- just tweaking this new synth
- trying to find its sweet spots
- "The AVRSYN is a monophonic "virtual analog" synth based
- on the Atmel AT90S8535 microcontroller. It was originally designed by Jarek Ziembicki.
- His aim was to check to see if a simple micro-processing chip could be used for sound synthesis.
- Paul Maddox later adapted this design design using a
- ATMEGA16 instead as the AT90S8535 is no longer in production.
- The AVR consists of
- two DCO's, a DCF, and a DCA. There is also an LFO and an AR/ASR
- envelope generator.
- This synth comes in a kit form
- The AVRSYN is a monophonic "virtual analog" synth based on the Atmel AT90S8535 microcontroller. It was originally designed by Jarek Ziembicki.
- His aim was to check to see if a simple micro-processing chip could be used for sound synthesis. Paul Maddox later adapted this design design using a ATMEGA16 instead as the AT90S8535 is no longer in production. I think they succeeded. The AVR consists of two DCO's, a DCF, and a DCA. There is also an LFO and an AR/ASR envelope generator. All sounds are from the AVR. Thanks to Blake C for the tweaking. Check out Blakes tunes at: http://soundcloud.com/blakusmaximus
- Thanks to Matt from RhythmActive for the AVRSYNTH http://www.rhythmactive.com.au/
Sunday, 19 June 2016
ATMEGA16 microcontroller AVR Synth - Elby Designs
Thursday, 16 June 2016
Arturia - Beatstep Pro - basic manual
Projects
BeatStep Pro allows you to store and recall 16 Projects. Each Project contains a MIDI controller map, and a bank of 16 sequences for each of the three sequencers (Seq1, Seq2, Drum).To recall a Project:
hold the PROJECT button and press one of the 16 step buttons. The currently loaded Project will be displayed by a lit button.
When you open a new project, the default settings are:
SEQ1, SEQ2 and DRUM send and receive on channels 1, 2, and 10
Time division is set to 1/16 •
Gate time for each step is 50% •
Swing is set to 50% •
Randomness and Probability are set to 0.
As soon as you make any changes, you will have started a new project.
1. select a pattern.
Use the <> buttons or press the SEQUENCER button + the number.
2. Clear a pattern
hold the SHIFT button and press Step button 1.
3. Set Tempo
Turn the RATE/FINE encoder. or use the TAP button
4. Record a pattern
Select SEQ1, press the RECORD button and press the PLAY button.
Use the pads as a keyboard to enter notes in real time.
5. To Save a pattern
a. press SAVE
b. Press the step button - number 1 to 16
6. To save a project:
a. Hold the SAVE button
b. Press the PROJECT button and hold it •
c. Press the Step button number you chose earlier. (number 1 to 16)
When you follow these instructions you will overwrite the selected Project and all of its patterns.
Be sure this is what you want to do! If not, be sure to find out which memory location is available and store the Project there instead.
-------------------------------------
Sequence Length
The default length is 16 steps, but a sequence can be up to 64 steps long.
If you’d like your sequence to be less than 16 steps long, simply hold the LST STEP button and then press the Step button that corresponds to the desired setting.
To make longer sequences:
(Chapter 4.3.5.1 of manual)
1. press the << and >> buttons at the same time . The buttons should be dark.
Hold the LST STEP button. •
Press the >> button once. A white LED will appear above the number 32.
Press Step button 16 (technically it’s button 32 now). It will turn green. •
Release the LST STEP button. Step 32 has now been defined as the last step in the sequence.
Now press << and >> at the same time to enter Sequence Follow mode (the buttons should be lit).
Next, press Play. You should see the Step buttons cycling through two sets of 16 steps, one with data and one without. You should also see the Step Group LEDs changing every 16 steps:
Steps 1-16: Red LED over #16, White LED over #32 •
Steps 17-32: unlit LED over #16, Pink LED over #32 (White + Red)
The Red LED indicates the current position of the sequence. The White LED means that the last step in the sequence is during steps 17-32.
If you decide you want more than 32 steps for this sequence, hold the LST STEP button and press >> until the White LED is over the right number. Then press the appropriate Step button and you’re ready to create.
