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Burma - Boat Ride to Bagan

November 5, 2020, 12:46 am
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 Some pics of a boat ride on the Irrawaddy River. 

The Irrawaddy or, officially, Ayeyarwady River flows from north to south through Burma. It is the country's largest river. It is about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) long.
It is where they wash, drink, travel, and pray.

Its name is believed to derive from the Sanskrit term airāvatī, meaning “elephant river.”
It's source is the Himalayas.
 

Between Mandalay and Bagan.

Very relaxing... not much to do apart from watch the world go by.


 
It's a 12 hr trip
 
 















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Nebula Awards - Best Novel -1980's

November 5, 2020, 12:50 am
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 Some good books to read during lockdown.

1980


Timescape by Gregory Benford

Publisher    Simon & Schuster
Publication date
    1980-81
Media type    Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages    412 pp
ISBN    0-671-25327-1












1981

The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe

Publisher    Timescape Books
Publication date
    1981
Media type    Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
Pages    303 pp
Award    Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1982)
ISBN    0-671-41370-8










1982

No Enemy But Time
By Michael Bishop

It was included in David Pringle's book Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels. 


Publisher    Timescape Books/Simon & Schuster
Publication date
    1982
Media type    Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages    397 pp
ISBN    0-671-44973-7




1983


Startide Rising by David Brin
Publisher    Bantam Books
Publication date
    1983
Media type    Print (Paperback & Hardback)
Pages    462 (first edition, paperback)
Award    Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1984)
ISBN    0-553-23495-1 (first edition, paperback)









1984

Neuromancer by William Gibson 
Publisher    Ace
Publication date
    July 1, 1984
Media type    Print (paperback and hardback)
Pages    271
ISBN    0-441-56956-0










1985

 Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 
Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    15 January 1985
Media type    Print (Hardcover, Paperback & Ebook)











1986
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    March 1986
Pages    415
Award    Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1987)
ISBN    0-312-93738-5











1987
The Falling Woman by Pat Murphy

Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    November 1986
Pages    287
ISBN    0312854064












1988
Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold


Publisher    Baen Books
Publication date
    April 1988
Media type    Paperback
Pages    307
Awards    2014 Prometheus Hall of Fame
ISBN    0-671-65398-9















1989


The Healer's War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Doubleday, New York, New York, U.S.A., 
1988. Hardcover. 

303 pages.
 



 ISBN 10: 0385248288ISBN 13: 9780385248280
 








Sci Fi Links
+  Asimov's (Isaac) Foundation
+ Asimov  - I, Robot -  - novels & Magazines
+ Dune - The Chronological order of the novels
+ Dune Universe Timeline

+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1950's
+ Hugo Awards Best sci fi novels of the 1960's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1970's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi Novels of the 1980's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1990's
+ Hugo awards Best sci fi novel of the 2000's (2000 - 2009)
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels for the decade 2010-2019

+ Nebula Best Sci Fi Novel awards - 1960s
+ Nebula Awards SciFi Best Novel - 1970s

+ Red, Blue & Green Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson 
+ Star Wars 
+ vorkoisgan saga reading order - Lois McMaster Bujold
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Erica Syntrx & EMS VCS3 - The Putney (Part two)

November 5, 2020, 12:59 am
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 Part 2 of the Comparison demos between the Erica Synths Syntrx and the EMS Synthi models
(Synthi AKS and VCS3 - The Putney).



The video highlights some obvious differences between the two including the pin Matrix and controls.
There is a simple square wave, pulse width, filter and reverb test then we get into some experimental
 'Noisy' patches to compare the sound of the two.

This is not a musical comparison but aims to compare Sound and Timbre of the two synths based on
a few patches.

Decent headphones or speakers are recommended.

Part 1 looked at a comparison with the Synthi AKS - you can watch that here:
https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2020/10/part-one-of-shootout-between-erica.html


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Happy Birthday George Boole.

