Build an MinEQ Module!

Hosted by Żłob Modular
Sunday, Sept 7 @ 2pm
Difficulty: Beginner

The MinEq is a 2hp 3 Band Equalizer Eurorack Module with a rectified clipping feedback circuit which produces a wide range of harmonic distortion, interactive self-oscillating, pseudo ring modulation, and richer filter-esque timbres based on the input and knob positions.

This hybrid Baxandall circuit provides +/- 20dB~ of boost or cut control over the Low, Mid and High frequency bands of an audio input. The frequency bands are centered near 30Hz(Low), 1kHz(Mid), and 10kHz(High). With all the potentiometers at noon, the MinEq passes the signal relatively unaltered.

The Panel is reversible, one side with graphics and soulless side with less graphics (not pictured).

Learn to solder! Żłob Modular will teach you basic soldering techniques and lead you through building the Attenumixer module.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
You will need to purchase the $50 MinEQ kit from Żłob Modular HERE. Please select the "DIY Workshop Pickup" option during checkout to avoid paying shipping.

Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.

Builders Choice!

Hosted by AI Synthesis
Saturday, Sept 7 @ 2pm
Difficulty: Varies

AI002 Audio and CV Mixer
Difficulty: Beginner
Cost: $45 

The AI002 DIY Mixer Kit is an updated take on a classic utility audio or cv mixer. All three inputs have a level control, with full clockwise allowing full volume prior to the summing mixer. Perfect for adding audio inputs to a filter, or cv inputs to a cv input, and other mixing functions. This kit is ideal for those who know how to solder, but are still starting out in their DIY Synthesis journey.

This diy mixer kit will not only familiarize yourself with IC Chips, Capacitors, and Resistors, it will also add a key utility module to your DIY Modular Synthesizer.

This is an ideal kit for a beginner learning DIY electronics, and requires no wiring at all!

AI106 West Coast Eurorack Mixer
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost: $55 

The AI106 West Coast Eurorack Mixer is a fully discrete mixer design that updates vintage West Coast synthesizer mixer designs into a modern form.

This mixer takes inspiration from vintage mixer circuits from 60s and 70s West Coast synthesizers, but updates it for eurorack and allows for user customization of the circuit. True to original circuits, the output is inverted. Audio rate signals will sound about the same, but cv signals will be inverted.

Because "West Coast" synthesis focused more on waveshaping and complex VCO structures as opposed to subtracting frequencies from simple waveforms (East Coast), mixers are an important part of traditional West Coast synthesis techniques.

AI022 Harmonic Mixer
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost: $55 

The AI022 Harmonic CP3 Style Mixer is a discreet mixer using no ICs. As gain increases harmonics and analog warmth are added. As gain increases more, distortion and phasing is added, creating new waveforms from old ones.

The AI022 takes inspiration from the legendary Moog Modular CP3 style mixer, but updates it for eurorack and allows for user customization of the circuit. Many Moog Modular users attribute the CP3 mixer module to providing much of the warmth of the Moog Modular sound.

An exposed Bias knob allows abuse of the circuit, and allows for faithful replication of incoming audio, or radical analog wave shaping and distortion. It is also possible to use the Bias knob to adjust a +/- 5V signal into a 0/+ or 0/- signal.

AI008 Eurorack Matrix Mixer
Difficulty: Advanced
Cost: $95 

The AI008 Matrix Mixer is an active, Four In, Three Out matrix Mixer with a summed output. The AI008 can be used to route any of the inputs to any of the outputs. This allows for the creation of feedback patches and other interesting routing, in addition to powerful "regular" signal routing. Common uses include mixing effects outputs into their inputs in order to create drones (or just good old fashioned feedback), mixing oscillators into their own PWM or FM inputs, modulating voltage controlled LFOs and other modulators into themselves, and other feedback patches. The AI008 Matrix mixes is a powerful way to expand any system!

Build an Attenumixer Module!

Hosted by Żłob Modular
Saturday, Sept 6 @ 11am
Difficulty: Beginner

The Attenumixer is a 4hp 3 channel Passive Attenuator and Mixer for eurorack format modular synthesizers.

Each channel is normalled to the sum(VI) so it can be used as a 2 channel mixer and 1 channel attenuator, or a 3 channel mixer, or as 3 separate attenuators. Normalization to the sum is broken by inserting a jack into the outs of channels I-III. The Attenumixer works well with both cv and audio, although the potentiometers have a linear response. Since the module is passive there will be signal loss at the sum out.

The module comes with a double sided panel one side is classic with the traditional graphics and the reverse side is soulless with no graphics, only text(not pictured).

Learn to solder! Żłob Modular will teach you basic soldering techniques and lead you through building the Attenumixer module.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
You will need to purchase the $40 Attenumixer kit from Żłob Modular HERE. Please select the "DIY Workshop Pickup" option during checkout to avoid paying shipping.

Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.

Builder's Choice:
Etch or Easy Ei8ht Sequencer!

Hosted by Modular for the Masses
Saturday, Sept 7 @ 11am
Difficulty: Easy

Build Etch, a Bit Crusher and More!

Etch is a low fidelity digital signal processing Eurorack module that selectively removes signal quality vertically (bit crushing) or horizontally (sample rate reduction). This creates vertical or horizontal lines in the signal, like an Etch-a-Sketch! The results are displayed on a simplified oscilloscope.

Both parameters can be controlled with a control voltage, as well as a third parameter, a low-pass resonant filter.

In addition to being an effects module, there is a quantizer mode, featuring many scales and options the designer of the hardware and workshop host (Juanito, I'm the one writing this) doesn't even understand. For a better explanation of the CV mode, visit the project's Github: https://github.com/TylerK07/Etch

A feature Juanito understands and loves is the "loop" mode. It can be an unusual form of granular synthesis, which takes a section of the incoming signal and loops it quickly, up to audio rate. It has the ability to accept portions of the still-incoming audio signal to morph the waveform of the loop. Tweaking the knobs in this mode is very engaging.

The microchip is an AVR128DA28, which is common, easy to code for, and the analog electronics are versatile, allowing for both audio signal processing and control voltage processing.

The surface mount components are all pre-assembled, so no advanced soldering skills will be necessary.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
You will need to purchase the Etch Kit from Modular for the Masses by sending $125 via paypal by clicking THIS LINK and put Etch Workshop in the description.

Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.

Easy Ei8ht Sequencer Module Build

The EasyEi8ht trigger performance sequencer returns with an updated panel and simplified construction.

This module is designed from the ground up to be extremely simple to use. It features eight channels, ludicrously long pattern lengths, and Cherry MX style mechanical key switches (three different types will be available to choose from). It can be self-clocked or accept an external clock. It features downbeat-agnostic swing, even if the external clock doesn't have swing. The project is open-source, the code was developed in the Arduino IDE, so the module is ready for DIY firmware.

The build has all the surface-mount components pre-assembled. Some care with order-of-assembly will need to be taken, but advanced soldering skills won't be necessary. The module is 14HP

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
You will need to purchase the Easy Ei8ht Kit from Modular for the Masses by sending $125 via paypal by clicking THIS LINK and put Sequencer Workshop in the description.

Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.