Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Thursday, 30 August 2018

Timbre & Timbre - Dual Timbre - NLC build notes

These are my build notes for the Nonlinearcircuits Dual Timbre module.
Its in Eurorack format. The original timbre module was based on the Buchla easel timbre waveshaper circuit.
  The tri2sin circuit has been dropped, there is an input attenuator for each section.


This is simply a dual version of the Timbre!, It is all smd (the single version is thru-hole).
Andrew's blog notes are here:
http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2018/01/timbre-timbre.html

The NLC build notes and bom are here:
https://www.nonlinearcircuits.com/modules/p/timbre-and-timbre

GET those ICs on first.

The BOM calls for a J112. Im using a J309
 863-MMBFJ309LT1G as the waiting time on the 112 is nearly a year

 Headers:
 Pots & Jacks


To be continued.................

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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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Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Splosh - Build notes - NLC module

These are my build notes for the Nonlinearcircuit "Let's Splosh" Eurorack module.
It's quite a straight forward build. Just 4 SMD ICs. The rest are 0805 resistors/caps

This module takes 4 CV or audio inputs and mixes them up into 16 outputs.

The virgin PCB & panel.


Andrews blog:
http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2018/04/lets-splosh.html

Build notes and bom are here:
https://www.nonlinearcircuits.com/modules/p/lets-splosh

The four Op-amps --- 072s
There are sixty 100k resistors

Reverse power protection diodes- 1N400x or S1JL.
The dot on PCB indicates CATHODE (stripe on component)

 
The module works by using 8 different rectifiers.
A rectifier diode lets electrical current flow in only one direction
Rectifiers are generally used to convert AC to DC.
The above circuit is a bridge rectifier.

Andrews circuit uses just 2 diodes and a op amp


This module utilizes 16 diodes in total. ...LL4148 diodes


The 4 inputs are named:
C = custard
T = treacle
N = natto
B = batter

We all pretty much know what custard, treacle and batter is, but what is Natto?

"Nattō (なっとう or 納豆) is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Some eat it as a breakfast food."


Jacks next
Install the LEDS and you're done.
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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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You can find more NLC builds here.
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Roboto - Synthrotek

Some pics of a recent DIY build - the Roboto eurorack module by Synthrotek.
Its pretty cool .. reverb, vocoder, pitch shaper, vibrato , etc ... very flexible.

The official webpage is here:
http://www.synthrotek.com/products/modular-circuits/synthrotek-roboto/

Assembly instructions are here:
http://www.synthrotek.com/kit-assembly-instructions/modular-circuit-assembly-instructions/synthrotek-roboto-assembly-instructions/


I bought a barebones kit which included the PCBs, faceplate, a vactrol & one microcontroller ic....labeled R1



The heart of the module is the HT8950. It is a CMOS LSI voice modulator IC which provides seven steps to shift the frequency of an input voice, producing a dramatic change in the output. The HT8950 provides two special effects: vibrato and robot. The vibrato effect is generated by alternating the frequency of an input signal up and down at a rate of 8Hz. The robot function, on the other hand, converts an input voice into a robot voice

R1 is a PIC16F1823 microcontroller. It's already programmed.








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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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Thursday, 23 August 2018

Ian Fritz 2 x AD/AR - build

These are not official build notes.. just some pics to help future trouble shooting.
The module was actually really easy to build and uses easy to find parts.


It's a cost-effective alternative to other designs & will take just about any signal you feed it and generate an envelope. Quite a dense build and only 4 hp.



If you use a trigger pulse, the unit's output is an attack-decay (AD) envelope.
If you use a gate its output is an attack-release (AR) envelope.

 The BOM called for
2 x 9mm 250kA Logarithmic alpha potmeters or similar AttackA, AttackB
2 x 9mm 1MA Logarithmic  alpha potmeters or similar Dec/RelA, Dec/RelB

 I couldn't source the A250K pots so used B250K pots instead.

From the build notes
"other potmeters with different values or taper are also possible but they change the range in possible attack and decay/release times (or the curve)"



"The trigger pulse may be initiated by any signal with a positive-going 1.5 V crossing, for example, a trigger pulse or a waveform from an LFO, noise source or chaos generator."




Notes:
" in the original design the output is to low (around 2v), I recommend to remove the voltage divider before the output if you want the output around 7.75v (remove r12 and short the holes of r11)
or leave r11 2.2k) and replace r12 to 4.7k if you want it around 5v. (Modular Addict)
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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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Saturday, 11 August 2018

New Sound Waves meeting today

Hope to meet you here.
Beer is $5
& there are Lots of synths

It will be held at Monster Mouse Studio

https://www.facebook.com/newsoundwaves/

Upcoming events:
A DIY synth workshop
This first workshop is aimed at beginners or anyone who wants to learn how to build a Eurorack Synth case. It is held in cooperation with Sydney-based Metro Modular and will provide participants with a robust 6Ux104HP carry-case with a lid (optional).

I had the pleasure of seeing the early prototype of the case everyone will build.
https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2018/07/new-sound-waves-eurorack-case-build.html

Details and registration:
http://newsoundwavesrecords.com/new-sound-waves-diy-workshop-001-case-w-psu/
There will be plenty of help on hand. So come along if you want to know more about modular synths.
 https://www.facebook.com/events/521408411610797/

Thursday, 19 July 2018

Audio Equalizers

Equalization is a fundamental processes in music production. 
Every music producer should have various types of EQ in their arsenal.
These may be studio based or can be used in live performance rigs.
 
Equalizers are basically filters. They influence the volume of audio at specified frequencies.
Note that the audible frequency spectrum range lies between 20Hz and 20KHz.
There are many types of EQ. The most common are:
parametric, dynamic, graphic, and shelving.
 

