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Alesis HR-16 Drum Machine

May 2, 2018, 4:13 am
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I'm considering selling my HR-16
Its been a handy drum that I've owned for many years but I seem to be moving back into Euro drums these days so i might let it go.

Some pics before I sell it.



tHE instruction manual is in the lid.
 The HR-16 have been used by the likes of  OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark), Arrested Development, They Might Be Giants, Orbital, The Grid, Autechre, Sub Dub and the Stereo MC's.

 iT HAS its own built in sequencer, but also has midi in and out... for clocking. Syncing can also be accomplished with tape sync.

The internal SEQUENCER can be recorded in 2 classic modes:
A- step mode (resolution up to 1/64 th)
B- real time with 10 quantizes levels and 9 swings/shuffle levels.
This was one of Alesis's first drum machines, with 49 samples including 10 kicks & 7 snares, 7 toms, 3 HH, 3 cymbals, 21 percussion.
The sounds were stored on internal ROM. (It is possible to reprogram the PCM EPROMS with custom sounds).

 Kick Drums: 22 inch Power Kick,- 24 inch Power Kick, 22 inch Deep Kick, 20 inch Swift Kick,- 22 inch Double Head Kicks , 22 inch 60's Kick , 22 inch Gated Kick , Electronic Kick 1 , Electronic Kick 2
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Snares: 8 inch x 14 inch Wood Snare , Ambient Wood Snare , Brass Piccolo Snare , Gated Snare , Electronic Snare, Rim Shot Snare , Side Stick Snare , Brush Hit Snare


Toms:  10 inch Power Tom , Power TOM , 10 inch Double Head Tom , 14 inch Double Head Tom, Electronic Tom

High-Hats:
Closed High-Hats A&B , Half-open High-Hat , Open High-Hat 13 inch , Foot-closed High-Hat

Cymbals: Ride Cymbal , Ride Cymbal Bell , Crash Cymbal

There were also lots of unusual percussion sounds like:
Timbale , High & Low Conga , Large Woodblocks , Small Woodblocks, A&B Cabasa , Maracas A&B
  Shaker , Agogo Bell , Medium Cowbells , Large Cowbells , Triangle , Tambourine 16 inch , Handclaps,  Finger Snaps, Drum Sticks 

It came out in 1988. 
Though the 16 bit drum sounds are at times cheesy, but they can be tuned and they each have individual level controls for mixing.
 oNE of the reasons I might keep this is to circuit bend. There are a number of websites with what look like great mods. Circuitbenders mods them £90.
https://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/drummachine/HR16.html


Weight is 3kg



Links:
http://www.burnkit2600.com/hr-16/
https://evanpaschke.com/projects/alesis-hr16/
http://www.bentstruments.com/alesis-hr-16.html

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Umeda Sky Building

May 6, 2018, 7:42 am
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This is very close to Osaka's main railway station.
Definitely worth a visit. The view from the roof is superb.

This is a model of the building.

The view of the skydeck from the ground.

The architect is Hiroshi Hara, the Japanese architect who also designed Kyoto Station. It was completed in 1993. the 173 meter tall building consists of two 40 story towers. These are joined at the top by a ring-like observation deck.
 
The escalator crosses the wide atrium-like space in the center

The top observatory is called the "floating garden", but its devoid of plants.






 A view of the Yodogawa river running to the sea.








For more travel postcards click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/travel-postcards-index-my-travel.html
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NLC Hyperchaos Deluxe

May 6, 2018, 11:36 pm
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Synthi 100 Live, Melbourne Australia

May 6, 2018, 11:54 pm
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Synth 100 live
Wed, May 16, 2018. 3.30pm to 4.30pm AEST
Looking forward to this live performance which will be streamed over the net from Melbourne, Australia.

https://events.unimelb.edu.au/events/10402-synthi-100-live

The EMS Synthi 100 will be played by Interactive Composition staff David Haberfeld, Anthony Lyons and Mark Pollard. This project connects to the Grainger Museum exhibition, Synthesizers: Sound of the Future.


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Metro Modular - Superbooth 2018

May 7, 2018, 5:22 am
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A few pics of some Metro Modular Modules.
 tHIS is the "Test Eagle". I use it for connection of old lab oscillators and signal generators to my eurorack modules.
 http://www.metro-modular.com/index.php/system-3000/mm3203-test-eagle
 Modular Grid

Metro Modular is a synth manufacturer from Sydney Australia.
Divkid interviewed Justin from MM in Germany at Superbooth 2
018.
Check out the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU5Pxwfbyp4

Another of the modules I own is the Steel Falcon VCF.
http://www.metro-modular.com/index.php/system-3000/mm3461b-steel-falcon-vcf-se
This uses the LM346.


