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CV Express
version 1.0
build guide
Thank you for your purchase of the 7Dials CV Express module. We hope you find this unit to be a creative
addition to your modular synthesiser.
This build guide will show you how to build the CV Express module, focusing on our kit for the popular
Eurorack format.
The assembly of this DIY module will only require a small amount of elementary electronics
knowledge, but (like any DIY project) it does require a good level of soldering ability. If you are yet to
acquire soldering skills or experience then we would recommend you first practice on some simpler kits.
This project is not by any means a difficult build, but it wouldn't really be considered an ideal starting
project for a total beginner.
There are some really good DIY learning resources and soldering tutorials available online,
for example:
Adafruit-Soldering-Guide
If you're building the CV Express from one of our kits, please make sure you first check the quantities and
component values of all parts against the BOM provided. All resistors of multiple quantities should have
their values noted on the tape. Single quantity resistors will need to be identified by the builder, we've
included a list of all the relevant resistor colour codes needed for this project. It's certainly worth double
checking that the correct resistors are all going in the right spots.
100k - Brown-Black-Black-Orange--Brown
110k - Brown-Brown-Black-Orange--Brown
1k - Brown-Black-Black-Brown--Brown
390r - Orange-White-Black-Black--Brown
36k - Orange-Blue-Black-Red--Brown
4k7 - Yellow-Violet-Black-Brown--Brown
2k - Red-Black-Black-Brown--Brown
4m7 - Yellow-Violet-Black-Yellow--Brown
100r - Brown-Black-Black-Black--Brown
10k - Brown-Black-Black-Red--Brown
200k - Red-Black-Black-Orange--Brown
220k - Red-Red-Black-Orange--Brown
220r - Red-Red-Black-Black--Brown
If you're not building from a kit please refer to the BOM where we list part numbers and provide links to
various suppliers. All of the links are provided only as an aid to help the diy builder find or compare the ap-
propriate part required for this project.
Any links provided in this manual are not to be seen as an endorsement of that product.
If you are sourcing your own parts and have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us, we'll be
happy to help in any way we can. Builders can also check out the dedicated 7Dials CV Express Muffs
thread:
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=145913&start=0
1
December 2015

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Summary of Contents for 7Dials CV Express

  • Page 1 1.0 build guide Thank you for your purchase of the 7Dials CV Express module. We hope you find this unit to be a creative addition to your modular synthesiser. This build guide will show you how to build the CV Express module, focusing on our kit for the popular Eurorack format.
  • Page 2 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Build order Prior to installing the resistors you first need to check and confirm the values, either visually, using the provided colour codes, or by measuring with a multimeter. Locate and install the single 390r resistor in the place marked R29.
  • Page 3 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the single 36k resistor in the place marked R4. 36k resistors are marked - Orange-Blue-Black-Red--Brown Next, Install the single 4.7m resistor in the place marked R9. 4m7 resistors are marked - Yellow-Violet-Black-Yellow--Brown...
  • Page 4 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the single 100r resistor in the place marked R10. 100r resistors are marked - Brown-Black-Black-Black--Brown Next, Install the single 220k resistor in the place marked R21. 220k resistors are marked - Red-Red-Black-Orange--Brown ** Double check you don’t mix up the 220k and 220r resistors **...
  • Page 5 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the single 220r resistor in the place marked R31. 220r resistors are marked - Red-Red-Black-Black--Brown Next, Install the pair of 4.7k resistors in the places marked R6 & R11. 4k7 resistors are marked - Yellow-Violet-Black-Brown--Brown...
  • Page 6 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install three 10k resistors in the places marked on the Front Panel Component PCB as R13, R23 & R30. 10k resistors are marked - Brown-Black-Black-Red--Brown Next, Install four 2k resistors in the places marked on the Front Panel Component PCB as R7, R17, R25 &...
  • Page 7 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install four 200k resistors in the places marked R18, R22, R28 & R39. 200k resistors are marked - Red-Black-Black-Orange--Brown Next, Install the pair of 110k resistors in the places marked R15 & R40.
  • Page 8 100k resistors are marked - Brown-Black-Black-Orange--Brown Now move onto soldering the diodes. There are a few different types included in the CV Express kit and it’s very important that they are all put in the right places and also that they are all orientated correctly.
  • Page 9 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Install the pair of 1n4148 diodes in the places on the pcb marked D1 & D2. (2x loose in cap bag, small red body/black band on one end) Please refer to the picture, it’s very important that the black band is orientated correctly with the white stripe silkscreen marking on the pcb.
