Solenoids
Hardware Project, 2024
A small opto-isolator box built from a readymade board and Eurorack-compatible jacks. Connecting solenoids or any other components that draw a high electrical load is usually dangerous with Eurorack modular synths. While the ±12V sounds quite powerful, many bus boards only deliver around 1-5A. To not risk any damage to any of the modules in the system, I use a prefabricated opto-isolator MOSFET board made for usage with light fixtures.
See the project in sync with the rest of the synthesizer here.
The goal was to send up to 4 trigger/gate/control voltages from the modular synthesizer to solenoids. Which then hit acoustic instruments. Most interestingly, the magnet flicking back and forth was already a surprisingly nice percussive sound.
Using 3.5 mm jacks everywhere for connecting with the modular level signal, as well as connecting the actuators with the control board. It would be best to use different kinds of connectors for these purposes, but there is a ubiquitous amount of 3.5 mm patch cables available.
