Hi everyone,
Thanks for the compliments!
TK called this eye-candy outside and inside, a great way of putting it, as it’s pretty obvious that I spent a lot of time desiging the inside. When I first read about MB-SID V2 and the possibility of having four Core modules and eight SID modules, I reversed my preference for PCB modules and starting designing a single PCB for the four PICs and eight SIDs, and realised that by doing so, I could optimize it so each pair of SIDs only required two 74HC595 shift registers. Then after choosing the case and discovering I could squeeze in five 74HC165 and three 74HC595, with a neat “hinge-like” cable to the control surface, I then optimized the control surface by using a combined matrix for both LEDs and switches (the rotary encoders aren’t in the matrix and use DIN pins).
… how long *the heck* did you need for the PCB designing?!?
It’s hard to say how long this took, as at the same time I was desigining the front panel layout and planning how it would all fit together. I started planning and designing it last May, and ordered the PCBs in October, spending probably 10 hours a week. So PCB design probably took 200 hours over six months, as everything was manually routed and I changed my mind a few times along the way, and a large chunk of that time was routing the control surface PCB. I really enjoy PCB layout, and there’s a huge buzz when you get some PCBs in your hands that you designed yourself.
Actual construction didn’t take that long, but it dragged on for weeks because testing MB-SID V2 alpha was very distracting 
Price tag is kinda ouch inducing…$662! What were the most costly items?
I actually went with an overall design that would be cheapest to put together (single PCB instead of modules, small control surface area and PCB)… the big costs were AU$170 for PCBs (one-off prototype manufacture, and that’s the cheapest for this size) and AU$200 for panels (Front Panel Express).
Case: AU$45
20x4 PLED display: AU$45
LEDs, switches, encoders: AU$70
Knobs: AU$20
PCBs: AU$170
Panels: AU$200
Other components (chips, sockets, screws, spacers, etc.): AU$100 (I guess)
8x 6582A SIDs: AU$100
I went to SmashTV’s site to work out a comparitive cost:
4 Core modules, 8 SID modules, 1 DIN modules, 1 DOUT modules =
PCBs only: AU$102 (US$84)
Kits: AU$300 (US$244.80)
… and that’s not including SIDs or control surface components!
The panels by Front Panel Express were expensive, but in retrospect were well worth it. I don’t have the tools to make an aluminium front panel, especially not one that would align with the PCB perfectly. Same deal with the PCBs. I paid a lot because it’s a one-off PCB production, but compared to AU$102 for module PCBs, AU$170 for the base PCB and custom control surface PCB is a bargain. (In no way am I suggesting SmashTV’s prices are high, it’s just that you need a lot of modules to make the same thing as what I’m making). Also, prices in Australia for standard components can be a little more than Europe and USA, and some of the exotic ones need to be bought from distributors or imported.
Many people have asked me whether they could get one of these PCBs. A batch run of the base PCBs is in the planning stage, they might cost US$30 each. A batch run of the control surface PCB isn’t planned, but two people could split a prototype PCB order and maybe pay US$65 each. People interested in getting either PCB should contact me by PM.