 It is a much improved quad version of the LM4250 chip that is used in many Polivoks VCF clones (and the UA776 chip which was itself copied by the Soviets!) . The Steel Falcon is a cross between a Polivoks and a Roland system 100m filter.

The 3rd MM module I have is the MM315 balanced modulator.
 It's a ring modulator & VCA.
http://www.metro-modular.com/index.php/the-capricorn-series/mm315-balanced-modulator


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Division6 - Dual Sequencer

May 8, 2018, 1:28 am
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Looking for the perfect sequencer is like searching for the Holy Grail
It may never end. There are so many out there.

I thought this was worth a crack.
Fairly compact and cheap to build.
I was impressed with the Div 6 pocket sequencer so whynot.

These are not build notes, just some pics to help me remember the build process if I ever want to do it again. The build is quite easy.
The official notes are here:
http://division-6.com/products/dual-mini-sequencer.php

 Its all through hole. No SMD






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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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Osaka Castle - Japan

May 8, 2018, 2:31 am
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Impressive structure.
Very close to the CBD of Osaka , so well worth a visit.
Construction of the original castle began in 1583 and the building was completed in 1597.
The current main tower at Osaka Castle is a concrete reconstruction of the 17th-century castle and was completed in 1931.
Osaka castle is very important in the history of Japan. It played a major role in its (Japan's) unification during the samurai era of the sixteenth century.
It was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi .

The castle became the center of the new unified Japan under Toyotomi rule and brought with it a short period of peace after centuries of civil war.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi looks like an interesting character.
He was born of no traceable samurai lineage, being the son of a peasant-ashigaru (foot soldier) named Yaemon. He had no surname, and his childhood given name was Hiyoshi-maru(日吉丸) ("Bounty of the Sun"). How he rose to his final position of power only he probably knows. He was the general who first united all of Japan.

The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside.
The 3 extra stories are underground.
 It is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by sheer walls of cut rock, using a technique called Burdock piling, each overlooking a moat.

 Pictures of the outer moat.
The 16th & 17th centuries were the time of  shogunate & the Samurai.


There were eight giant fusetora (golden tiger) decorations and golden shachi (a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp) roof ornaments. These were believed to protect the castle against fire.
In 1597 construction was completed and Hideyoshi died the year after. Osaka Castle passed to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori who was just 4 years old. After Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu Tokugawa, who worked for Hideyoshi as a senior retainer, was appointed to the Shogun and he established the shogunate (government) in Edo (Tokyo)  in 1603.

The castle grounds cover approximately 60,000 square meters (15 acres).
The massive stones, (the largest weighing about 130 tons), were transported from all over Japan, but principally from the islands of the Inland Sea.
The first Shogun of Japan, Ieyasu Tokugawa, accused Toyotomi of treason. This was his excuse to lay siege to his castle in 1614 (The Winter Seige).

The Toyotomi forces were outnumbered by approximately two to one, but somehow managed to fight off the 200,000 Tokugawa-led samurai army. Part of the terms of truce included the filling up with soil of the moats of Osaka Castle thus rendering them useless.
..


However, my the next year, the Toyotomis began digging up the filled-in moat.
So the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked again in 1615. This is known as the second (or Summer Seige) of Osaka Castle. The castle was this time destroyed and the Toyotomi dynasty ended.
The Tokugawa Shogunate, would rule Japan for the next 250 years.

View from the top floor of Osaka Castle

Hideyori Toyotomi, along with his mother, killed themselves as Tokugawa’s soldiers set the castle ablaze, burning everything to the ground.


But Osaka Castle was rebuilt.
Tokugawa completed this second version of Osaka Castle in 1629.


 In 1660, there was a huge explosion when lightning struck the gun powder storage room. The explosion blew most of the castle to pieces.


In 1868, the castle was again razed to the ground. Rather than surrender to the anti-shogunate forces of the Meiji Restoration in 1868 the castle was destroyed.

After this, what was once Osaka Castle, became the property of the Japanese military and was converted to an arsenal. It produced everything from guns to cannons. This was possibly the reason Osaka became a target during WWII.

The current Osaka Castle dates from 1931. The main tower survived the firebombing raids of WWII.
This 3rd version of Osaka Castle combined the two previous castles. Hideyoshi’s palace was rebuilt on top of the stone walls from the Tokugawa Period.

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Zlob - Clock Divider

May 10, 2018, 4:48 am
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A great module. Its just 2HP
These aren't official build notes.
The Zlob website is here:
https://zlobmodular.com/clk-d-2/

The build docs are slightly different from my version which I think is currently under revision
 However, it works great.


the 4040 ic must be the type that can run on up to 15V.
The trannies are 2N3904



You need to solder those 5 two pin jumpers, and then connect them with a shunt/shorting block.
This version has these pins for expansion purposes. (With the 16 pin header next to it). I could also solder each of the 2 pins together, if I didn't want the future expander.
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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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NLC Resonate - build notes

May 10, 2018, 5:11 am
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These are my build notes for the Nonlinearcircuits Resonate module.
It's in the Eurorack Format.


