Archive for category The DIY Corner
need a case?
Posted by pickleinn in The DIY Corner on July 18th, 2009
I have always loved the look of the Buchla 200e folding case….but my true affinity is for Serge panels. So I decided to DIY a Buchla-style case for my DIY Serge panels.
First off, here are the boats I am using as they are cheap and readily available (you can get them here: mcmelectronics )
As you can see, it’s a bit deeper than the shallow boat (it’s 3″ deep as opposed to 2.5″), but basically perfect in all other aspects.
The m-odules fit perfectly (but I plan on using this case for more DIY modules, not STS panels):
Here is the 1:1 scale drawing for the end panels: End Cheeks Drawing Download PDF
It’s a pdf on A3 (~11×17) paper. If you can’t print A3 on your printer (I cannot) you can fit each end cheek on a legal sheet (8.5″ x 14″).
Print them out, tape the sheets onto your wood and start hacking at it. You will get something like this:
Put it all together with some wood screws and bolts and you get this:
Serge First Aid
Posted by cebec in Info: Peripherals, The DIY Corner on July 15th, 2009
This post will cover some of the multitude of electric and mechanical components that an owner ought to have on hand if they ever plan to DIY a repair.
I haven’t been able to confirm that every one of these are the correct but the list comes from people who are intimate with the STS Serge and older Serge circuits. As a result, this is more of a shopping list or reference than a deeply technical examination.
Finally, I should add that it would be wise to contact Rex first before attempting any troubleshooting or repairs. In the past he has been exceedingly generous with advice, information, and even parts.
So, let’s get to the specifics.
ICs/Opamps
LM3900N – Used in NTO, DTG, TWS, WMX and many older modules
CA3080AE – Used in PCO, NTO, WMX, SSG and old filters and VCAs.
CA3280AE – Used in ACPR, UAP, 2VCA, RING, QUO, WAD.
CA3046 – Used in NTO, PCO, WAD, PRNV, PHA and old UPAP & NEG.
CA3096 – Used in 2VCA, PRNV
CD45208E
LM711(?) – Used in NTO/PCO
There were some secondary sources of some of the ICs. For example, an LM3080 is a National Semiconductor version of the Intersil CA3080. Same for the LM3046, which was made by several other companies. Only Intersil made the 3280, and they’re gone.
Here’s a resource for ordering some of these:
http://www.allicmall.com/
The common opamps in Serges are still available at the moment:
LM324N – CV opamp
LF353 – FET opamp
NJM4559D – audio opamp
NE5532 – audio opamp
741 – opamp (NTO, SSG)
All of these are inexpensive. Make absolutely certain sure you get the DIL versions.
Transistors
NP4250s and 2N5089s are the common PNP and NPN.
Other
From what I’ve read, most faults on Serges are down to wires and pots.
Pots are 16mm Alpha. 50K lin for CV and 50K log for audio.
STS use Mogami for all internal cabling, Rex tells me.
Banana jacks are E.F. Johnson, as far as I know, and all 3.5mm and 1/4″ jacks are Switchcraft.
Last but not least, keep an eye out for the Reticon SAD 1024 BBD which is a critical component in the WAD and very difficult to obtain, and the Phasers (PHA and 2PHA) contain VACTEC Vactrols but I’m not sure what the part number is.
This list is by no means exhaustive and there may be and probably are some inaccuracies. Some of these components may have been updated or replaced with the M-odules but I have seen a large number of these components in my own Oakland and Hartland panels.
