I created a DIY synth prototyping station

[@alpantone]

I love it! I got so excited seeing Labor in your last video that I tried to buy one right away, only to see it wasn't done yet, so I went ahead and made a quick-and-dirty version myself. It's a small C-shaped PCB that pushes on top of a breadboard. It takes a Eurorack or Pocket Operator Modular power plug and passes the +12v, -12v, and ground onto the breadboard's power rails. It also has two slots for a potentiometer, vertical audio jack, or horizontal audio jack that connect to the first columns of the breadboard. I ordered the PCBs, and even with five of them now, I still want to get a Labor! Thank you for making such wonderful things!

[@MoritzKlein0]

that sounds like a great project :)

[@Neym]

This seems like the perfect amount of handholding that I need.

[@stratfanstl]

I've been thinking about building something like this as an aid for experimenting with guitar effects design. Very well executed design and implementation. The modular drop-in oscilloscope built with what must be an ESP32 microcontroller and LCD screen is just the icing on the cake.

[@monogonvisualcommunication5880]

I have been using it for about a week now and really enjoying it. The quality of the kit is and looks great. it saves me a lot of desk space and time when testing builds. I can't wait for the oscilloscope extension!

[@MoritzKlein0]

glad to hear! we‘re almost done with the oscilloscope expansion - just a couple more weeks :)

[@KrumpusPlunk]

Hi Moritz, any news on the oscilloscope? :)

[@edwardfletcher7790]

I'm not sure how big the market will be, but it's a beautiful practical design 👍🙏

[@travishayes6678]

What a great concept! I have so many module ideas, but the basics of power and headphone output have been excuses that kept me from starting. I've pre-ordered a basic kit.

[@delfinigor]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@giov5342]

Long live diy synth building. I just got my labor edu diy kit in the mail cant wait to put it together once i clean off some space on my desk.

[@HanVZulu]

I just finished it today. It's a really cool machine.

[@draconianrhythms]

It’s really great to see this finally ready. Well done mate, this will really help the community ❤

[@HanVZulu]

Built it. Now on to doing some laboring with Labor! A buit-in speaker is probably the only thing I wish it had. Probably going to build one for the expansion part myself. I can see how someone could write a whole book with audio experiments for this board. I'd buy it.

[@MoritzKlein0]

glad to hear! we‘re also planning to do a speaker for the expansion slot - and a book with audio experiments :)

[@HanVZulu]

@@MoritzKlein0 I love this things. Really awesome. Just have to figure out how to store it with parts and such in a way that I can easily pull it out and play around with it and safely store it away again. Only one thing I suggest, if you ever to an update to the build manual, I found that using the breadboard itself to get the connectors on the pot/sw/con modules straight. Basically plugging the connectors in the breadboard and had the module on top and then soldered it. It helped holding the connectors in place while soldering it and also to get it totally straight. I hope that makes sense. If you need anyone to do test cases on the book, I'm willing to be a test subject. :)

[@animisticbeliefs7644]

This is really cool!

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

Oooohhh, scope expansion module is cool. Nice. Should make more videos showing more examples of this product.

[@BingoBongoBengo]

Hell yeah, mine just arrived and it's gonna be a godsend with diy projects - especially having the integrated power supply. I might even modify one of the jack modules to use larger 1/4 inch jacks for kosmo format 😁

[@JonDeth]

*Great minds think alike; I designed and built a prototyping machine specific to op-amps but went a bit further in terms of the "breadboard" so it's preconfigured specifically for amplification, filtering, shunting and so on.* I'm in the process of designing the 3rd generation of that prototyping machine because it's long overdue since I know I can do tremendously better and the previous build got damaged; a blessing in disguise. *I came up with mine about 12 years ago and what kills me to realize now is it's what Arduino is for digital microcontroller embedded development and for the last 10 years, I had never looked enough to know I misunderstood what Arduino actually is!* These are huge steps forward in advancing technology my friends!

[@kakugeiikkikomori-iko7775]

Yes I bought it, it is coming soon thanks for making it public.

[@clausanders2886]

Very nice and a good bas for any analogue Synth development.

[@tailbiterz]

Really like this, excellent work, excellent video.

[@karlnovac1726]

I already have one from superbooth. It is fun to play around.

[@IvanEngler]

absolutely fantastic.

