Sunday, 26 August 2018

Arturia - Beatstep / Keystep Pro & Hexinverter Mutant Brain - midi channels

 
Straight out of the box, the Hexinverter Mutant brain has the following settings:
 
cv A

channel 1 note pitch
cv B
Channel 2 note pitch
cv C
channel 2 note pitch
cv D
Channel 4 note pitch
gate 1
channel 1 note gate
gate 2
Channel 2 note gate
gate 3
channel 3 note gate
gate 4
Channel 4 note gate
 
 The top 4 CV  & top 4 Gate outputs are set up for your melodic sequencers
 
 
The drum gates are all on MIDI channel 10
There are eight of them
 

gate 5
channel 10 trigger, note C4 (60)
gate 6
channel 10 trigger, note D4 (62)
gate 7
channel 10 trigger, note E4 (64)
gate 8
channel 10 trigger, note F4 (65)
gate 8
channel 10 trigger, note G4 (67)
gate 9
channel 10 trigger, note A4 (69)
gate 10
channel 10 trigger, note B4  (71)
gate 11
channel 10 trigger, note C5  (72)
 
You can change the settings of the Mutant brain if you wish, but I think it's easier to just change the settings on the beatstep pro or Keystep pro.
 The webpage for changing the mutant settings is here


So how do I change my MIDI channel on BeatStep?
 
Press DRUM, hold CHAN, and then select the channel you want the drums to send on. 
Press SEQUENCER 1, hold CHAN and choose a channel for the first sequencer to send on.
Press SEQUENCER 2, hold CHAN, and choose a channel for the second sequencer to send on.
 
 
 
 

Saturday, 25 August 2018

Roman 246r - Buchla Format - build notes 1

 
 These are my build notes for the Roman 246r
It's a Buchla format module.
I purchased the PCBs and panel many years ago.
I think you can still buy these from the electric Music Store.
The module is 5U wide. ... so pretty big.
 

 These are just my personal build notes.
I'm not a pro technician. 
These pics and notes as just to help me trouble shoot should I run into any problems.
 


The 1st PCB holds the pots and switches.

The 2nd panel is the main motherboard
These are pics from left to right
 



 



 I'm undecided if you add any mods or build this stock.
Dave Brown has an excellent page on his mods of a 246.
I might try this.

1N457 first

PCB 1. There are 97 of these
D1 - d97
 



On this PCB I've r
emoved R27, R28 R29, and R31 .
These are the 4K99 resistors


Also

Reference  Output

PCB1:
Change R3 to a link/wire.
Remove R5.
















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

Board 2 next post






Friday, 24 August 2018

Teenage Engineering OP-Z battery

  OP-Z, the battery specifications are:

  • Li-Ion 740mAh
  • 3.7V-740mAh-2.74Wh
  • 6 hour battery life
  • 1 year stand-by time
  • user replaceable
The battery is hard to find.
If  The OP z hasnt been used for a while it may just have to be woken up.
Apparently this is common with Li-ion batteries 


 
From the support pages this worked:
 
 
  • connect OP-Z to a computer or usb charger, using the usb-c cable, and power it on.
  • while still connected through usb-c, turn the unit over, loosen the four yellow screws and remove the back panel.
  • remove the battery from the OP-Z.
  • press the screen index button on OP-Z.
    a red led will light up, confirming no battery is present. this will reset the battery indicator.
  • Leave the OP-Z connected to the USB cable/power
  • turn OP-Z off and reinsert the battery back in the unit.
  • Leave the OP-Z connected to the USB cable & power
  • Let it charge up to at least 1 hour
  • Disconnect the USB cable
  • turn OP-Z on and you should be good to go. 
  • seal the back panel and continue to charge the battery.


 

Expert Sleepers - FH - 1 - MIDI Continuous Controller Assignments CCs

 
On the Expert sleepers website there are two important MIDI charts:
1. MIDI Note On/Off (MIDI/CV conversion)
2. MIDI Continuous CC 

  MIDI Continuous Controller Assignments

 This table is a bit different to the Note On/Off table
 

So what are CCs ?
This is a big category, because it includes 127 individual CC message types.  
These are just a few examples.

