Frequently Asked Questions

Warranty and Support

On DIY modules we offer as much support as we can give with regard to troubleshooting faulty modules and using working modules. We do not offer an explicit warranty with DIY modules, as it's ultimately up to the buyer to ensure they are correctly assembled. That said, we do want you to be able to use and enjoy what you've bought, so if you need support send us an email - sentientsynths@gmail.com - and we will of course do what we can. 

On prebuilt modules we guarantee you will receive a fully working module. All modules are thoroughly tested before leaving our workshop. If your prebuilt module stops working at any time within a year from purchase we will fix or replace it. If you have a Sentient Synths prebuilt module that requires service we ask that you cover the cost of shipping it to us, we will cover the cost of the repair or replacement and the cost of return shipping to you.

What's Included?

PCB + Faceplate packages come with only the PCB and Faceplate, you will be responsible for purchasing all electrical components, cables and ancillary hardware to integrate our module into your eurorack system.

Prebuilt modules come with everything you need to use the module in your eurorack aside from patch cables and knobs. You will receive M3 screws to mount the module to rails and a power cable to plug in to your supply bus bars - see below section on power headers and cables.

Packaging and Sustainability

We have chosen to take every step we can to be as sustainable as possible under the current system of production. We are limiting our use of plastic as much as possible, and attempting to not use any non-recyclable plastic anywhere in our supply chain. If you know of a way we can further reduce our use of plastics or you think you can help us improve sustainability in any way, please send us an email - sentientsynths@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!

Lead

All of our PCBs are finished with lead free HASL. Our prebuilt modules are also soldered with Kester K100LD lead free solder. We recommend you also go lead free if you have not yet done so. It is commonly said that lead free is more difficult to solder or is somehow lower quality than lead based solder, but this is simply not true. Use a good quality temperature controlled iron, good quality solder and flux and you will have no trouble going lead free!

Protection Diodes

Most eurorack designs run their reverse polarity protection diodes in parallel with the power rails. We have chosen to run ours in series, as it opens up a few options. If you want to include protection diodes we recommend S1JL, 1n5158 or any 1 amp minimum low forward voltage diode. You can also opt to instead use 10 ohm resistors as fuses for slightly higher headroom, or you can omit reverse polarity protection by jumping the pads with solid core wire - just don't plug it in backwards! If you have a module with reverse protection diodes in parallel to the rails and you reverse power it, your power supplies are shorted to ground, causing a large current draw and possibly causing damage. With the diodes in series as ours are, if you reverse power a module the current is simply prevented from conducting. Much safer!

Power Headers and Cables

Most eurorack designs feature boxed IDC connectors for power headers, however there is no defined standard for which way to place the connectors on the PCB, nor is there any standard for which way to make the power cable. We have chosen to mark the PCBs with "-12" to denote which side of the 10 pin header should be connected to -12 volts. We use a combination of red and black pin headers on prebuilt modules, the red pins denoting which side should be connected to -12 volts at your power supply.

When building one of our modules, refer only to the "-12" marking in the silkscreen on the back of the PCB for power header polarity. For power and pin headers ignore the square pad and any silkscreen shapes that may allude to pin 1. There is no pin 1 on our power headers. We also do not recommend using shrouded headers for power connectors as they only provide a false sense of security. Use regular pin headers and always check your connections and cables before powering on!

We do include a power cable with prebuilt modules which we build in the most common way, however it is up to you to ensure you connect all of your modules to your power supply correctly! If you are unsure we recommend referring to MylarMelodies' thorough video on the topic, or you can of course send us an email - sentientsynths@gmail.com - if you need further assistance.

Component Specifics

In order to keep the DIY process as accessible as possible we have tried to make the bill of materials for each module as specific, simple and easy to navigate as possible. In case it's not clear we try to always use 0805 passives, narrow SOIC, MiniMELF diodes, and SOT-23-3 transistors. We try to keep the component count on each build as small as possible, and you will find most builds tend to use the same components to ease ordering woes. We provide an example from Tayda or Mouser for nearly all components. If you are unsure which components to purchase for your DIY Sentient Synths modules send us an email - sentientsynths@gmail.com - and we will provide what assistance we can. 

Shipping

All orders ship via USPS. Processing time is 1-3 days.