Category: Media

Circuit Benders UK drumBs – DIY Build

March 16, 2023
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Circuit Benders UK drumBs - DIY Build

This months modular build comes from CircuitBenders UK. drumBs is a eurorack or stand alone module that we happened to come across while surfing ETSY. Being that there were no full kits available, we opted for a red panel, and 2 PCBs (one logic board and one control board). 

Since we are currently working on building a drum rack with multiple modules, drumBs seemed like a natural choice for our system. drumBs is a tweaked version of the Syntom II, an analogue percussion project first published nearly four decades ago in the April 1983 edition of the mighty Electronics & Music Maker Magazine.

Drumbs - Completed Front

According to the ETSY listing and the CircuitBenders UK website, drumBs can “create a wide range of basic analogue percussive sounds and the synth features both a VCO and a noise source, along with a resonant noise filter and an auto roll function. It requires a +5V trigger source to drive the module”.  Let’s get on with the build shall we?

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Neutral Labs PIP – DIY Build

February 3, 2023
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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
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Cereal Instruments BINARY and RESOLUTION – DIY Builds

January 18, 2023
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Cereal Instruments BINARY and RESOLUTION - DIY Builds

Cereal_Instruments_LOGO__Text

Cereal Instruments BINARY

Cereal Instruments RESOLUTION

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. 

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Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE – DIY Builds

January 17, 2023
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Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE - DIY Builds

Cereal_Instruments_LOGO__Text

Cereal Instruments SWERVE

Cereal Instruments RAZE

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. 

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