November 2, 2020, 6:20 pm
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This is a old serge module that performs Boolean logic. It's a form of algebra that is centered around 3 basic operators: OR, AND, and NOT. The core of Boolean logic is the idea that all values are either true or false. ... on or off.... 0 or 1.  From this idea, computers were born.
 
George Boole was born on this day (2 November) in 1815.
Though he only lived for 49 years he accomplished so much.
His legacy lives on to this day.
 
 
 
I came across this add , the other day reading an old copy of a Sci-fi magazine.
It's for a Geniac kit.
 

It's a very basic analog electro-mechanical "computer" that uses 6 disks.
It can do basic Boolean logic. 
 
 
You need to physically wire connections between an internal battery, the disks and some lightbulbs.
It doesn't have any form of memory, so can't perform sequential equations.
I don't think it has any latching circuits.
 
Links.
 

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Befaco Eurorack Power Supply - Lunchbus

November 7, 2020, 4:00 pm
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 Some pics of the Befaco LunchBus

It's a super easy kit to build ... perfect for beginners.
The Befaco page is here:
 
I purchased a full kit . Befaco is located in Barcelona, Spain.

The power supply needs to be DC 9V to 18V.
(3Amps)
 
This is an old generic PSU from a laptop.
 


 The novel and cool design makes soldering the headers really easy.
The PCB is double sided ... half of the header is soldered on each side




tHERE  is on board +5V, along with the standard +/-12V



I decided to use an old school case.





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EMS Synthi E - Using the keyboard

November 8, 2020, 4:01 pm
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 The EMS Keyboard is not standard I think... I purchased mine separately in the hope it would work.
(EMS Rehberg .. Germany) 

http://www.emsrehberg.de/
And yes it did.
 

The 5pin din cable is very similar to a midi cable.
Plugs into the left (envelope follower section)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make sure the slider is set to external.
and take a cable to  the VCO 1/2 F input.
 
 
The gates to trigger the envelope shaper are generated internally ... no patching is needed.
 

The keyboard is powered from the synthi e.
I probed the socket with my multimeter 



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Modular Synthesizers 101 - Elk Electronics Class

November 13, 2020, 1:15 pm
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I'm looking forward to the upcoming synthesizer meeting on the 21st November at
Elk Electronics. It's just 1 week away. The class will be held in Wollongong, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Check out the FB link for more details

Ed has kindly let us use his work space to spread the word about electronic music.
On the 21st, we will be starting at the beginning and asking the fundamental question:

What are Modular Synthesizers??
 
So if you are new to modulars and interested to begin the journey, this class is for you.
 
In addition, There will be demos using Eurorack , banana and AE modular synths,
plus a Wasp & Minimoog D.
 
 
Note:
Contact Ed via his facebook link to book a spot. This is a Covid safe event and numbers are limited , so contact him first.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

These following notes are aimed for someone who is totally new to modular synthesizers.
They are the first part of the modular synth beginner class.
 
 
What are Modular Synthesizers??
Before we can answer this question, we should realise that all synths are made out of modules.
Even a keyboard synth is made out of modules. They are just fixed in position.  
 
This is a Moog model D. It has a fixed architecture.
The sound starts on the left (Oscillators), passes through a mixer (middle), filters, and amplifier. The final sounds emerge on the right (output). The sounds are shaped with envelopes.

A modular synth is essentially the same.
 
But with a modular synth, these modules are not fixed in position or number.
You are not restricted by manufacturer. There are thousands of modules, from makers all around the world.
You can even make your own.
You can combine modules from Russia or Germany, with some from Japan or the USA (and even Australia).
 
These modules are combined using patch cables.
 
These are lots of different types of cable. The left is a 1/4 inch.
Middle, we have some 3.5mm -- used in Eurorack.
To the right we have banana cables .... used in Serge & Buchla synths.
On the extreme right are breadboard patch cables (used in synths like the AE modular)
 
The cables carry two types of signal:
1. Audio
2. Control Voltages (CV).
 
Control voltages are an analog way to automate the various module settings.
(this will be demonstrated in the class).
 
