Eurorack Mutable Instruments Grids Clone DIY

Video chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Information About the Built
3:04 - Patch 1 Breakdown
4:04 - Upload Process of a Hex File to Arduino
5:12 - Thoughts on Patch 2
6:07 - Patch 2 Breakdown
I finished another module, this time a real exciting one - a clone of the Mutable Instruments Grids trigger generator.
It is of course well known and already not being produced anymore.
But since it is open source, I gave it a try and built it myself.
That was only possible with the help from someone else, who generously provides an already compiled hex file for Grids - Quinie.
Thanks a lot!
Please visit the homepage with more details and the available hex file:
www.quinie.nl/category/diy/na...
I also make use of a module in the video, which I called Bernoulli Gate.
That is actually another clone of a Mutable Instruments module - Branches.
I found the details to build it also with an Arduino Nano at GitHub:
github.com/joeSeggiola/arduin...

[@LillySchwartz]

Interesting to see that you mapped this out to the nano! I actually built Grids as my third SMD module. Branches, then Shelves, then Grids! Not too hard if you use hot air. It opens up so many possibilities, especially once you get to the STM Mutable modules! I'm looking forward to building Tides v1 and uBraids next!

[@TOILmodular]

I am not equipped with a hot air gun. So I always try to stick to THT as much as possible. I also did not dare building STM modules, because I am not familiar with the programming. And I am afraid to make mistakes when soldering these big chips. Maybe somewhen in the future.

[@pixelfrenzy]

Great video, full of interesting and useful information - especially that trick for uploading the HEX file to the Arduino on the command-line! Also, thanks for the pointer to Quinie's PCBs.

[@TOILmodular]

Thank you, Great that you can make use of it.

[@pixelfrenzy]

@@TOILmodular Today I built the "nanogrids" using Quinie's PCB and panel, and it's now spitting out triggers in my rack! Thanks again. 👍🏼 As a long-time Arduino user, it's great to see there are still more Mutable module clones that I can build using it.

[@TOILmodular]

Great! You might also want to check out MI Branches. That one is also based on the ATMega328, and the hex file is available somewhere at GitHub.

[@cj-er4xr]

thanks this is great!

[@TOILmodular]

Thank you

[@jj74qformerlyjailbreak3]

Nice I’m still working on my first panel. And first mod.

[@TOILmodular]

Hope, it turns out the way you want it. Enjoy.

[@M4ST_]

I've just built a Grids using the og pcb and panel. Its working but fill only works above 50% on all channels. Any ideas why it might be doing this?

[@TOILmodular]

I had trouble with input signals, too. As I mentioned in the video, it turned out that you cannot just use any op amp for the input buffers. The common TL072/074 do not work. Which ones did you use? Did you try the ones from the orig MI design: MCP6002/6004. But I am also not sure, what you mean with 50%. Do you mean the trigger amplitude? You might increase the op amp gain. Or you can ask in the chat of the page from Quinie, where I got the source code from. He also helped me with the op amp issue.

[@M4ST_]

@@TOILmodular I used the MCP6002 ics as per the BOM. Turns out the issue was I used a LM4040C10DbZR (10-v) instead of the listed LM4040C50DBZR (5-v). This through out the input bias resistors on the ops amps.

[@pixelfrenzy]

​@@M4ST_[ dropping this here in case it's useful to anyone... ] I ordered the LM4040C50ILP part from Mouser, but when it arrived it only had this written on the TO-92 package: "78MFCNE NFC501 TI". It seems to work fine, but that marking is a bit strange. [EDIT: It turns out that the datasheet does actually specify device marking is "NFC50I", and the "TI" is obviously Texas Instruments.]

[@CoffinNachtmahr]

do you offer kits by chance?

[@TOILmodular]

Sorry, I do not provide kits, not intending to. It’s just a wonderful hobby. But you can go to quinie.nl, where I have the source code from. He has a shop and is selling the PCBs. Maybe also a kit? Not sure.

[@NRG____]

so awesome. Thanks!

[@TOILmodular]

Thanks! I like your user thumbnail. I studied NGC5128 intensively during my university time, long time ago.