BUILD THREAD: 18-channel vocoder

[glubsch]

Here are the links to the three important documents:

• The Assembly and Tuning Guide
• The Bill of Materials [BOM] as a PDF
• The spreadsheet based BOM

The spreadsheet is helpful for procurement purposes as it uses corresponding color coding in the left-most column on sheet "Consolidated BOM". Note that this spreadsheet was composed with Excel. I don't know if it is properly handled by spreadsheet alternatives such as OfficeCalc.

Note: the bundle I am offering is not the whole kit. You will still have to order parts from your trusted distributor. There are three Mouser projects available:

• 18-channel stereo vocoder (excl. supply). This is the vocoder BOM, excluding the components needed for the power supply.
• Vocoder DC/DC supply. This covers components available at Mouser for the DC/DC converter based power supply.
• Vocoder LDO supply. This covers components available at Mouser for the alternative LDO based power supply.

[derpinguin]

The parts arrived yesterday. So far I can say glubsch did a terific job. Now I have to get all the needed electronic parts and start building.

[synthcube]

anxiously awaiting

[julian]

Can I advise people, early on, to use the LEDs specified in the build docs, and not just what you may have in your draw.

The reason for this is that the front panels have been cut to accommodate the specified LEDs, with minimal clearence.

Each and every front panel has been test fitted with the specified LEDs, for confirmation, but, if you use larger diameter units, they may not fit.

2nd -

The assembly template supplied with the kit does not have a recess in the rear for the LEDs.


If you want to be perfect with the build, I would suggest packing out the pots with a couple of washers when using the assembly template, so as the LEDs are offset against their final position on the actual front panel.

What this will do is create a bit of tension when the final job is assembled, so as to press the LEDs fully home into the final front panel.

We are only talking 0.5mm so it's no big deal, but just for the perfectionists! : )

If the above sounds confusing, read it again when you're using the template and it will make more sense then!

[pinewave]

Can I advise people, early on, to use the LEDs specified in the build docs, and not just what you may have in your draw.

The reason for this is that the front panels have been cut to accommodate the specified LEDs, with minimal clearence.

Each and every front panel has been test fitted with the specified LEDs, for confirmation, but, if you use larger diameter units, they may not fit.

2nd -

The assembly template supplied with the kit does not have a recess in the rear for the LEDs.


If you want to be perfect with the build, I would suggest packing out the pots with a couple of washers when using the assembly template, so as the LEDs are offset against their final position on the actual front panel.

What this will do is create a bit of tension when the final job is assembled, so as to press the LEDs fully home into the final front panel.

We are only talking 0.5mm so it's no big deal, but just for the perfectionists! : )

If the above sounds confusing, read it again when you're using the template and it will make more sense then!

Thanks for the warning Julian!

[derpinguin]

Thank you. When are the panels to be expected?

[derpinguin]

Any update on the front panels?

[julian]

I'm sorry, the panels are my delay, not Stephen's.

There's no issue. I've just been ill, and now have to be away a couple of days. The metal work is all cut and ready for print - I've just not actually printed it yet.

[derpinguin]

Great news. Thank you Julian

[tkatona]

What about the front panel?

[derpinguin]

Yep, still waiting on those.

[derpinguin]

Any update on the front panels?

[Wigoz]

Any new updates on this? By the way, awesome work

[magman]

A quick BOM question.

C41 on the channel cards is not listed in the parts list for these cards. I noticed it is also not populated in a few of the build photo’s from the build manual. Is this cap needed and if so, what value should it be.

I’m doing quite well with my build, with the final 6 channel cards hopefully being completed today, then it is on to some testing and case assembly.

Regard

Magman

[glubsch]

Yes, keep C41 unpopulated. The photo that shows the channels from the backside of the vocoder is not a good reference as this version of the vocoder is populated with different versions of the channel boards that underwent a number of refinements.

[KaZpeR]

I'm starting to source parts for this and had a couple questions for fellow builders.

Q1- Is there a copy of the silkscreen layers available for the PCB available, I find that it helps when you have questions on what goes where.
Q2- Parts, can you physically substitute 1/4W resistors in place of the 1/6W resistors or is there a space concern. Some of them are out of stock at the moment.

[glubsch]

Re Q1: good suggestion. Let me see how I can integrate that in the documentation.
Re Q2: yes, you can use 1/4 W resistors. For more details on size constraints, see here on Page 2, "Resistors".

[jfloftin]

Here are the links to the three important documents:

• The Assembly and Tuning Guide
• The Bill of Materials [BOM] as a PDF
• The spreadsheet based BOM

The spreadsheet is helpful for procurement purposes as it uses corresponding color coding in the left-most column on sheet "Consolidated BOM". Note that this spreadsheet was composed with Excel. I don't know if it is properly handled by spreadsheet alternatives such as OfficeCalc.

Note: the bundle I am offering is not the whole kit. You will still have to order parts from your trusted distributor. There are three Mouser projects available:

• 18-channel stereo vocoder (excl. supply). This is the vocoder BOM, excluding the components needed for the power supply.
• Vocoder DC/DC supply. This covers components available at Mouser for the DC/DC converter based power supply.
• Vocoder LDO supply. This covers components available at Mouser for the alternative LDO based power supply.

The Panasonic inductor is obsolete. This needs to be fixed on the BOM at Mouser.

[Flounderguts]

just go to the product page and click on the alternate parts button. You can easily find a part with the right specs.

[glubsch]

I sent out an email on June 6. In short, use RFS1317-104KL instead.

[nobody]

I sent out an email on June 6. In short, use RFS1317-104KL instead.

I couldnt find one at mouser that was in stock until aug /sep. Farnell has some.


Other question: What is the orientation of IC1 on the DC to DC power supply? I see the stripe on the silkscreen, is that supposed to mean something? I am used to a dot.

[collinspr]

Yes. If you look at the MOSFET package (IC1) you’ll see that it has a chamfer on one side. It should be fitted with this corresponding to the ‘stripe’ on the silkscreen.

[glubsch]

The documentation was missing information about how to connect the anodes and cathodes of the front panel LEDs. I've corrected this omission. See Chapter 4.5 in the Assembly and Tuning Guide.