How I design PCBs for my Eurorack Synth Modules

[@MeeBilt]

Excellent video and really impressive work!

[@TOILmodular]

Much appreciated, thanks. I did not show all my fails and errors, because I had no clue, when I started with that hobby. But I guess, that is called learning curve.

[@LillySchwartz]

Nice, thank you for all the tips. I will try that trick with horizontal and vertical connections on different sides of the board! For my last design I was struggling a bit to find space for the last few connections.

[@TOILmodular]

Yes, I was also often struggling in the end for the PCB design. This way made things so much easier for me.

[@rienbartelings1149]

Very cool, thank you, i think i will have a go with kicad Hope to see more build video's in the future. Rien

[@TOILmodular]

Yeah, I heard about kicad. Never tried it.

[@rudy5360]

Some very clever design ideas! Thank you 😃

[@TOILmodular]

Thank you. I hope it is helpful.

[@rudy5360]

@@TOILmodular とても 😃

[@NiamorH]

This really makes me want to go back to module design 😄

[@TOILmodular]

Yeah, go for it. I realized that "designing" module PCBs and front panels (I have no skills in designing the actual schematics) is as much fun for me, as making sounds with the results.

[@潤來盧]

Hello, thanks for the vid! Can you tell me where you got those indented female pin headers?? Is it on mouser ?? It's a pain to cut those non-indented ones to length sometimes + I find it quite ugly sometimes when it's not properly sanded.

[@TOILmodular]

I know your pain from experience. Fortunately for me, I have several stores with nearly all of my needs in the city nearby - Tokyo/Akihabara (Electric City). The maker of those headers is Useconn Electronics. I tried to find them online, but could not, sorry. The shop, where I buy them, also sells online. But they are a local shop only in Japan. So I do not think, they sell abroad. Akizukidenshi.com

[@YaluMusicSound]

Oh nice, just a question which is the width in mm of the traces that you suggest for routing?

[@TOILmodular]

Good question. I tried to find an answer to that when I started designing PCBs. Since I had no idea, I thought I better make them not too thin. But with more complex designs finding space for the tracks got more difficult. So I thought scrap it and just use the default track width of the PCB design software (EasyEDA), which is 0.254mm. So far I did not have any issue with that setting. Also when I started with SMD, and especially with microchips, thicker tracks would not work for connecting all chip legs. So in a nutshell, I suggest going with 0.254mm.

[@fakshen1973]

I have some Eurorack modules. My inner-geek is always curious about the technology beneath the pot.

[@TOILmodular]

I suggest checking the channel from Moritz Klein. He explains the circuits of basic modules very well.

[@magiclay]

wich soft is this? awesome

[@TOILmodular]

That‘s EasyEDA, an online design tool. There are many tutorials available. But I found it not too complicated to use. My main problem at the beginning was my lack of electronics knowledge.

[@Hennesg]

Where do you order the PCBs? do you buy bulk or single? Also how do get your flaceplates so pretty?

[@TOILmodular]

The PCBs are ordered from JLCPCB. There I can only order min. 5 pieces. So I can easily build more than just one module. Usually, I do not order more. This is also, where the panels are made. They are just made of the same PCB material. I used the standard fonts and design options for the silk layer. I did not intend any fancy panel layout on purpose to keep it simple. But having all panels in that design makes it look quite nice, I thought. Besides, this makes the panel cheap, between 5 and 10$, depending on the size.

[@Hennesg]

@@TOILmodular thanks for the answer

[@bottomtext7700]

How It's Made: Toil PCB Edition