Because there is a huge range & number of modules to pick from, getting started can be a daunting process. But the basic modules common to all modulars are the same. These (in my humble opinion) are the essential ones to get the ball rolling.

1. Oscillators
2. Mixers
3. Filters
4. Envelope Generators
5. LFOs
6. VCAs
7. Sequencers
8. Midi to CV converters 

The class will use a few synths ... a Eurorack Modular, a Banana Modular, an AE Modular, a WASP and a Moog Model D.
You are welcome to bring your own, if you have a synth.
There will also be an oscilloscope, so you can see the sounds.
 
--------------------------------

1. Oscillators
 

These Oscillators, or VCOs are what make your sounds.
VCO = Voltage Controlled Oscillator.
 
2. Mixers
These mix the sounds that come from the oscillators.
 

 
3. Filters
These shape the tones coming out of the synth.
It's a big part of whats called subtractive synthesis. 
Subtractive ....meaning we are removing specific sonic frequencies from the oscillator.
Lots of different types...eg: Low  Pass, High Pass, Band Pass & notch.
Low Pass (LP): allows low frequencies to pass through.
High Pass (HP):  let the high frequencies through.
Band pass (BP):  allows only a narrow band of the frequency spectrum to pass through.
Notch :  (opposite of a BP) . It filters out a narrow band of the frequency spectrum
 

4. Envelope Generators.
These generate voltage envelopes.
They can be triggered by lots of different types of modules, but the most common is a keyboard. 
The envelope has a particular shape which is set by the user.
 

The most common type of envelope has 4 settings or stages 
A = Attack
D = Decay
S = Sustain
R = Release
 
 
5. LFOs
Low Frequency Oscillators.
These are another source of control voltages which you can use to automate various module settings.
You can use them like a simple envelope generator.
As the name suggests, they are also oscillators, similar to a audio VCO, but they operate a much slower frequencies, and (mostly) you can't hear them.
 
 
6. VCAs
Voltage Controlled Amplifer .
It's an amplifier whose level can be controlled by another module that produces CVs (such a a LFO or EG)
 
 


7. Sequencers
These modules generate a series of control voltages to tell a synth to play a series of notes.
They are like an human-less automated keyboard
 
 
8. Midi to CV converters 
These modules are usually connected to a midi keyboard ( though there are other options too). 
They convert midi signals into control voltages.
 


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Oscilloscope Basics for Synthesizers - Modular Synthesizers 102

November 15, 2020, 2:40 am
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This is part of the Elk Elektroniks synth class on the 21st November.
The class will be held in Wollongong, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Check out the FB link for more details
 
The first part of the class will cover the topic:
" What are Modular Synthesizers??"
We will be using scopes and the question of how to use them will probably also come up.
Thus this second part.
 
-------------------------------------
 
Oscilloscopes look complicated. There are many thousands of models. 
 
                                                An Analog Scope - Using a cathode ray tube.
 
In the world of synths, being able to use a scope is really useful. 
Most electronic musicians have a multimeter. This allows us to measure & "see" a voltage at a specific time.
What a  scope enables  is the visualization of a "moving" or constantly changing voltage over a much longer
period of time. I like to use the analogy of a still photo vs a movie.
 
                                                         A modern Digital Scope
 
The Multimeter, takes a photo.
The Scope does the movie.
 
To properly take a photograph you need to set the shutter speed correctly & frame the image.
It's no different with a scope. You will even find a focus setting and filters on your scope.

Being able to visualise your sounds will make music production more predictable and you will be able to trouble shoot your DIY builds easier..
 
 All scopes whether they are analog or digital have 4 basic sections:
1. Vertical
2. Horizontal
3. Trigger
4. Screen (digital or analog CRO)
 
1. Vertical
 

This uses the volts/div control .
(remember Vertical = Volts)
It adjusts the amplitude (height) of the signal on the screen.
 
The vertical controls are specific to each channel. 
So if you have a two channel scope, you will have two individual  vertical controls.

