Talko 2 Terminal assembly manual

Introduction

Nothing complicated here, but the PCB is designed for both Eurorack/Terminal and the bricky-sized versions!

Tools

All required components are provided in the kit.
You will also need a soldering iron, solder, a wire cutter, and some tape. A desoldering pump may also be helpful ;-).

Take your time, read each step carefully, and follow the sequence as presented.

After completing the assembly, you may need to flash the firmware using a computer and a USB-C cable (make sure the cable supports data, not just power), which is not included in the kit.

Firmware

As of 2025-11-26, I have decided to ship Talko with the firmware installed.

You can verify whether it is installed by simply connecting the Pico to a USB power source: the LED at the back should flash to display the firmware version. Red indicates the major version, the blue dot is a separator, and green shows the minor version.

if you want to start flashing your Talko, you can do it now: check the procedure at the end of this page …

Bill of Materials (PCB 2.0a)

Soldering

Start by soldering the 9 BAT85 diodes D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9

Then add the 3 100K resistors R7, R8, R9

Then add the 3 10K resistors R19, R13, R14

Then add the 4 3.3K resistors R16, R18, R21, R23

Then add the 5 47K resistors R15, R17, R20, R22, R6

Then add the 10 330R resistors R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R10, R11, R12, R24, R25

Now add the (9) 7 0.1uF capacitors C3, C5, C6, C7, C9, C10, C11, C12, and C13.

There are no IDs for these; just check this footprint.

Add the op amp MCP601P
‼️ Make sure to orient the chip with the notch.

Ok now, let’s add the 5 10uF electrolytic capacitors C1, C2, C4, C14, C8

They are pretty hard to remove from the paper reel, so I prefer to cut their legs to get them off the reel!

Please pay attention to their polarity (the minus is also the shortest leg).

Okay, let’s add the 4 pots, the switch, the encoder, and the 6 jacks. Don’t solder yet! Secure everything in place with a rubber band before soldering.

Add the DC connector, then proceed with soldering.

Let’s place the 7-segment display, but don’t solder it yet. Don’t forget to peel off its protective film.

‼️ Ensure the display is oriented with the dot in the bottom right corner. Note that the PCB is designed for both Eurorack and Bricky formats; choose the right spot.

Here is how to place the display on the Bricky version

If you are assembling the Eurorack or Terminal version, please ensure the display is oriented correctly.

Place the panel back and use some tape to align the display flush with the panel.
When ready, solder the display.

Here the Eurorack version :

Insert the yellow headers on the back of the PCB.

Solder just one pin on each header

Add the RP2040 and solder the pins

Go back to the component side and solder the headers.

On Eurorack : time to solder the power connector

Grab the two switches.

You can just install the spacers if you want to rise the switch a bit up. They are not necessary on Eurorack and Bricky, and a bit tricky to keep in place.
On the Terminal, the plastic is thicker than 2 mm, so it is recommended to install them.
It’s best to check how the panel looks with or without the spacers BEFORE soldering the switches! 

Install the switch in place ‼️ the yellow on the left, the blue on the right
Note that the PCB is also designed for Eurorack; therefore, be gentle when inserting the switches into place and make sure they are in their correct orientation! Check the two following pictures. 

Here is how to place the tactile switches on the Bricky version :

Here is how to place the tactile switches on the Eurorack version :

Place the panel back in position and use tape to secure the switches.

Eurorack version

You can now solder the switches.

Last step: add the nuts, knobs, and screws, and… tada! You are done.

Terminal

In the Terminal, the Pico is connected to the USB connector with a flat cable : i

To open the flat cable connector,gently lift the black lid:

Fix the connector to the rear panel with 2 screws

To connect the flat cable: keep the blue tape on top and close the hinge both on the Pico and on the USB connector

Firmware

Now you are ready to flash the firmware :
Download it from here :

Talko 2 firmware

1 file(s) 282.50 KB

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And  follow these steps :

Talko troubleshooting guide