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
ARP 2500 - My Monday Fix
Playing around with the 1004T VCO
This is a unedited and live video. The two main modules used are the 1004T (toggle switch) VCO and a 1047 filter.
The 1004 oscillator is the most versatile in the series (1004T, 1004R, 1004p) R & P stand for Rocker & Pot.
The 1004T has inverted waveforms & a built in mixer.
This is a unedited and live video. The two main modules used are the 1004T (toggle switch) VCO and a 1047 filter.
The 1004 oscillator is the most versatile in the series (1004T, 1004R, 1004p) R & P stand for Rocker & Pot.
The 1004T has inverted waveforms & a built in mixer.
Synthrotek - 1U Stereo mixer
A very very easy build today.
Parts are cheap too.
It's built around a TL074 opamp.
Great is you have a tight space. Only 1U.
The assembly instructions are here:
http://www.synthrotek.com/kit-assembly-instructions/modular-circuit-assembly-instructions/1u-eurorack-module-assembly-instructions/1u-stereo-output-mixer-assembly-instructions/
You can purchase these from Matt at RhythmActive
or direct from the manufacturer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts are cheap too.
It's built around a TL074 opamp.
Great is you have a tight space. Only 1U.
The assembly instructions are here:
http://www.synthrotek.com/kit-assembly-instructions/modular-circuit-assembly-instructions/1u-eurorack-module-assembly-instructions/1u-stereo-output-mixer-assembly-instructions/
You can purchase these from Matt at RhythmActive
or direct from the manufacturer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chiang Mai, Thailand - Wat Chedi Luang
Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so named because it became the new
capital of the Lan Na kingdom when it was founded in 1296.
It's in the northern mountainous region of Thailand. There are plenty of historic temples to visit. My favourite is Wat Chedi.
Wat Chedi Luan's construction began in the 14th century, though records indicate it took over 100 years to complete.... prob finished in the mid 15thC. ??
In 1468, the famous Emerald Buddha was installed in the eastern niche. In 1545, the upper 30 m of the structure collapsed after an earthquake, and shortly thereafter, in 1551, the Emerald Buddha was moved to Luang Prabang. The Emerald Buddha is today housed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
It's in the northern mountainous region of Thailand. There are plenty of historic temples to visit. My favourite is Wat Chedi.
Wat Chedi Luan's construction began in the 14th century, though records indicate it took over 100 years to complete.... prob finished in the mid 15thC. ??
In 1468, the famous Emerald Buddha was installed in the eastern niche. In 1545, the upper 30 m of the structure collapsed after an earthquake, and shortly thereafter, in 1551, the Emerald Buddha was moved to Luang Prabang. The Emerald Buddha is today housed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
the city pillar (Lak Mueang) of Chiang Mai, named Sao Inthakin. It was moved to this location in 1800 by King Chao Kawila; it was originally located in Wat Sadeu Muang.
reclining Buddha
wihan of Wat Chedi Luang
Inside the wihan of Wat Chedi Luang,
Inside the wihan of Wat Chedi Luang, money offerings are dropped into alms bowls during the festival
"The Inthakin or Lak Mueang Festival in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand (also known as Sai Khan Dok or Bucha Sao Inthakin in Thai),
starts on the 12th day of the waning moon of the six lunar month and
lasts eight days. Centered around Wat Chedi Luang, this is a celebration
of Brahmic origin. On the first day, which is called Tam Bun Khan Dok (lit. "Flower Bowl Blessing"), offerings of flowers, candles and incense are made to the city pillar as well as the many other Buddhist and Lanna-era
icons. Dancing, musical performances, carnival games, and Thai vendor
food is present. This is a very large celebration in which the Chiang
Mai citizenry participate." Wikipedia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, 13 June 2016
CellF - live performance, Sydney 10th & 12th June
I had the pleasure of seeing CellF again. The performance was held at the National Art School, Sydney.
This is cybernetics applied to synthesizers & electronic music.
Norbert Wiener defined cybernetics in 1948 as "the scientific study of control and communication in the animal and the machine"
Guy Ben-Ary who donated the original skin cells,
Nathan Thompson who designed the housing/incubator and
Andrew Fitch of NonLinearCircuits (NLC) who designed the synthesizer itself.
For more info, click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/the-cellf-project-university-of-western.html
Guy's skin cells were converted into neurons using stem cell technology.
