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latigid on

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Posts posted by latigid on

  1. Just thinking about this a bit more, RGB encoders are known (and by the way: supported by MIOS DOUT to 7 levels + off, so no I2C buss/chips needed), but perhaps a bit too expensive. To make matters worse, it looks like a lot of them are common anode *facepalm*.

     

    Another idea is to find a way of making a "collar" that sits over the shaft with the knob on top. On the PCB side a few RGB LEDs would illuminate this "lightpipe". So it could work out a bit cheaper and more flexible this way.

     

    See this "Star Knob", a bit big, but the concept is about right.

     

    post-5453-0-25434200-1439027997_thumb.jp

     

     

    http://www.okw.co.uk/en/Tuning-knobs/Star-Knobs.htm

  2. Hello,

     

    I have sent out the PayPal invoices, many thanks for those that have paid already. I just have to make the PCB gerbers and they'll be on the way.

     

    I figured it would be best to open a USD account to make things easier, so I will get that set up and send out bank payment details early next week.

     

     

    Just a note on the cases: I realise that $270 seems expensive, so I thought it might be interesting to see what it would cost at FPE.

    A 330x330 mm square panel in 3 mm aluminium with the 289 holes, 5 M2 threaded holes, slots and milling for the sliders, and 20 M3 blind studs comes to a single price of $322.03 (with discounts depending on quantity). Remember that the case I specified includes bends which really helps with the stability, cutouts for the DIN connector, the second U-shape piece with rubber feet, powdercoating for longevity and worldwide shipping (with luck VAT free).

     

    The pricing is also based on the quantities requested so far, which I'm basically ordering at cost. I'd say "trust me" and pick up a case with this bulk order as I probably won't be able to offer this pricing again unless there was similar interest. I could try to anticipate the total numbers, but this would be at my own risk. Worst case I would take the extras and possibly build them for sale or offer them in kit form for latecomers, but here you would lose the free shipping option.

     

    Anyway, it's of course up to you whether you want a case or not (most people have). I also need to enlist a few more sign ups as a few have asked to move to the waitlist.

  3. You do know that the BLM you're going to get has 4 sliders and 4 available AINs right ?  :smile:  It's pretty good really, as the 8 bit Core gets a good workout this way. At the moment they can't be selected in the "External Control" section, but I bet TK will add this soon enough.

     

    Another option would be to go down the MBCV path and convert some CVs to CCs, then use a second MIDI in for control. EDIT, sorry, this was mentioned just above...

  4. Dear all, many thanks for the PM responses so far. I am currently waiting on info from grizzganchan, blingy, and sonicwarrior. The PCBs are basically finalised, I will order the batch and build another, then commit to buying cases. If I can get payments reasonably quickly you might get your boards in 4-6 weeks or so.

     

     

     
  5. I've spent a few days scratching my head with the BLM. Basically when applying power the Core boots up fine but the LEDs are lit up, sometimes all, sometimes in random patterns. I have a Meanwell 2.5A SPSU supplying 5V to both the Core and the BLM+miniCore.

     

    What I imagine happens is the SRs have undefined states on startup which leads to a kind of latch-up condition. If I reset the power once the miniCore and 5V are stable, the communication initialises as expected. Having a hard reset button is a bit too brute force, so I've arrived at a solution which works every time. I essentially cut the 5V line and implemented a low pass filter with a 0.68R resistor (cap is 470 uF). This does draw a bit of current, but suppresses the initial spike and there is little to no loss in brightness. The LPF is after the miniCore's power, which always initialises first.

     

    It's possibly peculiar/particular to my PSU, I'd love to scope the start up but I don't have a DSS... Linear supplies with good regulation will probably have no trouble. I thought CMOS chips normally had a power-on reset, but it seems like the combination set up in the BLM (current surge? long chains?) can produce some strange results.

     

     

    Perhaps another method would be to control the /OE pins of each shift register, but I can't think of a neat way of doing that without tying up 24 MCU pins or having horrible fly wires everywhere.

     

     

    So, more of an FYI as I have a solution already, but of course any insight or experiences are welcome.

