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CMOS - useful chips for Lunetta Synths

August 19, 2017, 1:26 am
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Over the past few years of building the odd Synth module I've come across the 4000 series of CMOS chips time and again.
I am an analog addict but I must say that the digital 4000 series is very versatile.
It's hard to keep track of what each chip is capable of so I've decided to start a list.
I hope this list will become useful as it grows over the coming years.

40106 - hex schmitt trigger inverters, oscillators,
4001 -  NOR gate (NLC Bools)
4006 -  shift register
4011 -   NAND gate (NLC Bools)
4015 -  shift register
4017 - decade counter
4024 -  shift register
4029 -  4 stage counter-binary/decade (NLC 4SEQ) 
4030 - XOR gate (NLC Bools)
4040 -  divider/ripple counter
4046 -  PLL (Phase Locked Loop), VCO,  (NLC Vactrol Pill)
4051 -  Eight channel multiplexer
4052 -  Dual 4 channel multiplexer, (NLC 4SEQ)
4093 -  quad schmitt trigger/ NAND gates
4096 -  shift register
4051 -  multiplexer
4070 - XOR gate (NLC Bools)
4071 - OR gate (NLC Bools)
4077 - XNOR (NLC Bools)
4081 - AND gate (NLC Bools)



Useful links:
+ Msmodular
+ Introduction to Lunetta
+ NLC
+ Fun with Sea Moss
+ Strangeness & Calm

To be continued




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Divine CMOS - NLC - Build notes

August 20, 2017, 8:09 pm
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Some build notes for the nonlinearcircuit divine CMOS.
I first encountered this circuit in 4U.  Its a great module.

Now I have the fortune to build this in Eurorack format and see how it works.
There are 2 CMOS chips. A CD4520 & a CD4070.
Both are surface mount.
The CD4520 is a CMOS Dual Binary Up-counter.
It consists of 2 identical 4 stage counters.


The CD4070 is a Quad 2-input Exclusive - OR gate


The Divine CMOS is a divider & mixer. Can be used with both audio and CV/LFO inputs to either divide and mix up audio level harmonics or get interesting patterns to drive other modules.

Andrew's Build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/DivineCMOS%20Euro%20Build%20notes.pdf


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Giant Bono - NLC build notes.

August 23, 2017, 12:57 am
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This Eurorack module is related to two earlier Nonlinearcircuit modules I've built.
The Vactrol PiLL and the DelayNoMore.
The Vactrol Pill used the famous phase locked loop IC - the CMOS 4046
The delay, uses the PT2399 chip.

Andrew describes it as such:
"Mostly, as the name implies, this module will make a lot of crappy noise and is only controllable in the sense of how crappy it sounds".

Awesome  If you love noise & distortion like I do, this should be a cool module.

Andrew's build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/giant%20B0N0%20build%20and%20BOM.pdf

The 4046 has a linear voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and two different phase comparators (PC1 & PC2). They have a common signal-input amplifier and a common comparator input.

"The mixoutput (of the Giant Bono) is comprised of the PLL VCO signal and the delay chip’s main output. VCO output is the raw PLL VCO.
The PC1 (phase comparator) is a 0-6V square wave, usually at audio rates.
PC2 is a lot more sporadic and is best used as a burst generator."


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Morocco - Casablanca

August 30, 2017, 11:54 pm
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Some pics of the city of Casablanca , but mainly the mosque (Hassan II).










A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on

The video above was modified using a 3trins video synth.

The Hassan II mosque is the 13th largest in the world. I think it's minaret is the tallest at 210m


the mosque complex was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, took six years to build and was completed in 1993. 







A team of over 6000 master craftspeople was assembled to work on the mosque, delicately carving intricate patterns and designs






For more travel postcards click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/travel-postcards-index-my-travel.html
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TTL - Index and notes

August 31, 2017, 12:45 am
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There seem to be three common families of ICs that I regularly come across when building synths.
1. CMOS
2. Linear (mainly analog)
3. TTL

I've already started a page on CMOS. You can see it here.
(I'll do a Linear page later)
TTL and CMOS contain digital devices such as logic gates, flip flops, counters, decoders, etc.
Linear ICs are mostly analog and you will see them in amps, oscillators, regulators, etc etc
TTL stands for Transistor-Transistor Logic. They are built from bipolar junction transistors and resistors.
The ICs are mostly 4 or 5 digits and usually start with a 74 or 54. (eg: 7400 or 5404).
They are less sensitive to static electricity (unlike CMOS),
 but have a narrow operational voltage range (5 to 5.25V).
Inputs should always go somewhere. That is not be left floating.