  • Page 10 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the pair of 1n4001 diodes in the places marked D4 & D5 (2x in cap bag, large black body/ silver band on one end) Please refer to the picture, it’s very important that the silver band is orientated correctly with the white stripe silkscreen marking on the pcb.
  • Page 11 CV Express CV Express CV Express version 1.0 version 1.0 version 1.0 build guide build guide build guide Install the four 100nF ceramic capacitors in the places marked C1, C4, C6 & C7. (4x loose in cap bag, small orange body, long legs), be aware three of them are installed under, or on the opposite side of the TL074’s.
  • Page 12 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the single 10nF ceramic capacitor into the place on the pcb marked C2. (1x loose in cap bag, small orange body, marked cardboard tape) Next, Install the three 3.3pF ceramic capacitors in the places marked C8, C9, C10.
  • Page 13 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the three 14 pin ic sockets, ensuring the notch in the socket is aligned with the silkscreen image on the pcb, all of the sockets point upwards. Next, Install the two PTC fuses, these go in the two places marked 0.1a just above the power header, orientation does not matter.
  • Page 14 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the LM317LZ in the space marked U4, make sure to orientate it so it matches the silkscreen image. Next, Install the 2x5 way power header. December 2015...
  • Page 15 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the 2k trimmer. Next, Install the 2x 10uf electrolytic caps in the spaces marked C3 and C5. It’s very important that these capacitors are installed correctly. The long leg goes into the square hole which has an associated + sym- bol next to it, the shorter leg goes into the round hole, so the gray stripe on the body of the cap is orien- tated away from the edge with the blue trimmer.
  • Page 16 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, install the male pin headers, these are installed on the opposite side of the PCB of all of the components that have been installed so far. Please note: the 3pin header location marked J23 is left empty, do not install anything there.
  • Page 17 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the six Thonkiconn jacks to the front panel component pcb. Fit the jacks to the pcb, then place the panel, and finger tighten some of the jack nuts to couple the panel to the jacks and confirm the jacks are all installed cleanly, flip it over and then solder.
  • Page 18 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install (but don’t solder yet) the remaining front panel components, consisting of five B100k 9mm pots, the SPDT switch, three red/green bipolar led’s and a single orange led. For the orange led, the short leg (cathode) is closest to the edge of the board - the flat edge of the silkscreen outline.
  • Page 19 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Finger tighten onto the front panel some of the nuts for the pots, jacks, and the switch. This helps align the parts to the panel. Flip the panel and ensure that all four led’s are protruding correctly through their panel holes, then you can finally start to solder the pots, switch and led’s.
  • Page 20 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the female headers on the front panel component pcb. These headers are installed on the opposite side of the front panel component pcb of any components installed prior to this step. It’s worth considering attaching the other pcb and aligning all the headers before tack soldering a single pin on all headers, and then proceeding to solder the rest of the pins once it’s confirmed everything is...
  • Page 21 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the ¼’ jack. ensure to fit and solder it on the same side of the pcb as the pin headers, so the opposite side to all of the resistors etc. ** This component dictates the depth of the whole module, and hence the space between the pcb’s.
  • Page 22 CV Express version 1.0 build guide Next, Install the five knobs. Three are black for the offset controls, grey is for the vari output level and red is for the comparator threshold. Finally, Install the power cable, taking extra care to ensure the red stripe is oriented to match the silkscreen legend, red stripe to -V.
  • Page 23 CV Express version 1.0 build guide December 2015...
  • Page 24   Quantit RefDes   Value     C1, 4, 6, 7  100n Ceramic 2.54mm (or 0805 SMT)  4  C2  10n Ceramic 2.54mm  1  C3, 5  10­22uF Electrolytic 63V  2  C8, C9, C10  3.3pF Ceramic 2.54mm  3  D1, 2  1N4148 Diode  2  D4, 5  1N4001 Diode  2  BiLED 1, 2, 3  3mm 2V 2pin Bipolar LED Red/Green  3  D3  3mm LED Orange  1  P1­5  B100K Linear Alpha Pot 9mm  5  F1, 2  0.1A PTC Resettable Fuse  2  R1, 2, 5, 12, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41  100K Resistor  14  R15, 40 ...
  • Page 25   Set of M3 25mm Bolt & Nut  2    M3 6mm Screws & Washers  4    14 Pin IC Socket  3    3 Pin Male Header  1    3 Pin Female Header  1    4 Pin Male Header  3    4 Pin Female Header  3    8 Pin Male Header  1    8 Pin Female Header  1    Davies Knobs ­ Black  3    Davies Knobs ­ Grey  1    Davies Knobs ­ Dark Red  1   ...