Thursday, 14 September 2017

Null A - NLC Build notes.

Here are the build notes for the Nonlinearcircuit Null A module.
This is in Eurorack format.
It's a reasonably big build so probably not good for a newbie.
Though it has all the major modules one would want so if you feel game go for it.

 2 VCOs, 2 LFOs, 3 VCAs, 2 filters,  1 sequencer, 1 clock divider, 1 mixer, 1 S&H, 1delay, 1 headphone amp and a chaos generator.

Andrew's build notes are here:
http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/data/NULL%20A%20build&%20BOM.pdf
His blog notes are here:
http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/null-a2.html

There are lots and lots of SMDs and 2 PCBs.






I've seen the golden goat.
 These lyrics are from the band "The residents". From the album "Our Finest flowers"

I've seen the golden goat
He would like to lick my throat
I know he's mean and poor
And he waits at my door

He's too weak to do me harm
But he has a big long arm
It fills my dreamy head
Then I shake and wet my bed

Well, there's something I must tell you
I need something I will swear

The only perfect love
Is the one that isn't there
Yeah, the only perfect love
Is the one that isn't there

----------------------------------------------
More NLC wisdom.


Traditionally, in Aristotle's logical calculus view, there are only two possible values
(i.e., "true" and "false" or 0 & 1) for any proposition. 
This is also known as Boolean Logic and is the basis of modern computers.
But in multi-valued logic, there are more than two truth values.
For example, Łukasiewicz and Kleene accept the values "true", "false", and "unknown".
Fuzzy Logic is another example of a non-Aristotleian view of logic.
Here the truth values can be any real number between 0 and 1. It is employed to handle the concept of partial truth, where the truth value may range between completely true and completely false.

Not really sure what this one means.
DPT = Dipropyltryptamine ?
N,N-Dipropyltryptamine (DPT, also known as "The Light") is a psychedelic drug belonging to the tryptamine family, first reported in 1973.
Back to the build:
First components. The 074 op-amps

...

Using 4 x LM13700MX/NOPB
Mouser NO:  926-LM13700MX/NOPB


The module uses one PT2399. Its a guitar aUDIO processor/delay chip.
Mouser doesn't stock these. So found some on ebay.
Look for SOP 16 size.

There are three CMOS chips.
4024,4029, 4052.
Mouser numbers:
595-CD4024BE  
595-CD4029BM
595-CD4052BNSR

I'm using sizes SOIC-14/16, SOP-16
SOIC = Small Outline IC
SOP = Small Outline Package 

"A Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) is a surface-mounted integrated circuit (IC) package which occupies an area about 30 to 50 % less than an equivalent dual in-line package (DIP), with a typical thickness that is 70 % less. They are generally available in the same pin-outs as their counterpart DIP ICs. The convention for naming the package is SOIC or SO followed by the number of pins. For example, a 14-pin 4011 would be housed in an SOIC-14 or SO-14 package."
(Wikipedia)

-------------------------------------------
RL = resistor LED.
R176, R199, R217,261. These set the brightness of your LED. I'm using bipolar LEDs so picking 5k1 .... see how this goes..

 ----------------------


Q11,Q12 & Q29
I used a MMBFJ108 replacement.
Mouser no. 771-PMBFJ108-T/R


1K Tempcos.
Right side of main PCB  
 Centre of main PCB

 Left of main PCB


 Installing headers.

 Lots and lots of jacks n' pots


A NSL vactrol. cheap as chips. K = cathode = white dot on the vactrol.




Couldn't find a SMD 10M resistor. So a through hole had to do.



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http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/non-linear-circuits-ncl-index.html  

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

mODCAN format - Cynthia programmer.

Cyndustries has been out of business for a bit so these are getting hard to find.
Even Cynthia's website is no more, so those old manuals, are sadly gone from the net.
If someone out there does have copies I'd be so grateful if you could contact me.
Anyway, these modules use the Modcan A format.
BENARES is a reference to Serge Tcherepnin.
Back in March 1977 Mr Serge Tcherepnin wrote a do it yourself article in Synapse Magazine for a voltage "Programmer" module. He published it using the alias of Mr. "Arpad Benares" .

The Modcan-A format uses a module height of 9", and a horizontal unit of 2.25".
Banana jacks are used.
A yellow jack indicates an output of some sort;
A gray jack is a signal input;
A white jack indicates a control voltage input;
A red jack is a trigger or gate input (or output in this case).

Each button has an individual gate output and gate input to activate other
modules in your system.
There is also a Common Pulse Out (CPO) jack to
fire your envelope generator no matter which of the buttons is pushed.
The AEP jack --- At End Pulse ...sends a pulse once the last step is reached. handy for switches, reset, transistional events etc 


The format uses ±15V power. The power connector used is a 3-pin MTA-156 connector.
It's very similar to the MOTM format, in which a distribution board connected to the power supply is connected to modules using short power cords with female connectors on both ends.

 Is that a CGS logo on one of the PCBs?