TTL ICs use much more current that CMOS but are faster.
TTL have a low input impedance in comparison to CMOS .

Common ICs
7400 - quad 2 input NAND  eg74HC00
7402 - quad 2 input NOR gate
7404 - Hex inverter
7408 - quad 2 input AND eg:74HC08
7410 - triple 3 input NAND
7411 - triple 3 input AND
7420 - dual 4-input NAND
7421 - Dual 4-input AND
7427 - triple 3 input NOR
7432 - quad 2-input OR
744002 - dual 4-input NOR
744075 - triple 3-input OR
747266 - quad 2-input XNOR
7486 - quad 2-input XOR


The history and identification of the TTL chip family
TTL was invented in 1961 by James L. Buie. The first commercial integrated-circuit TTL devices were manufactured by Sylvania in 1963. TTL became popular with electronic systems designers after Texas Instruments introduced the 5400 series of ICs, in 1964 and the later 7400 series in 1966.
The Texas Instruments 7400 family became an industry standard. Compatible parts were made by Motorola, AMD, Fairchild, Intel,and many other manufacturers around the world.

* 74xx - old original chips. Now obsolete
* 74Sxx - Higher speed Schottky. (1969). Also obsolete
* 74LSxx - Low power Schottky
* 74ASxx - Advanced Schottky (1985) 
* 74HCxx - High speed using CMOS circuitry
* 74HCT - High speed,low power using  CMOS circuitry. The devices are pin compatible with             existing devices such as the 74TTL, 74STTL,  4000 series and the 74LS family.
 * 74xx - that have other letters after the 74. These are usually modern, fast surface mount

TTL devices are usually packaged in dual in-line packages (DIPs), usually with 14 to 24 pins.
Today, many TTL-compatible devices are available in surface-mount packages, which are available in a wider array of types than through-hole packages.

Most manufacturers offer commercial and extended temperature ranges: for example Texas Instruments 7400 series parts are rated from 0 to 70 °C, and 5400 series devices over the military-specification temperature range of −55 to +125 °C.

Links
+ Ken Stone Digitally controlled oscillator
+ List of 7400 series ICs
+Transistor-Transistor Logic

 Please let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.
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Carl Craig - Synthesizer Ensemble - Sydney 2017

September 4, 2017, 4:19 am
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Wow .. and what a honour to see this guy live. A legend from Detroit.
This was held at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
DJ, Producer, musician. Carl Craig.


A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
I couldn't see what instruments Craig was using, but each member of his ensemble used a prophet 6


A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
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mODCAN format - Cynthia programmer.

September 13, 2017, 5:00 pm
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Cyndustries has been out of business for a bit so these are getting hard to find.
Even Cynthia's website is no more, so those old manuals, are sadly gone from the net.
If someone out there does have copies I'd be so grateful if you could contact me.
Anyway, these modules use the Modcan A format.
BENARES is a reference to Serge Tcherepnin.
Back in March 1977 Mr Serge Tcherepnin wrote a do it yourself article in Synapse Magazine for a voltage "Programmer" module. He published it using the alias of Mr. "Arpad Benares" .

The Modcan-A format uses a module height of 9", and a horizontal unit of 2.25".
Banana jacks are used.
A yellow jack indicates an output of some sort;
A gray jack is a signal input;
A white jack indicates a control voltage input;
A red jack is a trigger or gate input (or output in this case).

Each button has an individual gate output and gate input to activate other
modules in your system.
There is also a Common Pulse Out (CPO) jack to
fire your envelope generator no matter which of the buttons is pushed.
The AEP jack --- At End Pulse ...sends a pulse once the last step is reached. handy for switches, reset, transistional events etc 


The format uses ±15V power. The power connector used is a 3-pin MTA-156 connector.
It's very similar to the MOTM format, in which a distribution board connected to the power supply is connected to modules using short power cords with female connectors on both ends.

