Bottom side (SMT parts are reflow soldered in):
The R*S edition of the Living VCOs comprises a number of additions and modifications compared to the original Haible board:
Due to the added features, part count and density are very high on this board - this is not a project suitable for beginners. Any information given here is preliminary and subject to change - please compare against Jürgen's original documentation and do not simply rely on the files here.
Make sure you check your version before you start building!
Do not install both BCM847DS and MAT14s (v2017) (or THAT300s in version 2015)!
Please not that this is a DIY project with a rather large and fairly dense board so previous soldering- and DIY-experience is recommended.
Price: € 45 (including 9 BCM847DS matched transistors and 23 SMT bypass caps reflow soldered in) - OUT OF STOCK -
Price: € 84 (including 3 MAT14 supermatched transistors and 23 SMT bypass caps reflow soldered in) - OUT OF STOCK -
- only for the Haible Living VCOs by R*S - (not for the original Haible board) -
Power connectors: Please pay attention to the orientation: +V is at the top, -V at the bottom / edge of the board. The board marking may be incorrect / misleading for euro power connectors. Make sure you (double) check before powering up the board!!
Tracking and Calibration: the LVCOs are designed to imitate vintage oscillators and tracking and calibration of the original version have been perceived as challenging by some people. Based on some tests in Spice and real life it appears that on the R*S version with BCM847s or THATs decent tracking - according to Spice over 8 octaves(!) - and easy 1V/Oct calibration can be easily obtained by (i) using an OPA2134 for IC1x (top left on each oscillator) - instead of the TL072 Jürgen specified - and (ii) avoiding the HF compensation completely - it seems rather detrimental to tracking, so try to turn the HF trimmer(s) all the way down or use a link between pin 1 and 2 (center).
NEW: Silkscreen pcb version 2017 with reference designators
NEW: Silkscreen pcb version 2017 with values (12V in brackets) - see docs below
v2015 Silkscreen with reference designators
v2015 Silkscreen with suggested values for +/-12V operation
Bill of materials (BOM) with suggestions for PWM and tracking / HF comp.
Suggested Pulse-Width modifications (12V)
Silkscreen with (original) reference designators and +V / -V markings
Please inform me by email (or via the contact form) about any errors you find - Thanks!
All information provided is strictly for personal / educational use only.
Please do not distribute / mirror.
As an addition to the Living VCOs main pcb, a front panel + panel interface pcb is available for Eurorack. Please note that the Eurorack bundle is an addon that requires a (generic) Living VCOs main pcb by Random*Source (available above) - this will not fit an original Haible Living VCOs pcb!
New: V1.01 of the panel pcb allows to choose the direction of the LINEAR DETUNE knobs and to change the taper of the Portamento knob by adding a resistor.
The Random*Source LVCOs Euro bundle contains:
*** THIS IS NOT A FULL KIT (AND NOT A BUILT MODULE)! ***
Price: € 84 - SOLD OUT! -