Suggestions for soldering n00b?

Revok

Hi,

I intend to order the kit, but my soldering skills are somewhat limited at this point.

I'd like to put together an easier kit first to get my technique up to speed before building this one. SammichSid looked perfect but has been out of production for a while.

So can anyone suggest a kit that is:

a) inexpensive

b) intermediate level (not too many parts)

c) readily available

d) actually useful in a music hardware setup

Thanks!

Rvk

nightworxx

Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1 standard build...all in all around 200 € and really rocking...well documented build !

fcd72

+ the Shruhti complements very well the LXR sonically. You can even use it to run the XR thru its analog filter. Hands up everybody who owns at least one Shruthi...

*handsup

nightworxx

*cough*

tb323

*Handsup* And +1 for shruthi-1.
Easy to build and very versatile. A good thing it's so small that you can fit several in a small space.

Revok

Thanks, I've considered Shruti but since I own an MS-20, a Mopho and a monotribe I figured I'm already well off in the analog monosynth department...

What about diy effect boxes? I could use a good bbd delay. Any kits out there?

julian

stompboxes are a great starting point imho!
Low parts count and short soldering time.
I never build any kits though.

I know Musikding has some stomp box kits http://www.musikding.de/Musikding-Kits but I don't know if they are good.

then I know tonepad which has a lot of clone schematics:
 http://www.tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx

I used some of their schematics (I love the rat distortion for my xoxbox). they also sell PCBs, but no complete kits.

I'm sure there are tons more, I just never build that many stomp boxes.

hardest part is building the enclosure.
there are good aluminum cases available at musikding, but you have to drill and label them yourself :-/

fcd72

@Revok

The Shruhti is a Digital Synth with analog Filter - Hybrid!

dlyline

http://www.planktonelectronics.com/thejellyfish

http://musicpcb.com/pcbs/echo-base-delay

both pt2399, great chip.

you can do a lot with vero board and some schematics too!

admviolin

I also +1 the Shruthi.  I'm building one now and it was super easy.  The LXR really isn't tough though. Just tedious sometimes (alot of buttons and LEDs)

janniz

The LXR was the first kit I ever built and it works just fine. So I'm a beginner, too. After joining here I read the term "MI" quite a lot, got curious, "found" the Shruthi and it was the second kit I soldered. 

For me, assembling the LXR felt easier than the Shruthi. There sure are a lot of parts on the LXR, but most of them are the same. So it's a good unit to "practise". The Shruthi boards are much smaller and quite packed. Some of the soldering pads are very tiny and not easy to do if have a simple soldering iron like I do. You can also easily mix up some of the capacitors/resistors if you solder late at night and don't wear your glasses ... but, well, thats just me. And after all, the Shruthi also works just fine. Awesome little box! 

But I think the LXR can easily be done as a "first". Just do it! (although a nice delay can't be wrong as a starter - you can never have enough of them) 

Mirko

You can also easily mix up some of the capacitors/resistors

And not to forget: regulators =P~


Soldering IC-sockets and switches is easier than resistors and capacitors, in my opinion. Especially the switches and potis as they snap into the PCB, that's why I thought the LXR was actually a very fast and straight forward build.

Mirko

Revok

Thanks for all the kind suggestions. That Jellyfish looks particularly interesting, although I can't seem to find pricing and ordering info on the website.

@Janniz: thanks for giving me some confidence in taking on the LXR. I might just dive into it head-first.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be in on the next batch!

Rvk

julian

If you registered your seat on the preorder list you will get one for sure!
So far there are still seats left for the next batch.

I also reduced the parts count (replaced all those led and button resistors with resistor networks) and increased the soldering pad size.

regarding the jellyfish: I don't know why the buy button on the page is not working, but a quick google search showed a muffwiggler thread mentioning
PCBs: 20€


Cases: 60€ (drilled an silkscreened, ready to mount)


Kits (PCB & components, no case): 120€


All the prices are without the shipping.

Revok

Thanks Julian,

I signed up a while ago. Stoked to hear that I'll be able to get in on the batch!

I'll be checking my mail on an hourly basis for the announcement

Rvk

dlyline

i think you can still get jellyfish kits but if you check at his facebook he is away until mid september now.
https://facebook.com/PlanktonElectronics

i dont think anyone would fail building an LXR as long as they follow the build doc and have a half decent soldering iron..

Stevism

hey no one mentioned this but anything by http://bleeplabs.com is pretty cool. My first real project (aside from the practice kit that came with my soldering iron) was a bleep drum and it was great to learn on. I then built a shruthi after that and it was a breeze

The Nebulophone is next on my list and then this crazy thing.

The drum is useful if you sample it (the hypernoise mode actually turns it into a crazy little thing begging to be sampled) and the other two look fun as well but I don't have personal experience with them. The "crazy thing" I listed second is also capable of sending CV out so if you have analog gear you could incorporate it with that.

Revok

I'm familiar with bleeplabs, but their stuff falls a bit too firmly into the toy category to be of any real use, imo. But thanks for the suggestion!

Stevism

no they don't lol, you just need to look past their face value... sure you need to sample them but they're great for coaxing really unique sounds out of. i'm consistently pulling out interesting things from the bleep drum's noise mode, and using them for a wide application of purposes. basses, sfx, pads, etc. 

you're definitely going to sacrifice one or more of a.b.c if you want to get something that truly meets requirement d. 

otherwise...

http://www.paia.com/fatman.asp

and 

http://www.synthrotek.com/store/ (check the kits)

and

buy bulk cable and some 1/4 and 1/8 plugs. making cables is really easy, cheap, and good for stress free soldering practicing.

goodluck! 

Altitude

+1 on the fatman, great learning kit

aerror

@Stevism bitsbox has some fx-kits which look easy to build though i've never tried them 

Revok

In the end I just opted for the LXR as my first project, and it worked out very well.

aerror

:-bd