Befaco Rampage

[temaniak]

starthief
Yes, this is Rampage's problem.
I wrote in Befaco, and they answered this:

"This is known problem with modules with low input impedance (this way is solved with atenuators)

One solution is to make bigger R52. Try changing it to 30K (but this wil make the max rampage out 9v
Other solution is making the output impedance bigger. changing R125 and R123 to 20K can probably do the job"

I must learn to solde!!!r

[fluffymuff]

Mouser is out of the 2n2 Polystyrene caps but in the build guide it says to use WIMA caps anyway (i'm building version 1.3.2). Has anyone here used WIMA's or know what difference they make to the Polystyrene caps?

If I do go down the WIMA route would it be best to get polyester or polypropylene?

[fluffymuff]

Mouser is out of the 2n2 Polystyrene caps but in the build guide it says to use WIMA caps anyway (i'm building version 1.3.2). Has anyone here used WIMA's or know what difference they make to the Polystyrene caps?

If I do go down the WIMA route would it be best to get polyester or polypropylene?

Anyone?

[AndreasD]

Mouser is out of the 2n2 Polystyrene caps but in the build guide it says to use WIMA caps anyway (i'm building version 1.3.2). Has anyone here used WIMA's or know what difference they make to the Polystyrene caps?

If I do go down the WIMA route would it be best to get polyester or polypropylene?

I don't know why the material decision is an issue for this particular cap.
But then I found out that the Rampage tracks quite accurate when used as a VCO. I mean for an envelope!
Looking from that angle, polypropylene would be the one. Better temperature spec.
Rampage 1.3.1 manual says "Polyestirene" and a similar cap is in their VCO.

[charonme]

I'm planning to start building the rampage from a kit, is there any mod I need to be aware of in advance or a flaw with the design that needs to be corrected?

for example there's this:

Looks like both modules have floating I/Os.
You can fix it in both cases putting what is call a pull down resistor, as you say from the in to the ground or from the out to the ground. 1M will do the job and will not affect the signals.

[fluffymuff]

Mouser is out of the 2n2 Polystyrene caps but in the build guide it says to use WIMA caps anyway (i'm building version 1.3.2). Has anyone here used WIMA's or know what difference they make to the Polystyrene caps?

If I do go down the WIMA route would it be best to get polyester or polypropylene?

I don't know why the material decision is an issue for this particular cap.
But then I found out that the Rampage tracks quite accurate when used as a VCO. I mean for an envelope!
Looking from that angle, polypropylene would be the one. Better temperature spec.
Rampage 1.3.1 manual says "Polyestirene" and a similar cap is in their VCO.

Thanks for the info. I've completed my build now using the polypropylene and it seems to be working ok, not tried it as VCO yet but will report back

[robpiya]

Noob question here - Do the values of the resistors connecting to the LEDs need to be changed if I opt for green LEDs? (The default ones in the schematic are red LEDs). Or am I in danger of busting the module?

[zorglub76]

The only busting you can get is LEDs going out. But I think they won't. You'll just get yellowish lights, or something.
When in doubt, I finish everything without LED resistors, and then check different values. Of course, you can also calculate that, but I'm not EE, so....

[exper]

I just received a Rampage that I bought over Reverb. So far I think it's an interesting take on the dual FG/Slew type of modules.

However, the I'm having an issue with the B range switch. Channel A gets 3 different speeds on each of the Range switch positions. Channel B however lacks the top, slowest speed. The middle, fastest speed is duplicated for the upper position. It's definitely a 3 position switch installed.

Anything I could check to fix this (no soldering skills/tools here)? Or am I screwed?

It's a factory built module as far as I can tell, as it came in a retail befaco box. Not sure if they'd repair it as it was not a brand new unit.

[jonleebrown]

I just received a Rampage that I bought over Reverb

Sigh, this was me. Was just looking through this thread to see if there'd been similar issues discussed--the search didn't turn up anything I could immediately identify.

I have emailed Befaco and hope to hear back from them--maybe something interesting will come of it?

FWIW, you're not screwed. I did consider fleeing the country your money, but google tells me that Drusselstein isn't actually a country so...

If we can't sort it you, can send it back to me. On that note, is there any sign of damage on the module?

[exper]

I did consider fleeing the country your money, but google tells me that Drusselstein isn't actually a country so...

lol, no worries. I’m sure it’ll work out.

No damage. Box was fine, and module looks great otherwise. Nothing seems loose, etc.

[charonme]

my rampage is getting a bit warm, but otherwise it seems to be working fine. Anybody experienced this too?

I've built it using a full kit with all components provided by befaco. I wasn't able to locate any single specific component that's getting hot. It seems to be drawing around 60mA on the negative rail and 80mA on the positive rail

[J_Behan]

my rampage is getting a bit warm, but otherwise it seems to be working fine. Anybody experienced this too?

I've built it using a full kit with all components provided by befaco. I wasn't able to locate any single specific component that's getting hot. It seems to be drawing around 60mA on the negative rail and 80mA on the positive rail

Don't know if you've fixed this yet, but I had this issue with my build.
Turns out it was a 1n4148 diode which was installed but not soldered. There's a lot of them in there, so it's easy miss one. It was fine once it was soldered in properly.

