#505

This looks amazing! I can’t wait to get mine, but I will miss following along with this saga once they’re done :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#506

Hi @bpcmusic, I’m new here but have been following this thread for it’s duration, thanks for such a great insight into the process of creating the expanders.

I don’t have a teletype but I’ve been experimenting with the teensy + DAC8564 combination to control some CV via serial messages, as a method of interacting with the modular from a more traditional programming / live coding environment.

I was wondering about bringing this code over to the telex for my own use as an alt firmware and surfacing the USB input via a simple additional panel - is there any room at all to access the teensy’s USB socket when the telex are mounted? It would be cool to use the socket to avoid needing to make any modifications to the module.

#507

Hey @tom,

It depends on your case. The Teensy is mounted right at the top of the expanders (just like RadioMusic). Thus, the connector will stick out into - and maybe past - the area allocated for the rail lip.

In my lunchbox setup I was able to use an angled USB connector and then run the cable out to my computer. There is a lot of room above and below the rails that allows for this.

@c1t1zen has some pretty cool ProtoVero Eurorack PCBs that I’ve been thinking of mounting some USB ports on and doing exactly what you are talking about - but I haven’t tried it yet.

Let me know if you give it a shot!

#508

Thanks, I expect I’ll need to connect to the pads on the underside of the teensy with my rails, but that should work ok even if it’s a bit fragile.

I’ll start gathering the bits to build the modules and will let you know if I get anywhere! I assume you’re all sold out of panels and pcbs at this stage?

Oh and I’ve actually got a few of the ProtoVero boards, they’re great!

1 Like
#509

@tom - I’ll PM you. :slight_smile:

#510

Progress Update

Continuing to chug along building the expanders. Hit the biggest production milestone yet today: all of the units are assembled.

This doesn’t mean that they are ready to ship. I still have to put the ton of Teensy processors on headers, load the firmware and test the units. I’m onto this step now.

I was able to get a good back-header pace by doing all of them at the same time. I sacrificed a PCB to be a reverse template for the TXo for all of the headers back there (including the Teensy). This really cut down the time.

Still - that was a hell of a lot of soldering. My brain said it should take a few hours … but all of the steps took days and days and days.

I’ll update when I’m on done soldering and onto bulk testing.

Cheers!

26 Likes
#511

So awesome!
Congrats!
You are a true Hero Of Synth Labor.

2 Likes
#512

I gave this post one like because that’s all it would let me do.
It deserves 10!

I don’t have any monome euro modules but have been reading this thread with great interest and am in awe of your efforts. :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#513

I can imagine that’s some sort of mandala, also it does look great, as mandala, all of em piled up together :wink:
You probably learned some nice mind tricks in this whole journey

2 Likes
#514

You are our hero !!! Thanks and good luck for the last steps :wink:

1 Like
#515

Thanks for all of the encouraging support!!

I’ve grafted legs on my big bucket of Teensy processors; looks like a bowl of popcorn:

Also - baked a loaf of iiBackpacks at OshPark. Just came out of the oven:

Just started flashing, calibration and QA:

:slight_smile:

TELEX HANDY LINKS
TELEX Microsite | Ordering Process Details
Crazy Verbose Status + Timeline | Printable Command Reference

10 Likes
#516

Another Update

I’m sitting here a little stumped.

Every step of the way has taken many, many times longer to do than I expected. Yesterday afternoon I sat down to do the firmware flashing and quality tests on the TXo. I was preparing for the long haul on doing the QA - it has a lot of parts and has been a tricky build in the past.

And now, I’m done with flashing and testing the TXo units. All but three of them tested out green - and those modules are reserve units that just need a little TLC (which I’ll do after shipping).

Seriously baffled right now. That was way too easy!

Perhaps the TXi will be more tricky. I’ll be moving on to testing those units tonight. :slight_smile:

STILL HAVE A DIY TXo TO DO?

About halfway through my build of the TXo, I started putting a little electrical tape behind the jack over the balancing header’s connection point. I’d been trimming this down and making it as flat a surface as possible - but isolating them with tape will almost certainly save you a good deal of hassle with the jack shorting to ground.

TELEX HANDY LINKS
TELEX Microsite | Ordering Process Details
Crazy Verbose Status + Timeline | Printable Command Reference

8 Likes
#517

Another Rapid Update

Guess what?

Done with QA on the TXi. Similar yield - I have only three reserve units in need of some TLC.

Testing went blazingly fast with the TXi - without sacrificing thoroughness. How? Scripting!!

To test, I connected two Teletypes together (and one TXo). I would connect the TXi to one TT and send triggers to the second, which would generate various voltages from the TXo (+/- 10) and then, after a short delay, throw triggers back to the first, which would cause the TXi to be read and the CV values compared to expected values. LEDs would light up on the first Teletype if the input passed or failed.

Crazy zippy. I spend more time plugging and unplugging the units than I did actually running the tests.

This is a point of massive relief. The build worked out. I didn’t make any colossal mistakes which could have generated painful setbacks.

Wow. I’m over the moon at this point.

So - we are almost at shipping time. I have a few little tasks left to do, including assembling a bunch of iiBackpacks and iiBusboards, putting the boxes together, printing the inserts, doing the final pricing, orchestrating the shipping process, etc.

I’m going to go have a beer and crash now. A more detailed going-forward plan will follow.

Woot!

TELEX HANDY LINKS
TELEX Microsite | Ordering Process Details
Crazy Verbose Status + Timeline | Printable Command Reference

26 Likes
#518

yessss ! and maybe we’ll have to pay it to you someday ? hahaha !

2 Likes
#519

you’re a legend!hope the money you’ll get from this will be worth it

1 Like
#520

Finishing up the last little details. Combined the printed materials into a little manual. Printing and binding them right now.

I expect to start boxing soon…

TELEX HANDY LINKS
TELEX Microsite | Ordering Process Details
Crazy Verbose Status + Timeline | Printable Command Reference

24 Likes
#521

So excited to get my hands on these and have thoroughly enjoyed following the build process. Thanks Brendon!

1 Like
#522

Let the Boxing Begin!!!

Assembly Line:

First 10 Bundle Packs:

18 Likes
#523

Yeahhhhhhh! Congratulations on such an accomplishment! I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing this blossom into finished pieces. Very excited to work with these bad boys! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Brendon!

1 Like
#524

All TELEX boxed and ready for shipping:

Majority of the boxes are the TELEX bundle - a TXo and TXi. The pile is rounded out with TXo and TXi singles.

Good news is that the build yield was so good that everyone who reserved units will be able to get them. :slight_smile:

I’m on to making the bus boards now. Hopefully that will go quickly.

Then, I’ll post the shipping plans and schedule. :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

TELEX HANDY LINKS
TELEX Microsite | Ordering Process Details
Crazy Verbose Status + Timeline | Printable Command Reference

21 Likes