CLK2A - Divisions

Introducing the new CLK2A Division module. This is the first of a range of CLK Clocking modules - yes, it does seem strange to start with CLK2A but that's because CLK1 will be some form of 'Master' VC-Clock and there should be a CLK2B with binary divisions.

This show-cases two new setups:

1. The Clocking 'Bus' - internal connections are made between CLK Clocking modules allowing 'Master' controls of Clock and Reset (eg. with CLK1 VC-Clock as Master)
2. SMD (Surface Mount) construction - in a bid to make designs easier to fabricate many parts are being moved to surface mount and thus eliminating hand-wiring. New banana sockets now securely fix the front-panel to the two parallel-mounted PCBs and the result is an incredibly compact module. (this also, for now at least, rules out the possibility of mini-jack modules -- a whole new PCB footprint would be required)
   

[Not shown in the images above: - one IC has vanished from the 2nd picture (?!!) and mounting pillars are not fitted to join the PCBs together -- these are initial Proto pics!]

Building Bugs - the new BugCrusher08

Things have been busy behind the scenes in BugWorld - I've been trying to streamline my ways of producing devices. Last month I brought out the diminutive PostcardWeevil (which has gone down well!) - my first foray into Pro PCBs (from Futurlec) - and now comes the first box, a new and powerful version of the BugCrusher.

The use of ProPCBs opens up some new techniques and the theory is that I can make things much more replicatable, while also packing more features in. To be honest, there's still plenty of figuring to be done - both on what circuits to build and how to integrate everything efficiently- but things are heading in good ways. Don't be thinking, either, that using ProPCBs makes the building process all that much easier -- it still takes a freaking age to put the boxes together!!!

So, here are the first pictures of the new BugCruhser08 - inside and outside!
A batch of 8 will be released in the next few days via the BugMailList (you are on it, aren't you?!)
There'll be more info going up on the main BugBrand site shortly too.
Coming soon will be a new version of the (standard) Weevil and then on to some more BugCrusher9VoltStomps...


The box features are:
Input Preamp for mic or line level
Voltage Controlled Crusher circuit - with main Crush Control plus variable CV modulation
Mixer to blend Dry / Crushed signals plus switchable phase inversion on the Crushed signal
Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter with LoPass / BandPass - with main Cutoff Control plus variable CV modulation
Output with lo (guitar-amp) or hi (line) levels
Modulation input switchable between Expression Pedal or external Control Voltage (CV - from analogue synths (standard +/-5v levels))
Electronic Bypass Switch plus external Footswitch socket


And some shots of the building process:
There are four boards within - one main board and then external boards joined via IDC headers.
One for Input / Output sockets
Two for dials and switches