Shapetaker Audio has launched a new “Assemble Your Own Modular” (AYOM) project for people interested in building their own modular synth.
AYOM is an advanced DIY project, for people that are comfortable working from Gerbers & parts lists.
Here’s what they have to say about the project:
“So the idea is:
We take existing designs
We lay them out on PCBs
We prototype, build, and test them so you don’t have to!
You get the open source files (assembly guide, Gerbers for PCB manufacturing, and bill of materials for components)
You order components and PCBs (from the bill of materials, or from component kits)
You follow the assembly guide, and build your next module!”
So far, the project features 6 modules:
- Power supply (based on Music From Outer Space design)
- VCO (designed around the CEM3340)
- VCA (based on MFOS)
- VCF (24dB/Oct, based on MFOS)
- LFO (based on MFOS)
- Envelope Generator (ADSR, based on MFOS)
Details are available at the project Github site.
I don’t understand. A lot of those MFOs PCB’s are like $20, so in order for this to be cost effective, you need access to a machine that prints PCB’s which costs many thousands of dollars. Am I missing something?
Yes you are missing a lot
Nobody buys a machine to print a couple of pcb’s.
You can get custom PCB’s WITH PARTS ALREADY INSTALLED for $20-30.
If you order 100 it might be like $10 a piece, if you order a 1000 it will be like $3 bucks a piece.
How do you think ALL electronics on earth get made ?
Yeah, I understand how economies of scale works. What I’m saying is, why wouldn’t you just go to MFOS website and buy their PCB? If the point is for manufacturers to OEM/private label this stuff,
1.) it still doesn’t seem cost effective,
2.) it’s not “an advanced DIY project,” but a manufacturing scheme, and
3.) you can’t just steal ray wilson’s circuit designs as they are not 20 years old and thus not in the public domain.
This whole enterprise seems sketchy and begs the question why.
“Ray was happy to share his circuit designs and knowledge with hobbyists but did not give permission to mass or hand produce what he considered his intellectual property.”
https://sdiy.info/wiki/Ray_Wilson
What you are describing is MANUFACTURING. what they are describing above is “an advanced DIY project.” those are 2 different things. If I want to “AYOM” assemble my own modular, I am going to go to MFOS website and purchase the PCB for $20 to assemble, not download some Gerber file and send it to a PCB printer who is going to charge me an arm and a leg for 1 prototype.
Even if the point were to private label/OEM this stuff, it still doesn’t seem very cost effective, and the circuits are stolen from a dead guy who can’t even defend his intellectual property.
“Ray was happy to share his circuit designs and knowledge with hobbyists but did not give permission to mass or hand produce what he considered his intellectual property.”
https://sdiy.info/wiki/Ray_Wilson