Colour Palette Rev E (mkII) Assembly Guide

Print the Print the Palette mkII Component Sorting Sheet (PDF) and sort the resistors. You can identify the resistors by their color code or with a multi-meter.

Bag 1 on Interactive Build Map

Bend the resistor leads at the body and then insert them into their respective places on the PCB.

Bend the leads of the resistors against the bottom of the PCB so that the resistors stay in place during soldering.

Now solder the resistors to the PCB. Observe good soldering technique: heat the pad and lead for 2-3 seconds, apply a small bit of solder, and continue to heat the pad for another 2-3 seconds. Allow each solder joint 10 seconds to cool before moving on to the next one. The finished joints should be shiny and should have just enough solder to cover the pad entirely.

Once all of the solder joints have cooled, use your clippers to trim away the excess leads. Your goal should be to clip as close as possible to the joint without clipping the joint itself.

Sort the small capacitors and fuses in bag 2.

Bag 2 on Interactive Build Map

As you did with the resistors, place, bend, solder, and trim the small capacitors.

FAQ: Are these parts polarized? Nope, insert them any way you like.

Insert the fuses F1 and F2 just up to where the leads begin to kink. Then solder and trim.

Place the four 8-pin IC sockets in the U1-U4 positions on the PCB. Make sure to align the notch in the sockets' plastic with that one the PCB.

Use a flat-head screwdriver to bend two leads of each socket against the PCB. Then solder the sockets. There's no need to trim the excess leads.

Flip the PCB over and place the 8-pin Colour sockets in the CON4-CON6 positions. Make sure you have placed the sockets on the bottom side of the PCB. This is the most common error in the entire build!

When you are positive that the sockets are on the bottom of the PCB, solder one leg of each socket to hold them in place, then flip the PCB over and solder all of the joints.

Place and solder the 4-pin, integrated diode bridge in the BR1 position. Make sure to align the design on the diod bridge's body with that on the PCB silk screen.

Note that these caps are polarized, meaning they must be inserted in the PCB in a certain direction. The longer lead is the positive terminal, while the strip on the body corresponds to the negative terminal. Place the capacitors on the PCB, taking extra care to place the longer lead closer to the "+" marking on the PCB. All of the capacitors should face the same direction.

Once you've double checked their orientation, bend, solder, and trim the caps.

Flip the PCB over and insert the brackets from the bottom of the PCB. Solder them, but do not trim the leads.

Place the potentiometers in positions VR1-VR4. Bend two leads of each pot against the PCB, then solder and trim.

Place the sockets in the CON1A and CON2A positions. Bend some leads to hold them in place, then solder and trim.

Insert the 12-pin headers loosely into the sockets. Also loosely thread the standoff into the hole between the two sockets. There's an extra screw in bag 6 in case you drop one.

Place, solder, and trim R4 on the DB.

Place the remaining brackets through the top of the DB and solder.

Place the switches in SW1-SW4 positions. Bend two leads of each to hold them in place. Then solder them and trim the leads.

Place the DB over the headers CON1B and CON2B and screw it to the standoff. Press the headers up so that the black, plastic square-posts are flush with the bottom of the DB. Then solder the headers to the top of the DB.

Place the three LEDs in the LED1-LED3 positions. Place the longest leads of each LED through the holes marked "-". Double check the orientation of the LEDs before moving on.

Hold the LEDs upright and press them down so that their leads rest against the top of the motherboard. Now bend the LEDs forward towards where the front panel will be.

Solder just one lead of each LED from the top of the DB to hold them in place.

Remove the DB, flip the PCB over, solder the LEDs, and trim their leads. Then place the DB back on the MB and screw it down.

Using the included hex wrench, screw the front panel onto the PCB assembly via the four mounting brackets.

Pay close attention while sorting and placing the ICs. There are three different types, which need to go in the right places for the Palette to work.

Note that kits now include a DRV134 instead of THAT 1646 for U2.

Bag 7 on Interactive Build Map

Place the ICs in their respective sockets. You may need to bend their leads inward a bit for them to sit nicely. The ICs will have a notch or circle to indicate pin 1. Align the notch or circle with the notch on the PCB and sockets.

Press the LED lenses through the holes in the front panel, press the caps onto the switches, and fasten washers and nuts over the pots.

Turn all of the pot shafts to the 12 o'clock position (10 detents from full CW or CCW). Now place the knob over the shaft so that the white indicator line points to the middle of the top position. Then fasten the knob with the included hex wrench; note that there are two set screws per knob.

Before you wrap up, check the following things:

• Capacitor orientation: Is the stripe on the cap on the opposite side from the "+" marking on the PCB?
• IC orientation: Does the dot/notch on the IC align with the notches on the socket and PCB?
• Resistors: Do all of the resistor positions correspond the chart and/or sorting sheet?
• Soldering: Is every solder joint shiny and clean? If one is cloudy or misshapen, try reheating it for 8 seconds and adding a tiny bit more solder.
• Trimming: Are all of the excess leads trimmed down as close to the joint as possible?

All good? Congrats on finishing your build! Have a question or problem? Drop us a line.