Category: Media

Neutral Labs PIP – DIY Build

Neutral Labs PIP - DIY Build

Neutral Labs PIP is two morph-able CV generators/complex LFOs in 8 HP that can be synced to each other in predefined ratios, unsynced or phase-shifted between each other. The module also allows you to record, morph and time-stretch your own external CV or knob movements. Like the NIJEL, PIP is an easy kit to build: It comes with most of the components pre-soldered. You will only have to solder pots, LEDs, buttons, as well as some jacks and sockets, so there is very little room for error with this build. Let’s get on with it … 

To start off, you will want to place the IC socket as well as the power header. You can place these parts and then flip the board over to tack down one pin. Adjust and reheat if needed. Once you have these in place, solder the rest of the pins into place. After completing this, mount the 4 switches on the front of the PCB. Do not solder them yet though. 

PIP - Completed Front

Cereal Instruments BINARY and RESOLUTION – DIY Builds

Cereal Instruments BINARY and RESOLUTION - DIY Builds

Cereal_Instruments_LOGO__Text

We decided to do a few things a little different this month by not only having more than 1 build/review, but having 4 by one company… Cereal Instruments. Their utility modules are something that every rack should have in them. We use them all of the time not only for performance but for recording or just jamming. Check out the latest builds of the Cereal Instruments BINARY and RESOLUTION.

BINARY

The Cereal Instruments binary is a dual gang attenuator that allows you to attenuate two signals with one knob. This 4HP passive module is pretty self explanatory and the controls are simple.

Knob A controls the attenuation of the signals passing through the ‘a’ inputs and outputs, whereas knob b controls the attenuation of the signals passing through the inputs and outputs of the ‘b’ jacks. 


Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE – DIY Builds

Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE - DIY Builds

Cereal_Instruments_LOGO__Text

We decided to do a few things a little different this month by not only having more than 1 build/review, but having 4 by one company… Cereal Instruments. Their utility modules are something that every rack should have in them. We use them all of the time not only for performance but for recording or just jamming. Check out the latest builds of the Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE.

SWERVE

The Cereal Instruments swerve is a passive dual performer switch with mute buttons built in. You can toggle between sides with the toggle switches or temporarily mute one side or the other.

Jacks are either in’s or outs and are labeled simply as “a” or “b”. One thing to note is that this 2021 edition of swerve is not the same as Cereal Instruments earlier release of ‘swerve’ (which can be found here). This swerve is a performing switch whereas the other ‘swerve’ was a rotary switch that you could route cv, or effects to other modules. 


Hackerboutique DESTRUCTO – DIY Build

Hackerboutique DESTRUCTO- DIY Build

Social media is a place where many things can happen, both good and bad. One can also find some true gems in the rough as they scour the internet for new and exciting modules.  In our continued search to find unique eurorack modules, we stumbled upon a post about a new module called the Hackerboutique DESTRUCTO.

Posted by a gentleman by the name of Luis on a Synth DIY group, this VCF was a module with some serious balls… and we had to have it. 

Quick Link:  DESTRUCTO BOM

DESTRUCTO Glow!

As we were used to building kits, we were anxious to get our hands on this build. This kit was comprised solely of a panel, PCB and a pentode tube, which was unlike any of the other kits we have built in the past. A quick message and PayPal transaction later and we found ourselves anxiously awaiting our panel and PCB to arrive. This build was to be our first “sourced” build, meaning we had to track down all the components needed to build the module (the BOM is located above).

Luckily, we had just completed our Synth DIY Parts Locator, so we had some direction to start in. Luis also created a Facebook group for his Hackerboutique DESTRUCTO builders. This page became our go-to for anything related to the build… (we even gained a few new friends!).