New Cases

Two new cases from the camera fair, £5 and £8 - that would be the cost of postage on ebay. They are around the same size and larger than the first, which might allow some storage space,
The current plan is to build wood surrounds in both then use the simple screw into wood mounts on one and try the more sophisticated aluminium rails on the other: if the latter works, I might try upgrading the first two cases.
Either way, I'll need two more zeus power supplies plus warts and two more Pittsburgh Outs. I'll start with one of each.

[Later] I have ordered two more Outs from Rhythm Active. Regarding power, given that I am moving away from The Cupboard in favour of smaller units in cases, it would make sense to liberate the power supplies from the Cupboard and use them in the cases, as did Tony of Synovatron.

Outs

Outs

Happy Endings

Remarkably, the Pittsburgh Outs arrived from Australia on Tuesday - 7 days from order.
Thanks to Rhythm Active.
I have ordered Schneidersbuero's house version of the TipTop Happy Endings. I wonder if that will be quicker than the PO from RA.


Some lovely designs from goike here. But don't forget Ross.

Dream Machine manuals

Links to instruction manuals (where found) for each of the modules used in the various temporary instrument setups.

Allen Strange Dream Machine patch

Dream Machine patch
TipTop uZeus
Doepfer A149 SoU
TipTop X8000 Sequencer
Doepfer A140 ADSR
Doepfer A132-3 Dual VCA
Doepfer A180 Multiple
Malekko Wiard Anti-Oscillator
Doepfer A147 VCLFO
Doepfer A148 Dual S&H
Doepfer A175 Dual Inverter
Doepfer A180 Multiple
Doepfer A109 Signal Processor
Doepfer A110 VCO
Pittsburgh Outs

Noise

first noise

The Wart from Farnell arrived next day (Weds). The uZeus from Postmodular was sent on Thurs, using the Post Office's 'guaranteed by 1 the next day' service, and arrived at 7am on Saturday (the PO's web site explains that, during the Olympics, next day becomes the day after).

uZeus

I found that the celebrated case builder Ross Lamond stocks TipTop power leads and also ships quickly - that arrived on Friday. So on Saturday morning all the essential kit was here (Rhythm Active shipped the Pittsburgh Outs on Saturday).

foam replacement

The uZeus is an impressive piece of kit - the engraved statement watch out hot surface is true: the faceplate is a radiator. I set up the framework outside the case and it burbled happily on TipTop power through a Logitech X-140 while I replaced the foam with a wooden framework.

complete

I set up the Doepfer Dream Machine subset and then the full Strange Dream Machine and I am still fiddling with the latter. There is space for a second VCO until the Outs arrives, so I will add that today.


Snaps to follow and then noises.

Nearly there

The frame

Back in the case

The wood is done, first pass at least. Here's the frame, my starting point today. Add top bottom and middle and it's done.

Power

I tried Schneiders for the uZeus but couldn't get their ordering system to work. That could be a good thing as, while awaiting a reply to a query, David at Postmodular replied with confirmation of stock so I will pursue that. Neither seem to have a Pittsburgh Outs at the moment.

On the Case, let's pause for a moment to acknowledge that the case insert, having removed the padding is reminiscent of the great Mondrian  and move on.

Taking out the interstices confirmed that my dad, bless the old bugger, built things to last and that's where I got that inclination. Now ready to build the framework, allowing for the possibility of a storage space if that works with a Dream Machine in place. I visited the splendid and nearby Modern Screws for some suitable product - they only had countersunk, rather than the panhead I need, but they will do for now (£1.56 for a box). I also called into B&Q (just round the corner) for some wood, but can probably take it back and use offcuts already in stock - but better safe than sorry as I hope to begin the wood build (except for the possible storage compartment) tomorrow.

Modules I

So. What shall we have in the case?
I imagine there will be some permanent fixtures.

• The obvious starting point is the Tiptop uZeus.
• Not many people seem to use the Doepfer A-109 Signal Processor, but I think it's great. There are three in the Cupboard: I'll sacrifice one. 
• The A-109 provides most of the basics except an envelope, so I need a narrow ADSR. I might have a spare A-140, else perhaps Circuit Abbey's ADSRjr.
• At least one oscillator. I have some spares, but the Malekko Anti-Oscillator is my favourite.
• The cupboard uses a Cwejman MX-4S and an Analogue Systems RS270. For the TI case, I'll get a Pittsburgh Outs.
• No patch is complete without at least one VCLFO interfering, either Doepfer's A-147 (two in stock) or Pittsburgh's VILFO (none yet).

How much space will that leave?

I'll return to this subject.