 Is that a CGS logo on one of the PCBs?

Modcan A modules are 9" high (5u is 8.75 inches) and single width modules are 2.25" wide
The most compact packaging is the Cyndustries sixpacks (13.5" x 9" x 7"). These are entirely different from the dimensions of 19" racks.


..



This programmer seems very similar to a Serge Programmer. 






But it does have its differences too which makes it worthwhile having. I really dig the extra step and voltage row on the modcan version. Plus those step inputs are so cool. .. you can step back and forward with different lfos



These programmers can be chained to increase the step length.
Excuse the poor mobile phone audio.
As I don't have a manual I just winged it a bit.
These ribbon cables are how the chaining is accomplished.



i SET up the 3 programmers in a 10/5 step configuration.


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Null A - NLC Build notes.

September 14, 2017, 8:01 pm
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Here are the build notes for the Nonlinearcircuit Null A module.
This is in Eurorack format.
It's a reasonably big build so probably not good for a newbie.
Though it has all the major modules one would want so if you feel game go for it.

 2 VCOs, 2 LFOs, 3 VCAs, 2 filters,  1 sequencer, 1 clock divider, 1 mixer, 1 S&H, 1delay, 1 headphone amp and a chaos generator.

Andrew's build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/NULL%20A%20build&%20BOM.pdf
His blog notes are here:
http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/null-a2.html

There are lots and lots of SMDs and 2 PCBs.






I've seen the golden goat.
 These lyrics are from the band "The residents". From the album "Our Finest flowers"

I've seen the golden goat
He would like to lick my throat
I know he's mean and poor
And he waits at my door

He's too weak to do me harm
But he has a big long arm
It fills my dreamy head
Then I shake and wet my bed

Well, there's something I must tell you
I need something I will swear

The only perfect love
Is the one that isn't there
Yeah, the only perfect love
Is the one that isn't there

----------------------------------------------
More NLC wisdom.

...

Traditionally, in Aristotle's logical calculus view, there are only two possible values
(i.e., "true" and "false" or 0 & 1) for any proposition. 
This is also known as Boolean Logic and is the basis of modern computers.
But in multi-valued logic, there are more than two truth values.
For example, Łukasiewicz and Kleene accept the values "true", "false", and "unknown".
Fuzzy Logic is another example of a non-Aristotleian view of logic.
Here the truth values can be any real number between 0 and 1. It is employed to handle the concept of partial truth, where the truth value may range between completely true and completely false.
 
Not sure what this one means.
Back to the build:
First components. The 074 op-amps

...
To be continued.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here to return to the NLC Build Index:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/non-linear-circuits-ncl-index.html  
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Numberwang - NLC - Build notes

September 14, 2017, 8:07 pm
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These are my build notes for the Numberwang Eurorack module by nonlinearcircuits.
The Numberwang is a 4:16 decoder using the CD4514 CMOS logic chip.
I plan to use this for triggering drum modules.
It takes 1-4 gate signals and converts them into a 4 bit number, the corresponding output goes high.
It means you can mix clock signals to get complex timing structures and patterns.
There is also an overall sync input.

This is not to be confused with the Wangernumb module which I built earlier .(See previous notes).

The Numberwang is a 4:16 decoder. I plan to use this for triggering drum modules.
Andrew's build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/Numberwang%20BOM%20guide.pdf


...
 Links:
++Andrew's build notes are here:
    http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/Numberwang%20BOM%20guide.pdf 
++ NLC Blog

 to be continued.

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Click here to return to the NLC Build Index:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/non-linear-circuits-ncl-index.html  
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Ibiza - Town - Spain

September 24, 2017, 4:11 am
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Some old pics of Ibiza. Great memories. Its not just nightclubs.
These are pics of the old town.

There is loads of history here. Ibiza town was founded in 654BC by Carthage. Its one of the oldest towns in Europe. The first settlements date to over 3000 years ago.


 
Carthage was a great trading nation and Ibiza in those early days had a large harbor and strong city walls. Nothing has changed.
...
The Romans called Ibiza, Ebusus. Evidence of the Roman occupation can still be seen by the gates at the entrance to Dalt Vila (the Old Town), where there are two copies of Roman statues.
 
