your soldering iron.

And when you are ready to go from the breadboard to something finished, we have the Protosynth Midi Lite. Protosynth Midi Lite packs all of the power of Protosynth Midi into a small PCB perfect for building into your own project.

Protosynth Midi effortlessly handles the complicated aspects of MIDI control, silently monitoring incoming MIDI, translating it into voltages and pulses that simple circuits can understand. It also allows you to route analog signals simply in and out of the back of the unit through four high quality standard TRS ¼” jacks.

Protosynth Midi is not limited to audio, however! You can use it to control all kinds of circuits. Here at Tymkrs we’ve used a Protosynth Midi to control servos, lights, camera shutters, circuit bent electronic toys, electromechanical chimes, even an old NTSC test pattern generator. Protosynth Midi takes care of the boring stuff, and frees you up to focus on being creative.

If you are building a synthesizer, animating robots from your digital audio workstation timeline, hacking an old Casio or Furby, or designing your own MIDI controlled guitar effects pedal … we hope you will find Protosynth Midi as fun and as useful as we do.

Features

Power supply
5 Pin DIN MIDI Input
4 ¼” Audio Input or Output TRS Jacks
Monitors two MIDI Channels
5 standard solderless breadboards
3.3vdc, 5vdc, and Ground connections for breadboard
For each channel:

Control Voltage
Trigger
Gate
Note Port
Control Port
Please check out http://tymkrs.com/products/protosynth-midi.html for more information. Be sure to read the datasheet, all of the more advanced features are covered in detail there.

Kit Parts

Protosynth MIDI in a custom case
7.5V @ 1A wall wart power supply"

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Breadboard-TS Development Synth

Published on Oct 7, 2017 Jan Ostman

"This is the Breadboard-TS Development Synth.

The Audio is from the internal test square oscillator played both with the touch keyboard and a MIDI-keyboard.

The scope shows the signal in realtime.

Any chips from http://www.dspsynth.eu can be inserted into the breadboard and played with the built-in MIDI2CV interface.

http://janostman.wordpress.com"

Electrosmith DIY Analog Modular Synthesizer w/ Electrosmith Sub Modules

Ipsum Audio

"This is a homemade analog synth that I've been working on for close to a year now. It is a classic monosynth with 3 oscillators, 1 modulating LFO, and a 24dB/oct VCF. The core modules (VCOs, VCF, VCA) are built on the submodule boards available from Electro-Smith (links below).

The case has ~96HP of Eurorack space, and also houses the Arturia Keystep controller. It is made of poplar with walnut stain. The case is powered by an old Elpac PC power supply that provides +/-12V and +5V."

More pictures can be found on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipsumaudio/

Electrosmith submodules below.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Switched On Presents Solderless Breadboarding Workshop

"Presented by Switched On School of Music Electronics & Delptronics

Learn the art of basic electronic design, walk home with knowledge and something to play with!

Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00pm
At Switched On Music Electronics
1111 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX

About the workshop:

Mickey Delp of Delptronics will be leading another beginner electronics workshop on solderless breadboarding. A breadboard is a temporary circuit board used for prototyping. Electronic components simply plug into sockets on the breadboard with no soldering required. The workshop will cover the identification and function of basic electronic components, how to read a schematic circuit diagram, and how to translate a diagram into a working circuit on a breadboard. We will also discuss how to go from the breadboarded prototype to a permanent device. You will build several circuits during the workshop and you get to take home all the parts, including everything you see in the image below and more.

Come to the workshop learn how to build your own electronic musical instruments!

$20 (instruction) + $20 (for parts) = $40 total

Check out the Facebook Event Page."