CC#1 is defined as ModWheel, simply because it’s generated by the other (Modulation) wheel found on virtually all MIDI controllers . However, it can be assigned differently. Eg Roland's V.I.s use CC#1 for continuously open/closed hi-hat control.
 
CC#7 and CC#10 are MIDI Volume and Pan
 
CC#11 is defined as “Expression”—this is meant to be the player’s volume control
 
 CC#64, though it can carry a continuous stream of CC messages, is usually implemented as an On-Off switch to control the MIDI keyboard’s damper pedal (0-63 = pedal up, 64-127 = pedal down). 
 
 
In the FH-1 environment , the e assignments are generally in groups of 8 sets of 8 CCs, numbered 0-7. The numbers refer to the expander (FHX-1) number, 'expander 0' being the FH-1 itself.
 

This is the top left of the CC table
Faders 0 is the impt one.
“Faders” means direct CC control of the output CV
It refers to the FH-1 itself . You read CC 0-7
This indicates that 
output 1 sends data via CC 0
output 2 sends data via CC1
etc
output 8 sends data via CC 7

Faders 1 would indicate the 1st FHx-1 expansion module
It sends data via CC 8 - 15 
Faders 4 would be the 4th expansion module
 
 
So if you don't have any expansion modules, just look for any word with a "0" after it.
For example on midi channel 3, the LFO speed is controlled by CC's 0-7 
These are the LFO speeds for the FH-1's own outputs, CC 0 corresponding to output 1, CC 1 corresponding to output 2, and so on up to CC 7 corresponding to output 8

Any changes we make to the factory setting, we can save as a preset.

One of my first midi controllers was a Korg Nano Kontrol
 

I'm glad I never threw it away as its a great CC controller.
Works well with the FH-1 too
 
   + Expert Sleepers - FH-1 - MIDI Note On/off 

Thursday, 23 August 2018

Ian Fritz 2 x AD/AR - build

These are not official build notes.. just some pics to help future trouble shooting.
The module was actually really easy to build and uses easy to find parts.


It's a cost-effective alternative to other designs & will take just about any signal you feed it and generate an envelope. Quite a dense build and only 4 hp.



If you use a trigger pulse, the unit's output is an attack-decay (AD) envelope.
If you use a gate its output is an attack-release (AR) envelope.

 The BOM called for
2 x 9mm 250kA Logarithmic alpha potmeters or similar AttackA, AttackB
2 x 9mm 1MA Logarithmic  alpha potmeters or similar Dec/RelA, Dec/RelB

 I couldn't source the A250K pots so used B250K pots instead.

From the build notes
"other potmeters with different values or taper are also possible but they change the range in possible attack and decay/release times (or the curve)"



"The trigger pulse may be initiated by any signal with a positive-going 1.5 V crossing, for example, a trigger pulse or a waveform from an LFO, noise source or chaos generator."




Notes:
" in the original design the output is to low (around 2v), I recommend to remove the voltage divider before the output if you want the output around 7.75v (remove r12 and short the holes of r11)
or leave r11 2.2k) and replace r12 to 4.7k if you want it around 5v. (Modular Addict)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, 20 August 2018

XOR nerdSeq - getting started

The NERD SEQ has 6 pages
1. Sequencer
2. Pattern
3. Patch
4. Table
5. Automate
6. Project 

Sequencer Page/Screen
The seq page is the most used page.
To return to the sequencer page just press SEQUENCER 
The sequencer screen is where you arrange the pattern order 
and the order of the songs.
You can also create loops here

The sequencer screen will show you the 8 different Tracks.
Each Track is made up of Patterns (176).
Each Pattern contains Patches(176), Tables(32), Automation (16) & samples (12)

It's important to remember:
"Some functions can also be routed to outputs without the use of any sequence. For example, an envelope can be routed directly to a CV/MOD output. The envelope itself can then again be triggered/gated by a sequence, a table, CV inputs or other sources." Manual

Also numbers are represented in Hexadecimal form.
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F,
10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,1F 
20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,2A,2B,2C,2D,2E,2F
30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,3A,3B,3C,3D,3E,3F
etc etc
the number after 9F goes to A0 
 These rows go all the way to FE (254 in decimal).
 

