Saturday, 16 July 2016

Expert Sleepers Disting Mk 1

 Some notes on my Disting Mark 1.
I think this also applies to the Disting Mark 2
 
To pick an algorithm use the S knob. 
A & B are inputs
X & Y are outputs

Z is a CV controllable setting for each algorithm. 
It's parameter changes depending on the algorithm.

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The 16 different algorithms:
1a Precision adder
1b Four quad Multiplier - ie a VCA or ring modulator
1-c Full-wave Rectifier
1-d Minimum/maximum
 
2-a Linear/Exponential Converter - good for Hz/V scale conversion
2-b Quantizer 
2-c Comparator 
2-d Dual Waveshaper 
 
3-a Sample and Hold / Noise
3-b Slew Rate Limiter 
3-c Pitch and Envelope Tracker 
3-d Clockable Delay/Echo
 
4-a LFO 
4-b Clockable LFO 
4-c VCO with linear FM 
4-d VCO with waveshaping 
 
 Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polivoks filter demo

 Some demos of a vintage polivoks and eurorack "clones"
 


Great filter
 


Blue Lantern LM4250 VCF

Monday, 11 July 2016

Rosh Hanikra - Bridge & railway tunnel / grottoes -israel

Rosh HaNikra or Hanikra (Hebrew: ראש הנקרה‎, lit. "Head of the Grotto"


This is near the border between Israel & Lebanon.








The gottoes are formed formed by sea action on the soft chalk rock.






The tunnels were built by the British for the Haifa-Beirut railroad line, and in 1968 a second one was dug, both connecting the grottoes with each other and allowing access (currently: only exit) along the former route of the British railroad. (wikipedia)







The Cable car is situated very close to the Lebanese border.
Apparently, it's the steepest cable car in the world, ascending at a gradient of 60 degrees









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Sunday, 10 July 2016

Eurorack 303 filters

 This is a personal list of some filters which aren't too bad doing a acid version of the roland TB 303.
I actually think that the sequencer of the TB 303 is really the key to the sound but you can't really separate the parts.Trying to replicate the sound in Euro or any other format is like a dog chasing his tail
 
However, for what it's worth the filter is certainly important.
And you might get something new and interesting by experimenting.
There is magic behind how the resonance alters the cutoff. 
Plus how the envelope, slew and accent modulate
the filter is certainly beautiful to the ear. 
 
The 303 used a 24dB low pass filter - diode ladder. 
There is much dispute as to whether the filter is 18dB or 24dB.
It's definitely a 4 pole 24dB , but the last pole operates weirdly.
The filter has often been described as a "broken 24dB filter"

Re the ladder design.
The 303 used a diode ladder.

Interestingly, the diode filter was originally developed by EMS in order to work around a Moog patent. This diode filter is best known as the sound of the Roland TB-303.
 
Filters basically work by controlling current flow to a filter capacitor.
The diode or transistor, under the influence of a CV, controls the current flow to the capacitor.
 
The main difference between the two filters is that the Moog style, transistor filter 
design electrically isolates or buffers each pole of the filter.
The diode ladder filter however, doesn't behave this way. The poles interact electrically with each other.  This non-linear design contributes to the dirty, squelchy sound of the 303.
 
So when picking your filter, something like a 18 dB diode ladder should work, but don't let this narrow your choice too much. Experiment ... you may stumble on something new and interesting.
 
So here are some possibilities:
 
 
1. vcf303 - DinSync
    12HP,   It also includes the envelope generator & accent circuit.
    also features CV control over the cutoff frequency and an overdrive knob 
    for driving the input section.
2. Doepfer  a103 VCF 6
    18dB low pass , transistor ladder
3. RS500e.
    EMS synthi filter. 12hp, diode ladder, low pass.
    Switchable between 18db & 24dB
    Before 1974 all VCS3s had a 3 pole filter. After 1974 they had a 4 pole.
4. Post-Lawsuit
    STG soundlabs -  low pass, 1 pole & 4 pole outputs.
5. Snowfall.
    AM8071 - AM synths
     diode ladder low pass filter similar to that in the EMS VCS3, Roland SH-3, 
     System 100 and the PE Minisonic 2. The filter has a 4-pole ladder with an 18dB like response
 6. Doepfer A-122
    24dB Low Pass II (Curtis, Oberheim/CEM type)
7. Doepfer A-105.
     low-pass filter with 24dB/octave slope
     CEM chip (SSM2044 type) 
8. Doepfer A-106-5 
     12dB multimode filter that is based on the filter circuit of the Oberheim SEM module.
9. Blue Lantern Polivoks
10. Doepfer A-124 wasp
11. Doepfer A 102
      Diode filter design, 8HP, 18bD
12. Boogie's 18db
13. EQUINOX VCF
14. Endorphin.es - Grand Terminal 
      Digital emulation of the filter.
15. Sea Devils filter
      STG sound labs - 3pole 18dB low pass diode filter.
16. Sonic XV from AJH
      diode ladder filter with a slope of -24dB/oct.
      based on the classic Musonics Sonic V filter from 1970.
       includes a voltage controllable resonance and an extra bandpass and -6dB/oct lowpass outputs.
      Also added into this filter is a waveshaper/wavefolder.
 17 Studio electronics 3003 filter
      discrete analog 18 db/oct ladder low-pass filter, employing hand-matched transistors