..
The Arabs came in the 9th century A.D. and stayed for almost 500 years. They called the island Yebisah.  On the hill in Ibiza Town, they built a large mosque (on the ruins of a temple dedicated to the God Mercury) and fortified the city walls. The remains of these walls and some of the watchtowers can still be seen today.
..
Ibiza was conquered by the Catalans on the 8th August, 1235.
The Catalans tore down the Arab mosque, and built the present day Cathedral on its foundations.
In the 16th century, the Italian architect Calvi completed the construction of the walls of Ibiza Town - the same walls we see today.
travel postcards:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/travel-postcards-index-my-travel.html
 
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Sat Arvo Jam

September 24, 2017, 4:25 am
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Hanging out with my friend Paul. Aka Cobramatic.
Lots of cool toys. Especially loved the Serge.

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
Some nice patches here:

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
This second one is very Krell like.
That TKB sequencer/keyboard is wonderful.


A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
I also loved the Ciat Lombard Tetrax
It's now on my shopping list.
http://www.ciat-lonbarde.net/tetrax/index.html


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Boss CE-1 - Chorus Ensemble & the Panasonic BBD

October 7, 2017, 12:12 am
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I'm addicted to bucket brigade chips. Ever since I first heard a Serge WAD I can't get enough of their beautiful sounds. The WAD used the Reticon SAD1040.
BBD (Bucket Bridge Delay) ICs are great for effects like reverb, vibrato, chorus, phasor, flanger & echos.
My favourite Chorus pedal is the Boss CE-1

It doesn't use SADs but still sounds great.

Created in 1976 when Roland founded Boss, the CE-1 is viewed as one of the progenitors of the chorus/vibrato effect & is timeless.

It uses Panasonic MN3002 BBD chips. They are single 512 stage IC's.
They also featured in the 1975 Roland Jazz Chorus.
Yes , It's a guitar amp.

Another chorus pedal that I think is worth checking out is the Electroharmonix small clone.
EH4600.

From 1979 to early 1981 it seems that, EH used either the MN3007 delay chip or the RETICON SAD1024.
The sonic differences are subtle. The SAD1024 version has been described as more “watery” sounding, adding a slight “boost” to the signal, while the MN3007 allows higher levels and less noise without signal clipping. The most sought after unit is the 1024 one, mostly because this was the version used by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain on “Nevermind” and the “MTV Unplugged” sessions.
The vintage units have a clear and smaller (3mm) LED versus the red and larger (5mm) LED in the reissues. Also, the originals don’t have a dash mark (-) separating the words FULL and CHORUS.
The reissues have FULL-CHORUS (with the dash) written on it.

 The MN3007 is a 1024 stage long delay low noise BBD that provides a signal delay of up to
51.2 msecs. They seem pretty easy to get on ebay.

 It's found in many popular pedals like the DM-1 and CE-2 & CE-5 by Boss, the MoogerFooger 108M Clusterflux, theMemory Man by Electro-Harmonix, AD-999 by Maxon or Analog Delay by MXR.
Moog Delays (MF104)used MN3008 chips ??? I think.
The 3008 chips are very hard to get these days. Thus those MoogerFooger delays are not made any more & go for ridiculous prices on Ebay. They are a single 2046 stage chip.

Pansonic BBD IC characteristics:
MN3001 Dual 512 stage
MN3002 Single 512 stage
MN3003 Dual 64 stage
MN3004 Single 512 stage
MN3005 Single 4096 stage
MN3006 Single 128 stage
MN3007 Single 1024 stage
MN3008 Single 2046 stage
MN3009 Single 256 stage

Links:
Doepfer A-188 manual
Panasonic BBD datasheet
Serge WAD (Wilson Analog Delay)
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Electro-Harmonix Slap-Back Echo

October 10, 2017, 4:43 pm
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I found this old ehx pedal. It's a slap-back style echo. Model EH-4700.

Slap echo or slapback is a single echo resulting from sound bouncing off reflective surfaces.
Like when you clap your hands and listen for the echo in a large empty hall).
I understand that the Slap-Back pedal was one of EH's first forays into the smaller delay unit market.
She is pure analog and needs 18v to work, using either two 9V batteries or a 18V PSU.
 
