Saturday, 9 November 2019

Yamaha TX81z

Some pics of this Yamaha Tone Generator.


Though its only 4 operators , it sounds great.


Maybe a new classic??
It can be configured to act as 8 independent instruments.  .... each controlled on a different midi channel.

It's a 1-unit rackmount module ...basically a key-less version of the DX-11.
The sounds are similar to the DX-21 and DX-27. 

 The TX81Z has 5 banks of 32 voices. Banks A-D contain factory preset voices.
Use the PARAMETER keys to select banks I, A, B, C, D. Use the DATA ENTRY keys to select voices 1-32 in each bank.

 




...jUST 8 algorithms 




 A pull-out card lists the main operations of the TX81Z.
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You can edit your own voices... In single mode , press the edit-compare button.


 Use the PARAMETER keys to move through the parameters, Use the DATA ENTRY keys to change the datavalue. When the LCD shows several parameters at once, use the CURSOR keys to move the blinking cursor to the parameter you want to set.

While editing a voice, you can compare it with the original voice. Press EDIT/COMPARE. The LED will begin blinking, and the LCD will show a “c” in theupper left corner, indicating “Compare”.Use the PARAMETER keys to lookthrough the parameters. 

This editor looks good


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FM Index
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Friday, 8 November 2019

Wasp filter Vintage and AE modular

I'm just getting into the AE modular.
The lovely small format is esp useful for live performance.
I can carry a whole modular in a small suitcase.
And its battery powered.

A friend asked me to do a video comparing WASP filters.
I hope this helps the community.


The Tangible Waves / Abused Electronics modular
https://www.tangiblewaves.com/


The WASP filter is based around a simple CMOS chip.
The 4069.... its an inverter.
If you're going to build one the CMOS ic has to be unbuffered  ... use CD4069UB
The original vintage circuit also uses the CA3080 ... a OTA...Operational Transconductance Amplifier

The AE modular wasp inspired filter uses vactrols for controlling the filter frequency.​




Links
+ Elby/kenstone
+ https://www.tangiblewaves.com/

Thursday, 7 November 2019

Jasper-Wasp build pics - part 1


Jasper Build notes. I'm building this for a friend.
These aren't official notes and I'm not a professional Synth Technician..
Just my personal thoughts to help me trouble shoot if I encounter any probs.

The official website where you can buy a kit is here:
jaspersynth.co.uk

There are lots and lots of CMOS ICs. This is almost a Lunetta synth. Here is my page on CMOS &  Lunetta synths


Anyway, the integrated circuits used in this build are mostly CMOS (with a smattering of the occasional op-amp). I've got a few old vintage WASPs and I love how they sound .esp considering the simple components.
This is the main Jasper PCB. The keyboard is attached.
I like how the colour of the keys is reversed.

 iT should be a fun build. This is a rev 2.2 , July 2017 PCB.


Here is a list of the ICs used.
LM386 or NJM386D
555
CMOS 555 like TLC555CP recommended
LM3900

CD4006 - shift register
CD4013 - dual flip flop
CD4016 -- analog bilateral switch
CD4019
CD4024 - shift register
CD4028
CD4040-- counter .. binary,ripple
CD4046 .. PLL phased locked loop... probably the VCO
CD4052 .... multiplexer.. dual 4 channel
CD4069UBE... its an inverter ... I think this is part of the wasp filter ???
CD4070... XOR gate
CD4071....quad two input OR gate
CD4081... quad 2 input AND gate
CD4503
LM13700
CD40103
CD40174

There are many ways to build this but I like to put the IC sockets on first.

Then caps, resistors, etc. All the simple non polarized stuff.

* R9 and R15 may need changing to adjust master oscillator tuning (4K7 on original).
** R56, R99, R163, R171 changed to 68K to adjust level of pulse/square when using osc vol pots. (150K on original)

For the moment, I'm using what's in the BOM.
R9 & R15 = 3K9
R56, R99, R163, R171 = 68K



Electro caps are polarized. Insert thus: Long lead in square hole.


The link port cable on the underside of the main board.
 The switched pots.


Fix everything into place then solder.

The rotary switches. You need 6 of these.
These are 2 pole, single level.

two alternatives
LorinCK1060
Alpha SR2612F

I went with the Lorin... more expensive.

 You need to cut the shaft to the right length.


You can set the number of positions with the key washer:
In the pic below, it's set to 4.

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

The original vintage circuit also uses the CA3080 ... a OTA...Operational Transconductance Amplifier instead of your standard Op-amp
An OP-AMP is a Voltage to Voltage amplifier.
The OTA is like a op-amp but the output is a current source instead of a voltage source.
Also the OTA has 3 inputs (unlike a op-amp with 2) . The 3rd input sets the gain with a current.

