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(Late) Spring Cleanout - AVRsyn
07 June 2011 · Open this post on its own
Getting rid of items I have been sitting on too long, here is an AVRsyn by Elby Designs. It is an AVR based Analogue Modelling synth. It is quite cool and is up for auction here.
Not particularity good looking but is quite unique nonetheless!
MFOS Soundlab Synthesizer with MIDI
05 June 2011 · Open this post on its own
This was a one off project to see if I could fit MIDI into the simple MFOS soundlab (Designed by Ray Wilson see musicfromouterspace.com) it was built from parts I had laying around including a MIDImplant (midimplant.com), basically I was attempting to try and make it perform like a monosynth. Below is a list of the modifications done.
MIDI control of pitch and trigger
MIDI control of cutoff and amplitude by mod wheel
Pitch of VCO's are modified around 0 (means you can get a vibrato without the fundamental pitch moving )
It runs off and AC adapter (included) so no batteries.
Master Octave selection switch and detune on VCO2
The Soundlab is capable of some fantastic analogue vintage sounds as well as some quite interesting new ones. Especially due to its unusual filter design that can be quite gristley. It isn't fantastically accurate as a monosynth but if I wanted that I would buy a cheap commercial one!
It is for sale here
I am also selling this keyboard puts out 1V/Oct CV and triggers as well as portamento controls also made from circuits at musicfromouterspace. See here
Mod Details coming soon ....
Roland Chorus Echo SRE-555 Repair
23 April 2011 · Open this post on its own
This was a Roland Chorus Echo SRE-555 in a desperate need of service, It was bought second hand from Japan and was damaged in transit. It is actually just a Roland RE-501, but enclosed in a more compact 19" rack-mount case. For some unknown reason the SRE-555 usually costs more than a standard RE-501 in second hand prices, possibly because of its rarity or the fact it will fit into a studio better with its robust case.
It took quite a lot of working out just to find the right way to open the unit, especially as there is no known service manual so it was all guess work. The construction is really complex and multi-layered. Below is when the inside was finally reached...
I was amazed - it is so clean inside! Those endless layers of metal definitely did their job!
Unfortunately all inputs and outputs were damaged, as well as PSU... when fixed I managed to put the unit back together and run some tests. I also took a quick video of the module in action, the quality is not so great (sorry)
Press N Peel Printing service
21 April 2011 · Open this post on its own
For the DIY builder I am offering a laser printing service for press n peel transfers, simply send me your images and I will arrange and print them onto the sheet(s). Please visit my Ebay Store (Edit: I no longer offer this) For more details. I also sell relatively cheap quantities in packs of 5 for £10.45 inc free P+P what a steal!
For those of you who don't know this is an etch resistant transfer film for making your own PCB's, its an excellent way of chucking out prototypes, and lets you make you a decent on a low budget.
EDP Wasp Restoration Part 1.
20 April 2011 · Open this post on its own
I am currently re-building a Wasp from the ground up, it was stripped completely of components so I could scan and make my own copy of it for personal use. When it is complete it will be in very good electronic condition compared to most other wasps having all brand new components! There is no point in replacing resistors really, I would not have taken them out for a straight refurbishment.
Here I have just completed the mammoth task of soldering all the IC footprints with sockets. I was forced into using turned pin sockets as they are best if you have pads on both sides of the board and no through hole plating. I will check that the power supply (also soldered in the photo above) is reaching all IC's then I will proceed to bring each section up and running starting at the Keyboard scanning ending with the speaker amp.
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