I was initially drawn to it as the pedal uses the hard to find Reticon SAD1040 delay chip which is a bucket brigade IC. The Reticon can be found in the Serge WAD which is my favourite effects unit.
The Slapback delay is limited to 80ms. Just right for thickening guitar, bass guitar and other instrument tones.

A distinct repeat-echo is added to the original sound resulting in a very live sound similar to what you would hear in an auditorium.
The PCB is held in place by the Bend pot. So I was unable to remove the board to get a better look.
Thus these pics from the sides.

The pedal is uber simple.
Just two controls : a large 'blend' knob and a switch to turn a filter on or off.
The BLEND control is good for mixing wet and dry signals. The FILTER is turned on with a switch.
I think its a low pass as it seems to be good for cutting out hi frequencies.

There are standard 1/4" TRS connections

It's not versitle to replace your Memory Man or other delay but is the perfect little pedal to use in tandem with something like that to give you some varying delay tones.

I only have the first version but there seems to have been two other versions.
The Stereo Slap-back Echo edition, and the Slap-back Echo with Full Double Tracking Effects.

The Stereo Slap-back Echo edition, featured a DIRECT OUT output jack and a power indicator LED. There one of only 2 small EH pedals that ever used LEDs. The other unit was the small clone
Both units used the Reticon SAD1024 delay IC.

The Slap-back Echo with the Full Double Tracking Effect had a delay that was switchable between 50 and 100ms. The BLEND control was retained and the FILTER switch was replaced by the MS DELAY switch. It was produced around 1979 and used the Panasonic MN3005 delay IC.
EH seems to have replaced the Reticon chip with the Panasonic in nearly all of their effects. According to the net, the Panasonic chip was capable of doing the same delay effects, but with better bandwidth and less noise.I kinda like the reticon though.

The PCB is labeled EH1315


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Electro harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress

October 12, 2017, 10:26 pm
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I'm on the hunt for pedals and effects that use the reticon SAD 1024 bucket brigade chip.
My previous post was for the EHX slap-back pedal which also used this chip
Many of the early EHX pedals appear to have used the SAD 1024.
One such is the Deluxe Electric Mistress.

Versions 1 (1978), v2 (1979) & v3 (1981) used the reticon SAD 1024 delay
Version 4 & version 5 used the  reticon RD5106A bucket brigade device. It had its own clock driver.
Its interesting that the reticon SAD1024 is a dual 512 stage delay &
the RD 5106A is a 256 sample device.

Notice the "icehocky puck" style knobs.

The Deluxe Electric Mistress is a iconic flanger. It has been reissued in the more compact "XO" chassis. In addition to the analog filters, the Deluxe Electric Mistress features a Filter Matrix for adjusting the sweep of the flange.

The Electric Mistress was designed by David Cockerell. David had worked for EMS, where he designed the the Synthi Hi-Fli. He also designed the Small Stone phaser and Micro Synth.
These were based on the Hi-Fli.
The Deluxe Electric Mistress was designed by Electro Harmonix engineer Howard Davis (who also designed the Deluxe Memory Man).

These pics are of a Deluxe Electric Mistress of I think 1979.
The PCB is labeled EH5150 B or C???
I'm inclined to think this is a V2 EH5150C.
The V3 has a green case.
 Not exactly clear.

The power supply is 120V. There is an internal transformer held in place with two screws.
The case measurements are: 170mm x 200mm x 38mm.

ICs used:
1x LM78L. This is a linear voltage regulator.
1x 4558. Its a dual general purpose Op Amp
1x SAD1024A: BBD chip
1x LM324: Quad Op Amp
1x LM311N : Voltage comparator
1x 4013BE : CMOS Dual flip flop

Transistor: 1x 2N5087

Anyway, the Electric Mistress was used by David Gilmore of Pink Floyd.
He got his Electric Mistress V2 in 1976 or January 1977. It was used on the Animals Tour and I think the Pulse Tour in 1994. ?? You can hear it on many recordings like "The Wall"

Andy Summers of "The Police" is another notable user. Listen to "Do Do Do Da Da Da" or "Driven To Tears"

Links:
1. DIY deluxe Electric Mistress
2. The Mistress Mistery Page

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EHX - Deluxe Electric Mistress - Version 1 - EH 1318A

October 15, 2017, 7:46 pm
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A very early Electrix Mistress, deluxe.
I think this dates from 1978.