Modcan A modules are 9" high (5u is 8.75 inches) and single width modules are 2.25" wide
The most compact packaging is the Cyndustries sixpacks (13.5" x 9" x 7"). These are entirely different from the dimensions of 19" racks.





This programmer seems very similar to a Serge Programmer. 






But it does have its differences too which makes it worthwhile having. I really dig the extra step and voltage row on the modcan version. Plus those step inputs are so cool. .. you can step back and forward with different lfos



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These programmers can be chained to increase the step length.
Excuse the poor mobile phone audio.
As I don't have a manual I just winged it a bit.
These ribbon cables are how the chaining is accomplished.



i SET up the 3 programmers in a 10/5 step configuration.


Tuesday, 12 September 2017

Data Utility - Electribe 2

First press SHIFT + MENU/ENTER 

Then use left/right arrow buttons till you reach DATA Utility
 
The DATA UTILITY section is useful for doing things like 
factory resets, 
saving an abelton set to the SD card
Format of the SD card
Software updates
Exporting patterns
Importing patterns
Initialising patterns
Exporting audio

-------------------
Abelton .als files

Korg Electribe 2 models can export your music as an Ableton Live Set (.als) file. 
The pattern is saved from your Electribe to an SD card.
 
What's saved:
The Korg-specific files,
An Ableton Live Project consisting of the Live Set and necessary audio files, 
No midi data is saved.

Method:
  • press the Menu/Enter button.

 


  • Use the Cursor buttons and the Menu/Enter button to select the Data Utility menu.
 
 It's 27/28 in the main Menu section 
 
 
Use the Cursor buttons and the Menu/Enter button again to select the Export Audio menu.
 

  • Press Enter.
  • select Ableton Live Set as the type.

  • Press Menu/Enter once again to start the export process.


 When everything is done, it will return to the Export Audio window.

Eject the SD card and take it to your computer.
There is no MIDI data so a performance can't be recorded.

To do this, I just record the audio of a performance straight from the electribe into my DAW.

To record midi from the electribe:
Each pad/sound on the Korg is a midi channel so create 16 midi tracks (or however many channels you're using) and record this during your performance.

Monday, 4 September 2017

Carl Craig - Synthesizer Ensemble - Sydney 2017

Wow .. and what a honour to see this guy live. A legend from Detroit.
This was held at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia

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DJ, Producer, musician. Carl Craig.


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I couldn't see what instruments Craig was using, but each member of his ensemble used a prophet 6


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Thursday, 31 August 2017

Hugo awards - Best sci fi novel 2000's

This is a list of the best novel award for the first decade of the 20th century
The Hugos have been awarded since the 1950s.

The official Hugo Awards website is:
http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/ 


My personal favourites from this decade:
Powers - Ursula Le Guin ( Nebula award)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold  .... world of the 5 god series.
+ Old Mans War by John Scalzi (nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2006). 
+ Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood (2003)


2000
A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge [Tor, 1999]

Published1999 (Tor Books)
Media typePrint (Hardback, Paperback)

 ISBN0-312-85683-0 (Hardback 1st edition),
 ISBN 0-8125-3635-5 (Paperback)













2001
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling [Bloomsbury, 2000; Scholastic, 2000]

Publisher: Bloomsbury (UK)

Publication date: 8 July 2000

 ISBN0-7475-4624-X










2002
American Gods by Neil Gaiman [Morrow, 2001]

 Publisher: William Morrow, Headline
US first edition : Hardcover, 465 pages

Publication date 19th June 2001

The UK edition was also published in 2001
Hardcover, 504 pages .
Published by Headline, London
 

This book was made into a 3 season TV series.







2003
Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer [Analog Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr 2002; Tor, 2002]
















2004
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold [Eos, 2003]



 Publisher: Eos (HarperCollins)
Publication date : September 23, 2003


 ISBN0-380-97902-0










2005
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke [Bloomsbury, 2004]


Publication date
  • 8 September 2004 (US)
  • 30 September 2004 (UK)



ISBN0-7475-7055-8





2006
Spin by Robert Charles Wilson [Tor, 2005]


 Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    March 10, 2005
Media type    Print (Hardcover)
Pages    364
ISBN    0-7653-0938-6









Old Mans War by John Scalzi (nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2006.
This is really easy to read.

