Sunday, 23 August 2015

Steiner-Parker Microcon - Euro module - Build notes

These are my build notes for the Steiner MicroCon (Eurorack format).
The original Microcon was a full voice module.
It's very rare & was first produced between 1977 & 79 as a complete synthesizer in a single module with its own power supply less keyboard. It has its own LFO, Filter, EG & VCO.
The original module measured 4 x 6 inches.

I purchased this modern eurorack kit from SynthCube.
The circuit/PCB was recast by David Ingebretsen in 2012, with permission from Nyle Steiner.

The euro format panel is designed by Clarke Robinson and produced by synthCube.

Muffs has a very useful thread here:
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1047995&sid=d261297539ec4b711819800a9b1a5c93

David's L's Microcon post is here:
 https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42415&highlight=micr ocon

It might me fun to install the PCB in a box of the same dimensions as a homage to the original
module, though for the moment, I'll keep this in Eurorack format.

 
Install the resistors first.
There are 10 Diodes - Switching vR/100V Io/150mA (standard 1N4148)
And two 1n4001 Rectifiers (Vr/50V Io/1A T/R)

Headers & caps next.


The two trimmers and that tempco .... needs to be in contact with the IC.(SSM2210).
It's a dual matched transistor.

The Microcon uses two vactrols : VTL5C3/2. These are the same type used in my Buchla.



The original BOM uses a 74c14n Inverter - It's a Schmitt trigger.
This part is obsolete and has been replaced with a CD40106.

It's time to wire everything up.



     More Links:
1. SynthMuseum

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Friday, 21 August 2015

The Putney and the Video Synth

This is a bit of an experiment running some EMS VCS3 video through a LZX video synthesizer.
The video synth is a whole new world.

Lots of scope for art & experimentation. I just love it.

My synth case so far.
I'm experimenting with lots of modules. As you can see there are some standard Eurorack
modules in this mix that work quite well with the LZX & Brown Shoes Only video modules.

The LZX visual cortex is very useful. It's becoming the heart of the system.






Thursday, 20 August 2015

Acid waves - 4Seq remix

A remix using the Metropolis (Intellijel) & 4seq (NLC).

 The VCOs used were a VC303 (for the acid baseline) and a Piston Honda (The Harvestman)

Disco Ayala - the cave nightclub in Trinidad Cuba


Even if you're not into nightclubbing it's a must see when in Cuba.


 Housed in a natural cave Disco Ayala is lot's of fun.
At 1am every night there are live shows -- firewalkers & acrobats. This guy's got very tough teeth.

Cave nightclubs would never be allowed in Australia so lap up the atmosphere while you can.

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Tuesday, 18 August 2015

NLC DP Filter - Build notes.

Th Nonlinearcircuits DP Filter is a really interesting beast.
It takes ideas from the TB303 & Moog ladder and combines this with the EMS Diode ladder.
(The TB303 is a four stage diode ladder filter achieved with transistors where the collectors are connected to base. The Moog is a straight transistor ladder filter).

This DP circuit replaces the diodes and transistors of these 3 ladder filters with opto-isolators
Opto-isolators (also called optical couplers or optocouplers) are basically a LED & a photo transistor in a light tight package. They use light to transfer electrical signals between circuits to keep them electrically isolated from each other. In this module the TLP521-2 is used.




Andrew's Build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/Double%20Penetration%20Filter%20build%20notes.pdf

    More useful links:
1. Large schematic
2. Module description.
3. Muffs thread
4. NLC blog - pics of the module

 This module is probably not the easiest one to start with if you are a beginner.
There are lots of surface mounted components, though on the bright side there is only one SMD IC.
(a 074).
I like to get the ICs out of the way so I'll solder the 074 first then the rest of the caps & resistors

 The back side of the PCB also has SMDs. It's not the cleanest of  SMD soldering efforts but should still work. Fingers crossed.
There are two SMD pads marked "c" on the rear side of the PCB....They are for 100k resistors.
Also, I'm using 0805 sized SMD components (its what I had in my store). The pads on this PCB are sized
1206. If you are using smaller ones like me, be careful when soldering the capacitors - let them cool down before soldering the other pad.
There are 2 versions of this filter - the standard using 100nF for C2,C3,C4 & C5 vs the TB-303
acid version which uses a 33nF on C2,C3,C4 & a 18nF on C5.
I'm building the standard version today.... all 100nF.(104).


The trannies next. Six BC547, and two BC557s.
I didn't bother to match these.
The 2 caps marked C22 & C23 near the power connection are 10uF electros.
 
 
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Sunday, 16 August 2015

NLC Timbre - Build notes

These are the build noted for the NonLinearCircuits (NLC) Timbre module.

This is based on the Buchla Timbre circuit which can be found in the Buchla Easel / 208 panel
 and the Buchla 259 oscillator.

It's a awesome wavefolder that can convert a simple wave (eg: a triangle or sawtooth) into a complex waveform rich in overtones.

Andrew F has added a simple tri2sine converter input, along with the regular input, and buffered output.
The NLC build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/Timbre%20Gen%20build%20&%20BOM%20v2.pdf

As usual, install the IC & power headers first.
Resistors & diodes next.
I've replaced the100k*  with a 120k which should give approx.5V peak to peak.
If you're installing this in a Buchla system you may want to fiddle with this value (maybe 240k) to give 10Vpp.


Capacitors:
IC's in.
Along with the J112 transistor & that 15uF cap. I've used a 50V one.

Insert the pots (B100k) & the 5 jacks.
I haven't soldered the grounds yet in the above photo.

You're done!


   Links:
1.  ModularSynthesis - the Aaron Lanterman adaptation of the Buchla Timbre/Crossfader
2. Aaron Lanterman schematics
3. Electro-Music.com
4. Ecalpemos/nl
5. Ken Stone (CGS 52) - simple wave folder
6. Ken Stone (CGS 29) - Wave Multiplier
7. JHaible - wave folder
8. Oakely Sound - Discontinuity
9. Muffs thread on troubleshooting the Timbre

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Saturday, 15 August 2015

4seq - Piston Honda & VC 303

The nonlinearcircuits 4SEQ is a 4 stage sequencer with a forwards/backwards control (the u/d or up-down jack) allowing the development of quite complex sequences and patterns.


There are two CV outputs that are the reverse of each other. Eg if outX is counting 1,2,3,4 then outY counts 4,3,2,1. There are also gate outputs that are /2, /4, /8 & /16 divisions of the clock signal.
I'm not sure if you can buy the 4seq fully made. I built mine from PCB. The build notes are here.
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/4seq-nlc-sequencer-build-notes.html

The piston honda is a wavetable oscillator. It has 2 ROMs , each with 256 waveforms.
 I'm using the 4SEQ to morph through the wavetables. It's all clocked to the intellijel metropolis.

The tip tip drums are also clocked to the metropolis.


The acid sequences are Metropolis - VC.303bass synth