Tindie

I have built a self-contained synthesizer loosely based on the EMS VCS3, though using a patchbay of 7 x 11 1/4" jack sockets in lieu of a Pin-Matrix. The modules were designed by Tony Allgood of Oakley Sound Systems and built by Paul Darlow of Krisp1.

I have now started designing an auxiliary cabinet to sit above the VCS3 and provide sequencing and reverb across a 3U and 1U panel (68HP).

The Compact Eurorack Power Bus will take power from a 4MS RP30 and distribute it to the following modules:-

Dual Barton BMC029 Clock Divider

Dual Barton BMC044 4-Knob sequencer

Dual Belton (Brick) single Channel Reverb

Pittsburgh Modular OUTS

Foxfield GEARBOX Clock Generator

Mattson Buffered Multiple

Foxfield UTILFO (x2)

The CEPB conveniently provides the headers required by the Foxfield modules.

A 'courtesy' socket also provides power for modules from Analogue Systems.

It was a very easy build, although I didn't include the Cap, LED and Resistor options.

Costantino | July 17, 2019

The heart of my new DIY modular synth

I started building my own DIY modular synth and I used this power bus board to supply my module.
Really a great project!!! Easy to build and well documented!

Costantino | July 17, 2019

My first Eurorack module

For Simple LFO

I started to build my DIY modular synth from this amazing project. It was a great experience: it is a really simple starting point to learn how to build a module, even if I have to admit that I have a quite long soldering practice. I have also made my own front panel with a laser cutter and a wood panel.
The sound is great!!! I really like this LFO. The only limitation is that the frequency can be changed only by hand with the knob: no external CV modulation.
I really suggest this module if you want to learn how to create your own synth.

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Sept. 18, 2019

Thank you very much Constantino! I'd love to see your build :)
Have fun!

Georgi | July 12, 2019

Very good for starters!

For Simple LFO

Yet another high quality item by David! Very simple to build and professional looking PCB! Also the personal note in the envelope is always nice touch. Definitely will order more soon. Thanks!!!

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | July 13, 2019

Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy your LFO!
David ツ

Georgi | May 17, 2019

Great quality and attention to detail.

Arrived on time and even had Thank you post-it handwritten message form the seller inside! The board is very good start for building your own DIY eurorack synth. Recommended!

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | May 17, 2019

Martin | Jan. 6, 2019

Great PCBs!

This PCB is the most versatile on the Net. The build quality is great and you get a perfect product for suppliyng your Eurorack system.

Thanks for the fast shipping and the great PCB!

Martin

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Jan. 6, 2019

Thank you so much Martin for your kind words!

Adam | Oct. 29, 2018

Great little DC power supply

I'm relatively new to electronics DIY. I was able to follow the instructions and put it together successfully.

Alyn | April 4, 2018

Great power bus for a smaller system, quick to build.

I'm a new Eurorackist and am using this in a home-built 84HP Eurorack skiff. Fourteen Doepfer connections is probably overkill (edit in September: No, I've filled them all!), but I wanted the additional 1U-type connectors. I've not populated the Analogue Systems connections, as I don't have any modules requiring them. Only thing that would make this better is resettable fuses in the bus somewhere - there's no help if you start drawing more power than the board can handle. I'm doing both modules and cables DIY, so it _should't_ happen, but I'm still concerned.

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Jan. 6, 2019

Hi Alyn!
Yes, the power connectors are filled pretty quickly in a modular system! There's never enough modules and never enough power connectors!

On the lack of resettable fuses, I totally understand your concerns.
The power bus board itself doesn't require a fuse. It can handle a lot of current and your PSU must have a fuse anyway. In case of a short circuit (several amps), it's the PSU fuse who blows.

A faulty module shouldn't damage the orther modules.
The only advantage of having fuses on the bus board is to separate the faulty circuit and to prevent the whole system to stop functionning.
However, it's complicated to design such protection: What's a faulty module? How much current a module is reasonably supposed to draw to stay safe?
For example, a VCO draws around a couple tens of miliamps while some big multifunction modules with LEDs and µC or a tube VCA draw hundreds of mA. Maybe more.
So, placing, say, a 200mA fuse on each connector would prevent some modules to function properly and maybe wouldn't be enough to prevent damaging a faulty module.

Besides, the worst thing a module can experience is having a reversed power input. (Wrong cable, misconntected connector, badly powered bus...)
The best way to keep everything safe is having some protection diodes or Mosfets on each module power input.

Jez | March 31, 2018

Perfect item!

This is the perfect solution for replacing the 9v batteries in my MFOS Mini Sound Lab. It's a great design which is really compact and with attention to details such as an LED for each rail as well as test points.

Great customer service too - a slight hiccup on the delivery was rectified in one message - a no nonsense merchant gets my vote every time!

