[BUILD] Manhattan Analog - Steiner Synthasystem VCF

[negativspace]

Alright, a couple of the board sets are out in the wild so I'll be filling this post in over the next ~48 hours with a BOM, some photos, and any instructions I can think of. (It'll be pretty self-explanatory in the photos.)

This one is a single PCB, partially-prebuilt project with a few strategic bits left open for through-hole parts. The BOM is:

Capacitors
[3] 1.2uF Tantalum
[1] 10uF Electrolytic (Lay flat if too tall.)
[1] 1uF Polyester (large off-white cap in photo)
[2] 0.1uF Polyester (as marked in photo)
[3] 2200pF Polypropylene (red caps in photo)

Transistors/Diodes (marked in photo)
[2] 2N5172
[2] PN5138
[4] NPN - Two matched pairs. Choose your own, but mind the pinouts.
[10] Diode - 1N4148 or similar

MISC
[1] 200R Trimpot (backside) - CV Reject
[1] 10P Header (backside)

I/O & Panel Controls
[1] 3-pos. rotary switch (Mouser #688-SRBV131502 or #688-SRBV131803)
[5] Inline/Thonkiconn jacks
[3] 12.5mm knob ("Mini Fluted Knob" @ Erthenvar [1900 clone] or similar)
[2] 19mm knob ("Medium Fluted Knob" @ Erthenvar, or similar)
[1] 25mm knob ("Large Fluted MXR Style" @ Smallbear, or similar)
[5] Pots - Alpha 9mm Vertical or similar

• 1x B100k
  3x B25k
  1x A25k

Build order could not be simpler: diodes first, then all transistors/capacitors, then flip it over and do the trimpot and power header on the back side. Next, install the switch and solder one or two pins to tack it down. Be sure it's flat to the PCB - fortunately, the side clips do a good job of keeping it snug. (But be sure.)

Then pop in the jacks and pots, lower the panel onto the unsoldered components, and snug up the washers/nuts. (Don't forget to peel the protective film from the panel first.) Lastly, flip it over and solder everything in place.

I like to leave the spacing tab on the switch and just install the nut finger-tight. Works just fine. You can build it up flush with the back side of the panel using washers/spare nuts though, if you prefer.

Trimpot is for CV rejection, which this filter does reasonably well. Leave the audio input empty, plug a VCO into one of the CV inputs, turn it fully CW, and trim until you get the lowest level you can manage at the output.

[FrogStar]

Thanks Negativespace,
I look forward to building it up ASAP.

[jgb]

Looks good! Definitely tempting...

[negativspace]

They do sound lovely. (And I am totally not biased. )

[Low-Gain]

FOR AWESOME!!!

[synthcube]

we love jason's modules, and are very pleased to add this one to our complete lineup of manhattan analog DIY goodies:

https://synthcube.com/cart/manhattan-an ... parker-vcf

enjoy!

[rosch]

I also love Jason's modules. And cool that synthcube carry full kits. Just ordered one, sounds really good in the video.

[Seaweed Sound]

Let us know how your kit works out.. I ordered the "exclusive" DTA kit from synthcube and it had a bunch of missing/wrong parts (resistors, caps, wire, and the costlier components: trimmer, pot, knobs).

After no response from synthcube via email or multiple phone calls I finally just ordered the correct parts from Thonk and Mouser. I could have almost bought an assembled module direct from MA for the extra cost. I'll never shop at synthcube again.

[synthcube]

Let us know how your kit works out.. I ordered the "exclusive" DTA kit from synthcube and it had a bunch of missing/wrong parts (resistors, caps, wire, and the costlier components: trimmer, pot, knobs).

After no response from synthcube via email or multiple phone calls I finally just ordered the correct parts from Thonk and Mouser. I could have almost bought an assembled module direct from MA for the extra cost. I'll never shop at synthcube again.

Would you kindly contact us regarding this feedback? Its unusual (and almost impossible) to miss communications from customers especially those coming via multiple sources (email, phone etc). We stand behind every kit we make 100%. Its also unusual (and very difficult) for us to send out kits with multiple missing or incorrect items-- on occasion we miss a part or two, we always try and replace those when they are reported, but what you describe is a more serious quality kitting issue than we have heard of in some time-- we look forward to making it right...

thanks

[Seaweed Sound]

PM'ed

[synthcube]

thanks

[Seaweed Sound]

This has been resolved - apparently the email forwarder dropped synthcube's response, thank you

[rosch]

Everything fine. If there's a part missing like say a 2n2 cap or so I probably have them here in my drawer. Stuff like that can always happen and it's not the end of the world.

I can give one addition to the instructions above, in case you build a kit from synthcube. The 2N5088 NPN pair matches the pinout of the pair on the lower right in the picture. The BC 547 go in the upper one.

[rosch]

[humax5600]

I have a non-working VCF here and for troubleshooting I need a schematic.
I haven't found anything yet. Is there such a thing?

[jschussler]

Rumor has it there's a mod for this filter that will reduce or remove its tendency to break up at high resonance/input level. Anybody have a pointer?

[negativspace]

I have a non-working VCF here and for troubleshooting I need a schematic.
I haven't found anything yet. Is there such a thing?

Yikes, never got the notification for this post. I apologize!

In case it still matters, or for future reference if anyone else reads this with the same question: this is built straight from the original schematic. You can find a copy at David Ingebretsen's DIY Synthasystem site.