VC expander orders!

Category: Unknown · Tags: — · Posts: 35

#1 — luix · 2019-11-03

For the full thread of discussion about this expander module go here Visual Cortex pre-encoder expander

This is an unofficial/community driven project.

I’m happy to announce that the VC expander is finally ready to ship! Here is the deal:

What you get for a fully built module (85€):

• VC Expander tested and working with aluminium panel, its 4hp and has a max consumption of 60mhA (all built modules will be ALU panel only). skiff friendly
• standard eurorack power cable
• a 2x3 ribbon cable to connect the expander to your VC
• a 2x3 header to solder in your VC
• 2 x screws + plastic washer.

Chose one the options:

• 1 built and tested VC Expander with aluminium panel, cables and header 85€
• PCB + Aluminium panel only 20€
• PCB + PCB panel only 15€

Shipping costs for built modules

• EU Signed 15€ (12€ shipping + box + handling), shipping price is for 1 module
• USA Signed 17€ (15€ shipping + box + handling), shipping price is for 1 module

Shipping cost for pcb+panel only, I’ll ask on post office but its probably like 10€.

Payment is via paypal only with goods and services that means we will absorb the 3% PP fees for you, the reason for this is that I want any of you feel confortable ordering, we need to cover minimum costs of building and delivering the module/pcb to you.

The earnings go to the T37 team to fund more projects and local DIY Workshops in Madrid and EU. We are a small group of friends that love to build, learn, hack and teach others to DIY sound, video and art projects.

Disclaimers:

• I’ve been testing the expander for a lot of hours now, and it has a small bleed ONLY when you use hard-edge shapes (i.e squarewaves) and its barely noticeable.
• The ribbon cable that goes from the VC to the expander is super short to reduce bleed (any unshielded cable with a signal will act as an antena that is capable of receive transient and other noise source related to the length of the cable). This means that your expander will need to sit right next to your VC. You can DIY a longer cable but its likely that bleed is increased.
• The expander supports daisy chain, that means you could have x2 or x3 expanders with a single VC, at the cost of some small bleed that is noticeable when using hard edge shapes/signals.
• Built modules will be shipped in strict order.
• If you are ordering PCBs only please consider supporting us, PCBs are super cheap but what you are paying (15€ or 20€) will help us to collect the invested money on R&D and testing for them. If you are ordering multiple PCBs please contact me, or just wait until I realese the files/gerbers and order your own PCBs that will be the cheapest if you want multiple PCB for you/friends.

To order please use the following Google Form, the reason of using Google forms is that if you have a Google account you can comeback and change any details you write (shipping address, name, number of modules etc), and this is more easy for use. We don’t want to publish an spreadsheet/excel and expose your personal data to scammers or NSA :). If you have problems using the form or don’t have a Google account just send me PM via forum or FB (I’m based in Spain).

docs.google.comhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ2SsA97BccdE17beXA9WmbWIvRuvVEoDq01bm2Qi6YtmTfw/viewform?usp=send_formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ2SsA97BccdE17beXA9WmbWIvRuvVEoDq01bm2Qi6YtmTfw/viewform?usp=send_formIf you revisit this form you can edit your data if logged with your Google account.

Link: VC expander pre-order

How all of this should work.

1. place your order on the forms (4th NOV to 17th NOV)
2. on the Nov 10th I expect to do order of some components I’m missing, and start building shipping modules on 14th-15th
3. I’ll ask you to send me the paypal when your module is built and ready to ship.
4. The module will be shipped signed, and tracking number will be provided.

Please ask me anything that is not clear or I forgot to mention.

Luis.

http://www.diy.t-37.net/

#2 — otoskope · 2019-11-03

Great, thanks! Ordered one!

#3 — northerntao · 2019-11-04

Oh yeah, thanks!! Appreciate the effort!

#4 — aaronsbrown · 2019-11-04

Nice, very exciting! Ordered!

#5 — luix · 2019-11-05

thanks for the support

#6 — luix · 2019-11-13

I’ve just placed the component orders on mouser, they should arrive 3-4 days and we will start building the first batch of modules.

Next week I’ll start shipping PCB+Panels on Thursday probably.

#7 — luix · 2019-11-28

The build process has started and is going smoothly, I’ll post more updates soon expecting to ask for payments & shipments next week.

#8 — luix · 2019-11-28

PCBs will be shipped next week too.!

Cheers!

#9 — luix · 2019-12-03

The first batch is built, I need to test them all to be rock solid and punch some ribbon cables for your modules.

I’ll probably asking for payments on thursday/friday and start shipping right away I already got boxes for the modules and envelopes for pcbs kits.

#10 — luix · 2019-12-06

I’ve contacted some of you for the payment of the “fully built” option, I’ll continue now with the PCB+Panel orders and the rest of the built orders

Contacted:

@otoskope

Winston Edwards @OldManZero

Karl Lowood

Brian Tomerlin @wednesdayayay @stefangoodchild @visual_lies

peter

Steven Sandelman @northerntao @DesertMuseum

Fetid fiends

#11 — luix · 2019-12-11

FIrst batch of prebuilt items are fully built! Now I’ll require to the following users to send the paypal for the “PCB+Panel set” for DIYers

@aaronsbrown

Jake Metz @Natefilm @allthesixes666 @mattzog @Jesse @Marizu @Agawell

One thing I wanted to comment about the panels of all your modules, I had a error on my side about the correct size of the Panels (height) and they were all 2 mm taller than expected, that means they won’t fit on any cases (check the black mid panel on the following pic, panels on the sides are taller).

