[BUILD] TBFX

[horvitz]

This will be the build/discussion thread for my TBFX, which you can find here:
http://tbaudiogear.com/?product_cat=tbfx

So first the whatsit question.  The idea was to make an inexpensive and ease to use format for line level effects and gadgets.  To accomplish this, I created a carrier module which fits in a 500 rack (maybe a more dedicated rack in the future?) which has all the common guts that everything needs: balanced line receiver and transmitter, relay bypass, and dry/wet blend.  Doing so allows for modules, called plugins, to be very lightweight, and thus inexpensive.

This stuff is super easy to build and fun to work on.  Right now, I have available for plugins the TBFX-CH1, which is an analog chorus and the TBFX-DP1, which is a DI with DOA gain stage making line out.

There is developer information available here:
http://tbaudiogear.com/?page_id=399

Anyone is welcome to build whatever they like for the format, and I will of course support any such endeavors.  Note that I am currently working on a simpler and less expensive bracket format for the plugins.

More plugins are already on the way.  Hopefully we can have a little fun with this.  You can begin to imagine all the circuits that we can quickly and easily jam into this.

Brian

 

[horvitz]

I should point out that build docs are all available here:
http://tbaudiogear.com/?page_id=432

 

[emrr]

Cool.  I was wondering what this was about the other day. 

 

[horvitz]

So what do you guys like in a proto board (click for bigger)?  I've got +V on top, -V on the bottom, ground in the middle.  Any suggestions to make this more convenient to work on?  Will have these in the store along with blank brackets for knocking up circuits.

 

[shabtek]

re: proto boards

51x card edge
grayhill footprints(?)

drill templates(?)

 

[horvitz]

Well, I guess I should be clear that this is for use in my TBFX so card edge isn't really relevant.

I had been back and forth with myself over standard control footprints.  I guess I thought that something like a GH71 footprint might interfere with other more common things like a pot.  Kind of on the fence about it..

 

[AudioHammer]

I like the proto board exactly as it is.

audiohammer

 

[Denyle Guitars]

What's the spacing on the proto board, 0.1", I assume. Maybe have a few fatter pads for a 2520.

 

[horvitz]

What's the spacing on the proto board, 0.1", I assume. Maybe have a few fatter pads for a 2520.

It is indeed .1" spacing.  They are .032 holes with a .060 pad.  I could work in a DOA socket easily enough.  Would you think .040 holes just so the pins fit or a .100 hole for the mill-max sockets that I usually use?  The only potential issue is that it would straddle the ground rows in the center but I think that's ok.

 

[AudioHammer]

0.100 holes for mill max sockets would be great. Straddling the center would be ok.

By the way my package arrived today . Thanks for tne quick shipment!

 

[horvitz]

Build guide for the DP1 has been added.  See post 2 for the link.

 

[AudioHammer]

Any progress on the TBFX proto board?

Thanks!

 

[horvitz]

Any progress on the TBFX proto board?

On the way!  I should have them by the end of next week.  We won't initially have the brackets but at least the boards and connectors will be here, which is enough to get a circuit working.

 

[horvitz]

Got the proto boards in and built a little test circuit.  Seems to work out!  This is a messy little 5534 based pre.  Although I don't have the brackets yet, the board and DIN connector will be available shortly.