Project Update #84: VS-1 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer by Abstrakt Instruments
Week 186
Posted by Abstrakt Instruments
Jan 23, 2024
Hi Everyone,
I am pleased to inform you that as of January 21st, VS-1 DIY kits have been shipped to all backers who have a confirmed shipping address. I am including a table below with backer # and shipment status. There are two backers who we have not been able to contact since November, please get in contact! In addition, fourteen customers purchased VS-1 DIY Kits after funding was completed (we made 100 kits w/ a few extra). If you are one of these folks please allow another 10 days for delivery, we have prioritized Kickstarter backers.
A few important notes:
1) If you are a kit backer you are aware that we are shipping the SMD assemblies separately. This ended up being a good decision - the packaging which we had purchased many months ago ended up being stuffed to fit the full parts kits - and we would not have been able to fit everything. For those w/ Full Parts kits, the IEC power cord and IC Tube #7 are also being shipped in the second package. This is noted in the kit description sheet that was included with each kit (please note we revised the kit contents sheet for the kit-only version after the first 15 or so kits so your sheet may look different). The sheet is very useful for checking kit contents to make sure you have all the parts. The kit contents videos also cover the contents.
VS-1 Kit Contents Sheet (also added to the downloads tab on the website)
VS-1 Basic Kit - Detailed Contents (Video)
VS-1 w/ Full Parts Kit - Detailed Contents (Video)
2) If you believe your kit is missing any parts please contact me by replying on the address confirmation email chain. This will help me keep your replies organized. Also, we will be referencing this same email chain when shipping the 2nd package, so we will see any missing parts requests and be able to ship along with the 2nd package.
3) The DIY BOM has been update to v1.03. This incorporates some minor errors and omissions in the previous versions (including a voice card resistor description error). Please see the change log.
4) The Panelboard assembly link has been updated to reflect an error in the parts description for the bypass capacitors. The actual schematic & PCB documents have not been revised as there is no change to the actual schematic or PCB files.
5) We want to support DIY builds. I am trying to decide the best solution. We don't currently have the bandwidth to answer support emails or monitor forums on a daily basis. I'm reluctant to set up a custom forum only to not be able to stay on top of it - or for it to go dormant after a few months. Ideally, I would like to appoint a pseudo-moderator. Someone who would have direct contact with me via phone, text, & email as the initial rush of kits starts to get built. If there is anyone out there that is building a VS-1 that is interested in helping please contact me at
briancastro2@gmail.com and put [moderator] in the subject line. I think having an official DIY build thread on Modwiggler might be a good solution.
I would like to mention that it was very labor intensive to provide Full Parts Kits (thousands of man hours). I wanted to provide them directly so that we could control the sourcing of all parts, and provide all new parts from first sources (major distributors) and new-old-stock parts from reliable obsolete component distributors. This will be a huge bonus when it comes to building the kits and having the correct parts. The initial intent was to maintain a bigger team to delegate some of this busy-work. However, with all the delays and having to slim down operations we just had to put our heads down and push through. In addition to myself, we currently only have a software engineer and a part-time technician. I will be looking to expand in the near future, but for now I wanted to thank everyone for being so patient. We will most certainly be looking to work with a 3rd party to provide parts kits in the future.
Aside from getting the SMD assemblies for the DIY kits out the door there are only two milestones left...
Getting Firmware to beta stage and ultimately initial release.
Shipping VS-1 Retail.
We're not at the point of giving a firm target date on delivery, but continue to work hard, and look forward to more enjoyable tasks such as demo'ing the production-spec VS-1.
Brian Castro | Abstrakt Instruments