Common vertical controls include:
+ Voltage Scale. (volts/division)
+ position / Auto
+ Coupling (DC/GDN/AC)
+ Invert (on/Off) 
+ Bandwidth Limit

 
 
 
Position
This control is useful for also pulling a signal into view (if you initially can't see anything on the display).
It moves the waveform up and down to exactly where you want it on the screen.
Some scopes have an "auto" button which helps to position your signal on the centre of the screen.
 


DC vs AC vs Ground Coupling
DC coupling shows all of an input signal.
AC coupling : you see the waveform centered around zero volts
Gnd  lets you see where zero volts is located on the screen.

Bandwidth limit
By limiting the bandwidth, you reduce the noise that sometimes appears on the displayed waveform, resulting in a cleaner signal display.
The BW limit setting can also effect (clip) the display of the actual waveform  ... be aware of this.
 
 
 
2. Horizontal
 
This is the time base.

 
 
This uses the sec/div control. 
It will position & scale the waveform correctly.
This control effects all channels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Common Horizontal controls are:
+ sec/div control.
+ Time Base
+ Delayed Time Base
+ XY Mode
+ Position
+ Z axis
 
sec/div control.
Here you control the time period that the signal is displayed on your screen.
 
The position moves the waveform left and right to exactly where you want it on the screen.
 
 
Many oscilloscopes also have what is called a delayed time base. Here, the sweep can start at a pre-determined time relative to the main time base.
 
 XY mode that lets you display an input signal, rather than the time base, on the horizontal axis. 
This allows you to do phase shift measurements.
 
 
3. Trigger
 

This is how you stabilize the waveform. 
Without choosing the correct trigger the scope , will sweep horizontally across the screen,  and your display will repeat & appear to move.
Triggering will make the moving waveform appear static by repeatedly displaying the same part of the waveform.
 
The trigger setting effects all channels.
You need to also set a trigger level.
The most basic form of triggering is "Edge  Triggering". 
It could be on a rising or falling edge.

 
 
Common trigger modes include normal and auto:
(a) Normal mode: the scope only sweeps if the input signal reaches the set trigger point.
     (the screen will be blank (analog scope) or freeze  (digitalscope)
(b) Auto : the oscilloscope sweeps, even without a trigger. 
      A timer will trigger the sweep even if no signal is present, so the display will not disappear.
 
Most of the time, you just need to set the scope to trigger on the displayed channel.
Some Oscilloscopes can also use extra trigger sources that may not it be displayed.
So be careful not to trigger on channel 1 while displaying channel 2.

 
 4.  Screen
 
The screen is divided into a grid.

My analog scope has a 10 by 8 grid
The horizontal is your time base.
Vertical = voltage.
 
Each Vertical division can set to represent a specific voltage.
 
The horizontal can either be set by the user, or it may be an automatic setting (if you don't know much about the signal you are measuring, at the start).

 
My digital scope shows the actual horizontal time division
 (demo in class)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Auto setting -- 


Great for quickly capturing a signal
(Digital scope obviously)
 
It's like the auto button on a camera. Great in most cases.
 But to capture a signal really well, the manual controls are the best.

The scope must be in the Green "Run" mode.

Like on a camera, you need to first zoom out to see the object you wish to photograph.
Then zoom in to get a detailed image.

 


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ARP 2600 - Envelope Generators

November 22, 2020, 3:01 am
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 The 2600's & TTSH's Envelopes

 

 The ARP 2600 has two envelope generators.

The first is a full four-stage (ADSR) Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release Envelope. 

 

 

 

 

The second EG  is a simpler AR offering variable Attack and Release only. 

The Manual Start button allows both the Envelopes to be retriggered at any time, without using the keyboard. 

 Usually, however, the EG is triggered with a +15V spike of voltage (trigger pulse) from the keyboard. As soon as the key is pressed, the keyboard also begins generating a gate signal.

The cord that connects the keyboard is on the left side of the tolex cabinet. It has six prongs.

 

 

The envelope module also provides both Gate and Trigger outputs for patching to external modular gear.

The S/H Gate jack is an input.
It's wording is rather misleading. 
When nothing is plugged into the jack, the internal clock (that is used in the sample & hold circuit) triggers the envelopes if the switch is in the lower position

It seems that the 2600’s designers considered the electronic switch, the internal clock and the sample-and-hold units all part of the “Sample-and-Hold module.” Hence the label on the jack below the EG’s. However, it is really the internal clock which is responsible for causing the EGs to fire, not the sample-and-hold unit. (Fundamentals of Music Technology  by Samuel Ecoff)

If you wish to externally trigger the ADSR or AR envelopes, connect a clock (+10V  pulses) or a +10V gate.
The switch should again be in the lower position.
The eurorack Winter Modular Eloquencer triggers these envelopes perfectly.
 

 
The internal clock’s connection to the EGs can thus be broken by returning this switch to the upper position.
You can now trigger the EGs with the keyboard.
 
The ADSR EG is normalled to FM inputs on each oscillator, as well as one of the control inputs on the VCF. 
Thus, the EG’s can be used to raise the filter’s Fc every time a key is pressed
 
 

They can also be used to modulate the VCA.
 
The ARP 1601 sequencer is a great device if you can get your hands on one.
Quite rare these days, though I understand there is a clone available.
 

This is a basic patch for connecting the 1601 with a 2600.


The quantized CV outs of the 1601 are connected to VCO 1 + 2's CV inputs.
The 1601's "clocked Gate 1 Out" is connected to the 2600's S/H GATE input jack


 
A second way to connect is just plug the clock out into the  2600's S/H GATE input jack.
The Clock out is a +10V pulse.

 I have also tested a ARP2500 sequencer with the 2600.
This basic patch works very well.
Clock out to the 2600's S/H GATE input jack.
 
 This is only a brief introduction but. should get you started. I'll cover more features of the 1601 in later blog posts.

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Elk EleKtroniKs - Synth Meeting Nov 21, 2020

November 22, 2020, 3:35 am
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 Great meeting.

Gee, it's so good to be able to catch up again during these Covid 19 days.
NSW has had nearly 20 days of no virus infections or deaths.  Hopefully we are out of the mess of 2020.
 
 
Thanks to Ed for kindly letting us use his space in Wollongong.
(A new Synth centre of NSW).
 

tHANKS to everyone who showed up. From The local Illawarra regions, to Sydney, and as far as Bega.

AE Modular.


Hopefully the next meeting will be soon.... maybe early 2021.



tHE  after party.



...
 
 

 





 
 
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Presenting AE Modular at ELK ELEKTRONIK Synth Meet

November 22, 2020, 3:20 pm
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Tasmania, Australia - Lake Lilla Track

December 3, 2020, 12:35 am
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 The borders are opening up again in Australia.
Hopefully, COVID-19 will remain under control , and people can get back to a "normal life"
 
These are some pics of my last trip to Tasmania.
With some luck, we can return soon.
 

This is the Lake Lilla Track. 
It's a walk between Dove Lake and the Ronny Creek car park
 
 
Lake Lilla, is very close to Cradle Mountain.


 
You will need a National Parks Pass for Tasmania, but this will give you access to the free shuttle bus that runs between the information centre and all of the car parks in Cradle Mountain
 

 










These pics were taken in early Dec 2011.
Which is still summer in Australia. Lovely to see some snow.






bACK at Cradle Mountain


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


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Greyscale Algorhythm - pics

December 3, 2020, 12:36 am
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Some build pics
This is a super easy build. Recommended for a beginner.

I purchased a complete kit.

aLL the tricky surface mount components are already installed.


The Algorythm is gate sequencer in a very small size. There are smaller gate sequencers, but they tend to loose the visual ability to easily see your sequence as it plays. My fave gate sequencer is the Tip top circadian rhythm, but its very big. You can see the leds light as the sequencer runs. I feel this is a compact version of it.
 
 



 40 pin header first

 

 Jacks next
WQP-PJ3410 jacks with round nut


LED switches next



LED switch (white) PB61303-BL5 (momentary) 4
LED switch (green) PB61303-BL6 (momentary) 8

The top 4 white switches first -- Sw1 to SW4


The lower 8 (green) switches
The red mark is -ve




I found that is the space between the two PCBs was too small, shorting can occur.

So make sure the gap is there.



Links

+ Greyscale Algorhythm - Firmware 2 (Polyrhythm)
Buildguide
https://grayscale.info/algorhythm/
Polyrhythm firmware - manual 2
Manual 1

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Sci Fi Index

December 4, 2020, 2:33 pm
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 Sci Fi
 
My sci fi index. 
Synthesizers and Sci-Fi go hand in hand. 
Electronic music is about Futurism. 
Synths and drum machines represent a new future where science and technology 
hold the promise of a better world.
 
From special effects, to movie soundtracks they feed off each other. 
I owe programs such as "Dr Who" and movies like "Star Wars", “Forbidden Planet” and “The Day The Earth Stood Still” a great debt for introducing me to electronic sounds and music. Those early films and programs were enhanced by those synths and they in turn paved the way for commercial artists like David Bowie and Pink Floyd to expose the masses to electronic music.

 I'll update this post over time. .. The link can be found in the index to the right.


+  Asimov's (Isaac) Foundation
+ Asimov  - I, Robot -  - novels & Magazines
 

+ Dune - The Chronological order of the novels
+ Dune Universe Timeline

 

 

 


+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1950's
+ Hugo Awards Best sci fi novels of the 1960's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1970's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi Novels of the 1980's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1990's
+ Hugo awards Best sci fi novel of the 2000's (2000 - 2009)
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels for the decade 2010-2019

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+ vorkoisgan saga reading order - Lois McMaster Bujold
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Befaco - Percall - build notes

December 4, 2020, 2:43 pm
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Some personal notes to build the Befaco Percall.
Its a euro module.

I purchased a complete kit. Has all the parts and a printed BOM, instructions, etc
looks great. Everything is through hole.


ic Headers first


100K rEsistors next
They are small 1/8 watt


Diodes next




Capacitors -- 104 - 100nF

There are 24 of these
101 - 100pF
 


Transistors


 iNsert ICs

 

I made the mistake of placing some of the headers that join the two boards on the wrong side of the PCB.

THE HEADERS ON THE LEFT PCB ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE.

Ed of Elk Elektroniks  helped me correct this error.

Put the jacks on the top PCB but only solder when the panel is firmly on.







 tHIS is what the rear of the module looks like.



All the components should face one another. It's a tight squeeze.




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1010 bitbox - triggered by Pioneer squid

December 14, 2020, 11:18 pm
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 Some notes for using the Poineer's Squid with a mark 1, 1010 Bitbox

The Bitbox has 16  cells to trigger.
Exactly the same format as the Squid
 

 
Set all the trigger cells on the squid to output from midi 1, channel 1. 
 


These notes are good for a Squid
1. C-3      (48)*
2. C#3      (49)*
3. D-3      (50)*
4. D#3      (51)*
5. G#2      (44)**
6. A-2       (45) *
7. A#2       (46)**
8. B-2        (47)*
9. E-2         (40)*
10. F-2       (41)*
11. F#2       (42)*
12. G-2       (43)*
13. C-2       (36)*
14. C#2       (37)*
 15. D-2       (38)*
 16. D#2       (39)*

Links
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Temps Utile - Build notes

December 15, 2020, 3:03 am
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This is the Swiss army knife of Euro modules.
Probably along side the Ornament & Crime (and a Make Noise Maths) it's a really useful module
that no system should be without.

I was surprised how easy the Utile was to build. I wouldn't say it's beginner level, but certainly intermediate.
If you are ok with 0805 SMD, you will find this easy.
I'm building rev1.c
 
These are just my personal notes to help trouble shooting the module should I run into any pobs.
 
 
jUST  one PCB. Here are views of the front & back.


 
 
Official Build guide:
BOM:


There are 6 (independent) channels / 6 modes per channel: 

It's a:
- trigger sequencer/sequence editor 
- clock division/multiplication 
- LFSR 
- random w/ threshold 
- euclidian pattern generator
- logic (AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, XNOR) 
- DAC (channel #4 only): random, binary, "Turing", logistic, sequencer/arpeggiator 

So quite useful.

THe microcontroller is a teensy.

.. teensy 3.1/3.2

+ Microcontroller Index Page


hardware specs: 

- teensy 3.2 @ 120MHz, w/ 128x64 OLED 
- 16.67kHz update rate, < 100us trigger-to-output latency 
- 2 clock inputs (> 100k input impedance; threshold ~ 2.5V) 
- 4 CV inputs (100k input impedance, -/+ 5V, assignable to (almost) any parameter) 
- 6 clock outputs (5 digital, 1 DAC (12 bit): 10V (GPIO), -/+ 6V (DAC)) 
- two encoders w/ switch; 2 tactile buttons. 
- 14HP, ~ 25 mm Depth 
- stupid name courtesy of M. Louis Lapicque 

---------------------------------------------------------------

This is where the OLED is parked.


OLED:

you can find these 7 pin, 1.3" displays on ebay, aliexpress and other places for < 10$. they'll be ok, as long as the description claims that they are SH1106 (or SSD1306); and that the pinout is:

GND - VCC - D0 - D1 - RST - DC - CS, or

GND - VCC - CLK - MOSI - RES - DC - CS

 

ICs first



 

TL074SOIC-142x595-TL074CDRoutput amplifier     

MCP6004		SOIC-141x579-MCP6004T-I/SLCV input buffer
MMBT3904SOT-232x512-MMBT3904NPN
1N5817DO-412x621-1N5817Schottky, reverse voltage protection
LM1117-5v0SOT-2231x511-LD1117S505v LDO
LM4040-5.0SOT-231x926-LM4040DIM350NOPBprec. voltage reference, 5v0
fixed inductor, 10uH12061x81-LQH31MN100K03L> 25mA



TL074
Bevel indicates pin 1.
lies on same side

 

 


fixed inductor, 10uH12061x81-LQH31MN100K03L> 25mA

The inductor is just below the lower right corner of the teensy,

+ Inductors, ferric beads, noise reduction methods, etc


These are encoders


Jacks
Putting the jacks in first helps you orientate the front panel and make sure the space between the panel & PCB is enough.
 

You need two tactile switches and their switch caps








aLMOST THERE

I soldered the OLED permanently to the PCB, though I guess you can used a header to allow replacement.

The spacers, help to support the OLED. They rest on, but but aren't attached to the PCB.


 
----
Re the Teensy.
I uploaded the hex file to the teensy before  I attached it to the module.
This way, it receives all its power and programming via the one USB cable.
 
If you are doing it this way, don't cut this until the upload is done.
 
The two power pads are connected.
 

Download the hex file


And upload to the teensy
Use the Teensy loader from PJRC
 

Once upload is complete, use a fine blade to cut between the two power pads on the teensy and check for shorts with a multi meter
 
Plug in the teensy and power up the module.
It's always nice when things just work the first time.

If you need to upload the hex file again, you can still do it, but leave the teensy connected to the Temps Utile module. It now receives its power from the module.

Connect the teensy to your computer via USB as usual.

Links
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DJs and modular Gear - SoundWave Live II - Carl Cox

December 21, 2020, 2:21 pm
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 It was so cool to see Carl Cox perform with a modular rig last week.
He was part of Awesome SoundWave Live II in Melbourne Australia. 
(performing in his Garage)
He is one of my all time favorite DJs 
 


 
Sadly I wasn't there is person to see the set as NSW and indeed most of Australia have been opening and closing the borders faster than two shakes of a lamb's tail. 
Looks like Carl is using a Eurorack.Makenoise Shared System ,
Moog DFAM & Subharmonicon, Pioneer V10 mixer, Korg Monologue, Pioneer Toraiz SP16 (sampler), Behringer TB 3

 

Hopefully we will see more DJs doing live modular synth performances

Other DJs worth checking out who also use modular synths include Carl Craig, Jimmy Edgar, Zombie Nation, and Lady Starlight.

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Ornament & Crime - Piqued - envelope generator - cheat notes.

December 25, 2020, 12:56 pm
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These are my cheat/summary notes For the O_C
A friend asked me to do a brief summary. This is for beginners so skip if you're famillar with the module. 
 
The "Piqued" app is a great place to start exploring the module.
 

 Piqued is a quad voltage-controlled envelope generator, based on envelope generator code from the Mutable Instruments Peaks module, but extending it with voltage control, additional envelope types, including re-triggering (looping) envelopes, additional segment shapes, adjustable trigger delays, and a unique Euclidean “trigger filter” which turns the app into a Euclidean rhythm generator which can output envelopes, not just gate or trigger pulses.
 
Selecting an App
To select the Piqued app use encoder 2 (right encoder).
(Encoders can be pressed or turned).
1. Long Press (>2s) encoder 2 to enter the App menu.
2. turn encoder 2 to select the app
3. Press encoder 2 to select the app.
 
 
 Saving your changes.
 (You must do this to save any changes).
1. Long Press (>2s) encoder 2 to enter the App menu. 
2. long press encoder 2 a second time to save the
     module state. 
     This will make the selected app the default at the next boot.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Tim Churches Video

 
There is also a “Euclidean trigger filter” included, which turns the Piqued app into a quad-channel Euclidean polyrhythm generator
 
There are 4 envelope outputs
A to D Outputs are the 4 jacks on the lower right corner.
 
The top 4 inputs on the left are for triggers
The bottom 4 inputs on the left are for CV 

There are two buttons. The top increases the values when pushed in segments of 32.
The lower decreases (in segments of 32) when pushed.
 

There are 2 encoders.
Encoders can be pressed & turned.
 
Encoder 1:  
Pressing it will toggle between Setting Mode & Duration/Visulation modes.
Turning it in settings mode will select the envelope type.
Turning it in Duration/Vis mode will select one of the 4 channels: A,B,C,D.

 

Encoder 2
Pressing it will toggle between envelope settings mode & envelope segment duration mode.
Turning it will either move the cursor (between the different env stages) OR
change segment duration.
 
There are lots of envelopes to choose from.
AR, ADSR, ADR, ASR, ADAR
ADL2, ADRL3, ADL2R,ADARL,ADARL4
A= attack
D=decay
S=sustain
R=Release
L=loop
 
These (ADL2, ADRL3, ADL2R,ADARL,ADARL4) are interesting.
The looping is an automatic retrigger.
Illustrations of these envelope types can be found here.
 

 
 Do let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.
Over time (when I get a chance) I'll break down the other apps in this cool module (and the Utile Temps too).
Hope this helps.
Merry Christmas. J

 
 

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MetroModular Power 202 PSU

December 25, 2020, 3:23 pm
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Some build pics of the MetroModular Power 202 PSU.
It's a eurorack power supply. Model number: MM1537 v0.1

Justin's Power 101 board combined the PSU with the distribution board. 

It's a very easy build. There are a few surface mount components, but they are 0805 and 1206.

Justin may have an new version of this by the time of posting, so check his website for updates.

Mouser 894-shhd001a3b41z

Its a DC/DC converter 18-75V in. 12V out

The next 2 regulators are 580-OKI78SR12/1W36C

 Non-Isolated DC/DC Converters 12Vout 1.0A VSIP
 
tHE 5v converter
OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36-c
 

 
 


Gotta love  the choke.
580-51105C
Learn more about inductors here:
709-gst60a24-p1J
 



Some Links
+ Metromodular Facebook
+ Metromodular Youtube
+ Metromodular website  

Eurorack Format


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