Happy October, Comrades! Let’s get this update rolling…

KOSMODROM Modules:
We still have three spots available for the Sacrament Edition Chaos Dividers. We had to change to a different front panel manufacturer, so that has been a delay for the expander panels, but for those who are paid in full, we are having some acrylic panels made so that you can get your modules before the final metal panels are finished. When we get the final panels, we will send them out along with some basic, yet hard to find tools to help you get the panels swapped out.

While wrapping up the Sacrament Chaos Dividers, we are also finishing up the production circuit boards for the Belka and Strelka Eurorack Fuzz Module. When they arrive, we’ll put one together and if everything checks out, we’ll get them to testers and get the rest of the modules into production.

We are also officially working on a new KOSMODROM Eurorack Module for next year, but we are not far enough along to show off too many details.

COMRADE Modules:
We are currently finishing off the front panel graphics for the first couple of modules. Most likely looking at Jan-Feb 2017 to make them available. Though they may be ready sooner.

PLITKA Modules:
The new front panels have arrived! A few tweaks on the individual circuit boards and we’ll be ready to release v2 into the world. We won’t be making complete modules for the PLITKA series anymore, just PCB/Front Panel sets. Though for modules like the LAIKA [special germanium transistors, diode, and led] and the BTN MASHR [arcade button] that have parts that are hard [or expensive] to find in single quantities, we will include those parts. Modules that have knobs will also have knobs included in the kits.

Other Project and Collaborations:
– Our Eurorack Cable tester PCBs are now in stock and available in our store.

– We are working on our first official Eurorack Module for Sacrament Instruments and Effects. The graphic design is nearly done and the layout of the controls is far enough along to begin designing the control PCB and wrap the first set of production PCBs. Sacrament is our collaboration with Nero Bellum of Psyclon Nine and we are really excited to bring this module into the universe.

That’s all for now. Until next time, keep on wiggling!

-Frank
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Happy September, everyone! I somehow managed to completely lose track of August between building Sacrament Chaos Dividers, Belka and Strelka prototypes, and getting ready for Knobcon. So here’s the update:

KOSMODROM Modules:
Chaos Divider – Due to some component changes in the CD Sacrament Expander, I am re-ordering PCBs and ordering the production run of front panels this weekend. After some longer lead times on components, the parts are here and building has been ongoing. Safe to say that shipping by end of September is a reasonable plan. There are still two more spots available in the reservation list. The last 15 Standard Chaos Divider HVs will also be ready to go in small batches over the next couple of months as well.

Belka and Strelka – We built the most recent set of prototype PCBs and there is an issue with one gain stage and one of the VCA circuits, so it will need to be set aside until after Knobcon, but it is very exciting to be this close.

COMRADE Modules:
We have a couple to show off for Knobcon – the MLDAOUR (pronounced Modular) is a 4HP attenuverter/offset/halfwave/fullwave rectifier module. The Disprs2 is a 2HP 2×3 or 1×6 passive multiple. Lastly, the Trace TS (Trans-Siberia, because, it’s bigger than the 1U Trace) is an 8HP oscilloscope module. It has all of the same features as the 1U Trace, but with a few extra features. In fact, there is a Trace TS in the door prize raffle for the Golden Knob Banquet at Knobcon 5. More info on the name MLDAOUR here:
Horizontal Pitch – Modular Spam Sandwich Anyone?

Stardog Pedals:
Yep, still working on these. I have come to fully embrace Hofstadter’s Law:
“It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.”

Other Stuff:
We have ordered production PCBs for our DIY Eurorack Cable Tester. They should arrive in time to be available at Knobcon. More details next month.

-Frank
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Happy July, everyone! It has been a couple of months since the last email update, so there is a lot of catch up on – but we will keep it short.

KOSMODROM Modules:
The Chaos Divider HV is available and has been selling. We sent a pair of CD HVs and CD Sputniks to Perfect Circuit Audio, so they are available there. There will only be 25 standard Chaos Divider HDs made and 10 of them are with their new owners. The last batch of front panels were not up to our quality specifications, so they are being re-made. This will delay availability of the last 15 until late August. If you would prefer to build your own, kits for the CD HV and CD Sputnik are available at Modular Addict in the USA and Thonk in the UK.

