Designing a Module - Prototype itteration with Instruō

video upload by Instruō

"In 2015/16 Instruō began as a video project. Specifically a time-lapse of me designing the original troika module.
Ten years later, I’ve returned to that idea with ceithir, a winter holiday project I designed with video documentation in mind.

Before the first full sized (58HP quad) ceithir hardware prototype, I focussed on a single filter channel version. This video covers the second prototype iteration of this single channel version. It was a pretty significant revision from the first one, but paved the way for the quad design.
The filter core board was designed with this design, which remained almost fully unchanged in its final form (I changed one resistor value).

Section 2 of this video is a "vlog" where I ran cameras in the workshop and recorded an update of the progress at the time. I go through the KiCAD files and show how things are constructed.
Some prominent implementations on this second prototype are improvements to the MORPH circuit. I made it equal powered in its crossfading vs linear.
I also talk through the prominent design change on the MASTER section of the ceithir. And the addition of the MODULATION BUS.

Section 3 is a change of scenery! In May 2025 Instruō launched the Seashell exhibiting at Superbooth in Berlin. This took a lot of coordination and prep, so ceithir focus was very stop/start. But it was a project I was very keen to make time for.
I got stuck in immediately after Superbooth! Post SB25 we had some days before the drive and ferry back to Glasgow.
I recorded a little vlog on progress while in our AirBnB in Wannsee.
Placement of the circuitry was the task at this time. Positioning the filter core boards and distributing certain circuit sections that share ICs between filter channels.

Section 4 is back to the workshop and is some narrative over timelapse of the placement and routing of the full sized PCB.
And we end on the faceplate being ported to KiCAD.

Please feel welcome to join the Instruō Discord server.
It’s a growing community that shares creative ideas, technical support, and general chat. It’s becoming a really nice place to share projects like the ceithir.

I hope you enjoy!
Cheers
~Jason

00:00:00 Instruōduction
00:00:26 PROTO2 design timelapse
00:05:34 Workshop design file tour
00:18:35 Wannsee design update
00:28:07 ceithir quad hardware design timelapse"

Designing a Module - Building and testing the hardware with Instruō

video upload by Instruō

"In 2015/16 Instruō began as a video project. Specifically a time-lapse of me designing the original troika module.
Ten years later, I’ve returned to that idea with ceithir, a winter holiday project I designed with video documentation in mind.

I didn't build the very first ceithir prototype on camera because I was too excited to get it filtering! But once I was confident all checked out with a first pass, I rigged up cameras and recorded the second build. This one I took through to full calibration and refinement of certain still to be finalised circuit tweaks.
The calibration process itself is a significant task!
1V/octave tracking needs to be done 3 times per core, doing it for the first time took some explorations and experimentation.
(I did greatly refine this process before production, but it's still a long one!)

I hope you enjoy!
Cheers
~Jason

00:00:00 Instruōduction
00:03:22 Soldering station
00:14:22 First power up and calibration tests
00:20:41 Circuit refinements"