ARP 2500 - Patch No 2

Really loving the Mix-sequencer module.
Its a very expressive tool.


Some pics of the patch:

  Left side

  Middle

I'd like to thank Mini & all the staff from ToneTweakers in NYC
who lovingly restored this grand lady. Great job guys
http://www.tonetweakers.com

ARP 2500 - first patch

This is a first experimental patch on the ARP 2500.
I'm still getting used to using the matrix rather than traditional cables. It takes a bit of
getting used to & is definitely less messy and easier to record patches.


I'll upload pics of the patches as I work through my experiments so if you wish to duplicate them on your own modular go right ahead.

If you are an owner of a 2500 please write.
I'd love to swap & share ideas, patches, etc.

Left side. Modules used are 1004 & 1023 oscillators, 1047 (filter resonator), 1006 Filter/Amp, 1046 Quad EG (envelope generator),

On the right we have a 10 stage sequencer (1027 - The Clocked Sequential Control Module)  & a mix sequencer (1050).

The 1050 mix sequencer is especially interesting. I have never come across anything like it.
It's a rather unusual 8 channel or two 4 channel mixer. More about this later.

I'd like to thank Mini & all the staff from ToneTweakers in NYC
who lovingly restored this grand lady. Great job guys
http://www.tonetweakers.com

OctaTrack & MachineDrum - End of time - Minimal

Experimenting with the Elektron Octatrack & Machine Drum.
Great combo.

FAIRLIGHT CMI Series III Synth Sampler System Stewart Copeland The Police

Wow, Stewart Copeland's Fairlight (series III) is going up for auction on Ebay.

For those who don't know, Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer best known as the drummer for the band the Police.

I'm tempted  though I already have a Series IIx.
But this is some serious piece of music history.
May it go to a good home.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FAIRLIGHT-CMI-Series-III-Synth-Sampler-System-Stewart-Copeland-The-Police-19220-/191369593059?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item2c8e8440e3

It's a steal at the price of $12K USD.

Item description:

INVENTORY # 19220
BRAND - FAIRLIGHT
MODEL - CMI Series III
FUNCTION - Computer Musical Instrument
DESCRIPTION - This listing is for a FAIRLIGHT CMI Series III Synth/ Sampler System. We are selling this system on behalf of our client, Stewart Copeland. This was a very personal Fairlight system of his as seen by the very cool artwork and coloring done on the pieces. Note that the road case for the mainframe says "The Police" stenciled on the side. This represents a very rare opportunity to own a complete Fairlight system, not to mention one that was part of the personal arsenal of a music legends!
Includes:

• ACCU & DCCU System CPU & Interface (Loaded with cards & in road case with "The Police" stenciled)
• VDU Series III Monitor (in road case)
• MKB & ADK Series III Music Keyboard & Alpha-Numeric Keyboard with Data Pen (in road case)
• Multi-Disk-Drive Rack Unit w/ SCSI CD-ROM Drive
• 2x Q256 - 256k RAM Cards (in addition to one already installed)
• Manuals and System Disk (in original box)
• 3x Expression Pedals (for use with MKB Music Keyboard)
• Large lot of various cables and snakes used for system wiring and interconnection

LINK - More information available from VintageSynth, SoundOnSound, and Wikipedia.
ACCESSORIES - Includes ONLY what is shown in the photos and listed above. NO additional accessories.
PHYSICAL CONDITION - Very Good
WORKING CONDITION - This system was recently pulled from storage and has not been fully tested by us as Fairlights remain an item that requires some dedicated expertise to get up and running. Admittedly we do not have the expertise on staff at the moment.  It may or may not need some restoration to bring to optimal condition for use. With that it is being sold under the assumption that it may need servicing, updating etc. 
TOTAL PRE-SHIP WEIGHT - 656 lbs
TOTAL PRE-SHIP DIMS- 70" x 35" x 32"

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Click here for the main Fairlight index

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Roland M-240 mixer - power supply replacement (Part 1)

I picked up a beautiful old Roland M-240 24 channel line mixer the other day. Sadly the mixer didn't
have a power supply so it's kinda useless. Roland don't appear to know where I can find a PSU and eBay was equally unhelpful.

The 3 pronged input reads DC -/+ 21.5V and 500mA. It's not your standard Wall Wart.

  Rather than throw it away I've decided to attempt building a new power supply.

Some pics of the circuit board:

This is the underside of the power PCB of the mixer.  It contains 4 voltage regulators: AN7812F / AN7815F / AN7912F / AN7915F. They provide voltages of +/- 12V & +/-15V.
These regulators should be able to handle voltages ranging between 35V to 18V. ..... though I'm not totally sure about how it will effect the rest of the mixer...... So do be careful if you are making these sorts of mods.

Anyway, I decided to test the mixer with a variable DC power supply.

At +/- 18V the mixer works with the exception of the UV meter which doesn't light up.

Nice! +/- 21.5 V and the meter is now also working.:-)

Ok, so we do need at least 21.5 V.

As I mentioned earlier, the internal voltage regulators are AN7812F / AN7815F / AN7912F / AN7915F - They can all handle a +/- 35V input, so anything between 21.5V and 35V should be OK ... though I havent tested this.

Possible soltions: 

I'm thinking of building one of Ken Stone's PSUs.

http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgs14_psu.html

Varying the 78XX and 79XX regulators on the CGS14 board will hopefully give me the required voltage
A 7822 & 7922 regulator would be really nice but these are nearly impossible to find.
Maybe the LM317 & LM337 could be used instead.???

The LM317 has three pins: Input, output, and adjustment. The device behaves like an op amp
V_out = V_ref (1 + R_L/R_H)
or
V_out = 1,25v (1 + R_L/R_H) .... there might be a small error due to some slight current flows from the
                                               adjustment pin.

It will be fun to play around with and experiment with different resistor values. Also these regulators
look like they could be very useful in future projects where unusual voltages are called for.

Finally, a good tech friend of mine has also suggested I build just the rectifier section of the CGS14 board, leaving out the regulators. (The Roland mixer already has the required regulators on board).

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I stumbled upon a very cool site the other day. ModularSynth.ru
There is a useful entry on their blog relating to bipolar power supplies:
http://www.modularsynth.ru/en/2014/07/18/regulated_psu_update/

They use the LM317 & LM337 regulators.

I'll update this page as I go along.:-)
These ideas are so far untested so proceed with caution if you are doing a similar thing.
I take no responsibility if you connect a power supply to the mixer and it burns out!

Part 2 of the PSU replacement is here

https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2014/11/roland-mixer-power-supply-replacement.html

Korg MS-20 mini sequenced by Elektron Machine Drum

What's not to love about those Korg filters.
The Ms-20 is still after all these years one of my favorite instruments.

I'm  using the External Signal Processor in this patch.
Like an envelope follower ... its a very useful addition to the MS20 arsenal.

Cuba - Havana 1

A few pics taken on a recent trip to Cuba.
The beautiful old buildings are undergoing graceful decay.

 

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For more Travel Postcards Click Here

For more on Cuba Click Here

Elektron A4 synth & Rytm drums - Entrancer

Analog Four, Elektron Rtym & a Buchla 200 modular synth,

The track was recorded in a single take. No audio processing.
I'm using a combination of LZX modules & a Korg entrancer to process the video.

Some pics of the setup:

hERE is a link to the audio file for this composition.

And finally, below is the same video pre video manipulation:

GADA watches

 A GADA watch stands for "Go Anywhere, Do Anything," referring to a single, versatile timepiece that fits every part of daily life—from the office or a formal wedding to hiking, swimming, or traveling. [1, 2, 3]

History and Origin

• The Term's Birth: The acronym "GADA" did not originate in mid-century horological marketing; it was coined by watch enthusiasts on the r/Watches subreddit in the early 2010s to describe the ultimate "one-watch collection". [1, 2]
• Predecessor Philosophy: While the acronym is modern, the concept traces back to the mid-20th century. Rugged yet refined utility watches—such as the Rolex Explorer (famously worn during early Himalayan expeditions), early field watches like the Hamilton Khaki, and general-purpose Oyster Perpetuals—established the blueprint for a watch that could take a beating outdoors while still sliding neatly under a dress cuff. [1, 2, 3]
• Rise of Modern Collector Culture: As online watch communities expanded, collectors grew tired of swapping specialized tool watches (like heavy dive watches or fragile vintage dress pieces) for every specific activity. The GADA concept evolved as a practical and philosophical push for minimalism and everyday utility. [1, 2]

Core Characteristics

A true GADA watch is generally defined by a specific set of specs and design choices:

• Water Resistance: At least 100 meters (10 ATM), allowing the wearer to swim, shower, or face heavy rain without worry. [1, 2, 3]
• Size: Typically 38mm to 42mm in diameter and under 12mm thick, balancing physical presence with comfort. [1, 2, 3]
• Material & Crystal: Stainless steel or titanium cases paired with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. [1, 2, 3]
• Uncomplicated Design: A clean dial (often black, silver, gray, or blue) with legible hands, strong luminous paint (lume), and no rotating dive bezel or overly busy bezel with complications. [1, 2, 3]
• Movement: Usually a reliable automatic or mechanical movement (though high-accuracy quartz options exist) that requires zero battery changes or fuss during daily wear. [1, 2, 3]

• Durability: Stainless steel or titanium construction paired with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. [1, 2, 3]
• Versatility: Plain or subtly textured dials (black, green, or white) that pair just as well with a steel bracelet as they do with a leather or NATO strap

Significance in Watch Collecting

• The "One-Watch Collection" Ideal: For many enthusiasts, a GADA watch represents the antidote to consumerism and watch box overcrowding—the single piece you can travel the world with and never need to take off.
• Blurring Formal and Casual Lines: It reflects a broader cultural shift toward casual dress codes, where stiff, traditional formalwear rules have relaxed, making a durable steel sports-casual watch acceptable in almost any boardroom or social setting.
• Iconic Examples: Benchmark GADA models span all price points, from the Hamilton Khaki Field and Tudor Black Bay 136, or Tudor Ranger to luxury staples like the Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, and Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra.

More examples:

Sinn 556, Grand Seiko Heritage, serica 5303-2, Nivada Antarctic Spider, Oris Diver's 65, Orient 75th Anniversary, Longines Legend Diver, casio oceanus t200, hanhart preventor hd12

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Top Seiko GADA Recommendations

• Seiko Alpinist (e.g., SPB155 "Baby Alpinist" or classic SPB121 / SARB017):
  • Why it fits: Originally built as Japan's first purpose-built sports watch in 1959, the modern Alpinist offers 200 meters of water resistance, sapphire crystal, and robust automatic movements (such as the 6R35 with a 70-hour power reserve).
  • Sizing: Typically around 38mm wide, making it an ideal, balanced size for daily wear. [1]
• Seiko SARB033 / SARB035 (Discontinued, Cult Classic):
  • Why it fits: Widely considered by enthusiasts on platforms like Reddit to be the quintessential affordable GADA watch. It features a clean black or cream dial, a sharp 38mm stainless steel case, and a reliable 6R15 movement. Many owners upgrade the stock bracelet using aftermarket options from Uncle Straps. [1, 2]
• Seiko SPB167 / SPB series (Seiko "Sharp Edged" or Dress-Sport lines):
  • Why it fits: Features a high-intensity textured dial, crisp angular case finishing, sapphire crystal, and 100m+ water resistance, bridging the gap between a sport watch and an office-ready piece. [1, 2]
• Grand Seiko Heritage Series (e.g., SBGX355 "Snowflake" Quartz or SBGA211):
  • Why it fits: If you step up to Seiko's luxury arm, Grand Seiko offers high-accuracy quartz (Caliber 9F) or Spring Drive movements, lightweight titanium cases, and world-class Zaratsu polish that make them premier luxury GADA choices. [1, 2, 3]

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