However, to work in stereo we had to break out the FFT meters in order to bias the second JFT to produce a similar distortion characteristic to the first. The biasing can be done by ear – send the module a variety of signals and set the bias to a distortion level you’re happy with, while the output is easily set using the meters. While the CTX and 15IPS modules are ready to go once built, the JFT module has a couple of variable resistors that need setting to bias the JFET and to set the output level.
Diy 500 series chassis kit mod#
A switched input and output gain mod is available as a separate purchase, which swaps the two potentiometers on the front panel for switches, making it much easier to work with the Colours in stereo. The results were fantastic, and although it took a little time to set the levels evenly on each module – using tones and some very fine metering – the end result delivered everything we’d hoped. The CTX uses a custom-wound Cinemag transformer to produce a softer, less marked saturation than the JFT, while the 15IPS uses a resonant high-pass filter and new old-stock germanium diodes to emulate the head-bump and soft-clipping of a tape machine running at 15ips. The JFT uses a new old-stock 2SK170 JFET in a discreet Class A circuit to add a little low-order even harmonics to the signal, producing a similar distortion characteristic to a triode valve. This is basically Lego with a soldering iron. We were given two each of the JFT, CTX and 15IPS modules, and the building couldn’t have been easier. Moving on to the modules we managed to build all six without any hiccup. All chassis are rated for different power supply, for a more advanced setup, look into a chassis with double-shielding, which are carefully constructed to avoid magnetic. The chassis provides power to all of your modules, and I/O to connect to your tape machine or DAW. The Palette itself is incredibly simple to build, with detailed instructions, and only gets a little fiddly when it comes to fitting the LEDs to the front panel – something we advise you take a little extra time on. A 500 series chassis is not just an enclosure to house your modules.
We set to work building two Colour Palettes simultaneously, and were finished within a couple of hours. The finished product is a DIY kit made of the Colour Palette – the 500-series module itself – which in turn houses three Colour Modules. In the spirit of the DIY community, Peterson detailed every stage on the blog, taking on board various community recommendations as it worked its way from inception to the eventual release.