Jez | March 31, 2018

Great designs

I'm excited this item - I've got a few pre-built modules and some kits in my rack but this will open up my rig to some of the specific things I want to build with out fiddle vero board 10/10

Kenneth | Aug. 22, 2017

Really great design, handy and excellent for fast builds

This Eurorack proto-board is perfectly sized for quick module builds and development. I have hand-built almost all of my modules (except for one -- couldn't live without a DSI Curtis Filter...) and this PCB is by far the quickest and most straightforward platform for building modules that I've encountered, the design is very good, with three rails accessible for op amps / etc, places for power-protection diodes and a keyed header, and the mounting holes are well positioned and well sized.

Shipping (I am in US) was quick and package arrived in good shape.

I use #6-32 screws for my builds and have to widen the holes slightly but there is more than adequate room around them with no copper so you can do this.

The layout is essentially similar to standard "breadboards" which makes transferring a breadboarded circuit to PCB very easy. This is a far better and more useful layout than even the classic Adafruit perma-proto boards.

What else is great? If you use through-hole pots, jacks etc this is absolutely PERFECT and you can create very slim builds. You can easily access and use the 5V power rail if that's your preference, and although there isn't a separate power bus for this I have not found it inconvenient.

I honestly plan to use these PCBs for any/all my future builds, even ones of higher complexity can simply utilize them stacked or side by side.

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Aug. 22, 2017

Thank you so much Kenneth for your kind words! :D
David.

Dale | April 12, 2017

Works great

The Eurorack Stripboard PCB is great for trying out prototypes and one-offs. Easy to use and fits nice behind a panel. Using one for a mixer expansion for the JH Living VCO and one for a simple LFO. Would love it if there could be 5 connection points on both sides of the center while still keeping the ground connection on both sides. Since many op-amp circuits need a feedback resistor, bypass cap and an output connection is gets a little cramped on the side with only 4 connection points. That is the only thing that I would change. However it is still very useful and flexible as it is. Love it.

-Dale

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Aug. 22, 2017

Thank you Dale! I'm glad you find it useful. I'll see how I can improve the number of connection points in a future version.
David.

Tom | Feb. 2, 2017

Nice and straightforward power bus

I bought two of these PCBs to go in my synthesizer, and bought the parts separately to build them up.

All went together very smoothly. I'm not using the 5V converter - I've already got 5V coming from my power supply - so am just using them for power distribution, for which they work really well. I particularly like the tile-tail connectors for my 1U tile row. My only complaint would be that the tile tail connectors are a tad close - they're spaced as 0.1" pin headers, and they perhaps could be a bit wider. But they work, and I get a decent row of modules and tiles off a single PCB.

Shipping was swift and packaging very good indeed.

Mike | Jan. 25, 2017

Awesome little power bus

Just what I needed for plugging in my experimental modules to my bench supply while developing them, the extra 3 pin headers are perfect for plugging into breadboard jumpers to power breadboards too! The SMD resistors are huge and you should have no problem soldering them.

Response from Electronic things... and stuff | Aug. 10, 2017

Thank you Mike! :)
I also use one myself the exact same way, plugged to my bench supply, for testing and debuging freshly built modules.

Paul | Dec. 17, 2016

Very versatile and useful for building eurorack modules.

Using it for building eurorack/frakrak style Arduino-based synth modules. Lends itself nicely to mounting 9mm or other size pots and 3.5 mm jacks along the edge so the boards mount easily to a panel. The prototyping area is excellent for using the smaller breadboard-friendly Arduino Mini/Micro/Nano and Teensy boards for creating flexible and programmable synthesizer modules. Originally bought two with no immediate usage in mind, then decided to try using them for the current purpose. Worked so well and liked it so much I bought half a dozen more. And will probably get more when those are all used. Highly recommended.

Karl | Nov. 5, 2016

Great Eurorack bus kit at an awesome price

The kit came with all the required pieces and included a high quality PCB. It was easy to put together and powered up with no problems the first time. An additional perk is that you only need to supply the +/- 12v and it takes care of the 5v bus.

Shipping was pretty quick, especially considering it came from France to Texas :-)

Michael | Dec. 9, 2015

Great product

This power supply works very well. The seller went above and beyond to make sure I got what I needed.

Justin | Oct. 12, 2015

Great power distribution

Great power distribution if your looking for something small and compact. Option to have the SMD pre soldered is nice. Great product and fast international shipping! Review Image

Paul | May 21, 2015

smallest eurorack power connector

This is the smallest Eurorack power distribution board that I have ever seen, and it's a bargain.
It includes pads for LEDs to monitor three voltages. Note that the current limiter resistors for the LEDs are surface mount, not through-hole.
Simple to assemble (without the SM resistors) and a nice upgrade from a flying bus cable in a small rack.

Christian | March 30, 2015

Simple to put together and works great!