ben
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Post by ben on Dec 2, 2018 17:06:11 GMT
So while saving some money for the new modules, been working on my own modules and the case. I found this original AE modular case a bit too small for DIY modules, doesn't want to properly fit all in, so decided to make my own, with 80mm hight (seems like to be enough room for DIYs). Used black 3mm sheets of PVC, and added 3D printed shafts to hold it all stable together and also to hold the modules. If anyone is interested in such a project I could send a 3D model of the shafts - all the other parts were cut by hand.. Currently built a very simple but effective Vactrol VCA, Multiples, HEX oscillator, LFO, and 10 step sequencer. HEX osc is also great for wave morphing and/or feeding other VCO into HEX CV input for some madness. 10 steps - well it does what it says, it's a little sequencer for playing notes and also for sending trigger signals. Also - step length can be set from 1 to 10. If for some reason images wont open, here's a link: link
Future DIY modules: arpeggiator, step divider, drum modules (4 or 5 of them) and a mixer. Highly recommended: if anyone is interested in DIY modules - I'm not a proper guy to give you instructions, just looked some schematics on the internet. Here's a great series from simple oscillators to more complex stuff by Elliot Williams: hackaday.com linkOh and here's a short noisy sound vid: Cheers!  |
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Post by admin on Dec 3, 2018 10:31:06 GMT
Hi Ben,
I'm really impressed. These modules look great!
I like how you screwed them into the 3D printed shafts. We've been discussing elsewhere on the forum that the current form of fastening modules can be a bit cumbersome, especially if you want to install them in a suitcase.
Thanks for linking to the Hackaday articles, they look really interesting. Did you base your Hex Oscillator design also on these?
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ben
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Posts: 124
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Post by ben on Dec 3, 2018 10:57:41 GMT
Thanks. Yeah, for the shafts, if I'd like to insert original AE modules into this DIY case it wouldn't fit, but the only thing what would need to be adjusted is to make those 3D printed shafts a bit shorter (per 2,5cm), or to make them round instead of square-shaped, the rest would work just fine. For Hex osc I've kinda combined a few different schematics, but they both are more less the same. Between hackaday link and this piece: andreassiagian.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/hex-oscillator-using-40106-tutorial/It works fine with 5V. And to be able to change the pitch externally - just plug the external CV source instead of +5V power. Of course it's not going to be accurate, but sonically rich and somewhat useful.  |
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Post by thetechnobear on Dec 3, 2018 11:36:57 GMT
cool stuff ben , looks and sounds great. yeah, I found DIY module mounting tricky, its a side effect of the compactness of the format... (Ive probably spent as much time trying to figure that out, as soldering thing!) I also recently built a small wooden rack for my DIY modules that I had intended to swap out for a 1 row AE rack when it arrived, but when it arrived, I decided to continue to use my home built, rack, as the extra depth is very useful. Id love to see some more pictures of how you built the modules, as Im still trying to figure out the best way to attached the PCB board to the face plate. how are you thinking on making this work? standard modules are mounted from the back, Im not sure how you could front mount them... (I guess one option might be to replace the female hex standoff, with a spacer and then screw from the front?) another option we discussed recently was a drop-in frame, the idea of that, is that it could hold standard modules, but wouldn't place a restriction on depth, for DIY modules. forum.aemodular.com/thread/89/diy-rackanyway, great work - look forward to seeing and hearing more of your adventures |
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ben
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Posts: 124
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Post by ben on Dec 3, 2018 12:35:39 GMT
For the shafts and original module mounting I'm thinking of two ways: a) replace small hex mounts with simple cylinder spacers and just put ~30mm long screw, and screw it to the shaft; but then the shafts should be not all the way to the top, but 25mm shorter so the module would fit inside and not to stick out of the case by 25mm (the whole module height); b) to make the shafts square shaped as it is, just to change it's design a bit - 25mm from a top to make them round, so it could go through the holes of the module up to the face plate. Hope this makes any sense.. Just made a quick 3D sketch, maybe will be easier to understand what I mean.  Oh and about pcb mounting - most of the times used a dirty and simple way of doing so - hot glue, or more elegant way - use some hot glue to attach the zipper tie to the backside of the face plate and then just zip the pcb. |
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Post by mobius on Dec 3, 2018 18:09:43 GMT
Wow, nice work ben! Really inspires me to get the couple circuits I've had sitting in the breadboards built up. Now to find the time... |
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Post by NightMachines on Dec 3, 2018 20:21:26 GMT
Good job! Those look really cool. I like the deep case idea for DIY stuff! Did you build your own vactrols or did you order them from somewhere?
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ben
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Posts: 124
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Post by ben on Dec 4, 2018 10:04:43 GMT
Wow, nice work ben ! Really inspires me to get the couple circuits I've had sitting in the breadboards built up. Now to find the time... Yeah I know what you mean. I've sacrificed my work for DIY, but I work for myself/running my own business so it's kinda double-sided thing, in a good and in a bad way |
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ben
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Posts: 124
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Post by ben on Dec 4, 2018 10:10:10 GMT
Good job! Those look really cool. I like the deep case idea for DIY stuff! Did you build your own vactrols or did you order them from somewhere? Thanks! Vactrol module is totally DIY. I've used 3mm phototransistors and 12V 5mm LED's. Haven't even added any resistors to LED's, but as they work from 12V, maybe it's ok, as the power doesn't exceed 5V. Had a little doubt of what to use, photoresistor, phototransistor, or photodiode. Photodiode has the fastest response, but is a bit weaker; photoresistor seems to be the least responsive and slow, and phototransistor was the one I've got laying around - and it seems to do it's job pretty neat. Usually feeding LFO to ENV and from there to vactrol CV in to get a controllable attack and decay times.  |
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