ISE-NIN Build guide

Project

Projecttitel: ISE-NIN

Status: FINISHED

Startdate: 26th Aug.2022

Duedate: 15th Sep.2022

Last page update: 08.Jan.2025 - potentiometer Volume

Manufacture link: https://black-corporation.com

Modwiggler: https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=265268

Facebook Build Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517757979447099

Facebook User Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800008500661600

Gearspace : https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1353336-black-corporation-ise-nin-8-voice-analogue-synthesizer-15.html

1 BOM:
2
3 Currently identified Errors / Omissions / Errata:
4 Important Information before you start assembling:
5 PCB Scan Pictures (thanks Janne.I)
6 Build guide: ( in progress)
7 Firmware Installation
8 Calibration
9 Here is a step by step guide to calibrate the filter resonance: (ONLY AFTER that you need to calibrate filters in further step)

Disclamer

This guide is a best practice guide and I'm not responsible for any damage, or product quality.

Please respect your local laws/regulation for handling of electronics/electricity.

I'm not responsible for damages, failures with your build.

Do not try to build this device without basic knowledge of synthesizers. You need experience.

Tools

Before you built the ISE-NIN kit:

You need experience in soldering SMT Parts (around 350 SMT capacitors and 32 ICs in SOIC format).
required Tools are: Soldering Station, Flux pen, magnifying Glasses, Oscilloscope, some pliers, tweezers, PC or Mac for installation of the boot loader and firmware
It is recommended to have a bench- power supply with current limiter for the first test.
Programming is done via an ST-link programmer which is listed in the BOM (former DDRM builders can use the existing programmer) - normally its a Windows App. but with some experience in MacOS possible too

BOM:

ISE-NIN-BOM-REV1.0.4.xlsx uploaded 26.Feb.2022 (PSU alternativ part was swapped in line 198/199)

ISE-NIN-BOM-REV1.0.3.xlsx uploaded 10.Dec.2022

ISE-NIN-BOM-REV1.0.2.xlsx uploaded 24.Nov.2022

ISE-NIN-BOM-REV1.0.1.xlsx updated by BC on 24th.Sep.2022

ISE-NIN-BOM-REV1.0.1.pdf. updated by BC on 24th.Sep.2022

Add to your order: ATS-55250W-C1-R0 (from the) its a 1inch cooler for DC-DC PSU (read the issue list) 17.Nov.2022

the Mouser project can't be shared anymore, its the best that everyone create a own to their requirements.

too much parts are out of stock and its highly recommend to order by other shops too.

Tme.eu is a good place for European users. (EU)

other sources are digikey, Distrelec, RS, farnell, reichelt, Conrad, Uk-electronik, banzai (call the guys about the stock), thonk.

here´s an excel with some parts which I ordered by tme (it doesn't include all- but some parts are here much cheaper and in stock)

TME-order-ISE-NIN-partial!!.xlsx

some notes:

the tactiles are out of stock by mouser - use tme.eu or other supplier.

for the 3900pf caps, you can use polypropylene caps

use eBay or tme for the SMT caps to safe money

Tempco resistors and matched pair transistor are available by me:

https://www.diysynth.de/diy-components/passive-komponenten/tempco/tempco.html

https://www.diysynth.de/diy-components/aktive-bauteile/gematche-transistoren.html?language=de

The ssi2131,as2164,as3109 are available as a bundle by

https://www.uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=5024

Issues: have a look at the ISSUE lists below for changes!!

the part number for the trimmer at mouser isn't correct (more information - it’s described in the "Issue" list)

Information on the content of the DIY-Kit

The case and panel are included with the kit.

"The additional parts include:

Enclosure and Frontpanel

19" Rack Ears x2

Display Lens x1 (in the blac Noise IC Box)

Sliders x2 (Center detent)

Potentiometer 20k Lin x7
Noise IC x1

ALL MOUNTING HARDWARE: Screws, Nuts, Standoffs(Spacer, L-Bracket for the Breakoutboard pcb)

(Motherboards have all DACS, CPU, audio CODEC, and headphone amp already mounted on them).

