Parts is PARTS!?
Sourcing parts for Synth DIY can be intimidating. Here’s a list of commonly used parts and their manufacturer part numbers in 4U SDIY.
This page is under construction and will continue to have parts added.
Here are some useful PDF’s to help you in your own 4U Modular design!
4U Modular Vector Rail Mounting Drill Guide
4U Modular 1 Column PCB template
4U Modular Mechanical Spec
”The Great 4U Modular Mouser BOM Database Project”
I’ve begun working on a spreadsheet that will make ordering parts specifically from Mouser for DIY builds A LOT easier. Simply find the value column, find the value you need, copy Mouser part number and paste into mousers search bar. You can create Carts or BOM’s with this very easily. You can copy the manufacturer part number to see if the part is located at your preferred parts vender. This particular file was gear for people who prefer Mouser. It will be consistently updated over time. I’m not super big on creating Mouser Cart BOM’s because inevitably parts will be out of stock and if you don’t know what to look for you will find yourself stuck. In this spreadsheet I have boldened the columns I feel are most important to pay attention to when sourcing parts. My hope is that it is of help to some and helps ordering parts a lot less scary. This is by no means every part mouser has that would work but it’s the most common series of parts that I order and use on a regular basis. If it works for me it should work for most.
View: 4U Modular Mouser BOM Master Parts List 2024 - by Low-gain Electronics
BUD AC-423 7"x17"x3" Boat
Hammond 1444-1773 7"x17"x3" Boat
Davies 1900 (Modern Serge Knob)
Davies 1910C (0.25" shaft w/ setscrew) (70's Paperface Serge Knob)
Emerson/Johnson 108-09xx-001 series
Keystone 1472 Nut (Emerson banana jack nut alternative)
Rapid PJP 3230-C-XX
Tayda Banana Sockets
Multicomp 24.247.xx
SYNTHCUBE NANAJACK REAR-MOUNTING BANANA JACK
VCC CLB_300_XXX 5MM CONVEX LENSES
VCC SMB_200 3MM CONVEX LENSES
VCC CLF_280 5mm LED Lenses
VCC SML-190-XXX T1 3MM LED Lens
KEYSTONE 866X 5MM LED Lenses
KEYSTONE 8668-71 5MM FLAT LED LENSES
Keystone Electronics 330 1-1/4" Brass 4-40 Hinged Stand-Off
Keystone Electronics 352 1" Brass 4-40 Hinged Stand-Off
Panduit Corp GEE62F-A-C
MTA156 0.156" Power Cables (Pre-made)
TE/Amp Connectors MTA 156 0.156" Header 644752-4
TE Connectivity 640387-4 0.156" 4pin Header (R/A)
AMP 59804-1 MTA156 Punch Tool
TE Connector / Amp 3-640428-4 MTA156 22AWG
TE Connectivity 3-641437-4 (CONN PLUG 4POS IDC 22AWG)
Molex 09-50-3041 4P Female Plug (Pins sold Separately)
Molex 08-50-0106 4P Female Plug Pins
Molex 26-03-3041 0.156" female header (crimp pins sold separately
Molex 0008500008 18-22AWG Crimp Connector
TE 640456-4 0.100" (2.54MM) Friction Lock 4P Male Header
TE 640457-4 0.100" (2.54MM) Right Angle Friction Lock 4P Male Header
TE 3-640440-4 4P 22AWG Tin 0.100" (2.54MM) Female Header
AMP 59803-1 MTA100 0.100" Punch Tool
Molex 22-01-3047 0.100" (2.54mm) 4P Connector (Pins sold separately)
0008500113-xx-Gx-D 10" 24AWG pre-crimped connectors (Digikey Only)
Adam Tech LHA-04-TRB (4P Right Angle Header 2.54MM)
Adam Tech MTA-04 (CONN RCPT HSG 4POS 2.54MM)
Adam Tech MTA-C-R (CONN 22-28 AWG CRIMP TIN)
iCrimp - 2549 - 2.54mm Power Cable Wire Crimp Tool
TE 770078-1 Female Plug 4P (use w/ male pins)
TE 350418-1 Male Pin Connector (18-24AWG Crimp)
TE 770075-1 Male Plug 4P (use w/ female pins)
TE 770146-1 Female Pin Connector (18-24AWG Crimp)
Thonk Knurled Nut Driver Bit
Nibbling Tool (Nibbler)
C&K Components 8125SHCBE Push Button Switch
C&K 702501201 Dress Nut
C&K 801803000 Red Switch Cap (7.87mm Diameter)
C&K PushButton Switch Cap Colors (7.87mm Diameter)
PCB Interconnect Headers (quick and dirty: eBay / Amazon / Tayda) Buy a lot of them! Search: "2.54mm 40p header" :)
Essentra 12SWS2505 - Toggle / LED Shoulder Washer
E-Switch TL2230EEF140 DPDT Latching Switch & 1RRED 5mm switch cap
E-SWITCH TL1105SPF160Q Tactile SPST-NO Switch
Module Current ratings will be provided on each module product page Info and Modular Grid!
