Module Power Consumption

Here is my spreadsheet with the power consumption of many purchased modules.  This information is from either the module specifications or was measured.

Module power consumption spreadsheet

VCO Calibration Method

I have always disliked VCO tuning.  I've used oscilloscopes, frequency counters, and beat frequencies to try and make it easier.  The issue is changing the scale adjusts the base frequency requiring constant retuning.

I picked this method up in some forum on the web and it works great.  It's the divide by 2 method.  You use a summation circuit to add 1.000 volts to the CV.  When tuned correctly, this will increase the VCO frequency by one octave, or double the frequency.  At the same time you add a divide by two circuit to half the frequency.  You simply adjust the tuning until there is no perceptible change in frequency when you step up and down an octave.

I have all the modules in my system for this setup.  I used a Larry Hendry JLH-822 VC Shift which will add or subtract an octave or semitone from a control voltage, a MOTM-120 Sub-Octave Multiplexer with the Tellun sub-octave outputs, and the MOTM-700 VC Router.  Patch the setup according to the diagram.  Set the Mix Out for Mix A Square.  Adjust the MOTM-700 Switch control so the router selects IO B when you switch up an octave.  Switch the octave up and down and tune until there is no change in frequency.  Simple!  Of course you could use this same method for two to four octaves.  Just select the appropriate output from the MOTM-120.

Divide by 2 tuning setup document

XY Frequency Plots

I was working on a René Schmitz Korg MS20 VCF clone and wanted to verify the LP and HP functions.  One easy way to do this is to use your oscilloscope in XY mode.  Connect an LFO ramp to sweep a VCO which drives the filter.  Connect the LFO ramp also to the X axis and connect the output of the filter to the Y axis.  You get these nice looking plots showing the frequency response.  The horizontal axis represents frequency since increasing voltage increases frequency.  The vertical axis represents amplitude.

SSM2164 Failure Mode

The SSM2164 quad VCA exhibits a catastrophic failure mode when the V+ pin is powered and the V- pin is disconnected (e.g. disconnected means open, not at ground potential).  The SSM2164 is used in many designs including the Blacet Research Time Machine and Magic Smoke Electronics TH-201 Mankato Filter, as well as in my DJB-014 Output Interface which uses the Charlie Lamm 'Mike Irwin" VCA design.

The modification to prevent this failure is to add a schottky diode with the anode connected to pin 9 (e.g. -15 volts) and the cathode connected to ground to provide a path for current to flow the negative supply is disconnected.  Both the Blacet Research Time Machine and the Magic Smoke Electronics Mankato Filter have diodes connected this way for reverse voltage protection.  Simply changing these diodes to schottky 1N5817 diodes will also protect the SSM2164.

There is documentation of this failure mode on Neil's Webbly World page.  My thanks to Neil Johnson and Oscar Salas for doing the research.

CMOS Logic

Some synthesizer modules use CMOS logic parts.  There are multiple families of CMOS logic parts but they fall into two main groups: 15 volt compatible and 5 volt compatible.  The original 4000 series CMOS parts worked over a wide range of supply voltage up to and including 15 volts.  Later a new family of CMOS designated 74HC and 74HCT was introduced to be compatible with TTL circuits and will only operate on 5 volts.  Many synthesizer designs use the 4000 series-compatible parts and operate on 15 volts.  You can only interchange 4XXX and 74HC/HCT parts IF the operating voltage is 5 volts.  Vendors sometimes use unique nomenclature for their CMOS families.  You need to check the data sheet to verify the operating voltage range.

One example of this is the three CMOS logic parts used on the Blacet Research Time Machine.  The parts list calls out a 4518 BCD counter, a 4013 dual flip flop, and a 4046 phase locked loop.  These parts operate on +/-7.5 volts (e.g. 15 volts) and must be 15 volt CMOS compatible.

As an example, a quick check of Mouser shows at least four different parts for a DIP 4013 counter and all are 15 volt compatible.

A quick check of Mouser shows at least eight different parts for a DIP 4046 phase lock loop but only three are 15 volt compatible.

You need to know your CMOS parts before using them in a DIY project!

MOTM Power Cables

I make my own MOTM power cables.  I strip the ends of the wire, tin them, and then press them into the housing.  I then solder the wires rather than rely upon the press fit.  It's easier to solder rotated 90 degrees so the wires are horizontal.  This helps keep the solder from wicking down the connector.  Here is a 6 conductor MOTM power cable.

Here is a photo of the soldered MTA connector.  This works very well.

I made this simple punch-down tool from a screwdriver.  It helps press the wire through the strain relief and into the connector.  It does not make a good electrical connection.  The wires must be soldered.

Dotcom Power Cables

I make Dotcom power cables by using a MOTM 0.156" MTA connector on one end and the Dotcom 0.100" MTA connector on the other end.  This photo shows a +/- 15 volt cable.  I solder the 0.100" MTA connectors the same way but simply use a small screwdriver to press the wire in.  I flatten the insulation at the 0.100" MTA end with pliers so it will fit through the smaller wire openings.  I have to use magnifying glasses so I don't damage the housing when soldering.

 MOTM-to-Dotcom power cable diagram

MTA Interconnect Cables

I make 0.100" MTA interconnect cables the same way using a screwdriver to press the wire into the housing and using magnifying glasses to not damage the housing when soldering.  I use them on modules that have a lot of panel wiring.

The MTA connectors have a wider top than base so there must be adequate clearance around the PCB header.  If there is limited space I have to use the FCI mini-latch connectors which require crimping the individual wires and inserting them into the header.