Currently identified Errors / Omissions / Errata:

Issue ID	Date	Location	Type	Identified issue	Resolution	related for development	affected PCB version	fixed Version

Issue ID	Date	Location	Type	Identified issue	Resolution	related for development	affected PCB version	fixed Version
1	30 Aug. 2022	BOM - Voices	ERROR	Mouser part number for the trimmer is invalid	Line 180: 652-3296X-1-103RLF Line 181: 652-3296X-1-104RLF	BOM 1.0.0 and 1.0.1 update needed	--	BOM 1.02
2	30. Aug 2022	BOM - Mainboard	INFO	the 220uF caps on the Mainboard are BI-POLAR -	respect the BOM partnumber
3	07 Sep. 2022	Hardware Board	BUG	there's no Pinout described on the Hardware Board for the OLED -	please read the INFO section in the next table on "OLED selection" carefully	can be improved with better silkscreen information	1.0
4	13 Sep. 2022	BOM: Voices	INFO	the Mouser BOM shows 32x 240pF C0G capacitors for the Voices - used in the OTA Filter. These are 10% tolerance.	you can change the capacitors to Polypropylene, Silver MICA, Styrene - with 1-2.5% or match good capacitors in this range with an LCR meter (check the data sheets of the meter)	-	-	-
5	13.Sep.2022					create a Silkscreen for MTA156 Powerheader pinout	1.0
6	29.Oct.2022	Voices	BUG	VCO Sync use the wrong waveform	a must have change ! remove on every Voicecard IC3 (TL064). bend Pin 12 of the TL064 outwards, install the IC3 back in the IC socket and solder a resistor leg from Pin12 to Pin10 as shown:	fix the PCB routing	1.0
7	17.Nov.2022	PSU card	INFO	The DC-DC converter goes very hot after 30minutes, but its within the data sheet specs (65degrees Celsius is the max. operation). The 65 degrees can be reached in Summer or other conditions (few hours operating time) But for longterm stability of the components, I highly recommend the usage of a big cooler	install a 25x25mm cooler with an high of minimum 20mm. I found on tme.eu a product with self adhesive foil and 24.5mm height. the temperature of the DC.DC converter is 51 degrees after an hour on the regulator and 43 degrees on the cooler. TME Part nr. ATS-55250W-C1-R0		1.0	BOM 1.02 is updated for this !!
8	08.Oct.2023 update on 04.Nov.2023	all voices	BUG	failure in Sync function there's a "stepping" in the sync sound. respect Step 6 from the Issue list too.	not recommended !!! at your own risk, the change result isn't worth the risk and work/time. there's a additional 10K resistor to be installed, which isn't described in the notes here. Connect an additional 10K Resistor to GND via PIN10. This resistor is shown in the ssi2131 data sheet.		1.0
9	Jan.2025	Mainboard	bug	Volume gain is only 50%	Hey Everyone, here is the solution to the DIY volume issue. On the MB (motherboard), replace resistors R99, R100, R101, R102 with 100k 1%. location on Mainboard
10	Jan.2025	Mainboard	Improvement	Gainstage of VCA 2164 change	Remove R149 C167, C171,C179,C181 must be 100pF C0G RM5	--	all
11	Jan	Voice card	Improvement only for users with experience.	Gainstage at the voice cards	remove R87 change: R92, R100, R103 R106 to 220K C24 C53, C54 C58 to 1200pF C0G RM5 C52 C56 must be 100pF C0G RM5 R104 R107 must be 100K

Important Information before you start assembling:

