Voltage source components on the board

So this weekend I have been inputting schematics into 'tinyCAD' and then exporting the resultant NetLists to a bit of software called VeeCAD. This is a veroboard layout package. It won't do the work for you but it'll tell you when you have got it wrong. A design package like this allows us to optimise for physical space on the veroboard. The first circuit has been laied down, all that is needed is that the controls on the front panel be wired in, and the first module will be complete.
(the second module is CV splitter and mixer, allowing frequencies based on the root note to be generated, to save space in my rack I have decided to combine these 2 functions. After that we'll get to actually getting the thing to make some noise!)

Building the first panel

Covering the panel in masking tape will stop marking while being held in the vice. This panel has been marked up to show the exact place for each component. A centre punch (made out of an old filed down screw driver) was used before some honking great big holes were drilled in the panel.

 The components were then added (see photos below) with some consideration taken to make sure they were clear of the edges so as not to impede in the way of getting in the way of the case.

Now we know how many components we have on the front panel, we can start designing exactly what circuit we need for the board.

Choosing the right panel size

So its about time I started picking the right sized panel for the first module. The first module I need to be a voltage source for the oscillator. I have decided that for a voltage source I will be wanting at least one main control voltage (+1v -> +10v), and also I thought it would be nice to have a couple of low voltages (0v -> +1v and 0v -> +2v) that can be mixed with a main control voltage and used as an offset. There also needs to be some kind of gate, so I have opted for the middle size panel showed in this image. The panels I have got are 8HP, 10HP and 14HP. To fit at least 4 pots and 4 jacks, the smaller panel would be too small. The next step will be to drill holes.

Sonic Wonderland: A Scientific Odyssey of Sound

I heard an interview on radio 4 yesterday with a guy called Trevor Cox. He is a sound engineer working at Salford Uni, and he has just written a book called Sonic Wonderland. It was pitched as a travel guide, but instead of the destinations being visual feasts they are auditory! It sounds wonderful, can't wait for it to come out!

Ice Music Festival

The scandinavian "Ice Music Festival" consists of improvisations on instruments made of ice. It's the kind of thing that deserves a very nice sound system to listen to it on :)

   Some of the marimba like instruments are fantastic, not only do they have a beautiful resonance but the sustain on them is phenomenal. One of the key individuals is called "Terje Isungset" whose music is available on spotify.

Radio 4 have done a wonderful documentary on it.

Power

There we go, easy peasy, one power bus, giving us 24v, Regulated 12v and regulated 5v. Now for something a little more interesting

Making things easier

OK, so it looks like I have taken some bad advice on buying a power supply. I think a +24v PSU is going to struggle to supply both +12 and -12v, so for my power bus I'm going to stick to +12 and +5, and if I need negative voltage, then I'll have to do it on a module by module basis. No big deal. What I do lose is compatibility with existing systems, but if Im honest, I am not building a re-salable, integratable project, I am building a cool sounding synth that sounds cool and looks cool! (just so everyone is sure about that... cool)