This uses the SAD 1024 Bucket Brigade chip.
The marking in pencil is a reference to a later version ? Version 2 or 3 used the EH 5150 PCB.

The EHX Delux mistress is a early flanger.

Flangers have been around for ages .. since the 1940/50s.
Les Paul in 1945 ??
They originally used two tape recorders ... one running slightly out of sync / slower than the other.
From what I've read, the first flanger using an bucket brigade delay ICs was the Eventide instant flanger FL201 in 1976 This beauty had CV controls that allowed modulation of the effects using modular synths.
The  Eventide used two Panasonic MN3001s clocked at 2.7 MHz.

Eventide today make a software version of this classic rack effects unit.


The PCB is labelled EH1318 A which makes it a Version 1 from 1978.
Notice the curled knob with pointer.
The IC's are: 1x LM78L, 1x 4558, 1x SAD1024A, 1x LM324, 1x LM311N, 1x 4013BE
with one transistor ... a 2N5087.





Links:
 + Metzgerralf - V1 pics
 + How the Flanger works - detailed
 + Reverb - Eventide FL201


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Electro-Harmonix Time line.

October 16, 2017, 9:45 pm
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I have started building a collection of EHX pedals. It's a great company with an illustrious history.
This is a brief timeline of their products.
It's by no means the most extensive list but I hope it can grow over the coming years and be useful
to anyone wanting to discover their drums, pedal, stompboxes and circuits.
Please let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.

1967/68
++The company was founded by Mike Matthews in NYC.
++The Axis fuzz pedal (Guild Guitar Company)
++Foxey Lady Pedal (Guild Guitar Company)

1969
++LPB-1 Linear Power Booster.
++Big Muff Pi (First edition on perf board)
++Treble Booster  - Screaming Tree ?
++Bass Booster - Mole
++Muff Fuzz (EH2008 and 2009)

1970
++Electro Harmonix “triangle” Big Muff  . Version 1
    These date from 1969 to 1973. (EH3003)
++ Foxey Lady V4. Three knob version. 
     A rebranded Big Muff V1 made by Electro-Harmonix for Guild.

1971
++ Little Muff Pi (EH-1008).
     This transistor version was replaced with an op-amp version in 1975-76. 

1972
++EH Freedom Amplifier 
++Little Muff Pi (EH-1008)

1973
++Electro Harmonix “ram’s head” Big Muff  (Version 2)
    (1973-77) EH-3003, the "Face Model"
++ Foxey Lady V5

1974
++Small Stone Phaser - created by David Cockerell of EMS.(1974/75)
++CryingTone Pedal (Wah pedal) '74 chassis.
++ Knockout Attack EQ, model # EH-3004 

1975
++Little Big Muff Pi  (EH1009) (1975/76)
++ Bad Stone phase shifter. Produced in both two-knob and three-knob configuration.
     The three-knob version is more highly sought. Years of Production: 1975 - 1981

1976
++Electro Harmonix Big Muff (transistor and op-amp) 
++Electric Mistress (a stereo flanger)
++Deluxe Electric Mistress
++Deluxe Memory Man
++Rhythm-12 Drum Machine 
++Attack Equalizer ( 3-band rotary EQ)
++Little MuffPi Op-amp version of 1971 Little Muff Pi.
++Little Big MuffPi (EH-1009, EHSP1). One knob version of the Big Muff V3 

1977
++ Big Muff Version 3. EH-3003, the "Face Model" in new red/black graphics w/ ON/OFF switch. All units from here on use Version 3 graphics. (1977 to 1978).
++Big Muff Version 4.(1977 to 1978).
    EH-3003/EH-1322, the first op-amp version w/ ON/OFF power switch.
++Crying Tone Pedal ('77 Chassis)
++Mike Matthews Dirt Road Special, EH-7050/1313 (AMP) 
++ EH-8000 Guitar Synthesizer ‘77-78 
++ Hogs Foot Bass Booster 

1978
++ Big Muff Version 5. (1978 to 1980)
     EH-1322/EH-3003, op-amp version w/ TONE BYPASS switch instead of "OFF ON".
++ Deluxe Big Muff Pi (EH-1330 & EH-3053/3054)
++Slapback Echo (Used ReticonSAD1040)
++Stereo Slapback Echo.
++DRM-16 (DRM = Digital Rhythm Matrix), EH-7450
++Domino Theory  
++Little Big MuffPi (EH-1322 V4/5 circuit).Op Amp version.