Soldering, Cleaning, and Inspecting PCBs

The number one problem I find in doing DIY module repairs is soldering issues: unsoldered pins, incomplete soldering, or solder bridges.  It is absolutely essential to inspect each pad using magnifying visors to verify a smooth, shiny, and complete solder joint.  It is difficult to inspect pads with flux so I always clean the PCB prior to inspection.

I always follow a pattern when soldering.  I start with the lowest height parts (e.g. axial resistors and diodes), then move to each successively taller part in order.  Usually sockets and ICs are next, followed by capacitors, then transistors, and finally connectors.  I leave off trimmer resistors, switches, polystyrene capacitors, and any other non-washable parts for after I clean the PCB.

For resistors, capacitors, and diodes I put each part on and bend the leads slightly away from each other to hold the part on the PCB. I only do about 5~6 parts and then solder only one leg of each part. That will hold the part on the PCB and I bend the other lead back straight and solder it. I don't like bent leads as sometimes there isn't a lot of clearance to the next run. Then I cut all the leads off and reflow each pad again so the solder flows over the end of the lead.

For sockets I solder the opposite corners and then turn the PCB over and inspect to see if they are all laying flush. Sometimes they a bit high and it is easy to reflow the pin and push the socket flush. Often IC holes are large and it takes a lot of solder.  I use a reasonable amount of solder but generally don't fully fill up the hole. When all the pins are soldered, I go back and add just a bit more solder to each pin to fill them up.

For ICs the leads are typically bent.  I use IC pliers to push the pins straight and insert them into the PCB.  The leads spring back and hold the IC tight.  I use the same technique as for sockets, except I only solder every other pin.  That way I give the pin time to cool prior to soldering the adjacent pin.

For transistors I press them into the PCB and solder the middle lead. Then I turn the board over and make sure each transistor is straight, then I solder the other two leads, clip them, and reflow the solder.

For connectors I treat them like sockets.  Usually the holes are large so I use a reasonable amount of solder on the first pass and add more on a second pass.

I use Kester #24-6337-6401 331 water soluble core, .020 diameter that can be bought at Mouser.  I generally wash the board at periodic intervals.  Removing the flux makes it easier to see where the pads that I have cut and need to reflow (they have flux).  I wash the PCB, both top and bottom, with a toothbrush under warm water.

After washing the pads are easier to inspect.  First I hold the finished PCB up to a bright light and see if there is any visible light shining through (I would normally add solder to each of the vias but this PCB has solder mask over them).  Then I use magnifying visors and inspect each pad.  I've soldered every pad twice and since I've reflowed over the cut leads there are no shadows.  The pads in this photo are easy to verify a smooth, shiny, and complete solder joint.

After washing, I add trimmer resistors, switches, polystyrene capacitors, wiring, and other non-washable components.  I use left over MOTM Kester #24-6337-8814 245 no-clean .050 diameter solder (which can also be bought at Mouser). If there aren't very many parts to solder, or if I am doing a repair, I use regular solder and clean the flux with a cotton swab and acetone.  I find that regular solder flows better than the no-clean solder.

Most Common Repair Issues

The number one problem I find in doing DIY module repairs is soldering issues: unsoldered pins, incomplete soldering, or solder bridges.  You have to wash and carefully inspect every pad with magnification to find these.  Here is an example of a resistor lead that did not properly wet and solder.  This was a very intermittent connection that took some time to find.  I was able to pull the resistor lead from the top side of the PCB out from the pad.

 The next most frequent problems are missing parts, wrong parts and wiring errors.  You have to use magnification and double check every component number and value.  Wiring errors are frequently swapped signal and ground leads and swapped potentiometer leads.  Use color coding when wiring as it makes it easier to see a ground, power, or signal wire.  These errors requires no special equipment to find and fix -  just time and attention.

After these come the more difficult errors of bad parts and insufficient design margin.  You generally cannot find and fix these types of issues without test equipment and electronics knowledge.  I have had to make some repairs where all the correct parts and values were used but the circuit failed to operate properly.  Typically these required changing specific component values or modifying the circuitry to improve design margin.

For an older piece of gear the number one problem is intermittent connections due to tin connectors and sockets.  Reseat every cable connection and all IC in sockets.  Tin connectors will eventually fail - it is just a matter of when.  Wiping the tin by removing and reinstalling cleans the surface of the tin.  The next most frequent problem is bad electrolytic capacitors, typically in the power supply.  After that the issues are just bad components or poor previous repairs.  I find older 4000 series CMOS ICs more prone to failure.  If the piece of gear is vintage, then carbon composition resistors, paper capacitors, and transformer windings are frequent failure items.

Proper Packing For Shipment

Modules need to be packaged well for shipment.  They also need to be protected from static damage.  DO NOT just wrap your bare module with bubble wrap as you risk ESD damage.  Put it in a static bag or wrap it with aluminum foil prior to wrapping it with bubble wrap.  DO NOT just pack the module loose in a box with styrofoam peanuts as they will all settle and your module will be smashed up against the package with small styrofoam remnants crammed everywhere!

For some modules I have made a wood and cardboard inner shipping box to securely hold the panel and PCB.  I simply cut a pine wood top and bottom with a small recess to fit flush along the panel edge and mount the module with wood screws and protective plastic washers.  I staple on cardboard sides and a back (wood and cardboard retain moisture and will not generate static).  I wire tie loose parts and cables through the cardboard to hold them securely.  I sometimes will wire tie the rear PCB standoffs to the cardboard to keep the PCB bracket from flexing.  I have cut out areas of the wood to reduce weight for international shipping.  I sometimes add a foam cover to protect the knobs and switches prior to wrapping with bubble wrap.  Here are photos of two modules that I recently shipped this way.

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