Solar Power Modular

I've been building up to this for a while -- the modular has been running off battery power for a few months and now the final pieces are complete for the full solar powered portable system (well, the frame at least -- the modules will always be changing!)

This new frame (built to size to fit within Easyjet's musical instrument carry-on luggage sizes!) holds a whopping 52 frac-module widths and houses two large (12v 1amp) solar panels in its lid. These hook up to rechargeable SLA batteries (via auto-charge controllers) and then power the modular frame.

Debut performance -> Goldmund Festival - late night, by a lake, extended techno wobble set!

New BabyBugCrusher 9vol

Announcing the new version BabyBugCrusher - now running off 9v power and with improved features.

The BugCrush circuitry has undergone a complete redesign over the last month. Out has gone the old synth-style bipolar supply (complex) to be replaced by simple 9v battery / DC plug power. And in the process I've added clean/dirty input boosting and a tone control that goes from mud to ripping.

This prototype is the new desktop version (though the final layout may change a little) and there will also be a stomp box version.

Production should begin mid August...
(but I can't say for sure!)

Bug Badges

Thanks to Made By Milla for doing a new batch of smart-assed Bug Badges.

Now available with other orders from the BugShop

Dazed Bugs / Confused Bugs

There's a full page bug interview feature in this month's Dazed & Confused mag. Go visit your local news-stand.

No plans to replace my currently a-bit-too-hippy hair with an asymmetric style cut, though..

The pics come from Arun Productions as blogged a while back

Trio of Weevil07

Its taken a while but finally the Weevil07 cranks into (vague) production. Here's the first batch of three, freshly constructed. The design is updated a bit from the Weevil07 Prototype - bigger case (proto was too fiddly small), range tweaks, LEDs...

The range of sounds, compared with the Weevil06, is extreme and powerful:
- tweaked oscs now with pulse width adjustment for extra versatile sounds
- powerful analogue low-pass filter with resonance control
- more responsive touchplate - the touchy sounds you can get are super-chaos!

Full production should commence in July (though, judging by my recent form, times may slide somewhat).

Porta-frame filled

(click to see it big)

...just in time take to Amsterdam. Hopefully I'll be able to take this on Easyjet as hand-luggage - the dimensions are *just* ok for their 'carry on musical instruments' though it remains to be seen whether they believe its a musical instrument...

Details:
Top row:
- Thomas Henry Quadrature VCO
- Lofi looper module
- Thomas Henry XR2206 VCO x 2
- Thomas Henry NE566 VCO (from the 566 cookbook)
- Noise and RingMod
Middle row:
- BugCrusher (old version)
- Dual Pattern Generator
- Dual Envelope
- Low Pass Gate clone
- BugCrusher (new version)
- State Variable VCFilter
- VC PT2399 Delay
Low row - auxes panel:
- Power
- 3 x preamp
- inverter section
- 2 x mixer


EDIT -- hey, I'm happy to report that I was able to get through just fine carrying this box onto the airplanes -- absolutely no problems (which is strange considering my friend had a lot of hassle for carrying harmonicas in his hand-luggage --- all nuts!).

Next plan is to make a bigger box made to measure to fit exactly the maximum carry of musical limits of 30 x 38 x 117 cm... hehehehe!

Bug Pics - studio shots

Hey, I had a really cool recent photo shoot with Arun Productions (plus his Flickr stream).

Here's the Flickr Set
Some great pics to leaf through...