Modifying the A-124 Wasp Filter a Little More

I don't know why i didn't come up with this idea earlier, but here is a short follow-up to my earlier self-oscillation modification post for the A-124 WASP filter ( original post can be found HERE )

The (mini-) modification consists of adding a switch to toggle between self-oscillation on/off modes.
To do this i had to use an extra 4 HP wide blank panel because there isn't enough space left on the A-124's front-panel to add a switch.
This is not my first 'expansion module',
i  made one earlier for my A-127 Triple Resonance Filter

I did this modification in less than an hour; i carefully drilled a 6 mm. hole in a new 4HP blank panel, desoldered one side of the resistor that i added earlier and connected that one to the new switch.
Another piece of wire connects the other side of the switch back to the original position of where the resistor was connected.

I am very happy with the result, i can now manually switch, turn the resonance-knob up to self-oscillation and simply switch back to the original mode again...

Thanks to Tony Steventon from Synovatron for the project review

DIY A-180 2 x 4 Multiples Module

Unwired DIY A-180

Okay... Maybe not my smartest DIY-project, but at least i tried;
In one of my earlier posts about Doepfer's pre-punched blindplates i stated that you can easily make your own A-180 Multiples module, and save yourself a little bit of money by making your own.

That last thing is correct; it does save you some money (even a bit more if you shop around for components), but if you count the time putting the parts together you can ask yourself if it was also worth your precious time.

I did order a few of the 4HP width blindplates (punched for 8 socket / identical to A-180 front panel but without printing) and also ordered a bunch of sockets from Doepfer and just had to give it a try.

Mounting the jack sockets was simple though the pre-punched holes. Because i wanted it to be a 2 x 4 multiple i thought it would be smart to turn the both sets of 4 multiples in a different way for easy wiring and a certain balance. (but not really necessary)
The wiring was a bit harder. it's not easy to solder very short wires, especially for a beginner like me. It took ages for me to solder all the sockets together, but i finally got it together and the end result works fine. Be sure you leave no exposed wires on the back, a passive module like the A-180 cannot cause lot of electrical damage but can cause audio or CV 'leakage'.

But... was it worth the 10 Euro's that i  saved by buying the loose components?
For me it just wasn't, but i can image with even cheaper components and connectors or a piece of breadboard instead of soldered wires it might work for you.
Because i still have another pre-punched A-180 blindpanel i will also make the other one.

Not only to work on my soldering skills, but in my opinion you never have enough multiples.

The A-180 front panel without printing is available as a spare part. It can also be used for other DIY modules, for example as a connection unit for other modules that have to be controlled by the universal vactrol module A-101-9 .

Blind Panels II

Beside for safety uses, as mentioned in one of my earlier posts, the blind-panels that Doepfer sells are also perfectly usable for all types of DIY-projects.
The 'standard' panels of 4,8,42 and 84 HP can be used for all types of original self-made modules or expanders. Sadly they don't have other sizes, but wouldn't it be nice if they had a 16HP and perhaps a 24HP to 'fill in the gaps'.

Drilling the metal plates is quite easy ( if you use the right tools ), and the panels come with pre-drilled mounting-holes.
If you don't like drilling, you can also order some pre-manufactured panels from the Doepfer A-100 specials list;


They still have many punched A-100 standard front panels of 4HP width, punched for 8 sockets, identical to A-180 front panel but without printing, very useful  for DIY or A-101-9 expansion  applications. You can save yourself some money by making your own A-180 multiple for almost half the price. (sockets can also be ordered at Doepfer )

Punched A-100 standard front panels of 8HP width are still available too. Punched for 5 potentiometers and 5 sockets (same as A-102, A-103, A-105, A-120, A-122, A-123, A-124, A-130, A-131, A-138), without silk screen printing.
They even  fit the Synovatron DIY1 and DIY2 kits. (*confirmed / ,but see feedback for remarks and more info)
Update March 3 2011: Synovatron now sells his own generic front panels for his DIY kits.

Doepfer also still has a few 14 HP front panels punched for 2 wheels and 4 sockets ( like A-174-2 ), without printing, that might useful e.g. for a DIY wheel module. Order it with two modulation wheels and you even get the front-plate for free...

Blind Panels

The regular Doepfer 19-inch Euro-rack system has a usable width of 84 HP. If the modules you install don’t use up the entire 84 HP, you are advised to cover up the empty spaces with blanking panels due to safety and EMC reasons.

As i wrote in an earlier blogpost, the (static) electricity from the system causes the A-100 to be a real dust-magnet.
Blind Panels are available in the following sizes;

A-100B1  : 1   HP
A-100B2  : 2   HP
A-100B4  : 4   HP
A-100B8  : 8   HP
A-100B42: 42 HP
A-100B84: 84 HP

Doepfer also sells the A-100B1.5, a 1.5 HP wide blind panel that for example fits the  Analogue Solutions modules together with eurorack modules of other manufacturers.