Lo-Fi Noise Machine - Assembly Guide

On this page, we will guide you step by step on how to assemble this kit.

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Please read the instructions carefully and take all the usual safety precautions when soldering. If you're a beginner, be cautious! You’re holding a 300 °C tool after all — but we know you can do it. 🙂

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Before starting, make sure you have all the components at hand. You can find the complete components list in the Contents section on the Overview page.

Step 1: Solder the IC sockets

We'll start of by soldering the IC sockets for out NE556 timer and power regulator. Be mindful of their orientation, align the notch from the socket with the notch on the breadboard.

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NOTE: Don't yet insert the ICs in their sockets to avoid damaging them with heat. This will be done at the end.

Soldering IC sockets

Step 2: Solder the inductor

Because of its placement, we recommend soldering the inductor now as it will be easier while the board is still empty. This component is labeled L1 on the PCB.

Inductor placement on the PCB

Step 3: Solder the resistors

Next, we'll solder all the resistors to the PCB. We have a total of 14 resistors. Resistors use color codes printed on their bodies to represent their resistance and tolerance value. Take a look at the table below:

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NOTE: Resistors don't have polarity so you can place them either way!

Resistor	Value	Reference image (Color codes)
R2, R9, R18	1 kΩ
R1, R11	2.2 kΩ
R7	10 kΩ
R8	4.7 kΩ
R10	150R 1W
R12	470R
R13	22 kΩ
R14	33 kΩ
R15	0.3R 2W
R16	180R
R19	6.2 kΩ

All resistors locations on the PCB

Step 4: Solder the capacitors

Now, let's solder the capacitors. There are a total of 11 capacitors to be soldered, out of which 8 are ceramic capacitors and 3 electrolytic capacitors.

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NOTE: Ceramic capacitors are not polarized, so their orientation doesn't matter! Electrolytic capacitors have a positive and a negative side!

Soldering ceramic capacitors

As mentioned above, these types of capacitors are not polarized, meaning you can rotate them how ever you want. Below is a reference table showing where to solder each ceramic capacitor:

Capacitor	Value
C1, C2, C8	10nF
C3	10uF
C7	100nF
C9	1nF
C10	1uF
C12	220pF

Ceramic capacitors placement on the PCB

Soldering electrolytic capacitors

Before soldering these capacitors, make sure you check their polarity. The longer leg is positive (+), and shorter leg is negative (-). Additionaly, the negative side is marked with a stripe on the capacitor body, printed with '(-)' symbols. Below is a reference table showing where to solder each electrolytic capacitor:

Capacitor	Value
C4, C11	100µF
C5	560µF

Electrolytic capacitors placement on the PCB

Step 5: Solder the diode

The diode is located at the right side of the PCB, labeled D3. Be mindful of its orientation, take a look at the image below:

Diode polarity

Diode placement on the PCB

Step 6: Solder the LEDs

When soldering the LEDs, pay attention to which side is positive, and which is negative. The labels for LEDs on the PCB have a positive (left) side marked with a '+' sign.

Marked pins on LED

LEDs placement on the PCB

Step 7: Solder the potentiometers and pushbutton

Now, let's solder the mechanical parts.

Potentiometers:

Label	Value	Function
VR1	500 kΩ	Pitch
VR2	500 kΩ	Pulse width

2 x potentiometers and pushbutton placement on PCB

Step 8: Solder audio outputs

And for the final soldering step, attach the 3.5mm audio jack, the buzzer and the speaker wires. Make sure the buzzer and speaker polarity is soldered correctly.

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NOTE: The buzzer has a (+) symbol printed on top of its body indicating the positive pin side.

Audio components placement on PCB

Step 9: Insert the ICs

To finish the build of, insert the two ICs in their sockets which we soldered in the first step. Be careful about their orientation!

IC sockets reference dots for orientation

All done!

Ready to plug and play!