pirxthepilot

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Week 11: DIY Eurorack

A post shared by joon (@pirxthepilot) on Mar 19, 2017 at 5:11pm PDT

Finally completed my Ornament & Crime build and - suprise! - it works! I started this project half-expecting to fail. I’m very much inspired and encouraged by the result.

In the same week, while waiting for the O_C’s teensy to arrive, I built a Frequency Central Power as bench power supply for testing newly-built modules.

I also bought a 20,000-count multimeter for more accurate voltage calibrations. How’s that for commitment?

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Week 10: DIY Eurorack + Track

Had a very productive week 10. First, started and completed the Synthrotek RND DIY module. It’s a relatively quick build - only took two days of a couple hours each day to finish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRgDKIDFrdp

Next, spent some of the weekend making a simple modular + piano track for the 271st Disquiet Junto to mark the 5th anniversary of Bassel Khartabil’s detention.

https://soundcloud.com/modulogeek/for-her-eyes

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Week 9: DIY Eurorack Module

Against wise advice, I went ahead and purchased PCB, panels and components for the DIY module Ornament and Crime (http://ornament-and-cri.me). The functionality of this module and the challenges involved is just too hard to resist. Not only is it my first modular DIY build, it is also my first involving surface mount components!

That took a bit of getting used to. At this point I am pretty OK with the 0805s, but still awkward with the chips and anything that has more than 2 legs. While my soldering job is quite ugly, I was quite lucky that there were no catastrophic mistakes.

I got a DIY bench power supply for Eurorack which I will use to test the voltages. So far I have already completed soldering the ICs and passives. I am also waiting for a few other components to arrive, namely the OLED and Teensy.

Extra photo to highlight the single most terrifying soldering job of the build - the ultra-tiny DAC!

While this project is on hold, I have started on a new one: the relatively simple Synthrotek RND (http://www.synthrotek.com/products/modular-circuits/rnd/). More on that next week.

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Week 8: Modular Jam

Moonlit from modulogeek on Vimeo.

Second patch with the 208HP, this time trying my hand at ambient stuff. I started this patch about 2 weeks ago, but it’s undergone several iterations.

The star of this patch is Mutable Instruments’ Rings module, which generates fantastic ambient washes out of oscillators. This module is a keeper, for sure.

And here’s the audio version on soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/modulogeek/moonlit

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Week 7: DIY Digital Oscilloscope

DIY Digital Oscilloscope (Timelapse) from modulogeek on Vimeo.

Finally managed to acquire the missing capacitor from a nearby Fry’s, so I was able to complete this kit project that I started a few weeks ago. This is a time lapse video from start to finish.

Finished product:

Showing output from the Erica Synths Pico VCO as I scroll through the various waveforms:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQpZLerFLwz

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Week 6: Modular Jam

Four from modulogeek on Vimeo.

This is the end result from the patch created during week 5, with some additional tweaks. It took me countless takes to arrive at something I am content (but not perfectly happy!) with. Recorded live, then post-processed (EQ, compressors, pseudo-mastering) in Ableton.

And here’s a “radio edit” version, with an additional bell layer track:

https://soundcloud.com/modulogeek/four

[pirxthepilot]

Week 6: Modular Jam

This is the end result from the patch created during week 5, with some additional tweaks. It took me countless takes to arrive at something I am content (but not perfectly happy!) with. Recorded live, then post-processed (EQ, compressors, pseudo-mastering) in Ableton.

And here’s a “radio edit” version, with an additional bell layer track:

https://soundcloud.com/modulogeek/four

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Week 5: Modular patch

Late post. Finally got my 208hp case last week, and this is the first patch that came out of the new configuration. I planned to finish with a jam at the end of last week, but I wasn’t satisfied with what I have recorded. I have also managed to add some more this morning: what was originally 4 voices has now grown to 5!

Decided to just take my time with this, and just let week 6 be the resulting jam/track.

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Week 4: DIY Digital Oscilloscope

Started work on the KKmoon DSO138 Digital Oscilloscope kit. More practice for future DIY modular synth modules.

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Week 3: Modular Jam + DIY

20170121 from modulogeek on Vimeo.

This week’s thing is my most complete track on the modular synth. Also: DIY-built a Poti expander for the Xaoc Batumi, sort of as a practice for future projects. Big thanks to jwm from the muffwiggler forums for providing me with the acrylic panel and instructions.

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Week 3: Modular Jam + DIY

This week's modular jam. Cast of characters: Main riff - Roland System 1m Bass - Mutable Instruments (MI) Shruthi Pad sounds - MI Tides (modulated by…

This week’s thing is my most complete track on the modular synth. Also: DIY-built a Poti expander for the Xaoc Batumi, sort of as a practice for future projects. Big thanks to jwm from the muffwiggler forums for providing me with the acrylic panel and instructions.

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Week 2: Modular Jam

20170112 - "Sunday Bloody Sunday" from modulogeek on Vimeo.

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Week 2: Modular Jam

A quick test of the Basimilus Iteritas Alter drum module, and experiments with ratcheting using the Peaks DMC firmware PLL mode.

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Week 1: Modular Jam

20170102 from modulogeek on Vimeo.

Trying my hand at live modular performance. Very basic setup here: 3 voices, minimal modulations, simple sequencer changes.

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Week 1: Modular Jam

Trying my hand at live modular performance. Very basic setup here: 3 voices, minimal modulations, simple sequencer changes.

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Autumn's End [disquiet0258]

More on this 258th weekly Disquiet Junto project — “Sonic Climate: Express your local weather in sound” — at: http://disquiet.com/0258/ More on the Disquiet Junto at: http://disquiet.com/junto/ Su

Just a test post. Here’s my latest track!