In conjunction with Nero Bellum of Psyclon Nine, we are also releasing a limited run of 10 Chaos Divider HVs called the “Sacrament Edition” to christen our joint venture “Sacrament Instruments and Effects.” The Sacrament Edition consists of the Chaos Divider HV, the CD Sputnik, and a new 4HP Expander – the CD Sacrament. All three modules have matte black front panels with gloss black printing. The CD Sacrament moves the output voltage adjustment trimpots to the front panel. There will be only ten of these, and seven have been spoken for. If you are interested in purchasing one, send us an email. More information here:

KOSMODROM Chaos Divider HV – Sacrament Edition

The Belka and Strelka is finally alive! We have investigated and tested many different VCA circuits to get the Gain Stage CV control to behave how we want and we are ready to order what we are expecting will be the last round prototype circuit boards. If that works as intended, we will have a working module at Knobcon. Which means that we should have modules and kits available this fall.

COMRADE Modules:
We have some new modules that will be DIY friendly, through-hole component modules. In fact, COMRADEs will only be available as kits. From basic utilities, to harmonic generators (OK, overdrive), to more clock modulators, they will be lots of fun for beginners and fill some needs in your rack.

PLITKA Modules:
Still working through testing the drive circuitry for the LAIKA overdrive. We expect to have a module at Knobcon as well.

We are also hard at work with the Pollex 1U joystick as well. Fingers crossed for a Knobcon unveiling.

We’ll keep it short this time with more news on Stardog Pedals next month. As always, thank you very much for your support. Spasibo!

-Frank
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Happy April everyone! Spring has sprung in the mid-Atlantic of the USA, and with that, new module designs have been birthed. Apologies for missing a March newsletter.

Let’s start things off with the Chaos Divider. We have assembled the first 10 modules and are very close to shipping. The panels for all of the KOSMODROM modules are powder coated which are then screen printed. I had many failed attempts at making my own screens, so I have contracted a professional to make them for me. So in order to move things along, we made some temporary panels so that we can get the Limited Edition Pre-Orders on the road. In fact, the proud owners of the Limited Edition Chaos Dividers and CD Sputniks will have their units shipped on Tuesday, April 26. Here’s a peek at a completed “stickered” panel unit:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEcVtQJBnd0/

The screen printed panels will look the same, but without the outline of a sticker. As always, feel free to follow along with the build process on Instagram. Also, we are working on a couple of alternate panels for the Chaos Divider and CD Sputnik. We can’t wait to show them off!

On the Chaos Divider DIY front, we have made arrangements for 50 Chaos Divider kits to go to a pair of distributors – 25 to one in Europe, and 25 to one in the USA. More on that when they ship.

Second, we have ordered more xProtolab scopes to make a second run of our PLITKA 1U TRACE Oscilloscopes. The first batch sold out in a few days, so if you missed it, get your order in now. We have 16 PLITKA TRACEs available as well as 4 PLITKA TRACE COMPLETEs (The TRACE Oscilloscope and both TRLOGIC modules). Get them here:

PLITKA TRACE – Tsyklon Labs’ Storenvy Shop

Third, our first two STARDOG pedals will be pedal versions of the LAIKA and the BELKA & STRELKA. We are working on releasing them along side of their Eurorack counterparts. The only thing to say at this is – “SOVTEK Knobs”

Fourth, lots of progress in prototype land for some new products and we will be taking lots of new stuff to Knobcon 5 this year. Aside from a new KOSMODROM module, we have been working on three new PLITKA tiles:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDg-JrkhnR4/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDg-XGrhnSO/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDhEQNDhndL/

Word of note, the PLITKA BEGET (buffered mult) has been renamed “REPLICANT”. We have also been developing a few modules for our new COMRADE line of 3U Eurorack modules. COMRADEs will be 2 to 4HP in size, DIY friendly, all through hole component designs – AND Open Source Hardware. Speaking of Open Source Hardware, aside from getting all the files you need from the PLITKA or COMRADE pages, you can also order PCBs directly from OSHPark:

Tsyklon Labs’ OSHPark Profile

That is all for now! As always, thank you very much for your support. Spasibo!

-Frank
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