Waveform Magazine Mewsic Box (Project 6) - DIY Build
Have you ever found yourself wanting to hear a quick sample of a new module or have your speaker for your “on-the-go” case? Well, the Sound of Mewsic module from Waveform Magazine is exactly what you need.
(You are probably asking yourself … What is it?)
It is a small and versatile 10hp speaker module that is a quick and easy build even for the novice builders. For our latest build, we take on Waveform Magazines DIY Project 7… the Sound of Mewsic!
Consisting of a panel, speaker, a pot, a single jack, a tiny PCB and a few other components, the Sound of Mewsic took about 20-30min to complete.
Let's get on with the build already.... the PCB
Start by placing the power header on the backside of the PCB and tacking it down, making sure you line the notch up with the silkscreen. Next, place the potentiometer and the audio jack on the topside of the PCB and carefully flip the board over to solder everything into place. Attach the completed PCB to the panel by the jack nut.
Take Note:
Our panel’s spot for the potentiometer was offset and didn’t line up accordingly. We had to use a file and file down one side of the hole in order to have it not catch on the pot. It only took a few minutes and the PCB lined right up.
The Speaker...
Grab the panel and the speaker from the box. The kit came with screws and nuts for the speaker to mount to the panel. Place the speaker on the back of the panel and run the screws through the top. You will attach a nut on the backside of the speaker to keep things in place. Do not tighten everything down until you have all four screws in place and being held by a nut. Then, work your way around the module tightening the nuts one after another, careful not to over tighten.
Waveform Magazine Sound of Mewsic - DIY Build
The final build stage of the Sound of Mewsic module is attaching the completed PCB to the speaker itself. This is accomplished by using two supplied wires that came with the kit… a red and a black. Start off by “pre-tinning” both the PCB mounting holes and each one of the lugs on the bottom section of the speaker rear. This will make for quick and easy wiring.
Carefully strip both ends of the black wire and the red wire, paying attention to the tiny copper wires inside. Twist the wire and tin each one with a dab of solder.
Sound of Mewsic Build Gallery
The Final Steps ...
After prepping the wires to be attached to the speaker and PCB, take your solder iron and heat up the mounting holes on the PCB and gently place the pre-tinned wire into the solder. It will dry almost immediately after removing your iron, giving you a strong hold. Do the same with the other wire. To complete this module, you will do the same thing with both wires when you attach them to the lugs of the speaker itself. Just heat up the solder and insert the wires. Congrats are in order as you just completed your Waveform Magazine Sound of Mewsic speaker module.
Specifications:
- Depth:30mm
- Current draw when idle: 3mA +12V / 0mA-12V / 0mA 5V
- Current draw when active: up to 200mA +12V / 0mA-12V / 0mA 5V
Final Thoughts...
The Waveform Magazine Sound of Mewsic is a cool module to have in your case… if you have an extra 10hp. One does need to realize that it is not a speaker with some loud, rich tones though. It is a small speaker that gives you a little sound output from whatever you plug into it. It’s tinny and has some clarity around the mid-range…. that’s about it. It is the same speaker that comes with the Mewsic Box.
In the end, we really liked the dual sided panel as well, which gives you the option of catting it out or blacking it out. The price of the module is also really nice. Kits retail for $42 and the fully assembled modules will run you $64.
If you are in the need for something like this, head on over to the Waveform Magazine shop and pick one up today, and don’t forget to tell the crew we sent ya!
If you have questions about the build process or suggestions/feedback about this article, feel free to let us know by contacting us We look forward to hearing from you!
Until the next build …
