Just got my LXR in the mail - no import taxes. Looks like sending via regular post and labelling it "Electronic components kit LXR" works well for Canada at least. Nice bonus "flammable liquid" sticker, too.
Between this and the x0xb0x I am about 20 solder joints away from finishing (no import taxes on that either), I think I've got a fun weekend ahead of me.
Finished the LXR last night - very easy build. It's amazing that so few components can do so much neat stuff. Didn't get to play with it much yet since I pretty much soldered through a movie watching date and there's only so much you can ignore a woman in favour of electronics... Today should be fun though.
My x0xb0x has a mysterious "shit, it doesn't work" problem though. Hopefully it's just a backwards chip or something, because if not, there are a shitload of components to check. Might make today a little less fun... Haha.
Give me a week or so to get a feel for this thing, then I'm totally on board for the Canadian LXR orchestra.
I'm not really sure. I went back and did most of the testing steps in the build manual over again, but I don't have an oscilloscope or a reliable bench supply for the control voltage (just used 2xAA batteries for that stuff - most things seem to check out - I suspect it's something digital, not a problem with the analog filter circuits or power...) I haven't really started to dig into the problem yet - I'm not really sure what's supposed to happen when you turn the x0x on, but for me nothing happens most of the time and the buttons don't seem to respond. I've tried starting up with the mode dial in different positions, and sometimes one, a couple, or all of the LEDs light up, but they just stay lit, nothing happens. No sound. Then, starting up again in the same position won't result in the same LEDs being lit.
I see the x0x in lsusb when it's connected to a computer, so that seems to be working fine (I was pretty happy about getting that chip soldered on right the first try). I've checked the cables, and they all seem to be connecting fine.
I'm going to check the ICs carefully this morning, and then look into maybe flashing the firmware if I can do that over usb.
it's a bit tricky as long as you don't know the orientation for the mode select switch. there should be a few modes where the tempo LED is blinking, but not all. At least in one mode, "Random", the xox should play random notes without pressing play. this is with sokkos 1.9 I think
The ICs are all put in correctly... So much for the easy fix I was hoping for.
...switching modes once I'm powered on doesn't seem to do anything. For example, I started up in one mode, nothing happened, no LEDs came on. Turned the mode button around slowly, no change. Then started up again in a different mode, and all but four of the LEDs turned on. Turned the mode switch, no change. Turned back to the last mode I started on, powered on again, this time all the LEDs came on. Still no change when the mode switch is turned.
Yeah, it's a little tough to figure this out when I don't know how a working x0x is supposed to behave.
Hm. It seems the voltage regulator failed at some time after I tested in when I installed it... It wasn't regulating voltage at all. Weird. But I guess I couldn't ask for an easier fix really, and I don't seem to have fried any major components - put in a new 7805 and it works now.
Soundwise, it's got a pretty significant hiss on the headphone jack, so maybe funky voltages screwed something up, but I'll look into that later. It's working fine otherwise. I haven't calibrated it with an oscilloscope yet either, so maybe that'll help.
Anyway, functioning x0x to add to the collection now.
Comments
Looks like my weekend plans are made 8-)
Thanks Julian!
But there is an official holliday today in germany, so don't expect any package movement until tomorrow.
xoxbox + LXR = fun! I've got the same combination here
Whats the problem with the xox?
there should be a few modes where the tempo LED is blinking, but not all.
At least in one mode, "Random", the xox should play random notes without pressing play.
this is with sokkos 1.9 I think
When will the LXR be available in your online shop? Or should I order one per email? I hope, there are some LXR left from the second batch.
If everything works out the shop will be re-stocked next week.