[@DirtyHarryBeats]

Love the videos, extremely helpful, insightful, and interesting. Could you recommend basic electronic components that most commonly appear in your circuits, specifically which IC's are used the most often?

[@MoritzKlein0]

you can check the Labor manual for a list of commonly used components (bill of materials/full kit section): www.ericasynths.lv/media/LABOR_MANUAL.pdf

[@SidRockett]

Love it! Reminds me of OMSynth by Casper x Bastl.

[@photonjiagu]

It would be nice to see some reviews while I'm waiting for it.

[@OIP_1]

this is excellent! trying to prototype builds with jacks and pots barely staying in the breadboard and flying connections everywhere is so painful.

[@MoritzKlein0]

exactly :)

[@teslastellar]

That's excellent 👍

[@marcthenarc868]

I always use a basic 3 / 5 / 9 volts direct source for my projects. Going full +-12V is a big hurdle for me. I felt I was learning the process backwards: learn how to built a power supply before learning to build synths. This board seems to bridge the gap nicely. 🤞

[@MoritzKlein0]

yeah, it’s surprisingly hard to even find bench power supplies with dual voltages

[@pablo_costas]

What about the scope expansion? I don't find it in the website

[@MoritzKlein0]

it‘s still in development - we’re aiming for a release at the end of next month.

[@aerophylix4790]

@@MoritzKlein0any update?

[@cat_uhhh]

Would be really curious to see a delay or EQ circuit made with this for a video!

[@MoritzKlein0]

delay is coming up soon :)

[@cat_uhhh]

@@MoritzKlein0 hell yea!

[@linuxbender]

Thanks, I need something like that. Will you also provide empty expansion cards? I can well imagine creating a simple filter extension, for example or a basic wave player as source. Developing on the labor and later using in the labor.. something like DIY inception. 😛

[@MoritzKlein0]

hmm how would those empty cards work? is the idea that you would have something like a stripboard section where you can set up your own circuitry? we do plan on publishing the specs so you can create your own module :)

[@alifeinyellow]

Did the oscilloscope expansion get produced? Not that it’s a big deal. I plan on building the Waveform project anyways. Would just be cool because I’m going to be ordering Labor soon.

[@kosmikmusa]

Very good idea. I want to built and test some stranger thing with this one.

[@MeeBilt]

Excellent idea and implementation! Will the interface spec for the expansion slot be available, so I can design my own add-on modules for the LABOR ?

[@MoritzKlein0]

yes, we've been discussing this - we want to publish the specs and encourage people to make their own modules :)

[@MeeBilt]

@@MoritzKlein0 Awesome!

[@ytab2gmacc296]

Hello, I bought it too, perfect. Just waiting for delivery. In the video you can see an oziloscope expansion module. Since it is not mentioned on the product page that it is included, I assume that it has to be ordered separately. Does anyone know which module this is exactly? Thanks and please do more cool stuff like this, just amazing and perfect to get into the topic :)

[@MoritzKlein0]

@@ytab2gmacc296 the oscilloscope expansion is going to be released very soon!

[@fonesrphunny7242]

Just 48 hours ago, I thought about prototyping my own FX on a breadboard. What a coincidence.

[@musicproductionbrauns2594]

i would love to see a tutorial from getting a prototype to a eurorack module yourself

[@chadracine4372]

Thanks for your videos, they're very informative. I wonder if the circuits can be used with 15v instead of 12v.

[@benoftroy]

This is great! mine's already on order! I'm wondering, how/where can I purchase the expansion oscilloscope?

[@MoritzKlein0]

we’re hoping to release the oscilloscope module late next month!

[@kwaddamage8286]

dangit i was about to get the Protis1 pedal development board + eurorack expansion, but now going to go crazy, because this seems even better for what i need. will there be any in a US shop?

[@observant_sound]

Is it possible to purchase Labor as is? What about the oscilloscope extension? Love this btw! I have a lot of components at home and have been learning about DIY step-by-step but I'm still very much an amateur and don't have a proper workstation so having Labor would be a big help and keep things tidy and more efficient.

[@Seb_does_things]

i want this product now

[@alex-r-t]

Congratulations on the new kit! Any idea when the oscilloscope expansion module is coming out and about much it'll cost? Thanks!

