Merry Christmas Grodj!

Brown Paper Rack

This one is almost done too, I need to add a sequencer, a phaser and maybe a couple of Fonitronik VC Panners in the top row, and calibrate all the SN Voice modules to 1v/octave (there are 5 of these in this rack and one in the blue rack) I've only finished one of the Krautrock Phasers here (out of three I'm putting in it), and may change the panels for these, ADD strikes again! The SNVoices sound pretty cool alongside their dedicated LPGs...

Blue Rack

Almost there - I'm not sure about having the PolyDAC at the top middle, so might replace it with another patch panel and stick it in a 4U rack I'm building. Most things are finished, just a bit of troubleshooting and calibration really... I ended up making more modules than I thought I would with this colour scheme, so I'll have to build a three row add-on rack to sit on top...

LPG again...

I went for the brown paper (I have a fascination for it I suppose), at least for one rack. Here are 8 Buchla LPG clones awaiting a PSU... ... and a view also of the back, showing stand-0ffs and wiring etc... wowee!



... and a close-up of the printed graphics... I really like the MDF, it means I can make a panel in minutes, just cut the wood to size, attach drill template using double sided film, drill, sand, attach panel graphics using same film... done... If I don't like the design... do it again!

Eurotower

Part of my euro system, I'm wondering whether to phase out this stuff, as it's such a fiddle to make (128.5mm anyone?)

Buchla 281 Connections Part 1

Errrr... A photo of the connections between the Rev2 281 clone PCB's... I was a little confused about how the A and B boards got connected - even after reading Topps documentation - so here is the first picture of some wires...

Gig

This is a (terrible) photo of the set up for a gig I did recently with QuestionMarc at the Roundhouse. You can see the turquoise rack in the gloom, alongside several sequencer boxes and the old/prototype modular cases to the left. I think it went well, and was fun, patching live is a bit scary - as is tuning oscillators 'in the mix' with no monitors!
I was a little concerned about the raw sine output from the Mankato - it can blow speakers easily if left unattended... Or maybe I mean if used carelessly...

Buchla 292c LoPass Gate

Toying with a new style for front panels. I think I prefer the dark brown - it might look nice with cream Davies knobs... LoPass Gates obviously sound better in the presence of a small jelly...

Buchla 281 Function Generator

This is a prototype panel for a dual Buchla 281 clone (PCB's provided by Topp) I'm not sure I'm happy with the placement of the switches, so I may revise the panel a little. I have included attenuators for all control inputs (including A and B signals to the peak circuit) I've also added VC Both and an external input - X - to the peak circuit. One of the toggles for each Function Generator enables the switching of the output back to the input ('feedback') meaning that logarithmic and exponential slopes can be created as well as the standard linear slopes.

Prototype Module Case

Here is a prototype of a simple MDF case, unpainted as yet. This unit is housing the two Solina Chorus modules seen previously on loudestwarning (!). With the addition of the Oakley Compact PSU up to six or maybe seven modules can be powered at low cost. This means no connection to mains electricity, which is good news in my book... This case is made with 18mm MDF, so it looks 'chunky', the same case could be made with 12mm, and also I'd probably like to add a lid/front and possibly a handle on top to carry it with... Being made of MDF it is not super-light, not sure if this is a downside though...

Tau, Krautrock, Solina, Wogglebug!

Here is the front of a 4U rack I made recently on commission. It houses a Tau Phaser, a Krautrock Phaser, a Solina Chorus and a Wogglebug. The photo's could be better I think! It did seem odd at first to include the Wogglebug in the rack, rather than another of JH's effects units, but I suppose in the studio it makes perfect sense!

Trigger to MIDI converter prototype again...

This is a prototype of a Euro or Frac Trigger to MIDI converter. Basically it enables one to control the triggering of samples (stored in rack-mount samplers eg AKAI S3000 etc) using a modular synths pulse outputs from modules such as sequencers, dividers, logic circuits, LFO's etc. The note is 'on' for the length of the trigger or gate in note on mode, otherwise it will trigger samples/loops either polyphonically or monophonically. It is fairly deep, and could be made smaller, it is currently made with stripboard, but will eventually be made with professional PCB's...

Trigger to MIDI converter prototype

Naked 606

I recently received a broken 606, which is now working - I don't think these were made to last! Here is a photo of it without it's clothes on...

Fonitronik Attenuverting Mixer

Fonitronik Attenuverting Mixer... I've built quite a few of these very useful modules. All possible ins/outs available as banana sockets for more patching possibilities....

Tau Phaser

Tau Phaser... This module is based on the Tau Systems Model 1190 "The Pipe" Phaser, a fairly obscure 70's effect unit. It can sound pretty crazy at times, but is one of the nicest phasers I've used...

Solina Chorus Pair

Two Solina Chorus clones... This effect emulates the chorus unit found in - and creating the lush sound of - the Arp Solina String Ensemble keyboard from the late '70's (used heavily on disco, also used by Air, Tangerine Dream, Joy Division etc). Also included in this module is the 3-band EQ section from the Crumar Performer (another '70's string keyboard). A really nice effect, and even better as a pair. I think it would benefit from having voltage control on the waveform adjustment, so I might add this at some point...

Plain Bob Major

Here is a photo taken during the installation of 'Plain Bob Major' a text based sound work included in the Cutup exhibition at Seventeen Gallery 'Grand Hotel Abyss'. The work was 16 8-step sequencers (did I mention I like sequencers?) with a manually operated 8-pole multiplexer on each step. As the sequencer stepped through its 128 steps visitors could select from 8 (unseen, unmarked) destinations for the pulse to enter a bank of custom built trigger-MIDI converters, and thereby select the word for that step... A fun project, more on this another time...

CGS 07

CGS Gate Sequencer V4.2

Hey, what the hell... another gate sequencer, this is the standard 3FU up/down affair. Not such a nice photo. You may think that I like sequencers...

DGTom DGTzara

Another CGS Gate Sequencer, the design idea was suggested by DGTom on the Muff Wiggler forum. This is a pretty standard pulse/gate output 8-step sequencer, I'll be building the 8-step CV channel and switch matrix into other modules... dusty...

bleak scene

Silver Space Lorry

Roycie Roller Round Rhythmizer

Another CGS Gate Sequencer, the design idea was suggested by Roycie Roller on the Muff Wiggler forum. This is a pretty standard pulse/gate output 8-step sequencer, I'll be building the 8-step CV channel and switch matrix into other modules... Hypnotizing...

JH Solina Chorus in Frac

An old Frac JH Solina Chorus, with a temporary panel for testing... Amazing module...

green baize eurorack

Previous incarnation of Eurorack..............

CGS Gate Sequencer

This was my first attempt at the CGS Gate + CV Sequencer, made before I started using metal panels - this is behind 3mm MDF, which surely has its' benefits. It worked really well for a while, but it was always a 'rough draft', it now has banana sockets. Don't look at the wiring!

and I shall not grow too old to see....

dancing, crazy freaks...

a cloud that is larger than the world...

and a billboard made of speakers...