So I had to hand cut/drill them to fit the eurorack standard, they are not “perfect” as you would expect from other Eurorack designers only in this regard, the rest of things (that are important to me) like the no-big scrateches on the panel, legends on the panel or the holes are perfectly aligned, So if you notice its not perfectly straight(square/rightangle) is because of this, if you think thats not acceptable let me know if you want to cancel or any other propposal its just ping me. Just wanted to be honest with all ya but can’t afford to order another batch of panels (I’m on a very tight budget… thats why this is cheap module).

#12 — Agawell · 2019-12-11

Luix

can you confirm shipping as 10€ in EU for the panel and PCB

#13 — luix · 2019-12-11

Agawell wrote:

can you confirm shipping as 10€ in EU for the panel and PCB

Yeah its 10€ USA and 6€ Euope. I’ll send all of you a message to confirm the address I got and with the totals.

edited message

#14 — Jesse · 2019-12-11

Is it still 10 if I ordered 2?

Really excited, expander is going to be SOOO helpful.

#15 — luix · 2019-12-11

Yeah its 10€ shipping costs for x 2 sets, just sent you an email.

btw. I’ll publish Mouser BOM (purchase link) and other parts you need to get from Thonk (EU) or ModularAddict (US) that are not available on Mouser like pots, knobs and right-angle jacks.

#16 — luix · 2019-12-20

Just an update for this, first batch has been fully shipped, also all the pcb+panel sets we just finished building second batch just need some opamps to put them and test them, so probably we can ship second (and last) batch next week I’ll ping you all in the list.

#17 — northerntao · 2019-12-20

Mine just showed up. Thanks!

Gotta break out the soldering iron and void the warranty on my VC!

Truth be told, it’s probably out of warranty anyways. I think I can handle 6 small joints.

#18 — wednesdayayay · 2019-12-21

if sublime has taught us anything…

#19 — northerntao · 2019-12-21

Haha, solder joints. Never been a fan of the green stuff.

#20 — wednesdayayay · 2019-12-21

just got my expander in the mail! Now on to the scary part… I do have a decent basic soldering iron but I’ve never done any real DIY stuff involving a circuit board

#21 — analogbrainsurgeon · 2019-12-21

Will there be more of these available in the future, or a parts kit?

#22 — northerntao · 2019-12-22

#23 — luix · 2019-12-22

Yeah sure :), worst case scenarios is you will have to DIY yours I still have plenty of panels. I need to fab more PCBs.

#24 — luix · 2019-12-22

Here is a building guide for DIYers which is also usefull for prebuilt modules, because It explains a bit on how to solder the expander connector to your Visual Cortex and how to connect it.

Let me know if there are any doubts or problems! IF you want to download the guide just use the option inside the document File -> Download -> PDF

docs.google.comhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1l1mkruJ5nEME4yBS2hezhfiMuOZyalk9Ukj59xtFecY/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1l1mkruJ5nEME4yBS2hezhfiMuOZyalk9Ukj59xtFecY/edit?usp=sharingMOUSER CART (updated 22-12-2019) https://www.mouser.es/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=1e446df296 IMPORTANT If your PCB reads “version 1.1” there is an errata regarding the silkscreen of 6 resistors (only the values). The correct values...

Link: VC Expander building and mounting guide

Remember I also did this vid on the expander

#25 — giantmecha · 2020-03-07

Hi @luix - do you have any of these VC Expanders left? I’d like to buy one, thanks!

#26 — analogbrainsurgeon · 2020-03-07

Yes, I’m also interested in an expander, even a kit

thank you!

#27 — luix · 2020-03-11

Hi @giantmecha and @analogbrainsurgeon I have 4 prebuilt expanders, and some more PCBS and Panels. I’ll Open up the form again so you can send me your shipping data. Here is the link

docs.google.comhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ2SsA97BccdE17beXA9WmbWIvRuvVEoDq01bm2Qi6YtmTfw/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ2SsA97BccdE17beXA9WmbWIvRuvVEoDq01bm2Qi6YtmTfw/viewform?usp=sf_linkIf you revisit this form you can edit your data if logged with your Google account.

Link: VC expander pre-order

Let me known if you need anything else!

Luix!

#28 — wednesdayayay · 2020-03-11

I honestly can’t imagine working without the expander at this point what a wonderful addition to the cortex! thank you so much

#29 — csboling · 2020-03-12

I’m also quite interested in either a prebuilt unit or a PCB/panel set, I filled out the form some months ago but may have been somewhat late to the party.

#30 — luix · 2020-03-12

No worries @csboling I still have one for you, I’ll send you mail with the payment details cheers to all

#31 — spar · 2020-04-24

any pcbs or assembled still available?

#32 — Genlok · 2020-04-24

If Luix doesn’t have more, I’m debating whether or not I will install mine. hmu in a month or so and if I haven’t done it yet I will probably sell it.

#33 — luix · 2020-04-29

Yes I still have plenty of PCB+Panel combos!

#34 — luix · 2020-04-29

@spar its almost about the same cost/price if you DIY or if you order fully finished module, because of the shipping cost you will have on ordering the parts from Mouser or ModularAddict/Thonk.

The cost soldering the module was about 25€ which was to pay to a friend of mine that helped me and needed this cash :), but almost no profit was made on selling de prebuilt module. I recommend you if its a good price/offer from @Genlok grab it, especially if you are both on the same side of the “pond”.

#36 — videotom · 2024-03-06

any PCBs left for this wonderful project?