[@MoritzKlein0]

we‘re aiming for a release near the end of july. price not entirely clear, but we‘re trying to keep it very affordable :)

[@monogonvisualcommunication5880]

This looks awesome! Are you possibly planning a non preassembled version in the near future and also are the expansion modules available yet? Thanks for this build!

[@MoritzKlein0]

gotta check with erica if we plan on doing a fully DIY version, but so far we haven’t considered it!

[@MoritzKlein0]

the first expansion modules (oscilloscope and eurorack power outlet) are in the works, will hopefully be released very soon!

[@dr.getter7118]

@@MoritzKlein0 Judging by the photos I've seen, most of the main PCBs are populated with surface mount components. I'm not saying it's impossible to re-design it for through-hole, but I don't believe it would be a worthy endeavour for this project in particular.. of course, you may choose to keep it SMT and still make it DIY, but that also complicates things as then the target audience shifts from people that are just starting with electronics DIY, to more experienced hobbyists and makers. Mhm. I've quickly taken a look at the instruction manual and, personally, I think that this project has the perfect amount of user assembly required. Congratulations to you and to the team at Erica Synths, it looks like it will be a great little tool and a very nice companion to the rest of your DIY kits! I am looking forward to know more about the expansion modules too. Quick question: is the circuitry of Labor entirely analog? I know it's probably a "yes", but I just want to confirm. Looks like its elements are simple enough to all be implemented analogically, correct?

[@MoritzKlein0]

@@dr.getter7118 you're right, there is a good chunk of SMT components on the main board. that said, all the interfacing elements at the top are through hole and could be left for the user to assemble. i'm not sure it makes a huge difference though, since there is already plenty of stuff to solder. and yes, all the circuitry is entirely analog - i designed a big chunk of it, expect for the power supply, short circuit protection and output amp :)

[@jaymz168]

This is exactly what i've been looking for and i've got one coming today! I recently built a TTSH and one of the two filters isn't working. It's on a sub-board but still needs a fair bit of supporting hardware to really test and this should help a ton. Is there any reason this wouldn't work if I feed it +/-15VDC instead?

[@MoritzKlein0]

you mean use a 15V wall wart instead? that shouldn't change anything about the supply voltages, since they are transformed inside the device.

[@famitory]

would you consider selling variations with power supplies optimized for guitar pedal design (9 and 4.5 volts) and 500 series module design (+16, -16, +48)?

[@MoritzKlein0]

hmm haven’t thought about that. i‘ll discuss it with the others :)

[@cavemansounds]

How do i start making a groovebox from scratch?? I mean without any dev board, just pure mcu and dac... i want to make something small like a pocket operator

[@KrumpusPlunk]

There’s probably a few raspberry projects out there

[@cavemansounds]

@@KrumpusPlunk no rpi, i wanna build the full system from scratch

[@wboumans]

Man cheap breadboards made me hate prototyping... I have to google the one you use. Nice project!

[@chitlitlah]

A few years ago I bought a plate with four or five pieces of breadboard glued to it which I thought would be good. It was while building one of Moritz' prototypes that I realized it was absolute garbage, so I followed his recommendation for breadboards and my new ones are so much more reliable, albeit a bit more expensive.

[@handlesarefeckinstupid]

Yeah cheap breadboards are terrible.

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

Superb and VERY useful ❤

[@zedd_centauri]

I’m looking for the oscilloscope module. Where do I source this?

[@MoritzKlein0]

@@zedd_centauri it’s not released yet, but will be out soon!

[@ybaydur]

Amazing.

[@RC_Cola2020]

Is the oscilloscope module for sale anywhere yet? I can't find it on their website? Are there any other modules available, as well?

[@MoritzKlein0]

we're aiming for a release of the oscilloscope module late next month, together with a eurorack power adapter module. more modules are in the works as well!

[@RC_Cola2020]

@@MoritzKlein0 thanks. Do you know if these will be sold in the US or only on the one website?

[@johnnymurf]

Will the full kit have the parts necessary to build individual components of your other stuff? Would love to get this, experiment with your manuals and then try to make my own pcb

[@MoritzKlein0]

yeah a big chunk of it. we left out some specialized components, but you should be able to work around that!

[@johnnymurf]

@@MoritzKlein0 great, thanks very much for the response 🤙

[@phyphedelic3214]

How do you get the O-scope?