Here is some basic module current information for other manufacturers:
RS Module/Panel Current requirements:
Crocodile: 380mA per rail
Inori: 540mA per rail
Siegfried: 270mA per rail
SQP4: 75mA per rail
Edelweis I: ?
Edelwies II: ?
Hale Module/Panel Current requirements:
…More to come!
Some Basic Information about STS standards of 4U Serge: (C&P from ModWiggler Forum)
Banana Jack Color Code
Black = AC-coupled (IN or OUT)
Blue = DC-coupled (IN or OUT)
Yellow = Trigger (IN)
Red = Gate (IN or OUT)
Grey = White Noise (OUT)
Purple = Pink Noise (OUT) or Sync (IN)
PSD vs Obelisk
the psd (power supply distribution) is for shop panels while the Obelisk is for m-odules. The obelisk contains a PSD like distribution board - but with only 4 connectors instead of 5.
Power Connector
The standard inter-connector used by STS is a Tyco Rectangular 4 pin Connector. The body and pins are sold separately.
Pin & Socket Connectors PLUG W/O EAR 4P inline is PN: 770078-1
Pin & Socket Connectors 24/18 AWG TN/BR SKT is PN: 770146-1
Pin & Socket Connectors RECPT 4P DETENT LOCK in-line is PN: 770075-1
Pin & Socket Connectors 24/18 AWG TIN/BRASS is PN: 770147-1
The PSD has the female connectors.
Pin 1 is at the point. Pin 4 is at the flat (for both male and female).
Pin 1 = Ground 1, Black
Pin 2 = -12V, White
Pin 3 = Ground 2, Green
Pin 4 = +12V, Red
STS also uses a 5 pin XLR connector for power distribution. Coming from the power supply (PS4 for example) is a 5 pin female XLR. It is intended to be plugged into a panel mount 5 pin male XLR connector which then terminates to a male Tyco Connector (for plugging in power to the PSD). I used an Aphenol panel mount 5 pin male XLR connector, PN: AC5MDZ for a replacement part and it worked fine.
Here is what my PS4 XLR connector pinout is (note, I am not sure if this is standard or not, i would assume it is, but I dont want to be responsible for plugging anything in backwards):
Pin 1 = +12V, Red
Pin 2 = Ground 1, black
Pin 3 = -12V, White
Pin 4 = Ground 2, green
Pin 5 = Not Connected
PS2a Specs
the PS2a is a line lump, laptop type power supply. It is manufactured by Jerome Industries (Elizabeth, NJ). Their part number appears to be MIKS20-14 and has "Serge Power Supply" written on it. It appears to be a switching type power supply and can be switched from 115VAC to 230VAC inputs
12V @ 350mA
-12V @ 350mA
Fuse Type (T). 250mA, 250V.
PS4 Specs
Inside of a custom case (LMB boxes LINK maybe?) is a condor linear power supply model HAA15-0.8-A+
Technical/Catalog Information for the HAA15-0.8-A+
Vendor - SL Power Electronics Manufacture of Condor/Ault Brands
Power (Watts) - 24W
Voltage Output - ±15V (for Serge Panels, it is set to +/-12V)
Voltage Input - 100, 120, 220, 240VAC
Power Supply Type - Linear, Regulated (Open Frame)
1st Output - +15 VDC @ 800mA (This number should be a bit higher at 12V)
2nd Output - -15 VDC @ 800mA (This number should be a bit higher at 12V)
Mounting Type - Chassis Mount
Size / Dimension - 6.5" L x 4" W x 1.62" H (165.1mm x 101.6mm x 41.2mm)
Operating Temperature - 0°C ~ 50°C
Efficiency - 55%
Applications - Commercial
Line Regulation - ±0.05%
Load Regulation - ±0.05%
It is wired to an on/off switch and on LED indicator (wired to the -15V rail). The output is a 5 pin XLR with the following pinout: (coming soon).