These were then grown on an array of 60 electrodes which connect the cells to the NLC synthesizer.
The incubator/cells are housed in the glass cube:
These cells can both receive and send information with the outside world via these electrodes.
I think Andrew's synth is just as important.
Some pics:
It's the translator between the cells & the outside world.
So what does this all sound like? I've seen & heard CellF on a number of occasions and the sounds are always changing & developing.
Friday's performance used a fresh batch of cells which sounded very excitable & energetic.
It was at times hard to distinguish the synthesizer keyboard (Yamaha) from the cells.
Sunday's performance used a drummer, a double bass & a violinist.
I quite enjoyed this. The space between sounds allowed the cells to be better heard.
Maybe they were also tired after the last 3 days.
Sunday, 12 June 2016
Sega Master console
Some future hacking ahead of this wonderful piece of kit.
Thanks to Renee & Wonderboy
.
The sounds are classic 1980s chiptune.
...
Little-scale has some excellent info:
http://little-scale.blogspot.com.au/2008/06/how-to-make-32kb-sega-master-system.html
The Japanese Master System used the Yamaha YM2413, aka OPLL.
It's a cost-reduced FM synthesis sound chip manufactured by Yamaha Corporation and based on their YM3812 (OPL2). The FM sound generator uses an 8-Bit data bus to control all of the registers.
I don't have a Japanese version. This uses the following:
CPU
Zilog Z0840004PSC
This is an 8-bit processor running at 4 MHz.
I/O Controller
Sega 315-5237
RAM
NEC D4168C-15 or NEC D4168C-15-SG
VDP
Sega 315-5246
VRAM
2 x NEC D4168C-15 or 2 x NEC D4168C-15-SG
Video Encoder
Sony CXA1145P
It has 8 kB of ROM, 8 kB of RAM and 16 kB of video RAM. Video is provided through an RF switch and displays at a resolution of 256 × 192 pixels.
Sound is provided by the SN76489 PSG (Texas Instruments) chip. The Japanese version also integrates the YM2413 FM chip, which had been an optional feature on the Mark III.
The PSG (programmable sound generator), or PSG, is a sound chip that generates sound waves by synthesizing multiple basic waveforms, and and combining them into more complex waveforms.
The game cartridge slot.
The SN76489 Digital Complex Sound Generator (DCSG) is a TTL-compatible programmable sound generator chip from Texas Instruments. It contains:
https://moddedbybacteria.wordpress.com/sega-master-system-2-sms/
The above link is very useful.
Audio is tapped off the sega 315-5246 at pin 15.
The pinout info re the rest of the Sega 315-5246 seems to concern video rather than audio.
So attempting to mod this console would probably end in tears for me.:-(
Maybe a better option is to purchase a SN 6849 and build a synth around this.
They are literally "cheap as chips". I bought 5 for under $3.
Some SN76489 synth links:
http://little-scale.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/how-to-build-sn76489-usb-midi-module.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Squareinator-A-SN76489-Monosynth/
https://github.com/cdodd/teensy-sn76489-midi-synth
http://www.atkinsoft.com/soundgenerators.html
Thanks to Renee & Wonderboy
.
The sounds are classic 1980s chiptune.
...
Little-scale has some excellent info:
http://little-scale.blogspot.com.au/2008/06/how-to-make-32kb-sega-master-system.html
The Japanese Master System used the Yamaha YM2413, aka OPLL.
It's a cost-reduced FM synthesis sound chip manufactured by Yamaha Corporation and based on their YM3812 (OPL2). The FM sound generator uses an 8-Bit data bus to control all of the registers.
I don't have a Japanese version. This uses the following:
CPU
Zilog Z0840004PSC
This is an 8-bit processor running at 4 MHz.
I/O Controller
Sega 315-5237
RAM
NEC D4168C-15 or NEC D4168C-15-SG
VDP
Sega 315-5246
VRAM
2 x NEC D4168C-15 or 2 x NEC D4168C-15-SG
Video Encoder
Sony CXA1145P
It has 8 kB of ROM, 8 kB of RAM and 16 kB of video RAM. Video is provided through an RF switch and displays at a resolution of 256 × 192 pixels.
