PMFoundations 6080 VCO User manual

6080 VCO V1.2 – Assembly Guide
Thank you for purchasing this module! This is an average build with tightly packed components
and some precision integrated circuits. Some of the pads are quite small and you will need a
chisel tip or screwdriver tip soldering iron and the skill to solder these tiny joints.
The module is designed and sized for Eurorack systems. You will need a 16-10 pin eurorack
power ribbon connector with –12/0/+12 which is connected to a synth power supply.
Alternatively you can build to your own specification using the PCBs and solder wires from the
switches, pots, LEDs and jack footprints to your desired front panels.
Follow the parts lists, these instructions and the PCB silkscreen text to build the module.
The module consists of 2 PCB boards and a panel.
There are components installed on BOTH sides of the boards. Please ensure that you place
the components on the correct side. When referring to the TOP of a board we mean the side
with the pmF logo. The BOTTOM has no logo.
You must follow the order of assembly as described below since some components will be
soldered underneath other components.

Constructing the Main board (labeled 6080-VCO-Main V1.x)
Resistors
Install the flat resistors on the TOP of the board. Solder and clip the leads.
Diodes (but not LEDs)
Install the diodes on the TOP of the board. Align the stripe on each diode with the stripe marked
on the board. Solder and clip the leads. Now go back and check the polarity against the silk
screen for each diode.

IC Sockets
Install the sockets on the TOP of the board. Observe the notch or mark on the socket and align
with the notch or mark on the board. Solder.
Power socket
Install the 10 pin power socket on the TOP of the board. This must be installed with the correct
orientation or the module will be damaged when the power is connected.
The cut-out in the socket should face the jacks, aligning the cut-out with the "10" marking on the
board as shown in the photo. Solder on the underside.

Bipolar Transistors
Install the transistors on the TOP of the board. Do not mix up the NPNs(marked T) with the
PNPs(marked Q). These are polarized components. Align the outline with the outline on the
board. They should be raised off the board surface slightly and at the same height. Solder and
clip the leads.
Ceramic/film capacitors
Install the ceramic/film capacitors on the TOP of the board. Solder and clip the leads.

Thermistor
Install the thermistor on the TOP of the board. It should be raised off the board surface slightly
and at the same height as the adjacent transistors. Try and move the two transistors and the
thermistor close together and tie them together with a small zip tie or with epoxy. Solder and clip
the leads.
Electrolytic capacitors
Install these on the TOP. Make sure you orient these capacitors correctly. The longer lead
and/or the lead marked with a + needs to be inserted into the hole that has the “+” marking near
it. Leads marked with “-“ go in the board hole WITHOUT the “+”. Solder and clip the leads.

Trimmer resistors
Populate the trimmer pots on the PCB. Make sure the multi turn trimmers are oriented so that
the screw is above the circle on the silk screen.
Potentiometers
If the pots have positioning lugs on the front, cut these off with a sharp pair of flush cutting
pliers. The front of the pot (where the shaft protrudes) needs to be flat.

Carefully align the pots so they are flush with the edge of the board and perfectly upright and
tight to the board surface. They are on both sides. The easiest order for installation is 1,4,3,2.
Please ensure they are on the CORRECT SIDE OF THE BOARD. See Photo.
3.5mm Jack Sockets
Install the jacks on the TOP and fully solder each one as you install it. Make sure they are
perfectly aligned and tight to the board. Do not bridge the contacts to nearby components.

LED
Bend the leads as shown in the photo. The bend id at ⅜” = 9mm from the base of the LED.
Insert in the board with the long lead in the hole marked + and use the panel to align the LEDs.
The correct location for the panel is with the pots emerging from the holes marked: Fine, LIN
FM, PW, PWM and the jacks emerging from the output waveform markings. Solder the LED and
clip the leads.
Headers
Install these on the BOTTOM of the board and solder on the TOP. They need to be perfectly
perpendicular to the board and tight to the board surface. The short legs go into the board and
the long legs stick out from the board. This is the lowest cost way of joining the boards but they
are more difficult to separate than the alternative method described below.

You can also use different headers. You can install 517-929974-01-05-RK or
517-929850-01-05-RA female headers on this board and 517-929834-02-05-RK on the Saw
Shaper board. Solder the female headers first, then insert the male headers into the female
headers, then,when you join the boards, you can solder the pins on the Saw board and then the
two boards can be separated easily.

Constructing the Saw Shaper board (labeled 6080-Saw-1x)
Flat Resistors
Install the flat resistors on the TOP of the board. Solder and clip the leads.
IC Sockets
Install the IC socket on the TOP of the board. Observe the notch or mark on the socket and
align with the notch or mark on the board. Solder.