1979
++Full Double Tracking Effect (used Panasonic MN3005) 
++Crying Tone Pedal ('79 chassis)
++DRM-15  (EH-7451) (DRUM)
++3-Phase Liner  
++ Space Drum - ‘79 
++ Little Big Muff . EH3034 transistor version  
++ Muff Fuzz. Op-amp version 

1980
++ Big Muff Version 6 (1980 to 1983)
     EH-3003/EH-3034. Changed back to transistor circuit w/ TONE BYPASS switch.
++ Deluxe Big Muff Pi(EH-3053 and 3054A, B, and C)
++RTG - Random Tone Generator
++DRM-32 (EH-7460). (Drum)
++ Crash Pad (drum)
++ Sequencer Drum
++ Clockworks

1981
Super Space Drum II -'81 (not sure this was ever produced) 

1982 
16 second Delay 
64 second Digital Looping Recorder
EHX declared bankrupt

1984
Matthews launches New Sensor Corp., a new USSR-based company

1990
++Sovtek starts production of EHX pedals in Russia 
++Mike Matthews' Red Army Overdrive.
++Sovtek Big Muff Pi (V1) (Green-gold paint)
++Sovtek “Civil War” Big Muff Pi V7 (Blue Gray Paint). A rebranded Red Army
    Overdrive. Commonly referred to as the 'Civil War' Big Muff for the 
    blue and gray US Civil War colours used.
    
1994
++Sovtek “Green Russian” Big Muff Pi  V7.
    Tall font version. Identical to the Civil War circuit.
++Sovtek prototype Electric Mistress (only 5 made). 

1995
++ Sovtek Green Russian Big MuffPi V7.
     Bubble font version. Slightly different circuit to the tall font version.

1998
++Sovtek “Black Russian” Big Muff Pi  V7.
    Identical circuit to the green Russian. 

1999
 ++ Sovtek Black Russian. Big Muff Pi V7 
      Small box version. Slightly different circuit than the previous edition.  

2000
++Electro Harmonix Pi NYC reissue V9. (2000 to present)
     EC3003 (2000), EC3003A (2000), EC3003B (2007), EC3003C (2008), 
     EC3003D (?),    EC3003E (2013)
    
2001
++Mogwai Big Muff PiV9. "ROCK ACTION"
    A special branded stock USA reissue BMP made in a limited run for the band Mogwai.
++Double Muff. Two 1969 Muff Fuzz circuits in one box. Discontinued in 2008.
 
2005
POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator)

2006 
++Little Big Muff PiV10"XO". Three knob nano sized Big Muff. 
     2006 to present.  PCB Numbers: EC-D1, EC-D2, EC-D2 Revs A - E, EC-D3

2007
++ Big Muff Pi USA reissue V9. Circuit revision B.

2008
++Big Muff Pi USA reissue V9 .Circuit revision C.
++Bass Big MuffV11. This replaced the Russian made Big Muffs.
    The BBM was based on the green Russian Big Muffs and the original 1970s Big Muffs.
    Circuit board is populated with SMD components.
    Transistors are BC547C which were used in the last black Russian Big Muffs. 
++Nano Muff Overdrive. Reissue of the 1969 Muff Fuzz/Little Muff Pi.  
 
2009
++Tone Wicker Big Muff Pi V12
     2009 to present.
++POG 2

2010
++Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi V13. This is a fuzz pedal and overdrive combo.
++Nano Double Muff.

2013
++Deluxe Bass Big Muff. Version 11A

2014
++ Nano Bass Big Muff Pi, Version 11B.
++ Nano Big Muff Pi. Version 10A .
++ Deluxe Big Muff Pi. Version 10B. 

