Future Sound Systems AJAK 2 Bipolar LED Voltage Indicator

Although i am on a very tight budget lately (I still haven't got the funds to fix my mixing desk), I did have a tiny amount left on my PayPal account to treat myself on a new little gadget.

Today I received my package from Future Sound Systems, a small independent musical device manufacturer based in both Gloucestershire and Surrey, England.

FSS builds modular synthesizer components and accessories, predominantly for Eurorack format.

I blogged about their APOW +5Volts module a week ago, you can find it HERE.

Future Sound Systems AJAK2 Voltage Indicator

The AJAK2 is a simple device that you can plug into any mini-jack-socket to check if there is any voltage output (positive and negative)
Basically it is a 3.5mm jack plug connected to bipolar LED, where the Blue LED indicates positive voltage, and the Red LED indicates negative voltage.
It is also available in a Red/Yellow version as AJAK1

It's a fun little thing, especially if you like blinking lights on your Eurorack... like i do :-)

The indicator is (almost?) identical to the LADIK Modular Checker that i blogged about earlier this year, I assume that this one also starts glowing if it registers a signal of approx 2 Volts, but i have no equipment to check this...

Available via www.futuresoundsystems.co.uk

http://www.youtube.com/futuresoundsystems

Future Sound Systems APOW3 +5Volts Adapter

Via MATRIXSYNT i recently discovered Future Sound Systems, a (small?) company in the UK that produces neat Eurorack modules and utilities.

Future Sound Systems APOW3

Besides a few interesting modules that they mention on their site, they also make and sell their own +5Volts adapter for use with Eurorack-modules that need the extra 5 Volts like the Doepfer A-190-1, the Doepfer A-113 Subharmonics Generator and various modules from other brands like for example the Mutable Instruments Braids Macro Oscillator that is shown in this next video.

The FSS APOW3 is basically a 10-pin to 16-pin Eurorack adapter with some electronics on it.

They are compatible with all types of Doepfer-style modules and provide a 100mA +5V supply.

The video below shows how it works and how to install it.

Video: Future Sound Systems FSS APOW3 demonstration

How to use the FSS APOW3 to power Eurorack synthesizer modules which require a +5V supply, without having a +5V rail from your system's power supply.

It looks like a pretty good alternative to Doepfer's own AD5 low cost adapter module, but the cost of this APOW3 is even lower... 

...and also a lot easier to install as the huge old Doepfer A-100NT5 5 Volt power supply which was 'suitable for qualified personnel only because of electrical safety'. (Doepfer doesn't sell these adapters anymore.)

Available via www.futuresoundsystems.co.uk

http://www.youtube.com/futuresoundsystems