Friday, 20 May 2016

Korg PS 3200 - 11. GEG - General Envelope Generator

The GEG is a 3 stage envelope generator: Delay-Attack - Release.
 There is also a Auto switch -- when on, the envelope will automatically loop.
The 5 bottom jacks consist of 3 outputs & two trigger inputs.

There is also an input for control of VCA 1 .... which is part of the TSM

There are 2 types of triggers you can use:
a. Keyboard Trigger (KBD TRIG)
b. Momentary switch  (M.SW)..... a foot switch..... triggers the beginning of an operation.

Notice the 3 different envelopes.
a. -5V to 0V
b. +5V to 0V
c. 0V to +5V





Thursday, 19 May 2016

Roman 208 build pics - Version 2

Some pics taken during the build of this wonderful module.

It's not a Buchla Module, but should be compatible with most Buchla modules.

It follows the same size, format & the circuits used are I understand based on Don's schematics.


I'd say it took about 40 hours to put this together. It's more difficult than the TTSH (ARP 2600 clone).
I just finished it last night and couldn't believe that it worked first time.
So excited !!! I just had to post some pics.

 These are pics of the motherboard.

There are 12 daughter boards which plug into the main motherboard.

The cards are very tight to plug in.

One of the main difficulties was sourcing rare components from all over the world.



The partly populated front panel.

The original Buchla used plastic slider pots (above module). For this new version, I've substituted modern metal pots.


Almost finished.

The LEDs are a bit tricky to install.


You can buy the PCBs for this project from "The Electric Music Store".
ModularSynthesis.com is another very useful site - awesome build notes.

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Song View - Basic


The Mute & Launch button is also the solo.

To Solo.
1. Press the Left/right knob + Mute button
2. The button should turn blue.

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

To add another track, just press an empty track.

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

To change section colours.
1. Shift
2. Press the Audition button. (you will see the colours change).
'








Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Crystal Oscillators

You will often find these used with microprocessors & microcontrollers.

Its an electronic oscillator circuit that uses the mechanical resonance of a vibrating crystal of piezoelectric material to create an electrical signal with a precise frequency.
(Wikipedia)
They are a type of linear oscillator made of quartz.

This is a 16 Hz quartz crystal. It uses a HC-49/S package.

This is also a 16Mhz crystal . The package is a HC49/U


These oscillators are not to be confused with your usual analog VCOs.
The crystal oscillator provides a fixed frequency. They often are the clock for a microprocessor, UART, etc. 

Through Hole Crystal (THD)Package types vary.
They include HC49, HC50, UM, AT26, AT39

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







 Model                         Frequency Range Mode of operation

HC49/US                     3.0 MHz ~ 54.0 MHz Fundamental 36.0 MHz ~ 150.0 MHz 3rd-overtone




HC49/U

HC-49/S package.



UM-1 UM-5 UM-4    8.0 MHz ~ 70.0 MHz Fundamental 35.0 MHz ~ 200.0 MHz 3rd-overtone
This is a UM-1 low pass filter

A UM-5



AT26                            6.0 MHz ~ 27.0 MHz Fundamental
The AT packages are cylindrical in shape.



THey of course also come in SMD packages.

This is a ABLS7M2-12.288MHZ-D-2Y-T - 
Crystal, 12.288 MHz, SMD,
7mm x 4.1mm, 30 ppm, 18 pF, 20 ppm, ABLS7M2 Series



KORG PS 3100 - GEG - General Envelope Generator

This has 5  KBD Trigger Selects.
The knob setting determines the number of keys you must press in order for a trigger signal
to be sent to the GEG.

It's a second modulation source for the SGs.

The GEG is a 3 stage envelope generator: Delay-Attack - Release.
Similar to the GEG in the PS 3200

There is also a Auto switch -- when on, the envelope will automatically loop.

There is a switch that connects the GEG to VCA 1



Monday, 16 May 2016

kORG PS 3200 - preset sounds

These sounds are a good starting point if you are trying to learn how to program the PS 3200
They are from the manual.
The sound quality is just ok ....from a mobile phone, but  you should get an idea.

Steam Pipe Organ


------------------------
Echo... one of my fav patches



-----------------------------
Harpsicord



Sunday, 15 May 2016

Voltage regulators (series)

 These are really useful in synths where we need reliable, stable voltages.
 
They come in many packages 


Here is a transistor regulator
It's a TO-92 package

Here is one with a IC package

In synths common operating voltages are 3.3V, 5V and +12V, -12V.
The most common series of voltage regulators is the 78XX series.  

the 7805 is a 5V regulator
The 7812 is a 12V regulator
 
For negative voltages use the 79XX series
 
The 7912 is a -12V regulator 

For building a +/- 15 PSU you will need a
LM7815 +15V Voltage Regulator      LM7815
LM7915 -15V Voltage Regulator      LM7915  
 
 This is a pic of a NLC eurorack PSU.
It uses two regulators
The 7812 is a 12V regulator
The 7912 is a -12V regulator 
 
 
These can handle up to 30V on the input and depending on the package, up to 1A output current.
 
Arduinos, and many other microcontrollers use 3.3V
 
The LD1117V33 voltage regulator, is a low drop positive regulator with a 3.3V fixed output voltage. 
Making a 5V regulator is very useful in the Euro world.
It's easy too.
Below is a LM7805 voltage regulator.
Notice the two decoupling capacitors:
The capacitors are placed between the power line & ground.  

 
The 0.33uF helps to smooth out any low-frequency changes in an input voltage. 
The 0.1uF helps to smooth out any of the high-frequency noise at the output.
Combining these two caps helps to deliver a smooth uninterrupted voltage to your circuits.
 