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

To create a new pattern 
press OK on an empty field.
The created pattern gets a new pattern-number, but the new pattern itself will be empty.

To insert a pattern that is already used (clone)
press Shift & OK

To delete a pattern
press shift & delete
 

Solo/Unsolo track: Using SHIFT + UP + START solos the current track.
 
For fast unmuting all tracks you can press SHIFT + UP + START 
 
Note the same Mute/Solo functions can be used with the Trigger16 Expander when on the pattern screen. 
 
The ‘**’ in a sequencer field represents a function to stop a track.  
If you want to start the whole row, press SHIFT+ START
SHIFT+ STOP stops the player. Initiates a reset pulse on the reset outputs and resets all gates.
 
Pattern Page/Screen.
Here, you fill in notes, data, triggers, gates, etc
The screen has 9 columns
 

1. Row
2. Note
3. Patch
4. table
5. trigger/gate
6. modulation/cv
7. effects
8. groove
9. screen name
 
Notes:
eg C-4 for Note C in octave 4; D#5 for d-sharp’ in octave 5.
[ ] = note off
 
Patch
Patches are presets that can be set on every sequencer step
Press OK to create a new patch. 

 
Press SHIFT + OK on a filled in patch to Clone the filled in patch into a new patch. 
In general this contains your knob positions which can be called back at any time if wanted. 
You can enter the patch screen from the pattern screen. 
Press the PATCH button.
 
You can navigate up/down and change the values with shift left-right-up-down.
 
 
 Table
 Table is to select a table to transpose notes or effects. 
 
Trigger, turn the trigger output on/off
 
MOD changes the Modulation output of the track to a value 000 - FFF (range from 0 - 10 Volt or -5/+5 Volt). Furthermore, the MOD output can also Generate Note-scaled values
 
Effects ... things like glide, probability, etc

 
 To be continued....
 
 

Friday, 17 August 2018

Roland Tr-707 & 727 - Changing the sync mode

The 707 drum can be synced (slaved) to external sequencers or synths.
It can also act as the master timing device.
 
Master Mode.
In MASTER MODE, the drum sends DIN, Tape and MIDI sync data at the same time.
This is in both Track mode and in Pattern mode.
I think if your devices require both DIN and MIDI syncing, then setting the 707 as a master is the easiest way to combine things.
 Din Sync is best with vintage roland gear like the TB 303 , TR 606, 808 & 909.

Slave Mode

Use use this procedure to change the sync settings between internal, MIDI,
tape, and din sync on the TR-707/727:

1) Enter Track Play mode.
2) Press the STOP button to stop the rhythm if it is running.
3) While holding SHIFT, press SYNC MODE to change between the
different slave/sync modes.

Display will show:

5-d = DIN Sync
5-t = Tape Sync
5-n = MIDI Sync
Number (Tempo Value) = Internal Sync
 
4. Make sure you go back to PATTERN mode.
 
If you are using Midi sync, any of the 16 channels wont matter.

 

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

New Sound Waves - Meeting Sunday 12th Aug

This meeting was held at Monster Mouse Studio
in Marrickville.

 https://www.facebook.com/newsoundwaves/

 I love Serge !




 Lots of fun.
 Eurorack, Serge, Foltek, Its all awesome


We will try to held this on a regular basis so please come along to the next one.




Ilya almost stole the show with his LZX Cyclops


The module controls  Lazer .
There are 5 CV inputs -- Xaxis, Y axis & Red, Green & Blue.
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=167664&sid=40ee8423831cca3fc2cff8bfe55ce5f6

https://www.lzxindustries.net//shop/product/lzxilda-cyclops-2189



Dark Psyde of the Moon

 Lots of fun.Held on Sat the 28th July 2018

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on
This psytrance party was held at the  Rad Bar Wollongong
The acts were: Majahkil - Satori - Meraki - Virus Installer
https://www.facebook.com/events/1932088780194897/?ti=icl

 There will be another one probably in Early 2019.

