Not getting political about my DIY Eurorack case

Summary

In this DIY video, ARA, also known as Salvatrice, shares their experience building a budget-friendly, portable Eurorack synthesizer case named 'Simos Raft' using 3D printed components and a cardboard box. They discuss the process of creating a power supply, designing a buzz board, and the challenges of adhering to the Eurorack format. The video also touches on ARA's personal journey with electronics, their disdain for big tech censorship, and their quest to fill the case with their own designed modules, despite being new to the modular synthesizer scene.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The video is about building a DIY synthesizer case and modules, focusing on affordability and creativity.
• 🛠️ The creator, ARA, introduces their project called the 'ARMature', a modular synthesizer built with 3D printed parts.
• 🌐 ARA mentions the 'Cosmo' format for synthesizer modules, which is a community-driven effort in the DIY electronics scene.
• 📦 The video discusses the process of creating a portable and affordable synthesizer case using a cardboard makeup box and 3D printed parts.
• 🔌 The importance of using shrouded IDC headers for safety in electronic builds is highlighted to prevent incorrect connections.
• ⚙️ ARA details the creation of a power supply for the synthesizer, including the use of wall warts and stripboard for managing power rails.
• 🔩 The use of glue and screws to secure components and maintain the structural integrity of the DIY synthesizer case is described.
• 🎨 The video touches on the creator's personal experiences with online platforms and their decision to use YouTube over other alternatives.
• 🏳️ The creator expresses their political views and frustrations with censorship on platforms like PeerTube, advocating for free expression.
• 🔝 ARA shares their ambition to fill the DIY case with their own designed modules, despite the challenges of working with compact Eurorack standards.
• 🔍 The video mentions the use of surface-mount components for the synthesizer modules due to space constraints, which requires precision and careful handling.

Q & A

What is the name of the person who is building the synthesizer in the video?

The person building the synthesizer is named ARA.

What is the name of the first synthesizer ARA made?

The first synthesizer ARA made is called the 'simOS raft' because it uses SOS chips.

What style of synthesizers is 'simOS raft' based on?

The 'simOS raft' is based on a style of synthesizers known as 'Lunetta', which is very suited to beginners.

What is the name of the second synthesizer ARA is working on?

The second synthesizer ARA is working on is called the 'AR mature'.

What is the significance of the 'Cosmo' format mentioned in the script?

The 'Cosmo' format is a size standard for synthesizer modules, invented by someone involved in the DIY electronics community, and it's being adopted by a group of people building and trading such modules.

Why did ARA start a Wiki about big Cosmo modules?

ARA started the Wiki to document and share information about the big Cosmo modules, likely to help others in the community who are also building these modules.

What is the reason ARA wants to make a small Eurorack case?

ARA wants to make a small Eurorack case because they plan to be on the road for a few months and need a portable and affordable setup.

What is the term used to measure the size of Eurorack synthesizers?

The term used to measure the size of Eurorack synthesizers is 'HP', which stands for 'horizontal pitch'.

What is the issue with the power supply for the synthesizer ARA is building?

The issue is that the synthesizer requires at least two power rails plus 12V and -12V, but standard wall warts only provide positive voltage. ARA suggests a potentially unsafe method of wiring two warts together to provide the negative rail.

What is the concern ARA has about using standard pin headers in their builds?

ARA is concerned about the risk of plugging in things wrong with standard pin headers, which could potentially damage expensive equipment. They recommend using keyed shrouded IDC headers instead.

What is the software ARA created for designing 3D printed synth panels?

ARA created a software called 'syn printer' for designing 3D printed synth panels, which is still in its alpha stage and not fully documented yet.

What is the main challenge ARA faces in designing modules for the small Eurorack case?

The main challenge is that the modules must be no deeper than 3 cm, which means ARA cannot stack multiple PCBs, mount them perpendicular to the panel, or add knobs to the shafts of the potentiometers. They will have to use surface-mount components instead.

What is the attitude of ARA towards the DIY electronics community and its politics?

ARA expresses frustration with the politics within the DIY electronics community, particularly with how some servers on peer tube handle issues related to transgender people and political content in art.

What is the solution ARA suggests to prevent short circuits from exposed bus boards in the Eurorack case?

ARA suggests plugging the unused sockets with custom-designed caps to prevent accidental short circuits from patch cables touching the bus board.