2007
Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge [Tor, 2006]


 Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    16 May 2006
Media type    Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages    368 pp. (first edition, hardback)











2008
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins, Fourth Estate)

Publisher    HarperCollins
Publication date
    May 1, 2007
Media type    Print (hardcover)
Pages    414 (first edition, hardcover)

 ISBN 978-0-00-714982-7 (first edition, hardcover)









2009
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins; Bloomsbury UK)

Publisher   

    Harper Collins (US)
    Bloomsbury (UK)

Publication date
    30 September 2008 (US)
Media type    Print, e-book, audiobook
Pages    312 (first edition)
ISBN    978-0-06-053092-1





----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sci Fi Links
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1950's
+ Hugo Awards Best sci fi novels of the 1960's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1970's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi Novels of the 1980's
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels of the 1990's
+ Hugo awards Best sci fi novel of the 2000's (2000 - 2009)
+ Hugo Awards Best Sci Fi novels for the decade 2010-2019
+ Foundation - Isaac Asimov's
+ Dune - The Chronological order of the novels
+ Dune Universe Timeline
+ I, Robot - Isaac Asimov - novels & Magazines
+ Star Wars 
+ vorkoisgan saga reading order - Lois McMaster Bujold

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

sci Fi Index

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

 

TTL - Index and notes

There seem to be three common families of ICs that I regularly come across when building synths.
1. CMOS (digital)
2. Linear (mainly analog)
3. TTL (Digital)

Linear ICs are solid-state analog devices characterized by a theoretically infinite number of possible operating states. They operate over a continuous range of input levels. In contrast, digital ICs have a finite number of discrete input and output states.

I've already started a page on CMOS. You can see it here.
(I'll do a Linear page later)
TTL and CMOS contain digital devices such as logic gates, flip flops, counters, decoders, etc.
Linear ICs are mostly analog and you will see them in amps, oscillators, regulators, etc etc
TTL stands for Transistor-Transistor Logic. They are built from bipolar junction transistors and resistors.
The ICs are mostly 4 or 5 digits and usually start with a 74 or 54. (eg: 7400 or 5404).
They are less sensitive to static electricity (unlike CMOS),
 but have a narrow operational voltage range (5 to 5.25V).
Inputs should always go somewhere. That is not be left floating.

TTL ICs use much more current that CMOS but are faster.
TTL have a low input impedance in comparison to CMOS .

Common ICs
7400 - quad 2 input NAND  eg74HC00 (LZX Castle Multi Gate)
7402 - quad 2 input NOR gate
7404 - Hex inverter
7408 - quad 2 input AND eg:74HC08
7410 - triple 3 input NAND
74100 - Dual 4-bit Latch (Texas Instruments)
7411 - triple 3 input AND
74174 - Flip Flop  LZX Flip Flop Hex w/ Clear  (74HC174)
74191 - four bit counter (LZX castle counter 74HC191N)
7420 - dual 4-input NAND
7421 - Dual 4-input AND
7427 - triple 3 input NOR
74LS273 - CMOS Latch (Ken Stone's CGS11 - D/A converter)
74284 - 4-bit Binary Multiplier, low byte - Texas Instruments
74285 - 4-bit binary multiplier , high byte - Texas Instruments
7432 - quad 2-input OR
74HC393 - flop flop (Hyve Synth)
744002 - dual 4-input NOR
744075 - triple 3-input OR
747266 - quad 2-input XNOR
7486 - quad 2-input XOR
74C922 -  CMOS key encoders with all the necessary logic to encode an array of SPST switches.
                 (Ken Stones CGS 10 pedal)

The history and identification of the TTL chip family
TTL was invented in 1961 by James L. Buie. The first commercial integrated-circuit TTL devices were manufactured by Sylvania in 1963. TTL became popular with electronic systems designers after Texas Instruments introduced the 5400 series of ICs, in 1964 and the later 7400 series in 1966.
The Texas Instruments 7400 family became an industry standard. Compatible parts were made by Motorola, AMD, Fairchild, Intel,and many other manufacturers around the world.

* 74xx - old original chips. Now obsolete
* 74Sxx - Higher speed Schottky. (1969). Also obsolete
* 74LSxx - Low power Schottky
* 74ASxx - Advanced Schottky (1985) 
* 74HCxx - High speed using CMOS circuitry
* 74HCT - High speed,low power using  CMOS circuitry. The devices are pin compatible with             existing devices such as the 74TTL, 74STTL,  4000 series and the 74LS family.
 * 74xx - that have other letters after the 74. These are usually modern, fast surface mount

TTL devices are usually packaged in dual in-line packages (DIPs), usually with 14 to 24 pins.
Today, many TTL-compatible devices are available in surface-mount packages, which are available in a wider array of types than through-hole packages.

Most manufacturers offer commercial and extended temperature ranges: for example Texas Instruments 7400 series parts are rated from 0 to 70 °C, and 5400 series devices over the military-specification temperature range of −55 to +125 °C.

Links
+ Ken Stone Digitally controlled oscillator
+ List of 7400 series ICs
+Transistor-Transistor Logic

 Please let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.

Wednesday, 30 August 2017

Morocco - Casablanca

Some pics of the city of Casablanca , but mainly the mosque (Hassan II).










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The video above was modified using a 3trins video synth.

The Hassan II mosque is the 13th largest in the world. I think it's minaret is the tallest at 210m


the mosque complex was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, took six years to build and was completed in 1993. 







A team of over 6000 master craftspeople was assembled to work on the mosque, delicately carving intricate patterns and designs






For more travel postcards click here: