Sunday 14 November 2010

Percussive Synthesiser MPC: Part 1

I picked this kit up on Ebay for just over £35. Described as a Coron / Synare clone its reminiscent of 1980s analogue drum synths favoured by the likes of Sly and Robbie, Aba Shanti I, Shaka and so on.


 

The kit was delivered from the US in less than a week and included all components and a comprehensive set of printed instructions.

 

Step 1: add resistors

 

Step 2: add the IC chips

 
Step 3: add the capacitors, voltage regulators and on/off switch



Step 4: Add the piezo trigger, jack output and pots to control the unit.


Finally the unit needs to be calibrated. This involves turning the pcb mounted variable resistor to set the sensitivity of the the piezo trigger. I'm really happy with how this board has turned out. My soldering is improving and I believe this will be a useful addition to my dubwise sound.

If you'd like to find out more about the MPC Percussion synthesiser, click here to view a discussion forum surrounding this great little kit.

Part 2 to come after Christmas on building a suitable enclosure and trigger for my box of delights. In the mean time I'll post a few soundclips.



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19 comments:

  1. Lepysma19 November 2010 at 15:36

    I have just finishes one of this units and I have a couple of questions. I would be very pleased if you could help me:

    - The unit came with 2 diodes and a Kyocera stuff. I have only found one diode in the pCB and I do not know what is this blue stuff for.

    - Could you help me what do I need to connect to the trigger input in order to trigger the sounds.

    Kind regards.

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  2. L Shepard22 November 2010 at 20:02

    Hi, I'm the guy in the US that produces this kit. Just thought I'd help and answer your question. The extra diode you have was just a mistake made before it shipped, we must have sent an extra one. The blue thing is a sensor we have started adding for free....just to get it up and making noise. you can use it or any other kind of trigger though.

    By the way ..... GREAT BLOG !!!! really nice assembly pics too!

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    1. billy26 June 2012 at 08:39

      i would love a couple of these units but have no idea about soldering etc, anyone intrested in selling me a couple of "ready to go" units? i am an old 70s style DJ and want to be able to add the synth drum sound in real time during my gigs, i have a pair of bongos that they could go in, the trigger pad would be needed, i would love 2 complete units inc triggers that i just have to drill a hole for the jack and glue the trigger onto the skins!

      Delete
  3. Cesar18 January 2011 at 14:49

    R L Shepard, do you sell more? I'm very interested in buying one from you! Very inspiring DIY kit!

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  4. L Shepard2 February 2011 at 20:50

    Yes I keep them up pretty regularly on eBay if you are interested.

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    Replies
    1. Boud14 February 2012 at 14:44

      Hi, I've only just found this blog and was wondering if you are still producing these kits or similar ones for sale on Ebay?

      I'd really like to buy one!

      Cheers

      Delete
  5. Anonymous5 April 2011 at 05:44

    Hi RL Shepard, bought one of your kits a while back, it is very nice! Having a bit of trouble though, I've soldered everything correctly and used this as a trigger http://www.maplin.co.uk/piezo-transducers-3202?c=52755 I know it's difficult without pictures, but can you think of any reason why it might not be working? Cheers. Ollie

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    1. L Shepard26 April 2012 at 15:01

      Ollie, I checked out the Maplin link...that trigger should work fine. Did you ever get it worked out?

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Mark8 August 2011 at 15:29

    in regards to dub sirens I have been checking sites for a while but I struggled to look for a really nice one that had character …at the end I had success and I found DUB MEKANIX check em out QUALITY STUFF http://www.dubmekanix.co.uk

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    1. L Shepard26 April 2012 at 14:59

      good link... Good use of tobacco tins too. Personally I prefer the synare circuitry sound though. It's a much smoother oscillation than the 555 square wave designs. basically a 555 timer square wave broken down sounds the same as a digital signal (alternating between full on and full off) where as the opamp design of the synare has rounded edges in the waveform.

      Delete
  7. Boud14 February 2012 at 12:58

    Hi, i realise this is an old post but i was wondering if you still knew where to get one of these kits?

    i have searched Ebay with every different keyword combination i can think of!

    Great blog, the pics are very cool!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  8. L Shepard20 April 2012 at 10:35

    I just listed the kit again on ebay.... I also have a new (complete) module available. I has FSR control, external inputs, with external and internal triggers. The unit also has a free run mode. check it out.

    Thanks

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  9. L Shepard30 August 2012 at 11:38

    The new Synare 3 kit has just been released. I have done a limited run and one is currently avaliable for bid on eBay.

    ReplyDelete
  10. dJ dAb3 October 2012 at 12:11

    R L Shepard, I was curious about modifying the trigger in, for use with 5v pulses. it seems that it is to sensetive. and, resistance alone doesn't seem to work. must need an additional smal circuit? thanks and please get in touch. -Sean / dJ dAb

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  11. L Shepard16 November 2012 at 23:59

    dj, Did you try the resistors in a voltage divider configuration?

    ReplyDelete
  12. L Shepard22 November 2012 at 13:20

    The helensson website offers these kits as well as bare boards and parts for both the Synare 3 and the Synare sensor.... please come by for a visit at

    www.helensson.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. adrian novellino8 December 2012 at 19:47

    will like to have one of this kits, but i´m living in Argentina, theres any possibility to habe one? thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. dylandylandylan12 October 2013 at 21:49

    Hey everyone! I recentely just found one of these kits I must of ordered through ebay around 2 years ago! Im not very handy with electronics so I cant match up the parts by eye..

    Could someone please send me a scan of the instructions! I would really love to put this thing together! or post a link? mcarthur.dylan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. L Shepard25 March 2015 at 04:51

      http://www.helensson.com/synare-sensor.html

      Delete

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