Parametric Equalizers



Parametric EQs are the most common and I think the most flexible.
They take many shapes and forms. They can be a digital software plugin, can be part of a mixing console, or be a hardware device.

Parametric EQs all have common controls.
Frequency, Resonance or bandwidth (Q) , Gain, Filter type, Filter Slope.
 
 
(the left pic is of Abelton's EQ8)



Dynamic

These combine an equalizer with a compressor.
They can cut or boost frequencies depending on the amplitude of the signal at its input.
A traditional EQ is static. Dynamic EQ combines equalization with selective compression/expansion and sidechain triggers. It kicks in only when the signal you’re EQing goes above certain threshold which you pick. 
 

Graphic Equalizers

These boost or attenuate a range of fixed frequencies using a bank of evenly spaced slider controls.
You can have up to 31 of these. The more sliders, the more accurate they are.
However, the frequencies are fixed and you have no control over the filter shape or bandwidth.

Shelving Equalizers.

These are very basic EQs which  boost or attenuate frequencies above or below a specified cutoff point.
Most shelving equalizers have high and low shelving filters like in the Shelves module below.
 

Filter types & Slope:

The most common types are Bell, Bandpass, notch, High Shelf & Low Shelf.
We can also add High Cut & Low Cut to this list.
Abelton's EQ 8 is a great equalizer and a great way to explore these filter types.
 
EQ 8 has 8 parametric filters. Each filter can be one of 8 types.
 
This is a low cut or high pass filter
It passes all high frequencies above the cutoff point.
It's x4 meaning it is 4 pole
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is another low cut / HP filter
It has a gentiler slope than the previous one.
 
Use a low cut filter to remove low frequencies or automate the frequency to create sweeping effects.
 







This is a high cut filter. Also known as a Low Pass.
it passes all low frequencies below the cutoff point.
It's fun to automate the frequency to create sweeping effects.

 







This is another LP filter (or high cut)

The 4X indicates a Steeper slope than the previous filter.









This is a Notch filter. Also sometimes referred to as a Band Stop.

It attenuates and removes a range of frequencies around a specified
center frequency point. It will pass all the other frequencies unaltered.
Modulating notch filters creates interesting shaping effects.
It's the opposite of a bandpass filter.







This is a bandpass filter.
This has been made using a LP & HP filter. 
Low and high frequencies outside the range are attenuated or cut..
Multiband equalizers often use multiple band pass filters to divide the audio spectrum into sections.



Here we have two bell filters. They are also known as peak filters. Use them to boost or reduce a range of frequencies with precision. 
The bandwidth/resonance (Q) sets the width of the bell curve.
 
 
 

These are two shelf filters 
On the left is a left shelf.
On the right we have a right shelf filter.
These are useful for boosting or reducing certain frequencies without totally cutting them out as you would have if you used a LP/HP filter combo.
 
 
You can make the filter slope less steep by dragging down the Q knob, or do the opposite by reducing gain.
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Enough theory.

Here are some of my favorite Equalizers
 
The Cwejman VCEQ-3
 This is in Eurorack format.
The vceq-3 consists of 3 individual parametric equalizers.
 
 the frequency, bandwidth and amplitude can be controlled by dedicated knobs and/or by external signals, individually for each band.
 

















Serge Resonant Equalizer CGS
Serge Resonant EQ/Filter - Euro format (CGS 202)
 
 It's a a comb filter based module. There is no CV control, but it has 10 bands of frequency to mix. The frequencies are fixed. It's closer to a Graphic Equalizer in design.

There is no control over the filter shape and bandwidth of each band. 


Below is a pic of a vintage Serge Res equaliser.
 
It's the 3rd module from the left. It's very compact in comparison to the Euro version and doesn't have
the extra outs from the 10 filter bands. And pot's are used instead for sliders.
 
 

 

Roland 100m 174 module
 
It's a really simple but beautiful module. 
The 4 channel EQ  has  independent level, bandwidth and frequency controls that span a wide frequency spectrum from 20 Hz all the way up to 20 kHz. 
 
Using the two outputs of this section, you can then patch signals to two different modules for some extra modulation and waveform sculpting possibilities and even switch between EQ’d and Bypass modes for a quick comparison.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mutable Instruments Shelves
4 Channels.
It's a mix of  low-shelf, high-shelf, and parametric sections.
All share the same control ranges and scales
 
All channels have frequency & gain controls.
The middle two channels have resonance (q) controls.
These are the parametric sections. 

The first band is a low-pass shelving filter & the fourth band a high-pass shelving filter
 
 





The good old Doepfer 128 filter bank.
 
(Fixed Filter Bank) is a filter bank, made up of 15 parallel band pass filters, all with fixed middle frequencies and bandwidth (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
 
If you want to add a single audio output for each filter we have instructions for this modification available
 

Doepfer 128 - Fixed filter bank modifications

 

 

 

L1 Quad VC Resonant EQ
4 channels of Parametric EQ 

Also first band is switchable to LP mode and fourth band to HP to make low and high shelves. Also each band is switchable to boost or cut modes. Every parameter has voltage control, also master CV ins for all bands
 


 

 





Doepfer A 104
Trautonium Formant Filter
 
This was used in the Mixtur Trautonium by Oskar Sala. It is made of four parallel resonance filters, each filter can be switched to low pass or band pass or off.  

There is no VC.
Frequency, Q & Vol are all manually controlled.









Its a graphic EQ
Music Thing Modular
A compact, clean seven band Eurorack graphic equaliser inspired 
by the classic Boss GE-7 pedal.