Muff's Modules & More

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject: Buchla format panels discussion

This thread was originally to check interest in buchla format panels from MPC. There is a separate thread for ordering the first batch of panels. I’d like to turn this thread into more of a general discussion thread for current and future buchla format panels.
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For historical reference:Hey guys,
I've been planning on doing my buchla-ish PCBs in a buchla-ish style/format modular. I've noticed in the euro threads that metalphoto panels seem pretty reasonable if you order a small quantity.

Things to consider: we can do these in blue or black (the blue would likely not be an exact buchla match). They would likely have names fitting the DIY/PCB project that spawned them (i.e. 258J). Theymight incorporate addition features (such as resonance on the 292 or various filter type outputs of the 291) on and on. So these are not 1:1 clones of buchla panels, the lettering wont be blue, etc. If you want panels like that it sounds like sanders is making some really classy panels. Otherwise, these will be buchla format, hole spacing etc. These are meant to be a balance between affordable and a (hopefully) nice looking homage to buchla design.

iopop · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

I would be interested in a 291 panel. A "294" utilizing two 194 clone boards or a dual "194" would be rather interesting as well.

Not sure if you're interested in other's designs? Added my first draft for a dual 194. Since then realized that a 294 could be done quite easily, i.e. adding a attenuators on each band and all goes into an mixer.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:23 pm Post subject:

Pretty much exactly the same thought I have for that PCB. 2 on a panel with a mix out ala 2x294 so you can use it for individual bands or as an EQ. I'm not clear on your knob/slider placement. I think we would have to go with knobs in order to fit 2 to a panel.

iopop · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:37 pm Post subject:

Haven't had the chance to test/draw a "294" layout yet. Thought about 30mm sliders - dual rows of those should fit in height - but it might feel too short and look bizarre. Four pots would fit in width though.

You are planning to use Buchla standard connectors, i.e. banana for cv and minijacks (or 3.5mm) for audio?

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject:

iopop · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:

Sounds good!

I have 5 DIY Buchla panels. 258, 292, 281, CVP and a combined Double Well Chaos and Jerkster. All courtesy of beautyofdecay_. But I plan on adding more, currently I'm looking at making a 3x5 panel Buchla 100 cabinet. Mostly because some of these diy solutions will become pretty deep. The Buchla 100 cab is around 7" deep, should swallow everything. That said I have another 10 to fill it up with and beside the 194 & 291 - I also planned on using a dual version of J3RK's flopseq and a few cgs pcbs not used on the best of panels like,

Dual Analog Shift Register
Master Divider & Cascade Mixer
CV Cluster
Weighted Random Switch & Analog Switch Matrix
Dual Psycho LFO & Slope Detector

Have some rough initial sketches of these on paper.

So, to sum it up, yes, Im looking for someone to share the panel costs. Im not that religious about doing 100% clones either, but I will use using banana and 1/8" jacks.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:52 pm Post subject:

Here is a preliminary design for the 258. I'm open to ideas. I could mark the output jacks for different waveforms (perhaps main, sin, sqr on one and main, sin, tri on the other?). I could leave the bottom blank or add J3RK, Verbos, Buchla or something.

E.A.S. · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:59 pm Post subject:

Will these be drilled for switchcraft tini-jax like in buchla?

or 3.5mm?

-Mike

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:10 pm Post subject:

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject:

I would like to implement resonance on the 292 panel. Anyone have any good ideas without completely messing up the look of the panel?

valis · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:

You know I'm interested. I have pretty much the same buchla backlog as you.

iopop · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 3:20 am Post subject:

On the 258 you could add a 3PDT switch to switch between square / triangle outs. Schematics for the switch wiring are hidden in the 258 build thread. Waiting on a few components to arrive so I have yet to wire mine up, but Ive seen others implemented the switch. Any trimming will most likely be messed up when changing waveform.

Attaching a bad image of my panel, again design thanks for beautyofdecay_, its pretty tight behind the panel, but Ive managed to make brackets and it would be possible to use JB Weld as well, on three standoffs.

292, one horizontal row of pots over the vca/both/vcf switch? you have to limit the area that the cv inputs and pots use. To make some more space the output jacks could be aligned sloped as per 292e.

valis · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:37 am Post subject:

Wow. That looks really nice.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:42 am Post subject:

258 - Yes I am considering the switch.
292 - good idea. I need to order a bunch of knobs so I can try the layouts on paper.

On your panel are you using the grey jack the same as verbos? As an input to change the V/oct response?

iopop · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:05 pm Post subject:

Yes, the grey banana is supposed to be the v/oct input.

oberkorn · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:42 pm Post subject:

have 5 panels from beautyofdecay (through iopop):
230, 255 (cvp), 258j, 281 and 292

Need 266 and 291 panels, maybe 294 and 259 too

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject:

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:56 pm Post subject:

iopop · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:26 pm Post subject:

Ah, I never used / seen the 258v, but based on this, http://buchlatech.blogspot.com/2009/02/gentlemen-i-give-you-258v.html , I always thought that he changed the v/oct trimmer with a 1.2v/oct input?

The cost was 36 Euro per panel. I think beautyofdecay got his even cheaper since he decided to drill them himself. Not sure where he had them made up, at some local dutch company I assume.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:

I requested a quote from MPC to get an idea on price. I was looking over their material and it turns out that they can do color although they generally cannot do "exact" matches. Also, it reads as if the color might be inconsistant. I'm sure it is an added cost

I worked in a shop for a while that did anodizing and with color it can be an inexact process. I imagine that if all the panels were ordered at the same time they would use the same bath and all come out the same but if we scattered orders out I am guessing the color of the blue might vary some from panel to panel. I've sent some questions about this to see what they say.

I have them quoteing various quanitites: 2-5-10-15-20