Comparison of Eurorack DIY PSUs
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A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper linear power supply and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.[1] Switch-mode power supplies are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient than linear power supplies but produce more noise, (above audio range) on their output.[2]
Safety
Use a RCD. Mains voltages can kill and capacitors in disconnected power supplies can still deliver quite a jolt. Unless you're qualified to work with mains electricity, ready made external transformers are safer.
Comparison
| Brand | Model (& web page) | Type[note 1] | Volts & max. Amps | Transformer type | Main components | Distribution | Licence | Comments | Further info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Synthesis | Eurorack Power Supply | linear | +/-12V | 12V AC wall wart | 7812, 7912 | PCB and components kit. | build guide, schematic | ||
| Befaco | Power bus DIY kit | linear | +/-12V @ 0.7A, 5V @ 0.3A | internal switched PS +/-15V DC unit | LM317TL, LM337TL, 78M05 | Regulators are on a bus with 14 headers | CC-BY-SA | PCB and components kit. | schematic, assy instructions, Eagle files |
| Clicks & Clocks | PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.2A | toroidal attached to PCB | LM317, LM337 | Separate bus with 14 headers | With permission of Doepfer | Modelled on Doepfer A-100 PSU2 | A-100 Technical Details |
| Dintree | D112 Power Supply | switching | +/-12V @ 0.625A, 5V @ 0.5A | external 12V DC switched brick | VBED15, 7805 | 12 headers on PSU PCB | for non-commercial use only | Uses ready made DC to DC converter | schematic |
| EFM Synthesizers | 3501 Power Supply | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | external transformer | LM317, LM337 | can be adapted | |||
| Eowave | DIY PSU | switching | +12V @ 1.5V, -12V @ 0.7A,[3] 5V @ 0.5A | external 15V 4A DC switched brick | 2xLM2576T, 7805 | Separate bus with 15 headers | proprietary | PCB and components kit | Mod Wiggler forum |
| Erica Synths | 12V bipolar 1.5A PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | toroidal attached to PCB | LM317, LM337 | Separate bus with 14 headers | proprietary | PCB, hardware and components kit | Mod Wiggler forum |
| Frequency Central | FC Power DIY | linear | +/-12V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 0.1A | 12V AC wall wart | 7812, 7912, 78L05 | 1 header or solder leads to PCB | PCB only. Inexpensive solution for small Euro system. | FC Power Build Doc | |
| Frequency Central | Routemaster DIY | linear | +/-12V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 0.1A | 12V AC wall wart or 12V centre-tapped transformer | LM317, LM337, 78L05 | 12 Euro, MOTM, or Dotcom headers integrated on PSU PCB | PCB only. Inexpensive solution for small Euro system. | FC Routemaster Build Doc | |
| L-1 | 12V bipolar linear PSU+busboards | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | toroidal attached to PCB | 2xLD1084, 7805 | Two 12 header bus PCBs with kit. +5V regulator mounted on bus off 12V rail | Full kit for PSU + two busboards | Mod Wiggler forum | |
| Electronic Things… And Stuff | Mini Dual Power Supply | linear | +/-12V @ 0.5A | 12V AC wall wart | 7812, 7912 | Separate kits for 8 or 14 header bus | |||
| Metatronic Mods | Analog Power | linear | +12V @ 2.5A, -12V @ 1.5A, optional 5V @ 1.0A/0.5A | toroidal attached to PCB | MIC29300, LM2990T-12, R-78E5.0 | separate | switching regulator for +5V | ||
| MFOS | Adjustable LM317/LM337 1.5A Supply | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | separate transformer | LM317, LM337 | free for non-commercial use | PCB or PCB and components | ||
| MFOS | Wall Wart Power Supply | linear | +12V @ 1A | external AC wall wart | LM78XX/LM79XX or LM78LXX/LM79LXX | free for non-commercial use | PCB or PCB and components. Not Eurorack but included for completeness. | ||
| ModularSynth.ru | Low-Cost PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1A, 5V @ 0.5A | AC wall wart/separate transformer | 7812, 7912, 78L05 | CC-BY-NC-SA | |||
| ModularSynth.ru | Regulated Bipolar PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A, 5V @ 1.5A | separate transformer | 2xLM317, LM337 | CC-BY-NC-SA | |||
| Moraydular | Virta PSU | linear | +12V @ 1.5A, -12V @ 1A | switching wall wart | LM2991T, LM1086 | 12 header board with optional 7805, see Mod Wiggler thread | under development | ||
| stroh | modular power supply | linear | +/-12V , 5V | toroidal mounted on PCB | LM317T,LM337T,LM1086 | Detachable 2"x6" 12 header board with 5x10-pin Euro, 4x16-pin Euro, 8x6-pin Dotcom/MU and 8xMOTM/Frac headers. | PCB only or full kit. | Mod Wiggler forum |
Notes
- ^ Trying to decide what's linear or switching, the transformers are mostly interchangeable so instead going by the type of regulators.
References
- ^ Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Mod Wiggler forum, 23 Feb 2014
- ^ "Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ LM2576/LM2576HV Series SIMPLE SWITCHER® 3A Step-Down Voltage Regulator, p.20
External links
- Linear Power Supply For Modular Synth Application., Electro-Music forum, Jan. 2012
- Linear Power Supplies!, Mod Wiggler forum, Jun. 2013
- Power supply battle: TipTop,Elby,Doepfer,MakeNoise,4ms etc, Mod Wiggler forum, Oct. 2013
- Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Mod Wiggler forum, Feb. 2014
- New Doepfer Power Supply A-100PSU3, Mod Wiggler forum, Oct. 2015
- The big eurorack PSU list, for a wider comparison both DIY and ready made
Other useful power projects
- Power Bus Board, Ken Stone's Modular Synthesizer
- Power Supply Delay, Ken Stone's Modular Synthesizer