Info ID	Date	Location	Type	Issue	Tip

Info ID	Date	Location	Type	Issue	Tip
1	13. Aug.2022	Hardware Board	INFO	minimize Slider/Potentiometer malfunctions Soldering Info	when you install the sliders, DO NOT solder all pins successively, solder only one pin at the top and the bottom and proceed to the next slider, when you have installed all of them - solder the next single pin of each slider. this has to be respected with potentiometers too. The Sliders and Potentiometers have lubrication inside which is sensitive to heat and can be easily damaged (this mistake was made in many Syncussion clones )
2	13. Aug.2022	Hardware Board	INFO	OLED Selection and R101/R32 - R100/R102	when you have an OLED with the PINOUT: VCC-GND-SCL-SDA install R100 and R102 (0 Ohm - a bridge) (R32/R101 must be left empty) in case you have an OLED with the PINOUT: GND-VCC-SCL-SDA install R101 and R32 (0 Ohm -a bridge)
3	13. Aug. 2022	All pcbs	INFO	some IC Sockets do not point in the same direction as the others, it´s a known issue that people install ICs backwards	Double and triple check every IC orientation - maybe 80% of all device malfunctions happen because of that and often end in very expensive repairs
4	13. Aug.2022	Hardware Board, PSU, Mainboard	INFO	the LEDs do not work	when you build the device - its important to start with the power supply - here you can test the LED orientation. never trust the vendor pinout for LEDs. normally the long LED leg is the positive end (anode) (but some circuits are powered from negative rails and GND is the positive end in this case- just as an explanation)
5	13. Aug. 2022	Mainboard	INFO	solder the pins on the Edgecard holder where you find the white stripe on the PCB -	you can't install the edge cards in the wrong way
6	14.Aug.2022	Mainboard	INFO	keep the length of the power cable as short as possible - that minimizes the risk that you accidentally put the PSU card in a voice card slot
7	14.Aug.2022	Hardware Board	INFO	pay attention to "Pot23 - Volume" (upper right corner) this is the one non-center detent pot.
8	14.Aug.2022	Mainboard	BUG		BOM1.0 Change- fixed in BOM v1.0.1 R103, R104, R105 = 330K (was 30k in BOM rev 1.0.0) R128, R143 = 10K (was 30k in BOM rev1.0.0) R137, R146 = 10K. (was 20k in BOM rev1.0.0)	fixed on 24.Sep.2022 in BOM 1.0.1
9	03.Oct.2022	Parts	INFO	the 2N3094 on the Voicecards must be a matched pair (within 2mV vbe)	A. if you are a pro builder.. you still have a device to match trannys. B. you can order or build a tester C. you order matched pairs by me or thonk https://www.diysynth.de/diy-components/aktive-bauteile/gematche-transistoren.html?language=de
10	18 April 2023 updated 23June 2023	PSU	BUG	R8 220R 250mW on the PSU goes very hot - it affect the lifetime of this part and brings thermal noise in the circuits.	replace R8 (220R) with a 470R 1watt 1% metalfilm with 50ppm digikey: BC4533CT-ND a other untested workaround is in to remove the 220R and connect a wire thru 100R 1-2Watt to the the 5VA regulator output to the left TL431 (use the pad of the 220R). this workaround is only for people who know what they do - they dont need my help/infos to do this mod.
11	08.Okt.2023	all Voices	BUG	the Sync function must be fixed there's a "stepping" in the sync sound. respect Step 6 from the Issue list too. The Issie is reported in this list, because its easier to cut the trace before you have installed the SMT IC7

PCB Scan Pictures (thanks Janne.I)

ISE-NIN_PCB_SCANS.zip

Build guide: ( in progress)

Power supply PCB (PSUb) -

install the resistors and diodes
install the ceramic capacitors (not the electrolyte caps yet)
install the TO-220 regulators (IC4, IC5, IC7), the black isolated regulators do not match with the pcb holes, its not important. bend the pins as short as possible that they can be soldered from the rear-side of the pcb
install IC3 - I prefer without a socket for better thermal regulation, but should be fine with a socket too.
install the electrolyte caps
install the LEDs - LED orientation - the square pad is ground (short leg) its the flat side of the LED designator
install the fuse socket and MTA 156 2pole header
install the DC-DC bricks (IC1, IC2)
Double check the IC orientation and part values, Capacitor polarity
wash the PCB carefully and let they dry over night
optional - use a bench psu for testing with current limiter 12v 250- 500mA don't use a smaller current limit to avoid problems while start, the 250mA is a given value without any devices connected
must do: all LEDs must be on, check against the given PCB voltages - all voltages must be correct
Install the Heatsink by the self adhesive tape and push the heatsink against the DC-DC for 20-30seconds (new task since 24.Nov.2022)

first test on a bench PSU with current limit

Breakoutboard (BB)

Start with the SMT parts on the rear side and IC4.

here´s an example how this has been installed by me, add some solder on one pad and heat up this pad while you move a capacitor with a tweezer to the location, then add some solder on the other side too, normally no extra flux (fluxpen) is needed but depends on your skills.

install the SMT capacitors and IC4 (the dot on the PCB is pin1)
install the resistors - solder all pins.
install the ceramic capacitors - solder all pins
install the IC sockets - standard IC sockets preferred - solder all pins after you have checked the alignment
install the power socket, MTA156 header, 16pin IDC connector
wash/clean the pcb before you install the USB socket, MIDI socket, Audio jacks
wash/clean the pcbs carefully with respect on ESD safe handling
install the USB and Midi Socket, Audio jacks
Double and triple check the IC orientation

Mainboard (MB)

the heart of the ISE-NIN must be build really carefully !!

you need an ESD map and ESD safe handling (tools) - because the uController is preinstalled and can be destroyed due to wrong handling.

I really prefer to use a Soldering frame - Ideal Teck PCSA-4 (the MB and HB-pcb fits perfect)

install the SMT capacitors as before described in the Breakoutboard section.
install the resistors - read ISSUE ID2 and respect in the BOM the resistors which are not populated - this info is at the end of each section in the BOM. fill the solder holes or use a tape/pen to have a notice there. otherwise it can be confusing.
install the ceramic capacitors - solder all pins
install the IC sockets - standard IC sockets preferred - solder all pins after you have checked the alignment
install the Transistors/regulators, quartz - do not overheat the pins here