The decoupling capacitors are connected between your power source, whether that’s 5V or 3.3V, and ground. (Generally it's recommend to use a 100nF ceramic capacitor and a larger 0.1-10uF electrolytic capacitor for each integrated circuit). 
 
-------------
 
Shunt Regulators
The other type of voltage regulator they you may come across is a shunt voltage regulator.
The main difference between a series and a shunt is how they are connected to the load.
 
 A series regulator is connected (as the name implies) in series with the load to stabilize the regulator's output voltage. 
A shunt regulator, on the other hand, is connected in parallel to the load.
 
 
 
This is a TL431 shunt regulator.
It's used along with a series 78L05 voltage regulator  in a Midi to CV converter.
 
The TL431  acts almost like a Zener diode except for that the voltage rating of this IC is programmable. 

Saturday, 14 May 2016

Korg PS 3200 - 14. Volume outs (D vol,P vol,F vol).

The PS 3200 has 3 outputs
1. Direct output
2. Headphone output
3. Final output.

The direct out is the signal formed by the SG, filter, the EM (VCA & Envelope Generator)
& the Balance Mixer
It is not effected by the equaliser, the amplitude modulator, the ensemble, VCA 1 & VCA 2 etc.
 The headphone out and Final Out are effected by the equaliser, the amplitude modulator, the ensemble, etc

Many people complain about the lack of a resonator in the PS-3200.
There are quite a few manufacturers who have attempted to reproduce this circuit.
I have purchased a MAM RS3 Resonator.
I think the best place to park this is from the direct output of the PS 3200.

Friday, 13 May 2016

Modded DJ decks

What to do with your old CDJ decks.???
If you're like me, you probably have lots of old CDJs lying around in the garage.
As technology moves on, the old decks become yesterdays gear that nobody wants.

This is a awesome idea. Time I got a 3D printer.
This is a modded Nexus 2000. It's fully functional.

 It's a beautiful job. Such attention to detail.

And Chewbacca loves it too.




As do the rest of the crew on the Millenium Falcon.
They can't wait to get their decks modded.


Korg PS 3200 - 12. Voltage Processors -VPs

The Korg PS & MS synthesizers generally work in the range of -5V to +5V
This Korg standardization, is good to remember, as it allows for precise control of synth operations.
You will see on the PS series of synths, voltage ranges printed on the various inputs & outputs.


This is where the VPs come in handy. There are two VPs in the PS 3200.



The Voltage Processors allow you to take an external voltage in the -5V to +5V range , and change it's range & phase. These are essential to safely connect external modules (even from other Korg gear).
The PS series were not designed to use external sequencers, for example. So if connecting something such as a SQ-10 or SQ-1, its safer to use these processors.

Needless to say, it's always a good idea to know what voltages your gear is outputting, before you plug it into your PS 3200. Buy an oscilloscope to check peak - peak voltages.

If nothing is plugged into a VP, the output will be +4.5V
You can use this as a fixed voltage source.

If you plug a changing voltage into the input, then you can limit the upper  & lower ranges of this voltage when it exits the VP. This input voltage must be in the -5V to +5V range
The PS-3040 is another potential source of CV. It's designed for the PS 3200.
Sadly I don't have a PS-3040 foot controller.  -- It uses the DIN connector.


VP-1 can also be used it as a VCA control.
Notice the orange switch that connects to VCA-2.
One last thing to note is a second switch which connects & disconnects the two VPs.
When the switch is to the left, a CV inputted into VP1 will exit from both VPs.
When the switch is to the right (as in the photo), any inputted CVs will exit from their same VPs only.


-------------------------
If you are thinking of using external gear with the PS 3200, a  Korg MS 20 is good place to start.
Keep in mind this block diagram:
Outputs from the MS-20 mini
Keyboard CV out: 0~+8V
Keyboard Trigger out : +5V to GND
Signal output (mono 1/8" mini phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5k Ω)
EG 1 (normal): -5V to 0V
EG 1 (reverse) : +5V to 0V
EG 2 envelope signal reverse output (+5V - 0V) 
MG Triangle out (Positive Sawtooth - Triangle - Negative Sawtooth) : +2.5 to -2.5 (5VPP)
MG Rectangle (Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse) : 0 to +5V
Mod/control wheel output: -5V~0V~+5V
Push Button:+5V to GND
Pink Noise output : 5Vpp
White Noise output: 5Vpp
S/H output : 5Vpp
Modulation VCA: Signal output (-5V - +5V)

MS 20 mini ESP
CV Out (0 - +8.4V)
ENV Out (0 - +5V)
Trig Out (+5V-->GND) 

https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/ms_20mini/page_2.php


------------------
Re: the SQ-1 sequencer:
Sequencers in general, give voltages to variable oscillators, telling them what pitches to play.
The Korg PS 3200 doesn't have a direct pitch CV input.
The manual warns you not to connect anything other than PS series gear.
However, if you must....
a) littleBits OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack)... 5V ???

b) CV - A OUT -GATE, CV - B OUT - GATE:
    CV OUT: output level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8V [Hz/V]
    GATE OUT: output level 10V

c)  IN - SYNC - OUT jacks:
     SYNC IN: maximum input level 20V,
     SYNC OUT: output level 5V

My PS-3200 has a Kenton Midi to CV kit installed.
It works great, as it by-passes all the CV/gate stuff.

-------------------------------
Moog CP-251
This CV processor is very useful to attenuate external voltages.
Used in conjunction with a scope, it's a very safe way to use external gear.