The Resonate Module uses the core circuit of the Korg 3100 Resonator, with component choices for the filter sections as per the mods introduced by RJB in his blog back in 2005.
The main difference of this version is that it has 4 VC bandpass stages and a feedback control, the original has 3 stages and no feedback. The 4 VC bandpass stages can be controlled by a single CV on input 1 (with an attenuator) or individually with each of the 4 CV inputs.
The CV processing sub-circuits are greatly simplified from the original Korg version, simply using op amps to drive the vactrols.
The 2 inputs are summed together. Out 2 is an inverted version of Out 1.

Demo Video - https://youtu.be/VD0j_Nwsv4w

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sOME NLC words of wisdom
Nouveau shamanic - another Nicolas Cage Reference.
Nouveau Shamanic is the name he's given to his personal acting style.
 "thousands of years ago, the tribal shamans were really actors. What they would do is they would act out whatever the issues were with the villagers at that time, they would act it out and try to find the answers or go into a trance or go into another dimension, which is really just the imagination, and try to pull back something that would reflect the concerns of the group."

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Back to the build.
I like to get the ICs on first.
I'm using a new solder:
This is brilliant stuff. It's not cheap, but flows so easily and is only 0.35mm. It's 5 core.
I've up to now been using 0.7mm single core.

To be continued......

Links:
NLC Build notes
Facebook 
Muffs - 2018 modules

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You can find more NLC builds here.
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/non-linear-circuits-ncl-index.html
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Noise Engineering - BIA - Basimilus Iteritas Alter

May 13, 2018, 12:10 am
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Some tweaking of this incredible module.

Noise Engineering have made a work of art.
It's much much more than a drum. Fabulous for baselines.

I'm using a Wintermodular eloquencer to sequence the BIA
Sometimes it just sounds so good without any CV sequencing from the eloquencer.
All u need are triggers & gates.

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Sequential Circuits - Drumtraks - Drum Tracks

May 17, 2018, 12:11 am
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Some pics of my old Drumtraks. I'm considering selling this.
To quote Vintage Synth:
"While its electronic drum kit sounds may not be as popular today as the TR-909 or TR-808, the DrumTraks exceeds them with superior editing capabilities."
Main panel features a segment display, 13 dynamic trigger pads, 9 buttons and numeric pad.
I'll probably miss this if I do decide to sell , but I'm running out of room. I have too many drum machines.
..
The Drumtracks hails from 1984.
 At the time of its manufacture it was the only drum machine that let you program both volume and tuning individually for each sound.

 The inclusion of Midi lets you program all your drum parts, including volume dynamics and accents in real time from any velocity sensitive instrument, such as the Prophet-T8.

The clock in and out is very useful.
DrumTraks can output a clock signal and is also fully MIDI capable. This makes it very easy to use with old analogs and new MIDI synths and sequencers.
- analog sync IN at 24 /48 /96 PPQ resolution, but it outputs only at 24 / 48 PPQ 

The metronome out generates +5V pulses.
The cassette in/out is for offline memory storage.

There are six individual outputs, one mono mix output.
The drum has an onboard mixer.
Each of its 13 different drum sounds had its own programmable tuning and volume controls.
The 13 sounds include bass drum, snare, rimshot, tom (x2), crash cymbal + ride, open/ closed hihat, handclaps, tambourine, cabasa and cowbell.

 The Pattern edit section

You can store 100 patterns & build 100 songs.
The song edit section with its  9 button numeric pad.

The drum uses PCM waveform samples coded at 12 bit resolution. They are stored on socket EPROMS (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories).
It is possible to change the soundset by swapping the eproms.

Dimensions (WxDxH): 21 3/8 x 10 x 4 inches
Power: 110 V AC
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Modular in the Lounge Room- Meeting 3

June 14, 2018, 12:51 am
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Lots of fun.
The 3rd MITLR was held on the 2nd June in Wollongong... at secret location with what has been voted as the lounge room with most uncomfortable lounge on the South Coast (& possibly the world).
I'm quite proud of this distinction so will have to ditch any thoughts of buying a new couch:-)

The music was however really good. Thanks to Andrew, Ilya, Justin, Paul, Dee, Terry, Rory and Gareth for making it a memorable night.




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Virusinstaller

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Rory Satori


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Allinaire  (aka: Cobramatic)




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Post Global Disorder (Terry)

We were all blown away by the new graphic VCO from Erica Synths



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A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
Gareth  AKA Oscillosaurus



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Ilya

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on

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Santa Clara - Cuba

July 6, 2018, 6:41 pm
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This is the capital of the province of Villa Cara.





 Its full of revolution landmarks and is the final tomb of Che Guevara.
 The Che Guevara Mausoleum. The bronze statue is 22 feet high.
iT'S located in "Plaza Che Guevara" (Che Guevara Square) & houses the remains of the revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and twenty-nine of his fellow combatants killed in 1967 during Guevara's attempt to spur an armed uprising in Bolivia.
 Che was burried here in 1997, after his remains where found in Bolivia.
 Santa Clara was chosen as the site for his tomb because the city was the location of the decisive Cuban battle of Dec 31, 1958 that ended with Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fleeing into exile.
 Apart from the tomb, there is a museum to see. No photos were allowed.
 Regardless of one's views, this is a facinating place of how one man changed the course of world history.
 His legacy, reverberates to this day.




You can find in another part of the city, the Fulgencio Batista military supply train which was derailed by Guevara during the battle for Santa Clara. Light was fading so sorry for the poor photos. My understanding was that the  remains are in its original location.











..
jAN 1, 1959

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For more Travel Postcards Click Here
For more on Cuba Click Here
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Deluge - Synthstrom Audible

July 8, 2018, 2:45 am
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Thanks to Ian from Synthstrom ( and the organisers of New Sound Waves) for this live demo.
Held in Sydney

I'm very tempted to purchase a Deluge.

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
Some pics:


Ian also brought along one of the early existing Deluges.

It's interesting to see how it it has developed into the current beast.
The Deluge was developed in New Zealand
It's a drum machine, a synth. It integrates with Midi and voltage controlled synths.




Testing the Deluge with some eurorack gear (Metromodular).



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Autechre - Sydney 2018

July 8, 2018, 4:28 am
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Held at Max Watts, June 20, Sydney.
The English electronic duo is made up of Rob Brown and Sean Booth.
Autechre were conceived in 1987 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester..

The band have released 12 studio albums, and are planning to release NTS Sessions 1-4 later this year.


A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
This concert was performed in complete darkness.

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The Presets - Waves, Wollongong.

July 8, 2018, 4:46 am
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One of my fav bands.
The Presets are an Australian electronic music duo of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. Formed in 2003.
A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
 
It was a great live show. They played on Fri 22 June @ Waves, Wollongong.

They have been quiet of late so its great to see them on the road again with a new album. Hi Viz.

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
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Doepfer 128 - Fixed filter bank modifications

July 8, 2018, 5:03 am
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The Doepfer Module A-128 (Fixed Filter Bank) is a filter bank, made up of 15 parallel band pass filters :50 Hz / 75Hz / 110Hz / 150Hz / 220Hz / 350Hz / 500Hz / 750Hz / 1.1kHz / 1.6kHz / 2.2kHz / 3.6kHz / 5.2kHz / 7.5kHz / 11 kHz. 


Each band pass filter has its own amplitude control knob.


The unmodified 128 has just one output which is a mix of all the filters, depending on the position of each one's amplitude control knob. 

It's a lovely sounding filter even though it has no CV control.
It's worth adding an output for each filter.

To do this you must remove the knobs aND faceplate


 Ive made a breakout panel .. 4HP







 You can find some mod instructions on Doepfers own site:
http://www.doepfer.de/service/A128_single_outputs.pdf
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L-1 Compressor

July 9, 2018, 5:33 am
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Some pics of my build of a L-1 Compressor Eurorack module.
I thought I'd give building this a go. Pretty straight forward.

Check out the official site and build notes here:
http://l-1.su/Microcompressor_stereo.html
 tHE kit I purchased came with the SMD components already soldered.
All I needed to do was order the through hole parts from mouser



 THAT4301 dynamics processor

Apart from the THAT processor, the parts are cheap and easy to find.





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Mutable Instruments Links

July 19, 2018, 12:53 am
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Some pics of a new build ... a DIY version of the Mutable links module.
 There is no microcontroller in this module so I though its would be a good one to start experimenting on. Before soldering the jacks I pondered which side of the PCB do they go on. ???
A friend assured me this was the correct side, however once the jacks are on, any trouble shooting would be extremely difficult as the components are on the same side.
 Anyway, I pressed ahead.
All the SMDs are 0603

 There, really is no reason why you can't solder the jacks on the other side....except the panel would be reversed.

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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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New Sound Waves - Eurorack case build

July 19, 2018, 1:15 am
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Some pics of the new DIY eurorack case being designed by New Sound Waves.
This will be build only in limited numbers.
 tHE final design is still being discussed.

 The power supply will be designed my MetroModular of Sydney, Australia.


The case will be offered in stained and unstained versions.

 It's possible that one version will have a extra "separator" between the base and lid to allow it to be closed fully patched.

More details coming.....
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