Thursday, 7 July 2016

Essaouira - Morocco

Some pics from Morocco 2004



Essaouira is  on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. 





Its medina (old town) is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. 






Old brass cannons line the walls, and there are ocean views. There are strong "Alizée" trade wind.
Great for wind surfing



Very laid back place. 












wIKIPEDIA

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Sunday, 3 July 2016

Track / clip View - basic controls

To duplicate a track:
1. Shift + press down ◄► knob

To shorten or lengthen a track 
1. Shift + turn ◄► knob
    Don't press the knob down.

Change clip colour
 Shift + turn ▼▲ knob
 
Horizontal clip shift (nudge)
Push & hold ▼▲ knob + turn ◄► knob
(to nudge microsteps {24 micro steps per note} - Press note +Press & Turn ◄► knob)

Ratchet notes (note repeat)
Press note  & Press + turn ▼▲ knob

To move a note up or down.
 Hold down the note (grid pad) & turn ▼▲ knob

Note velocity
Hold the note (Grid pad) + turn ◄► knob


While a clip is playing, if you want to go up or down an octave
 Hold down & turn the ▼▲ knob


While a clip is playing, if you want to shift the notes up or down
1. Press play
2. Press shift
3. Press & turn the  ▼▲ knob

To clear a pattern.
Hold ◄► knob & press "Back"

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AUTOMATION


Parameter Automation 
1. Turn record LED on.
2. Press Play.
3.  turn Parameter knob
4. Turn off record when finished.

Per note parameter change
Note start Grid pad + turn Parameter knob

To undo or Delete the parameter automation
1. press & hold Shift

2. press the relevant gold Parameter knob 

Copy automation
Hold Learn + push Parameter knob

Paste automation
Hold Learn + Shift + push Parameter knob

Parameter locks (per note)
Hold note + turn gold knob

You can also change parameters over a whole track that is not locked to a particular note.
1. Make a muted row of notes (in your existing track).
2. add the parameter changes to the muted notes. 


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 To Load a sample
1. Press the Audition pad +  press load

 to Enter the Sound Editor
1. Press Shift.
2. Press (shortcut labeled) Grid pad or push Select knob

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 To create a new Synth or New kit
1. Press Shift
2. Press Synth or Kit

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To change scales
1. Shift
2. Scale 
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Copy & Pasting


Copy notes
{To Copy the whole clip screen (what is in view)}
1. Press & Hold Learn

2. push ◄► knob

Paste notes
1. Press & Hold Learn

2. Press & hold Shift.
3. push the ◄► knob



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Zooming in & out
1. to Zoom in 
    Press down black ◄► knob + turn ◄► knob to right

2. to Zoom out 
    press down black ◄► knob + turn ◄► knob to left

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To change length of a track/clip
Hold down shift + turn ◄► knob to right
   (don't push the knob down)

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Probability, Percentage & Iteration

To Set Probability & the % a note plays
Hold the note (Grid pad) + turn gold Select knob left


Set several notes to play only when first plays
Hold all Grid pads at same time + turn Select knob left


Set iteration dependence for a note
Hold the note (Grid pad) + turn black Select knob right

You will see 1 oF 2, 2 oF 2 , 1 oF 6, etc etc
(one of 2 passes, etc etc) 

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to use an external MIDI keyboard
1. Hold down learn.
2. Press any audition key/pad
3. Press any key on your midi keyboard.
(the audition buttons will turn white)


To undo this :
1. Press learn
2. Press any audition key/pad
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Preset load interface
Press Load + synth/kit


Begin playback from current screen
Push ◄► knob + Play


Audio clip trim
Press rightmost column at end of waveform