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Links
EHX
Wikipedia
Reverb - a brief history of EHX pedals
Pro Guitar shop
Gilmorish
Kitrae
EH Man's Extravaganza

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Studio for electronic music -Google Doodle

October 18, 2017, 2:23 am
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It's 66 years since the foundation of "The Studio for Electronic Music".
Google celebrated this milestone with a Google Doodle.
 The doodle is created by Berlin-based illustrator Henning Wagenbreth.

The studio was established in the old WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk) building in Cologne on the 18th Oct, 1951. The WDR was a West German Broardcaster. Though closed in 2000, it is now regarded as the first modern Electronic Music Studio.

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was founded in 1958 and the San Francisco Tape Music Center was founded in 1962.

 By © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15666361

The composers Werner Meyer-Eppler, Robert Beyer, and Herbert Eimert were instrumental in its foundation.
The studio welcomed musicians from all over the world. Karlheinz Stockhausen was one of the studios artistic directors.
.Karlheinz Stockhausen in the Studio for Electronic Music in 1991





Eimert was officially succeeded as director of the studio by Karlheinz Stockhausen in 1963.

Other instruments used in the studio included some from the following manufacturers:




Links:
Wikipedia
Googledoodle
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Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

October 19, 2017, 12:29 am
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I don't normally write about hotels but this one is pretty special.
Even if you don't stay here, the view from the observation deck is jaw dropping.
 Best to get there a hour or so before sunset and just watch the skyline change.
The 3 main buildings are united on the top with a platform which comprises the observation deck of the left .. open to the public and the closed section with infinity pool on the right.

 I was quite amazed with the architecture of Singapore. But more of that in a later post.












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Doepfer Module A-188-1

October 19, 2017, 12:42 am
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Still on the search for the perfect Bucket Brigade Device module.
I just purchased these two on Ebay.
The A-188  series of Doepfer Eurorack modules are great value. They use the Panasonic BBD chips and as always with Doepfer, the build quality is excellent.

The A-188-1 X uses a MN3009. Its a 256 stage IC. These are getting hard to find.

The A-188-1 Y uses a 512stage BBD.




This module happens to be using a newer Panasonic MN3204 IC. These 32xx ICs are lower voltage than their 30xx cousins.

You can read the manual here:
http://www.doepfer.de/A1881.htm


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EHX -Little Big Muff Pi - "The Op Amp Muff "

October 19, 2017, 1:33 am
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Some pics of this beautiful vintage pedal.
It's a Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff with the rare Op-amp circuit.
Up until 1978, the traditional Big Muff circuit used four transistors.
But in an effort  to reduce costs operational amplifiers were substituted. These versions can be found
in the V4 & V5 PCBs. Model Numbers: EH3003A, EH3003B, EH1322, EH1322B, EH3003.
Some of the same circuit boards used in the Big Muff V4 were also used in the Little Big Muff
The Big Muff has 3 knobs: Volume, Tone & Sustain. The Little Big Muff only has a Volume knob.

The Op-amp versions are often describes as "grungier" than the traditional transistor designs.


The PCB is labelled EH-1322.
Thus its a version 4 or V5.
Its the Op-amp version.
..

The RC4558 is a Dual General Purpose Op-ap.


The UA741 is also a general purpose Operational Amplifer.





The Pot ID: 1377840.
Thus the date : The 40th week of 1978
 The Muff guru Kit Rae describes the Op Amp Muff thus:
"I am including this as a legitimate Big Muff, even though it was not built on the classic Muff four-stage circuit. It was intended to sound like a Big Muff and was released in the same box as Version 3, so I feel it must be included as a true Muff version. Plus, I, and many others like them. It has a huge, crushing Big Muff sound. Though not quite the same as the organic transistor tone, is was very unique. Supposedly only a few thousand of this version were made".

"Version 4 is likely the Big Muff circuit heard on most of Smashing Pumpkins'Siamese Dream and Pisces Iscariot albums, so that should give an idea of the potential of this version. This is the rarest of the two op-amp Big Muff versions".(KitRae.net)

Links
Electro-Harmonix Time Line
KitRae - The BigMuff OP Amp version

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