Advertisement
Quick Links
PIKOCORE ASSEMBLY MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing Infinite Digits Pikocore XL DIY kit by Erica Synths!
The Pikocore is a lo-fi music mangler based on the Raspberry Pi, developed by Zack Scholl:
https://infinitedigits.co/wares/pikocore/. The original DIY kit comes in a miniature pocket calcu-
lator form factor, and we at Erica Synths wanted to make it more playable, so we reached out to
Zack and agreed to develop an XL version of the Pikocore that has identical functionality, but
comes with a signature Erica Synths hands-on user interface and proper aluminium enclosure.
The Infinite Digits Pikocore XL by Erica Synths is a full DIY kit that includes all required components
to build an instrument and put into action straight away. The RP board in the kit is pre-pro-
grammed and ready to use.
Before you start soldering, we highly recommend printing out the schematics and part placement
diagram with designators and values and to follow the step-by step instructions below. This will
help you to avoid mistakes during the build process. There are two options for +5V regulators on
the PCB – a switching regulator and a linear voltage regulator (LDO). Because the power con-
sumption of the instrument is comparably small, the kit contains components for a linear voltage
regulator. When building the kit, do not populate DA2, C14, C15, C16, L1 and VD4.
1
Advertisement
Related Manuals for Erica Synths Pikocore XL DIY kit
Summary of Contents for Erica Synths Pikocore XL DIY kit
- Page 1 The original DIY kit comes in a miniature pocket calcu- lator form factor, and we at Erica Synths wanted to make it more playable, so we reached out to Zack and agreed to develop an XL version of the Pikocore that has identical functionality, but comes with a signature Erica Synths hands-on user interface and proper aluminium enclosure.
- Page 4 Place the Pikocore PCB in a PCB holder for soldering or simply on top of some spacers (I use two empty solder wire coils here). I usually start populating PCBs with lower, horizontally placed components. In this case, these are resistors and diodes.
- Page 5 Now, insert & solder the electrolytic capacitors. Electro- lytic capacitors are bipolar and you need to mind their orientation. The positive lead of each electrolytic capaci- tor is longer and there is a minus stripe on the side of the capacitor’s body to indicate the negative lead.
- Page 6 Place the cherry key in the relevant position, insert the LED and hold both components in place and solder just one pin of the cherry key. Now, make sure that the cherry key is centred in its place and aligned with the silkscreen, then solder the second pin and the LED.
- Page 7 At this point it’s a good idea to test if the voltage regulator works. Use one excess lead of a resistor to emulate a closed switch and connect the power supply. Measure voltage between pins 2 and 3 of the LDO. If the voltage reads somewhere around 5 volts, you are good to install the RP board.
- Page 8 Remove the nuts from the jack sockets, but leave both washers on. Now you can insert the PCB into the enclosure. Make sure the DC connector clicks into the relevant opening and that the washers of the jack sockets touch the rear panel. Tighten the jack socket hex nuts and then fix the PCB with 3 screws into the cherry key area.
- Page 9 Congratulations! You have completed the assembly of the Infinite Digits Pikocore XL DIY kit by Erica Synths! Connect it to the power supply and make some noise! The unit will work straight away and does not need any calibration.
- Page 10 SOLDERING APPENDIX If you’ve never soldered before – or if your skills have become rusty – it’s probably wise to check out some THT (through-hole technology) soldering tutorials on YouTube. The main thing you have to remember while soldering is that melted solder will flow towards higher temperature areas.
- Page 11 DIY electronics is a great (and quite addictive) hobby, therefore we highly recommend you invest in good tools. In order to really enjoy soldering, you’ll need: A decent soldering station. Top-of-the-line soldering stations (brands like Weller) will cost 200€ and above, but cheaper alternatives around 50€...
- Page 12 A solder suction pump. No matter how refined your soldering skills are, you will make mis- takes. So when you’ll inevitably need to de-solder components, you will also need to remove any remaining solder from the solder pads in order to insert new components. Once you have finished soldering your PCB, it’s recommended to remove excess flux from the solder joints.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Pikocore XL DIY kit and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers