NLC motherload for 2024

 This just arrived in the mail.

Thanks Andrew

some closeups of the latest modules from NonLinear Circuits of Western Australia

NLC's website is here:

https://www.nonlinearcircuits.com/

order the chaos

The modules are:

1. more .... 3 cowbell circuits
2. sandy freckle..... 3 transistor based multivibrators running at different frequencies.

                                Soundsource? waveshaper? distortion ?
3. Fourier...... Fourier Synthesis/ sequencer/pattern generator???
4. Is Carp Lust Wrong?  ......... Karplus Strong algorithm
5. This 2 shall pass..... passive analogue XOR
6. Chomul..... a switching or chopper type multiplier for use in a modular synth.
7. Mun...... vocoder
8. De-Escalate..... seven attenuators in 8HP
9. CMOSC....... an updated version of the 4U CMOSC (CMOS drone Oscillator). 

                          It consists of 6 oscillators
10. BEAT FREQS.... gates ... lots of gates .... use it as a chaotic gate sequencer/event generator
11. LET'S BRONZE UP........ patch in 2-4 signals and get multiple complex but related outputs 

                                       .... glitchy multiplexer!

12. STOCHAOS...... generates gates and control voltages based on pink noise

                          or chaos or pink noise vs chaos.

13. Tinkle..... 4 channel preset drum module with a distortion circuit added on the summed output.

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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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Gaggia Classic - unmodded start brew notes

Some notes on using the Gaggia classic Evo 2023 model .

This is a original un-modded version.

Temp surf.... getting a consistent temp at the group head.

1. flush water into the group until the brew light goes off.

2. when the brew light turns back on, wait 10 secs, 

     then turn the steam button on for 6 secs.

3. Turn steam button off. Wait 4 secs.

4. now start the shot.

Pre-infusion

1. leave the brew & the steam button off.

2. Open the steam valve fully for 4 secs, 

3. Turn on the brew button.

4. then close steam valve slowly for 4 secs

This should give about 8 secs pre infusion

I try to aim for 8 sec pre-infusion, 20 sec post (brew)

18g in, 36 g out.

Japan - Nagasaki - the 26 martyrs Cathedral & Museum

Japan has a a unique connection with the outside world.

Trade via Dejima Island is one such example of its relationship with the West.

Religion is another. I was surprised to see Western churches. Their history is fascinating.

 One such church can be found in the hill district just behind the main railway station.

This is the cathedral of the 26 Martyrs.

The 26 Martyrs of Japan, also known as the "Nagasaki Martyrs," were a group of Catholic Christians who were executed in Nagasaki, Japan, on February 5, 1597. Their execution marked a significant event in the history of Christianity in Japan and is commemorated annually in the Catholic Church.

During the late 16th century, Japan was undergoing a period of political upheaval and social change. Christianity had been introduced to Japan by European missionaries, primarily Jesuit and Franciscan priests, during the mid-16th century. 

The Christian faith gained a significant number of followers, particularly among peasants and some members of the ruling class.

However, the spread of Christianity in Japan alarmed the ruling authorities, particularly Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the de facto ruler of Japan at the time. Hideyoshi perceived Christianity as a threat to his authority and to the traditional Japanese social order, which was based on Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. In 1587, he issued an edict banning Christianity and ordering the expulsion of missionaries.

Despite the edict, many Japanese Christians continued to practice their faith in secret. 

This led to increased persecution of Christians by the authorities, who sought to root out and punish those who refused to renounce their faith.

In 1596, a Spanish ship, the San Felipe, was shipwrecked off the coast of Japan. Among the survivors were several Spanish Franciscan missionaries. They were arrested and brought to Nagasaki, which was a center of Christian activity in Japan at the time.

On February 5, 1597, 26 Christians, including the Spanish Franciscan missionaries, were publicly executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki. They were the first martyrs of the Catholic Church in Japan to be officially recognized as such. Among the martyrs were priests, brothers, and laypeople, including Japanese converts to Christianity.

The martyrdom of the 26 Christians had a profound impact on the Christian community in Japan and inspired many others to remain steadfast in their faith despite the risks. Over the following decades, persecution of Christians in Japan intensified, leading to further executions and the suppression of Christianity.

Copper-plate print. 1627. By Jacques Callot (1592-1635)

In 1865, after centuries of persecution, Japan reopened its doors to the world, and Christianity began to flourish once again. Today, the 26 Martyrs of Japan are revered as saints by the Catholic Church, and their feast day is celebrated annually on February 6th. Their sacrifice is remembered as a testament to the enduring faith of Japanese Christians in the face of adversity.

Inside of the cathedral

For more travel postcards click here:

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

Microcontrollers, Bootloaders, Serial Programming , FTDI , USB & TTL

Micro-controllers are everywhere these days.

In the synth world especially. So its good to know a bit about them and some basic programming concepts.

 

This link is useful for a brief intro into the different types of microcontrollers:

+ Microcontroller Index Page

 

The pic above is a specific AVR microcontroller.

AVR microcontrollers are manufactured by Atmel. They are very common & have several advantages over other types of microcontroller.  

 

 Some mostly used AVR microcontrollers are:-

    ATmega8 microcontroller
    ATmega16 microcontroller
    ATmega32 microcontroller
    ATmega328 microcontroller

 

Amtel is not the only microcontroller maker.

 

 This is a ARM cortex STM32

It's made by STMicroelectronics.

They are a French-Italian multinational electronics and semiconductors manufacturer headquartered in Plan-les-Ouates near Geneva, Switzerland.

I'm mentioning them specifically, as you will see them used quite a lot in synth modules. 

There are two ways to program a microcontroller. One is to reprogram the entire chip using a programmer. The other is to use a bootloader  

A bootloader is a bit of software that is pre-programmed onto the chip.

It runs in a separate memory space on the microcontroller separated from the main application space.

In the case of a simple microcontroller it can accept firmware upgrades that allows the chip to re-program itself. 

In a full blown computer its  the program that is responsible for booting a computer. 

When a computer is turned off, its software‍—‌including operating systems, application code, and data‍—‌remains stored on non-volatile memory.

So when the computer if turned on, its that first bit of software that loads the OS, etc etc. 

 

Using a bootloader in a simple microcontroller is safer way to program, as you can't easily brick the chip.

But to upload using a bootloader you need a computer-serial connection (such as an FTDI cable).

 

This is a FTDI USB to TTL serial converter module.

 

It is the bridge between the USB connection of the computer and the TTL serial connection

on your PCB.

Note, that when we use the term ‘serial’ for these converters we are referring to TTL serial data

 

This from Jaycar

 Notice the 6 pins.

 

 This is a cheap Ebay module. about $5 AUD

 

Notice the switch which convert between 3.3V to 5V

These devices are used for general serial applications. It is popularly used for communication to and from microcontroller development boards such as ESP-01s and Arduino micros, which do not have USB interfaces.

 

The USB power has over current protection, using 500MA self-restore fuse
RXD/TXD transceiver communication indicator

Pin definition: DTR,RXD,TXD,VCC,CTS,GND

 

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 FTDI adapters can send any serial data back and forth including updating AVRs with a bootloader on them. But you need to get that bootloader on there first, which basically requires an AVR programmer (like a USBtinyISP ),. 

 

Unfortunately, they are not the same device! 

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Note: 

You may also be able to use a FTDI cable

The FTDI cable is a USB to Serial (TTL level) converter which allows for a simple way to connect TTL interface devices to USB.

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https://learn.adafruit.com/ftdi-friend/programming-blank-avrs

 

 + Microcontroller... What you need to program a MCU 

+ Microcontrollers... Programmers

+ Microcontrollers, Bootloaders, Serial Programming ...

 

 

 

Battleship Island - Gunkanjima - Nagasaki Japan

 Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima (meaning "Battleship Island" due to its resemblance to a battleship), is an abandoned island located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan. The island is renowned for its dense, concrete buildings and its eerie, desolate atmosphere, which has earned it the nickname "Ghost Island."

Originally developed in the late 19th century as a coal mining facility by the Mitsubishi Corporation, Hashima Island experienced rapid growth during the early to mid-20th century as Japan's industrialization accelerated. At its peak in the 1950s, the island was one of the most densely populated places in the world, with over 5,000 residents living and working in its high-rise apartment buildings and industrial facilities.

However, with the decline of coal mining in Japan and the shift towards alternative energy sources, the island's population began to decline rapidly. By the 1970s, the Mitsubishi Corporation had shut down the mine, and Hashima Island was abandoned, leaving behind a haunting reminder of its industrial past.

In recent years, Hashima Island has gained international attention as a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors intrigued by its history and unique atmosphere. In 2009, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining" group.

Despite its appeal as a tourist attraction, access to Hashima Island is restricted, and visitors are only permitted to explore certain areas of the island on guided tours due to safety concerns and the deteriorating condition of its structures.

Overall, Hashima Island stands as a poignant symbol of Japan's industrial history and the legacy of its coal mining industry, while also serving as a reminder of the human impact on the environment and the consequences of rapid urbanization and industrialization.

*Japan
   - Synthesizer shopping in Tokyo
   - Bonsai - Narita
   - Tokyo Akihabara Radio Center
   - Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto
   - Kyoto station
   - Nara
   - Pachinko - Hiroshima

   - 2018 - Hiroshima

   - Umeda Sky Building - Osaka

   - Osaka Castle

   - Synth Shops in Tokyo 2019 

   - Yoyogi park - tokyo 2019

   - Roppongi - National Arts Center, Tokyo

   - Shibuya, Tokyo - crossing

   - Japanese Food Vending Machines

   - The Japanese Corner store - Cheap quick & tasty

   - Nagasaki - things to do

   - New Fukuoka - Old Hakata - Japan -1

   - Fukuoka 2

   - Fukuoka to Nagasaki - bullet train Shinkansen

   - Nagasaki 1 - japan

   - Nagasaki - Dejima Island 1

   - Dejima Island 2 - Nagasaki

   - Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall

   - Nagasaki - Ground Zero - Peace park Hypocenter\

   - Nagasaki - the 26 martyrs Cathedral & Museum

   - Nagasaki - Suwa Shrine 

   - Nagasaki Harbour - Japan

For more travel postcards click here:

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