[hel1]

what a great module this is. I've been exploring it for a week now and there is so much more to discover...

it was the second module I've built and after reading about all the difficulties I was a bit worried.
but I have to say that as long as you take your time and read the instructions closely, it should be no problem.

[c0nsumer]

it was the second module I've built and after reading about all the difficulties I was a bit worried.
but I have to say that as long as you take your time and read the instructions closely, it should be no problem.

I agree. I thought it was a detailed, and slightly complicated, but really not-that-bad build. No worse than any other lots-of-resistors synth I've done before.

[crawave]

Hi everyone, I built a Rampage. I bought pcb / panl set with potentiometers and sliders on the befaco site, 2n2 wima polypropylene caps on mouser and the rest on tayda. I have assembled both Rampage and Sampling Modulator. The SM works well Rampage no.

the inputs A and B. with an audio signal inserted in A or B the audio comes out from the outputs and is modified if I move the sliders, the potentiometers or insert CVs in cv rise, fall or exp.

if I press a TRIG button ,on the oscilloscope, I can see the rising in relation to the position of the slider and the pot, but then it never goes down.

the same thing if I put one of the channels in cycle mode.the first cycle starts but then does not repeat.

this is the photo of the main board.some points are disassembled, now I have arranged them, most of the points are resistors that have been soldered on the upper side.

Does anyone have advice to give me? Can you help me?

[dadacore]

Hi everyone! I've just built a Rampage from a kit (Thonk) but cannot calibrate well, to get channel B to output a linear ramp, must turn shape knob almost full cw and raise attack time to a quarter. no way of trimming it to something close to halfway of the shape pot.
Any idea where should I look at?
previously had to replace the dual npn array because the other channel wasn't working

[aphantomvaper]

Hi everyone, I built a Rampage. I bought pcb / panl set with potentiometers and sliders on the befaco site, 2n2 wima polypropylene caps on mouser and the rest on tayda. I have assembled both Rampage and Sampling Modulator. The SM works well Rampage no.

the inputs A and B. with an audio signal inserted in A or B the audio comes out from the outputs and is modified if I move the sliders, the potentiometers or insert CVs in cv rise, fall or exp.

if I press a TRIG button ,on the oscilloscope, I can see the rising in relation to the position of the slider and the pot, but then it never goes down.

the same thing if I put one of the channels in cycle mode.the first cycle starts but then does not repeat.


this is the photo of the main board.some points are disassembled, now I have arranged them, most of the points are resistors that have been soldered on the upper side.

Does anyone have advice to give me? Can you help me?

Hi! It looks as if there are several places solder is missing. Try to resolder the open holes with wire sticking out, especially in the middle of the board. You have a bunch of components that don't look they are connected all over the back of the board you posted. Good luck!

Built my Rampage in Sept, this thing is awesome!

[Koryo]

Oh dangnabbit, my RAMPAGE just started malfunctioning. It will no longer trigger on either channel. I built the thing so I can probably work it out, but damn it.

Are Befaco designs flaky?

[aphantomvaper]

Oh dangnabbit, my RAMPAGE just started malfunctioning. It will no longer trigger on either channel. I built the thing so I can probably work it out, but damn it.

Are Befaco designs flaky?

I've found that with some modules it locks up the Rampage. Try unplugging anything you have connected and then try triggering Rampage.

[Veiththepower]

For all those being interested a white panel, there is a potential possibility to print over almost any already existing coating with UV-printing. I´m gonna check it out with a 4ms Noiseswash. Of course this would cost something like 30-40 Euros for the printing alone but might be an option if everything else isn´t. Gonna tell how it´s going to work out at least for Noiseswash.

I would be interested in having a white version. It was a view years ago but do you still know how? Best, V

[thelowerrhythm]

Hi everyone, I built a Rampage. I bought pcb / panl set with potentiometers and sliders on the befaco site, 2n2 wima polypropylene caps on mouser and the rest on tayda. I have assembled both Rampage and Sampling Modulator. The SM works well Rampage no.

the inputs A and B. with an audio signal inserted in A or B the audio comes out from the outputs and is modified if I move the sliders, the potentiometers or insert CVs in cv rise, fall or exp.

if I press a TRIG button ,on the oscilloscope, I can see the rising in relation to the position of the slider and the pot, but then it never goes down.

the same thing if I put one of the channels in cycle mode.the first cycle starts but then does not repeat.

this is the photo of the main board.some points are disassembled, now I have arranged them, most of the points are resistors that have been soldered on the upper side.

Does anyone have advice to give me? Can you help me?

Was there ever a resolution here? I just got my first one and it's doing the exact same thing. A triggers and goes up, but then won't come down and is stuck on.

[reaganry]

Anyone US have a Rampage panel to sell for some reason?

[ldezem]

[...] once the output goes high it will "stick" on until I unpatch it [...]

Experiencing the same problem with passive modules and CaliOSC.

One solution is to make bigger R52. Try changing it to 30K (but this wil make the max rampage out 9v
Other solution is making the output impedance bigger. changing R125 and R123 to 20K can probably do the job

Thanks for pointing to the impedance issue. How did this eventually play out for you? Which solution did you settle with?

[Sweetfiltersweep]

A little video with Rampage. Very basic use, though.