[@MoritzKlein0]

we’re still working on it - it will release soon separately

[@IvanEngler]

@@MoritzKlein0 coool!! because i will want that too :)

[@BXLrules]

What's the current ETA on the oscilloscope module?

[@MoritzKlein0]

latest update from erica is that the OLED screens will arrive early next week. apparently that was the last missing piece - they will finish assembly then.

[@BXLrules]

@MoritzKlein0 thanks for the fast reply and the update! enjoy your weekend

[@benknowsbest1]

ar eyou pg oing to make the schematics available for people who want to diy their own diy synth prototyping station?

[@MoritzKlein0]

the schematics for the utility section are up on my patreon, but the power supply is a readymade block :)

[@vaibhavhayaran]

Make a circuit tutorial on reverb pweez

[@worriesinthedance]

what is the name of those mechanical keyboard caps/switch?

[@MoritzKlein0]

you can find them by searching for „cherry push button“

[@worriesinthedance]

@@MoritzKlein0 managed to find them well thanks, how about the key cap? i cannot seem to find ones with the window for the led? cheers

[@GillamtheGreatest]

is this a limited run or something i have time to save up for?

[@MoritzKlein0]

no, it’s not a limited run!

[@ingolfurarnason6881]

is the scope expansion included?

[@MoritzKlein0]

no, it’ll release as an add-on next month!

[@jakojako_live]

💪

[@MoritzKlein0]

🧑‍🔧

[@warpigs330]

Will this be available through Thonk like the other DIY Kits?

[@MoritzKlein0]

just checked - Thonk will stock Labor :)

[@MoritzKlein0]

Labor is now up on Thonk: www.thonk.co.uk/shop/mki-erica-edu-labor-kit/

[@callum192000]

Very cool, will this be available through thonk?

[@MoritzKlein0]

i think so, not 100% sure though

[@MoritzKlein0]

asked Erica - Labor will be sold by Thonk!

[@lour8862]

damn this is so cool

[@Hart8]

Yippe!!!

[@schreibmaschine4161]

I finally finished my breadboard friends that I showed you last year, a similar tool that is pretty compatible. I wanted to show you but couldn't find you at Superbooth or the DIY day. HMU if you want some

[@MoritzKlein0]

ah that's too bad. yeah would be interested, can you shoot me an email to [e-mail]? thanks!

[@areusmartinez8343]

🙌🙌🙌🙌👍

[@IchBinKeinBaum]

I got really excited then I saw Labor in your last video. However, seeing the 220€ price tag was a bit disappointing. I got into DIY Modular because I can't afford modules, so I had hoped to at least be able to buy this. Oh well.

[@omarelalfy7988]

It sounds selfish but I don't you to be well-known 😂❤

[@bmbiz]

No that doesn't _sound_ selfish it _is_ selfish. ;)

[@cavemansounds]

Building a groovebox tutorial would be nice...

[@Etrehumain123]

Honestly you are so cool...

[@unfrostedpoptart]

But it doesn't mount in a Eurorack cabinet! Pass.

[@JTMoney_1776]

At this price you are starting to get close to the price of a Digilent Analog Discovery which is more useful for general electronics and has very similar features.

[@Lazlo-os1pu]

The analog discovery studio which is the most similar to this seems to be around $700. This is €195 for the full kit. Analog discovery’s offerings around that price point don’t really seem to be that similar to this.

[@pablo_costas]

We are not comparing apples to apples here. This a sandbox rig to Kickstart diy electronics projects, that needs very little addons to get up n running and with the analog discovery you need to buy a lot of extra stuff to give it a use.

[@iamjamessmith]

Can't you see the difference between these products? Also, this is significantly cheaper.

[@elluisito000]

The only thing this device doesn't give you is time to play with it 😞

[@modernrice]

0/10 not open source

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

*ON THE SAME DAY the touchscreen arrived for the anti-corporate-censorship music product prototype I am planning to use for vengeance against Apple (because sadly Apple HORRIBLY CORRUPTLY AND WRONGLY removed the nice music apps and AU plugins I made, after the charitable foundation I manage promoted liberation of Palestine), this video launched. That is pretty cool. Looks interesting. There are gerbers? If there aren't, no worries. I am more into coding music apps now, as it's higher precision wave sculpture and doesn't involve a soldering iron.*

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

Saw that LED tattoo today. No going to tattoo shop after partying anymore.