Saturday, 12 March 2022

Moog Model D - restored

 Thanks to Ed for restoring this baby for me.

Lovely job.
 

When I purchased this decades ago, it had lost its protective metal back so the internals were exposed to the elements. 
Ed & I searched for a suitable replacement, but we finally decided upon a bespoke acrylic back.
I really like that I can still see the electronics.
 


As this is an original MiniMoog D it uses S-trigger rather than the conventional V-trigger (used on most modern synths and on the re-issued 2015 Minimoog D ).
S-Trig just means that there is a constant voltage present before "the event" (such as the start of an envelope).
This is shortened to ground when the event occurs. 
 

The S-Trigger uses a Cinch-Jones connector
 
 
When the two prong plug is inserted into the S-trigger socket, the contour generators  are "on" continuously. 
You can connect this to an accessory foot switch for manual external triggering of notes.
 
There are 4 additional inputs:
Loudness, Filter, Oscillator pitch and what I think is a MOD. SRC. INPUT **.
The last input is I think a non-factory modification.
 
The original Minimoog had a foot pedal called a 958.
It supplied a continuous control voltage ranging between 0-5V
 
Any CV controller (with voltages in the range of 0 to +5V) can be used to control the volume of the output, 
the cutoff frequency of the filter (timbre) or the pitch of the oscillators. 
The input jacks use TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) connectors with a current-limited +5V on the ring. 
The manual states that up to three may be used simultaneously to control all of these functions.
 
I've not tested this, but maybe something like a modern EP-3 will also work
 

 
I have a old Phillip Rees MIDI to CV device. I think they are discontinued now, but you should be able to find a modern equivalent.  Something like the Kenton USB solo or the Pro-solo works well.
Plug the V-trig into the Cinch Jones socket, and the pitch CV into the Oscillator socket.

 --------------
**
On the reissued 2015 Minimoog D you will find a MOD. SRC. INPUT 
Here a varying control voltage signal connected to this input jack can be used as a modulation source. Inserting a standard 1/4” cable into this jack breaks the normalled connection of the Noise modulation source, and any external control voltage applied will take its place. With no cable connected, this jack remains normalled, connecting the Noise send to the MOD. SRC. input, and NOISE can be selected as a modulation source 
--------------------------


Friday, 11 March 2022

Polyend tracker - The fill function

 
There are 3 ways to enter notes or automation into the grid
1. Record live (using a external midi keyboard)
2. Step edit
3. Fill function
 
The fill function is a unique & very creative way to add randomness to your sequences.
It allows entering multiple-step values to a selected edited area with a single click. 
 
Before you can use it, you need to highlight the notes you wish to change.
 
To make any changes in the patterns, press the red Rec function key to activate the Edit mode.
A red frame will appear around the currently selected step/steps.
It will mark the currently edited positions. 
In the Edit mode, you use the arrow keys for navigation.  
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some basic navigation shortcuts:
 
To Go to top of grid (start) : 
Press Shift + Home (Song or pattern mode)

To Select all Steps : 
Press Shift + Home (Song or pattern mode)
then Shift + Up 
 
To Select all steps on all tracks 
Press Shift + Home (Song or pattern mode)
Press Shift + Up arrow, twice
 
To Select nearest track : Shift + right or left arrow 
 
Shift + Up arrow -  marks more the one step on one or more tracks.
 
To Select a number of steps (rec/edit mode) : Shift + up/down arrows
 
By pressing "Insert"  we can pull  highlighted notes forward.
or pressing shift + backspace, we pull notes up

You can copy more than one whole tracks from one pattern and paste into a new pattern :
1. Highlight the pattern/s
2. Press PATTERN button
3. Press Copy
4. Open a new (virgin) pattern using the jog wheel and pressing the pattern button
5. Pattern + Shift + Paste


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After you have selected the steps, enter fill mode
by pressing the "fill" button.
 
The Fill tool can be used on. 
Notes
Instruments
Fx 1
FX 2. 
 
Press the green/yellow, pink or blue button to select.
 
Under "notes"
the first column has a "where" selection.
Note/no note/ fx/ no fx, random / each euclidean

other columns are:
Scale, fill type and note
These let you choose a scale and if they are random or 
within a range.
 
use the jog wheel and the arrow buttons to change settings.
 
---------------------

example starting from scratch
 
1. pick an instrument
    listen to its sounds 

2. enter fill

3. Notes
   choose random
  minor scale
  notes between 63 and d7 

4. press Fill

 
 

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Synth Sounds Festival

 This is coming up soon, Sunday week ... the 20th MarchSun 20th Mar, 4:00 pm - 10:30 pm AEDT   
Yes, that's 6.5 hours :-)

It's a virtual, you tube gathering with members from all over the world.
Join Nadia Struiwigh and Ed Kuschel as they explore electronic music, sounds and production 
with special guest artists.
 
- Panic Girl
- True Cuckoo
- Heymun
- Mike Metlay
- Marc.wav
- Anthurium Sounds
 
You'll hear performances,  listen to interviews, reviews and see workshops about workflow, artist inspirations and techniques.
Get inspired to explore your own instruments and get creative!
It's also a fundraiser for Ukraine
 
 
Main Sponsor: BJOOKS
Giveaways: Native Instruments, Modal, Elk Elektronik
 
 

If you can't attend at the time (4pm Sunday arvo in Australia) , you can purchase a ticket which 
allows you to watch it at your convenience.
 
You can purchase tickets here:
 
For more info, check out Ed's facebook page
 
Some links of the various artists:
 

- Panic Girl
   + Website
   + Youtube

- True Cuckoo
    +Youtube 
    + Website

- Heymun
    + Bandcamp
    + Website
    
- Mike Metlay
    + bjooks.com

- Anthurium Sounds
    + Instagram 
    + Youtube 
 
-  Nadia Struiwigh
    + Bandcamp 
    + Instagram 
 
 

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

Driscoll Synth - Panel 6

 This is a job in progress.
The Driscoll synth is pretty rare.
These are some pics before starting any restoration.
I first purchased 3 Driscoll panels in 2013. It was part of a larger Serge system.

 
Then followed another 3 in 2021.
 
Panels 4 & 5 are here:
 
This final post covers panel 6 
 
The panel has 3 VCOs & 3 filters, plus 2 VCAs

The 3 filters are identical



The extreme right has 4 mults.

HP

 
 
"Slava Ukraini!"
I saw a post on instagram about a girl in Russia who wanted to protest the war.
Apparently, all Ukranian flags are banned.
She came up with the idea of holding two Harry Potter books in her hands.

Sunday, 6 March 2022

Syria - National Museum of Damascus


The National Museum in Damascus was established under the supervision of the Ministry of Education in 1919.
 





Tekkie Mosque of Damascus



Damascus Army Museum
 
 

 


Jupiter V - New album

 New on Bandcamp