99U of (mainly) Oakley Goodness

[eljay]

It's finally finished! Seven years in the making, all DIY, all inspired by the excellence in quality, documentation and advice from Tony. I started with no knowledge of electronics or modular synthesis, just a desire to try something new. So, back in October 2015 I built my first module, an Oakley PSU.

I was hooked pretty quickly and a year later had finished my first 20U cabinet. I was already planning what to build next and a year later there were two cabinets, the second containing more Oakley modules and an MFOS sequencer.

I couldn't stop there, so set my sights higher and gradually put together a DIY case, uprated power supplies (three of them) and lots more modules!

All in 5U MOTM format, many of the modules now no longer available. I am so glad I caught the right window of opportunity to build my Oakley system, it's been a struggle to get components over the last couple of years but absolutely worth it. Perhaps in the fullness of time there will be a 5U MOTM revival, how can something so good not endure?

[waldenpotato]

Thanks for sharing! This looks great.

[terjewinther]

Really good! Thanks for sharing! You are not alone in this: there are lots of us.

[kdjupdal]

Good job!
Those modules on the bottom, are they rack effects?

I somehow wish I had built a complete Oakley modular from the ground up. Instead I have a mix of Oakley and other MU format modules.

[eljay]

The modules along the bottom are a variety of 1U high 19" panels, these are stacked in pairs and provide a variety of functions.

On the left there is an 19" version of the Oakley midiDac above a power supply panel that has a group of multiples, and sockets giving access to the Oakley BUS.

In the middle at the bottom is a 19" rack version of the Oakley Human Voice module and the SE330 Stereo Ensemble (now both superseded by the 5U HVM module and the SRE330 rack effect), above these is a variant of the power supply panel that includes front panel input/output sockets that connect to the rear of the HVM/SE330, some multiples, and sockets giving access to the Oakley Bus.

On the right at the bottom is a panel with three functions: an even more simplified power supply panel (on/off switch and standby, +15V and -15V rail LEDs). Next to this is a homespun midi clock to CV converter, and next to that an MFOS quantizer. In the row above are three more modules, an MFOS stereo panner, a sequential switch (originally a Fonik design for eurorack), a Yusynth metalizer.

I have a separate 19" rack unit that houses an ADR30 Analog Delay, a Stereo Filtrex, a DCR320 Stereo Chorus, MFOS vocoder and a behringer mixer with digital effects that I mainly use to add a bit of reverb. Plenty of external effects for final processing.

[euphonic]

Wonderful system, Eljay! And a really nice cabinet.

[eljay]

Thank-you, I appreciate the comment about the cabinet, it turned out better than expected as my first and only attempt to make one. The outside of the cabinet was made really cheaply using pine 'furniture board' that I stained with a light oak dye. I carefully cut and joined together the boards with glue and corner blocks, so just needed the ability to cut a straight line with a jigsaw. The internal rails, also cheap, were made with thin strips of pine glued and sandwiched between thin strips of oak. No real woodwork skills required, thankfully, just the ability to measure accurately.

[LED-man]

A really nice system.
Which sequencer is there installed ?

[eljay]

The sequencer (bottom right-hand corner of the case) is an MFOS 16 step with vari-clock option. I have recently re-designed the panel (picture below) to incorporate a second set of control voltage outputs in addition to the vari-clock option and have just started to build it. I have adapted the rotary design originated by Thomas White for this new implementation. I did say it was mainly an Oakley system, I have a few MFOS and YuSynth modules as well.

[euphonic]

[...] I have recently re-designed the panel [...]

Nice design!

Oh, and I read your question about affordable concentric pots. Is synthcube an option?

https://synthcube.com/cart/index.php?ro ... ct_id=6851

[Grinder]

Very impressive way to go! By “advice from Tony” who are you referring to?

[eljay]

The 9mm concentric pots are a possible solution, however the thread length is shorter than on standard Alpha16 pots normally used in my MOTM 5U panels, too short to be used in 3mm thick panels. The second set of controls, SeqB , in the Panel above only has coarse tune pots, the second set of pots are used for the vari clock.

Advice from Tony is from the master of Oakley himself, Mr Allgood, Synthbuilder.

[Dadodetres]

Hello!
By any chance do you have a H.V.M you wish to sell?
thanks !

[eljay]

I don't but the PCBs look to be available in both 5U and Eurorack format from Tony at Oakley Sound Systems if you are able to DIY. You could also post in the Want To Buy forum.

[Dadodetres]

I don't but the PCBs look to be available in both 5U and Eurorack format from Tony at Oakley Sound Systems if you are able to DIY. You could also post in the Want To Buy forum.

I dont DIY...