Modular Synth Panels

I'd not use any tantalum caps.  Their main benefit is the smaller size 
vs electrolytic of the same specs.  They also cost more.  I have one of 
my own tales from the days of yore.  I used to hand-build audio and 
video synthesizer circuits in the seventies.  These were all prototypes 
and needed plenty of power line bypassing.  At one point we used a bunch 
of 100 nf Panasonic tantalums.  We might put 20-30 of them on a board.  
And yes, they did fail by shorting out.  But unless it fried and burned, 
we could not tell which one failed.  So, one by one, each had to be 
clipped out until the bad ones were found.  Then all the "good" ones 
that had been removed too had to be replaced.  Needless to say, we 
stopped using the tantalums.  If you do want to use some, I'd recommend 
ones with at least a 35 volt rating.

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

mcb, inc. wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Sep 2009, Scott Deyo wrote:
>
>   
>> Yeah, I torched a polysty on mine too. That's probably the culprit. Polysty's 
>> and tantalums are bummin' me out lately...
>>     
>
> Speaking of tantalums, came across this interesting tale from
> days of yore:
>
> http://www.designnews.com/blog/Made_by_Monkeys/23362-Do_You_Want_Butter_On_Those_Capacitors_.php?nid=3073&rid=398497
>
> --
> Monty Brandenberg
>
>