Modular in a tool case

I had a day free on Saturday and set about putting a modular in a tool case. To be exact it is a Doepfer A-100 DIY kit #1 fitted to a Halfords engineers tool case. The point of this was to have an easily transportable demo system so I can take to shows, meets etc in order to show how lovely my CV Tools module is and to let people have a play.

In a follow-on to my cheap DIY store front panels post a few weeks back I used anodised aluminium angle strips in the construction from Homebase - the case is bigger than the 6U 84HP of the rack kit.
(Note to non-UK readers Halfords is a motor accessories store and Homebase is a DIY store)

Here's the case

Prep the case - remove separators, tool panel and unecessary fixings.

All done, ready to start serious modding

This will be powered by a 15VAC supply so a nice big hole for an XLR connector

XLR in place (EDIT: this is eventually replaced by a plug version as a power lead with exposed pins is bad karma)

A bit of judiscious foam cutting to neaten it up

Markout and drill the regulator boards fixing points - 4 x M3

Regulator screwed in place

I used M3 washers to spread the load - the case is just hardboard with a thin aluminium veneer

Position the bus boards and drill mounting holes - long M3 screws with tapped spacers fitted

All electrics now in place. Note this is temporary - there will be wiring to a front panel power switch on the next installment!

Next make the rack end pieces out of 10mm x 20mm anodised aluminium angle strip. These make the rack the perfect width to fit the case.

Similar to above I made top and bottom strips to fill the gap - I used 25mm x 25mm anodised angle, again an almost exact height fit - starting to look good.

Here's a view showing the fixings (ok I drilled a hole in the wrong place. Motto: measure twice, cut once!!!).

As I said a near perfect fit in the case. At this point just resting on the foam and not screwed in. That's in the next installment.

Loaded with modules and powered up. Take no notice of the modules selection, I've since changed it to a more coherent set.

Even a nifty scope showing VCOs, Synovatron DioDe and CV Tools in operation - now that's a waveform!

 Next installment will add a power switch and fixings to anchor the rack to the case. It will also make use of all that front panel space top and bottom for passive and buffered mults, bus access, simple LFOs, gate logic, 3.5mm to 6.25mm/RCA adaptors, etc etc (the thought of the lovely goodies that will get built in is going to keep me awake a night - so sad!!)

Here's a short clip of it working:-

New file hosting for Synovatron Downloadable Documents

The latest Synovatron documents can be downloaded from these links following difficulties some people had with the Google Docs links.

CV Tools Build Info Rev 3

The build info gives you a good idea of what is entailed in building the kit. Further build info (schematics and items list) is available when you place an order for the kit.

CV Tools User Manual Rev 1.5

ASM2DB Adaptor Fitting Instructions Rev 1

DIY Prototyping Kit Data Pack Rev 3

Please contact me if you have any problems downloading files.

CV Tools Australian Distributor Announcement

I am very pleased to announce that Rhythm Active will be distributing Synovatron products in Australia and should have an initial stock of CV Tools and ASys/Doepfer adaptors by the end of October.


CV Tools Modules and kits are starting to get some nice feedback - here's a taste:-

" I love the fact that with only the minimum of knowledge about the module I am totally comfortable with no panel legend or graphics, that appeals to me immensely, very elegant design......The LEDs make it really easy to tell what's going on and also centre the pots really accurately which is always a bit tricky with attenuverters"

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32286&start=20 


This neat little version was put together from a kit using a specially requested blank panel.

"Just got mine and have been messing around with it.  Definitely an all around winner. The ability to see the signal go positive or negative via the leds works great for sussing out what is going on, and the fact that this cascades down to the other leds really is helpful. And having the slew at the end really propells it to the top."

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40818&start=all&postdays=0&postorder=asc
 

CV Tools arrives in the USA

Finally after many trials and tribulations a batch of CV Tools Modules has arrived at Analogue Haven in Santa Monica USA.

Watch this space for a distributer in Australia too.

Having sold all of the first batch of CV Tools I'm now hastily preparing the next batch of 50 of which 10-20 will be allocated as kits. 

Some may also remember my DioDe module, well that took a back seat to lots of things, but am actively completing the design and will announce some news soon.

Cheap DIY front panels from UK DIY store!!!

Tone's Top Tip for July

Whilst wandering around my local Homebase DIY store I noticed a rack of metal and plastic extrusions. In there was a range of 2mm thick aluminium clear anodised strip in 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm and 30mm widths i.e. approximately 2HP, 3HP, 4HP, 5HP and 6HP respectively (note that the online links wrongly refer to it as flat tube and not all widths are listed online). The strips are 1m long and cost between £4.50 and £8.00 each. They have a similar finish to Doepfer front panels but with a slight vertical graining. Here's a pic of 6HP and 4HP strips.

If you are OK at cutting and drilling they are a cheap solution to narrow DIY panels. Good dimension info here. I guess they are available in most large DIY stores so it's worth having a look next time you are there.

CV Tools US Distributor Announcement

I am very pleased to announce that Analogue Haven will be distributing CV Tools Modules (not kits) in the United States. I am aiming to get a sizable stock to AH by mid-July. (Sorry 2 months late but they are there now: Edit)

Any enquiries for kits or specials (e.g. plain front panel, faster/slower slew rate, less/more gain etc., please e-mail me.

CV Tools Module Front Panel Update

Following on from my last post about customer feedback I have now changed the front panel subtly from a graphic overlay to a standard screen-printed clear-anodised panel. I think my customers were right (aren't they always!); it looks better, more professional and in keeping with all the other lovely modules out there. 

All kits and modules ordered from now on will have this type of panel fitted. Current stock at Post Modular will be retrofitted with the new panels by next week. I will keep a few unprinted panels back for those who prefer a plain metal panel (two sold so far). Anybody wishing to convert their CV Tools Module to the new panel please contact me and I will arrange a low cost swap out (either you can buy a new panel and swap over yourself, or return to me to do the swap; if I get the old panel back then I'll knock something off the price - details yet to be finalised).