Sound is provided by the SN76489 PSG (Texas Instruments) chip. The Japanese version also integrates the YM2413 FM chip, which had been an optional feature on the Mark III.
The PSG (programmable sound generator), or PSG, is a sound chip that generates sound waves by synthesizing multiple basic waveforms, and and combining them into more complex waveforms.
The game cartridge slot.
The SN76489 Digital Complex Sound Generator (DCSG) is a TTL-compatible programmable sound generator chip from Texas Instruments. It contains:
- 3 square wave tone generators.
- A wide range of frequencies.
- 16 different volume levels.
- 1 noise generator.
- 2 types (white noise and periodic).
- 3 different frequencies.
- 16 different volume levels.
https://moddedbybacteria.wordpress.com/sega-master-system-2-sms/
The above link is very useful.
Audio is tapped off the sega 315-5246 at pin 15.
The pinout info re the rest of the Sega 315-5246 seems to concern video rather than audio.
So attempting to mod this console would probably end in tears for me.:-(
Maybe a better option is to purchase a SN 6849 and build a synth around this.
They are literally "cheap as chips". I bought 5 for under $3.
Some SN76489 synth links:
http://little-scale.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/how-to-build-sn76489-usb-midi-module.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Squareinator-A-SN76489-Monosynth/
https://github.com/cdodd/teensy-sn76489-midi-synth
http://www.atkinsoft.com/soundgenerators.html
Monday, 6 June 2016
Buchla Easel Variation 3
Published on May 21, 2016
Some easel exercises & experiments. A homage to A.C.A simple but quite beautiful tune.
Sorry for the distortion in the audio. My sound cards playing up a bit.
A special wine for a special occasion.
The vines are 40years old. The current vintage is 2013.. its a steal. Dan Murphys is selling this at $339 for a 6pack. It will cellar very well, probably to 2028 & beyond ???
This bottle is from 1994... OMG, thats 22 years. Beautiful to drink.
Back to the synths:
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Wine Links
Some wine links:
This will be index page devoted to all things wine.
Wine, esp red wine is one of my joys (along with electronics & travel).
References to some of the nicer drops drunk recently are all over this blog, and I sometimes forget where these pages are. So this is kind of a wine diary.
+++Mutable Instruments Grids ...& Wine
1990 vintage port from Steins in Mudgee NSW.
Tollana Cabernet Sav from 1995. (Eden Valley, South Australia)
+++Buchla - Wall of Sound & Wine
1995.“Barwang” - Hilltops region of New South Wales.
http://mcwilliams.com.au/our-wine/regionality/hilltops/
+++Buchla Tempest Glitch & Wine
+++Korg Volca Beats Mod & Taylors Shiraz, 2001. Clare Valley, SA.
http://www.taylorswines.com.au/
+++ Buchla Easel Variation & Lindemands St. George, Cab Sav. 1994.
This will be index page devoted to all things wine.
Wine, esp red wine is one of my joys (along with electronics & travel).
References to some of the nicer drops drunk recently are all over this blog, and I sometimes forget where these pages are. So this is kind of a wine diary.
+++Mutable Instruments Grids ...& Wine
1990 vintage port from Steins in Mudgee NSW.
Tollana Cabernet Sav from 1995. (Eden Valley, South Australia)
+++Buchla - Wall of Sound & Wine
1995.“Barwang” - Hilltops region of New South Wales.
http://mcwilliams.com.au/our-wine/regionality/hilltops/
+++Buchla Tempest Glitch & Wine
+++Korg Volca Beats Mod & Taylors Shiraz, 2001. Clare Valley, SA.
http://www.taylorswines.com.au/
Monday, 30 May 2016
Basic Chords & Arpeggios for synths
Some basic chords you can learn which are useful for lots of tunes:
C, F, G and A minor.
It's important to be able to play these chords in many different shapes and inversions.
Synths offer hundreds , if not thousands of different ways of playing these simple chords.
All these chords come from the C major scale.
The only difference between an arpeggio and a chord, is that in a chord, you play
the notes simultaneously, while in an arpeggio you play the notes one after the other.
Arpeggios are sometimes referred to as broken chords.
