FAQ -
1. Why does your kit cost what it costs?
2. 104V!!! Isn't that dangerous? Can I shock myself?
3. Is it compatible with other synths?
4. Does it run on +-12V or +-15V?
5. Why do you use a wall-wart, I hate wall warts!!!???
6. How easy is the Phantastron Kit? How much experience do I need with electronics?
7. What tools do I need for a Phantastron Kit?
1. Why does your kit cost what it costs?
We use the best parts possible. This costs money, but it also means that the kit or instrument is more durable, playable and interesting. Vacuum tubes can cost between $2 a piece to $10 for some of these designs, and quantity discounts are VERY rare. ICs & transistors are just a few cents.
Furthermore, we use thick metal and wood. Always use USA or North American made parts when possible and put a lot of time into everything. This raises the price compared to cheaper kits, but isn't quality worth it?
2. 104V!!! Isn't that dangerous? Can I shock myself?
Yes, you can shock yourself. but anything more than a "sting" is highly unlikely. The power supplies we use have redundant safety features to make them as safe as possible:
- Isolation: Use of two transformers (one in a wall wart, the other on the power board) completely separates you from the electrical mains.
- A fuse. Yes, a standard fuse will blow instantaneously if more than 80Ma crosses the supply.
- A PTC Thermal Fuse, cuts off the high voltage supply at .050 V. Furthermore, it actually starts reducing the current at about 20 mA. This is SO effective that in all testing and a few mistakes by builders the PTC shut down the power if there was a short circuit before the fuse could even blow.
- The supply supplies DC power. All points with AC power above 12V are isolated, safe and pre-wired and sealed. DC is still electricity but does not have the penetrating power of AC electricity. A NIOSH study states that between 1980 and 1992, among people electrocuted by less than 600V, "Two hundred twenty-one (99%) of the incidents [of electrocution] involved alternating current (AC). One incident involved direct current (DC)" (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-131/epidemi.html). I'm pretty sure that the DC incident involved more than 20mA, which is about the maximum an EW high voltage power line can supply.
In creating a vacuum tube kit, the goal was to allow people to build with tubes confidently -- without the worry of higher voltage than solid state kits.
That being said, this doesn't mean that you should use these power supplies in the bathtub, as a toy or for any purpose other than supplying power to low current vacuum tubes.
3. Is it compatible with other synths?
Absolutely! All the inputs and outputs are compatible with solid state synths. I have used Serge, Korg, Music from Outer Space and Moog synths with great results and zero damage to any solid state stuff (even with feedback loops and the like). Customers have used Roland, Bucha, Paia and all sorts of other makes. Even the output of a digital synth can be tweaked through the audio input of the phantastron.
A MIDI to CV module with V/Hz capability (like Kenton) will work well to control the phantastron as well.
4. Does it run on +-12V or +-15V?
Neither. The phantastron comes with its own power supply which provides the ideal power for the tubes. The board is small, EM shielded, thermally protected, fused and isolated. It fits in the case with the phantastron.
5. Why do you use a wall-wart, I hate wall warts!!!???
I find them bulky and annoying too. But, believe it or not, there are a couple advantages to wall warts (and, it is NOT cheaper than the alternative in this case):
The wallwart is there for safety & circuit stability (lower EMF) -- and liability. It simply provides the internal power supply with 12V AC, rather than 120V AC or 220V AC. This is safer. Also, in combination with the transformer on the internal power supply we create an "isolation transformer" which makes it safer and more reliable. This makes the kit and instrument ideal for even the most novice builders.
If, and only if, you are advanced with electronics & want to solder directly to a power chord connected to AC mains, you will know how to modify the kit to have an internal power supply. Otherwise, may I suggest a larger surge protector bar?
6. How easy is the Phantastron Kit? How much experience do I need with electronics?
Easy. Many novices have assembled Phantastrons with great ease. In fact, my goal is to encourage people to learn about electronics and have fun building, so I have designed the kit to be as easy as possible for the newbie.
I am a college professor, and I think I'm pretty good at explaining how to make electronic devices. The manual is very thorough for the beginner and has plenty of advanced theory in there too.
Here, download and read these sample pages from the Phantastron Assembly Manual and judge for yourself: ph3sampleman.pdf
7. What tools do I need for a Phantastron Kit?
1. Soldering Iron
2. Solder
3. Hand Tools: Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, Screwdrivers, etc.
4. Basic multimeter for trouble shooting.