Comparison of Eurorack DIY PSUs
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
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Sold as 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 | unknown | ||
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 | Sold as PCB and components kit | Muff 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 | Muff 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 | unknown | 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 | unknown | 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 | unknown | Full kit for PSU + two busboards | Muff Wiggler forum |
MFOS | Adjustable LM317/LM337 1.5A Supply | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | separate transformer | LM317, LM337 | not specified | 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 | not specified | 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 | not specified | CC-BY-NC-SA | ||
ModularSynth.ru | Regulated Bipolar PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A, 5V @ 1.5A | separate transformer | 2xLM317, LM337 | not specified | 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 Muff Wiggler thread | unknown | 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. | unknown | PCB only or full kit. | Muff Wiggler forum |
Synthrotek | Deluxe Power Module | switching | +12 @ 2.0A, -12 @ 1.5A, +5 @ 1.5A | external 15-28V DC power switched brick | R-6212P, R-7312P, OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36-C | 1 or 2 flying bus cables | unknown | PCB only or full kit. | |
Synthrotek | Eurorack 5A Power Supply | switching | +12V @ 2.2A, -12V @ 1.3A, +5V @ 1.5A | external 12V DC power switched brick | UEI15-120-Q12P-C, OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36-C | flying bus cable | unknown | PCB only or full kit. |
Notes
- ^ Trying to decide what's linear or switching, the transformers are mostly interchangeable so instead going by the type of regulators.
References
External links
- Linear Power Supply For Modular Synth Application., Electro-Music forum, Jan. 2012
- Linear Power Supplies!, Muff Wiggler forum, Jun. 2013
- Power supply battle: TipTop,Elby,Doepfer,MakeNoise,4ms etc, Muff Wiggler forum, Oct. 2013
- Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Muff Wiggler forum, Feb. 2014
- New Doepfer Power Supply A-100PSU3, Muff 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