     

  6. Is the pricing in the OP still correct?

     

     

    Cases are $270 due to the modifications mentioned. Postage a little cheaper. 18 button pads are $79 from Mouser.

     

     

    So your location is Switzerland? Because that would mean the involvement of the customs office.

     

     

    I will post when next travelling to the EU for cheaper shipping, unless you prefer otherwise :)

  7. Another point: Mouser have gotten back to me about the button pads. While they are listed as "non-stocked", apparently the delivery time is 1-2 weeks. The pricing is fair, but there will only be about $10 difference in a larger bulk order, so it's easier for everyone to just get theirs directly. This is a great way to get almost everything in one order, especially for Europeans who will even get free shipping.

  8. Okay, case revs are final then. :)

     

    I've made several improvements which will bump the price up slightly, these include 6 extra studs and 4 threaded holes to secure the front panel, the latter M2 grub screws are optional. Everything is nicely symmetrical and even functions as a visual guide. Also my idea of mounting the rubber feet through the bottom nuts didn't work because the actual screw threads are too short to get past 3.2 mm aluminium and into the integral nut. So there are 4 more there and these are the reasons for extra cost.

     

    I think you'll be very happy with the cases though, they're sturdy and stylish.

  9. Can I request that the polit holes have their centre in line with the centre of the larger hole (which I guess is for the DIN connector) on the vertical plane?

     

     

    This shows the internals, I don't think it's possible to fit both in a vertical line.

     

     

     

    post-5453-0-45139900-1437723463_thumb.jp

     

     

     

    Horizontal I can do, the green outlines are 10 mm. But of course it's nicer to have all the cables out of the way on one side.

     

     

    post-5453-0-21462000-1437723190_thumb.pn

  10. How about you keep it really simple and add two holes approx 3mm in diameter spaced approx 30mm apart on the rear that can be used as pilot holes so the owner can drill their own holes for a power switch and connector if they want? This would work for me anyway.

     

     

    Is this okay for you? You would have at least 14 mm diameter clearance. Feel free to suggest another idea if you like, the red zones are essentially where the case bends. Remember that this is aluminium, not steel, so it is no trouble to drill if you wanted to wait until you have all the parts at hand. It's a bit difficult to place the holes without seeing the parts you're using.

     

     

    post-5453-0-82264000-1437687132_thumb.pn

     

     

     

     

    latigid on, have you completed your build yet? I'm very interested!

     

     

    Everything is more or less working, but I should test a new PCB to be sure. If you like there's a waitlist for the next batch in the Bulk Order section.

  11. Name            PCB BLM   PCB miniCore   Case   Shift button   M2 hardware   4xLED
     
    latigid on      1         1              1      1              1             1
    Rowan           1         1              1      1              1             1
    Phatline        2         2              1      2?             1             1
    TK              1         1              1      1              1             1
    Altitude        1         1              1      1              1             1
    rwo             1         1              1      1              1             1
    jojjelito       1         1              1      1              1             1
    tashikoma       1         1              -      1              -             1  
    workspace       1         1              1      1              1             1
    flyweight       1         1              1      1              1             1
    Grizz           1         1              1      1              1             1
    blingy          1         1              -      1              -             1
    ganchan         1         1              1      1              ?             1
    Macotronic      1         1              -      -              -             - 
    sbm             1         1              1      ?              ?             1
    Jack            1         1              1      ?              ?             1
    tabularasa      1         1              1      ?              ?             1
    sonicwarrior    1         1              1      ?              ?             1
    jbdiver         1         1              1      ?              ?             1
    
    Total          20         20             16     14(+5?)        10(+6?)       18

     

    Okay, I will have to CLOSE this order now, mostly because of the shipping effort from my side. All others who are interested can go on a waiting list for the next batch or jump in if people above are too slow to pay etc.

  12. With a scope or multimeter you can see if the power rails stay stable. You can also measure current levels and compare the difference between your LPC17 and STM32 cores. Note that the LPC17 has 780X regulators which should be good for 0.5A without heatsinks. How is the +5V regulated on the STM32F4 board?

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