Mod Kits for Adafruit x0xb0x
About x0xi0
x0xi0 Kits
x0xi0 kits are DIY modifications for the Adafruit x0xb0x, an open source Roland TB-303 clone. The kits are complete, no compromise solutions to modifying the x0xb0x. They inlcude all parts necessary to complete the installation, including PCB's, panels, electrical components, & hardware. The kits use only high quality components from manufacturers such as Alpha, Alps, Bourns, E-Switch, NKK, & Sifam. The kits do not include the x0xb0x itself, so a x0xb0x is needed as well, either an already-built unit or an unassembled kit. There are some parts from the x0xb0x kit that aren't use in the x0xi0, see the FAQ for more details.
There are currently three standard x0xi0 kits available:
x0xi0 Full Kit
x0xi0 I/O & Overdrive Kit
x0xi0 Full Upgrade Kit
Full Kit
The full kit adds features to the top control surface and the rear panel. The main parts of the kit are two additional PCB's, one that goes above the x0xb0x mainboard and one that
goes above the x0xb0x I/O board. Once the PCB's are stuffed they are mounted using the included hardware and connected to the x0xb0x with wires as described in the install manual.
The kit also includes a new rear panel with overlay and a 3-color anodized aluminum top panel, as well as new knobs for the exiting controls.
I/O & Overdrive Kit
The I/O kit adds audio and control voltage inputs & outputs to the rear panel. It also add a complete overdrive & distortion circuit. The main part of the I/O kit is a PCB that goes above
the x0xb0x I/O board. The new x0xi0 PCB and stock x0xb0x PCB are mounted to a new rear panel.
Full Upgrade
The upgrade kit is for those that have installed the I/O & Overdrive and want to upgrade to the Full kit. It includes all the remaining parts to add the top panel mods.
Custom x0xb0x PCB Kits
In addition to the standard x0xi0 kits there are x0xb0x PCB's available. These are custom versions of the x0xb0x PCB's specifically for use with the x0xi0 kits. The PCB kit includes a Mainboard & I/O Board PCB, and all additional parts that aren't part of the stock x0xb0x kit. See the x0xb0x PCB Kit parts list for a detailed list of parts included. Below are the specific differences of the custom PCB versus the stock versions.
Mainboard PCB
- Less connections. The mainboard eliminates (35) wired connections by aligning pinheads to connect the x0xi0 top PCB to the mainboard.
- Solder pads. The few remaining connections that are made to the PCB have specific solder pads, so connections do not need to be made to components as when using the stock mainboard.
- Eliminates parts. All of the parts from the stock mainboard that aren't necessary in the x0xi0 are eliminated, such as the toggle switch, trimpots, resistors, caps, etc..
- VCA offset adjust. Additional circuitry is added and a trimpot is used to adjust the VCA input offset to minimize VCA clicking.
- Smaller size. The mainboard is much smaller in the top-to-bottom dimension.
- Custom Enclosure. The custom enclosure that will be offered only works with the custom PCB Kit and does not work with stock x0xb0x versions.
I/O PCB
- More robust. The power supply voltage regulators a mounted to the PCB with oversized heatsinks
- Better access. The connection points are moved towards the edge of the board so that they are easier to access.
- Flexabilty. The board has connections for two different types of MIDI/DIN and audio connectors, so it will fit both stock parts and smaller low-profile parts.
- Low profile. The power supply capacitors and voltage regulators are mounted horizontally so the PCB assembly does not need as much clearance above it.
- Custom Enclosure. The custom enclosure that will be offered only works with the custom PCB Kit and does not work with stock x0xb0x versions.
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Misc. Parts & Kits
Mixer PCB Kit
The mixer PCB kit was developed to eliminate the possibility of clicking sounds that can couple into the output of the x0xi0 though the x0xb0x mixer circuitry. This happens because the x0xb0x mainboard and x0xi0 top PCB are placed very close together. The mixer PCB kit comes with a small PCB and associated parts. The mixer circuitry resides on the new PCB and the assembly is mounted away from the trigger and gate circuitry. The kit should be installed with both the stock x0xb0x mainboard and the custom version. x0xi0 Full kits with serial numbers below #145 did not come with the mixer PCB kit. If you have one of these kits and can hear clicking sounds the mixer PCB kit should be installed. The kit is very inexpensive as it fixes a problem that should have been found previously. x0xi0 Full kits with serial #145 and above come with these parts standard. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------