C chord
The C chord contains three notes – C, E and G
F chord
F Major : F A C
The G chord
G Major: G B D
The A minor Chord
A min uses A C E
---------------------------------------------------
Chord progressions
A very basic chord progression is C, G, A minor, F
Another good progression is F, G, Am, C, F G Am, Em
You can play these keys in any inversion.
The left hand may play just one or two of these keys to form the bass notes.
The right hand plays all 3 keys of higher notes
The lowest note played with the left hand has a big effect on the whole sound of the chord.
It's often the one its named after (the root note).
This is a kind of a default but you don't have to always follow this rule.
Practice , practice, practice.....
Many thanks to Bill and Jordan for their great tutorials around which
these notes are based:
Of course once you have got these under your belt you can think about
layering arpeggios of these chord notes over their root chords
1, 3, 5 ... remember these numbers
They belong to the Fibonacci Sequence.
--- welcome to the world of the arppegio.
The 1, 3, 5 pattern is known as a triad.
It makes the most simple chords.
The C major, the F chord, the G chord and the A minor chord are all in the
basic 1,3,5 sequence.
Links
Sunday, 22 May 2016
Korg PS 3100 - Temperament Adjust
The Temperament Adjustment allows you to tune the synth to different scales.
In the manual, it's described as a 12 note Temperament Adjust
Eg: Mean tone system, the Hepatonal Scale & the Just intonation scale.
In the Western world, we are used to the "Well Tempered Scale"
In the manual, it's described as a 12 note Temperament Adjust
Eg: Mean tone system, the Hepatonal Scale & the Just intonation scale.
In the Western world, we are used to the "Well Tempered Scale"
Saturday, 21 May 2016
Korg PS 3100 - Signal Generator - Oscillators
The signal generator (SG) is Korg speak for the oscillators.
The different waveforms are TRI, SAW etc.
PWM, Frequency adjust... fine & coarse.
Immediately below the SG section we have the modulation section.
For this to be active push the right orange switch to "on".
Notice the reverse switch on the left.
This section allows you to route MG1 (LFO) , the GEG (General Envelope Generator) or some external modulation source to the SGs.
So you can frequency modulate. :-)
The different waveforms are TRI, SAW etc.
PWM, Frequency adjust... fine & coarse.
Immediately below the SG section we have the modulation section.
For this to be active push the right orange switch to "on".
Notice the reverse switch on the left.
This section allows you to route MG1 (LFO) , the GEG (General Envelope Generator) or some external modulation source to the SGs.
So you can frequency modulate. :-)
Friday, 20 May 2016
Korg PS 3100 - Dynamic Low Pass Filter
The Low Pass Filter.
You have your standard controls ... Cut off frequency (Fc) & peak resonance (Q).
Remember that the PS 3100 has a independent filter for every key.
The Peak resonance (Q) knob adjusts the degree of emphasis at the cut off point, determined by the Fc knob
Below this is the KBD Filter balance & expand.
They allow you to adjust how the filter behaves along the span of the keyboard.
The KBD Filter Balance adjusts the Fc of each of the key's independent filters over a rising or falling slope corresponding to the scale of the keyboard.
The EXPAND knob adjusts the degree to which the Fc is varied by the envelope signal formed by the EM section (to the right).
Below the filter section is a modulation section.
You need to push the orange switch to "on" for this section to be active.
There are controls for the MG1, GEG & external CV modulation signals.
The MG 1 & GEG knobs adjust the depth of modulation.
It's very similar to the mod section of the Signal Generators.
You have your standard controls ... Cut off frequency (Fc) & peak resonance (Q).
Remember that the PS 3100 has a independent filter for every key.
The Peak resonance (Q) knob adjusts the degree of emphasis at the cut off point, determined by the Fc knob
Below this is the KBD Filter balance & expand.
They allow you to adjust how the filter behaves along the span of the keyboard.
The KBD Filter Balance adjusts the Fc of each of the key's independent filters over a rising or falling slope corresponding to the scale of the keyboard.
The EXPAND knob adjusts the degree to which the Fc is varied by the envelope signal formed by the EM section (to the right).
Below the filter section is a modulation section.
You need to push the orange switch to "on" for this section to be active.
There are controls for the MG1, GEG & external CV modulation signals.
The MG 1 & GEG knobs adjust the depth of modulation.
It's very similar to the mod section of the Signal Generators.
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