A post shared by jono (@dj_jondent) on

Saturday, 11 August 2018

New Sound Waves meeting today

Hope to meet you here.
Beer is $5
& there are Lots of synths

It will be held at Monster Mouse Studio

https://www.facebook.com/newsoundwaves/

Upcoming events:
A DIY synth workshop
This first workshop is aimed at beginners or anyone who wants to learn how to build a Eurorack Synth case. It is held in cooperation with Sydney-based Metro Modular and will provide participants with a robust 6Ux104HP carry-case with a lid (optional).

I had the pleasure of seeing the early prototype of the case everyone will build.
https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2018/07/new-sound-waves-eurorack-case-build.html

Details and registration:
http://newsoundwavesrecords.com/new-sound-waves-diy-workshop-001-case-w-psu/
There will be plenty of help on hand. So come along if you want to know more about modular synths.
 https://www.facebook.com/events/521408411610797/

Monday, 23 July 2018

Expert Sleepers - FH-1 - Midi Note On/off

Such a deep module.
It's so much more than a USB host
It can be a sequencer, a MIDI clock, it can be a bank of 8 LFOs, it can be an arpeggiator.
The FH-1 actually has two independent 4 lane sequencers

The manual is tricky to comprehend.
So maybe it's better to not mess with the scripts ... unless you know what you are doing.

Out of the box, the FH-1 should be able to handle most instruments with the initial A1 encoder setting.
 
The preferred approach is to configure your MIDI controller to send the right MIDI CCs to get the response from the FH-1 that you require.
 
On the Expert sleepers website there are two important MIDI charts:
1. MIDI Note On/Off (MIDI/CV conversion)
 
 

MIDI NOTE on/off

 
I'm using my Arturia Keystep (The Teenage Engineering OP-1, korg nano key and squarp pyramid also work well).
 

 
This is how you get Monophonic CV/gate pairs. 
MIDI channels 1-4 output CV/gate pairs on outputs 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 respectively
 

If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 1 
Pitch CV output is 1, and gate output is 2

If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 2
Pitch CV output is 3, and gate output is 4
 
If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 3
Pitch CV output is 5, and gate output is 6

If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 4
Pitch CV output is 7, and gate output is 8
 
 





 So a polyphonic MIDI keyboard such as the Arturia Key Step Pro should be able to handle
The CV/Gate for 4 independent voices if you set each sequencer to a different midi channel.
 
If you are just using the FH-1 (no expander)
you can get two channels of CV/gate/Velocity and one channel of CV/gate
by setting up your controller to midi channels 5, 6 & 7
 

 
 If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 5
Pitch CV output is 1, and gate output is 2, vel is 3

If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 6
Pitch CV output is 4, and gate output is5. vel is 6
 
If the Keystep is set to  Midi Channel 7
Pitch CV output is 7, and gate output is 8
 

Midi Channels 9 & 10 give CV, Gate, Velocity and aftertouch.
at outputs 1-4 and 5-8
 
 

 Midi channel 15 gives 2 channels of Poly CV & gate, paraphonic gate with poly velocity and after touch.

Midi channel 16 gives four CV/gate poly voices
 
 


Midi Channels 12, 13 & 14 cover triggers & gates
Midi channel 12 produces Trigger/accent pairs on keyboard  MIDI notes 64 - 95  
Triggers are generated on outputs 1, 3, 5, 7
Accents are generated on outputs 2, 4, 6, 8

• Triggers (no velocity). MIDI channel 13, notes 0-63. 
• Gates (no velocity). MIDI channel 13, notes 64-12
 
 • Triggers (with velocity). MIDI channel 14, notes 0-63. 
• Gates (with velocity). MIDI channel 14, notes 64-127.