Tag: modular synth

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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Reverse Landfill Noise v8 – DIY Build

February 16, 2023
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Reverse Landfill Noise (v8) - DIY Build

As many of you know, Reverse Landfill is one of our favorite manufacturers. Their gritty and raw approach to synthesis brings a whole new level to making modular music or just harsh noise. Through several iterations, the NOISE module has become a staple in Martijn’s lineup.

Most recently, the v9 was released but our focus is on the Noise v8. A kindred spirit to our original Noise module which was one of our very first modules. 

According to RL, the Noise! Synthesizer is a “CMOS IC based instrument. The synth has 4 square wave oscillators that modulate each other and go through a clock divider and after all that the separate divider outputs are mixed and shaped together”.

It is very suited as a source of snares, hi-hats or as an un-pure noise texture. With anything, we were excited to get on with the build, so we grabbed our BOM, ordered up the parts and waited for everything to arrive. 

Links and more links…

Below are a series of links that have been provided by Reverse Landfill to help assist with the use, building and buying of the Noise module.

Of course, we are here for you as well if you have any questions while building the module. Just hit us up on our Contact Page.

BOM – https://www.reverselandfill.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BOMV8.pdf

Build guide – https://www.reverselandfill.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/build-document-v8-2.pdf

Previous Versions of NOISE – https://www.reverselandfill.org/diy/noise-oscillator/

Schematic – https://www.reverselandfill.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/noise8.png

Modular Grid Page – https://www.modulargrid.net/e/reverse-landfill-noise-v8

ETSY Store Page – https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReverseLandfill

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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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Neutral Labs NIJEL – DIY Build

February 2, 2023
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Neutral Labs NIJEL - DIY Build

When it comes to distortion, Neutral Labs understands it, and harnesses it. They have done that again with their new module, NIJEL which uses the “nut” cards or other components to change the sound of the waveforms ran through the module.

NIJEL is an extremely easy kit to build: It comes with most of the components pre-soldered. You will only have to solder a pot, a spacer, some sockets and headers, so there is very little room for error. Enough with all of that though, let’s get on with the build. 

Completed Nijel
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