To be continued................. Part 2 of this build is here:
https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2020/02/jasper-build-notes-part-2.html

Links:
+ Jaspersynth
+ BOM
+ Build notes
+ DSL man.de
+ Knobs
+ Elby Knobs
+ Muffs 
+ Muffs - 1 
+ Muffs - Build thread 
+ Buying Jasper
Mouser cart
 

Top 40 Synth Blogs for 2019

Thanks to Feedspot for their rankings.
FEEDSPOT has selected the top 40 blogs / websites from thousands of synthesizer blogs in 2019.
This site has reached #22 for the 2nd year in a row.






Thanks to my viewers who helped put the site on this list.
It's a great honor.


Sunday, 3 November 2019

172 - Dual Signal Leveler

This is a build I'm doing for a friend.
I don't have (or ever have seen an original 172)  vintage one. They must be very rare.
Do contact me if you have a original you'd like to sell.
Until that time, or until Buchla USA decides to make one, this will have to do.

Anyway, back to the build.

These boards are from LA67 in Spain.
They are based from original schematics so I hope will be close to the original.

rESISTORS first

Looks like a really easy build.


The original Buchla 100 catalogue describes the module as:
"Two high-gain, constant-output amplifiers. Output signal levels are maintained at 0db (plus or minus 1 db) for input variations from -40db to +10 db. Time constants are variable from .05 to 5 seconds."

So it appears to be a basic compressor/limiter with a time constant knob for each side.
The time knob I guess sets the attack/release compressor speed ??
A slow time probably provides very gentle changes in loudness where as a very fast time produces an aggressively signal.
 You will usually find in most compressors that even if the peak levels are set the same, a compressed signal will sound louder if it has a faster recovery time.
Im not sure if this module works the same

 Anyway, the build is all descrete components, & through hole.
Nice.


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Buchla Index
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Yamaha DX5 - 2. Function Mode

The DX5 has the same 3 modes: Play, Function & Edit that you find in the DX7.
It's also colour coded like the DX7.

1. Play (white)
2. Function (green)
3. Edit (violet)

The Function Mode
The colour for the Function Mode is Green.
This concerns the programmable parameters that are not concerned with voice programming.
It concerns the various effects you can apply while playing (like after touch & Modulation wheel settings) as well as things like voice data load/save operations and checking the battery.

To access the Function Mode you need to press this GREEN FUNCTION BUTTON


Below are the Function Job Tables. (you won't see this on a DX7).

tHESE are on the front panel of the DX5 itself.

It shows the various jobs that can be done by using the performance memory / function switches.
(B1 to B8 & P1 to P8)
These switches are dual use (we are using the green function bit)
The Job groups are further divided into 4 sections:
a) Tune (B1)
b) Performance Memory Parameter (B2 to P3)
c) Memory Management (P4 to P7)
d) MIDI (P8)


a) Tune (B1)

Master Tune (B1 - Job1)
Adjusts the overall tuning ...
Both A and B channels are effected simultaneously.
Master Tune data cannot be stored.

-63 to + 63 range.
+0 = A3 is at 440Hz
 -63 = overall pitch of keyboard is 75% lower than standard.
+63 = overall pitch of keyboard is 75% higher than standard.
Use the data entry slider to adjust.

Dual Mode Detune (B1-Job2) 
To get to job 2 just press the B1 button again 
This allows you to detune A & B channels
Creates chorus effects

Range : 0 to 15

0= no detune.


b) Performance Memory Parameter (B2 to P3)

Poly/Mono (B2-Job1)
Controls mono vs poly voice
Use Data Entry -1 for poly , and +1 for mono

In mono mode, acts like a last note priority monophonic keyboard.
In poly mode, The KEY ASSIGN MODE setting is impt.
SINGLE = 32 notes can be played simultaneously.
SPLIT = 16 notes can be played simultaneously on each side of the split point.
DUAL =  16 notes can be played simultaneously.

Source Select (B2-Job2) 
Selects the control source for the two voice generators.
To get to job 2 just press the B2 button again
The control source can be the Keyboard (Normal), a external sequencer, a computer.

Data Range: 0 to 16
0= keyboard
1-16 = corresponding midi channel.
Voice channels A and B can have different Source select settings.

Pitch Bend Range (B3-Job1)
Selects the pitch range of the pitch bend.
range 0 to 12
The pitch bend range will have no effect if Pitch Bend Step is set to a value between 1 & 12.

Pitch Bend Step (B3-Job2)
To get to job 2 just press the B3 button again
Stepped pitch bend effect : Range Between 0 to 12
           0 = smooth pitchbend with no steps.
           1 =  semitone steps
          12 = 1 octave steps.
Voice channels A and B can have different step settings.

Portamento / Glissando (B4-Job1)
Portamento = smooth
Glissando = stepped ... semitone steps.

Portamento Mode (B4-J2)
 To get to job 2 just press the B4 button again
Four modes are available:
1. Retain (Poly mode)
2. Follow (Poly mode)
3. Fingered (mono mode)
4. Fulltime (mono mode)

Portamento Time (B4-job3)
adjusts speed of portamento or Glissando
Range: 0 to 99
 Voice channels A and B can have different settings.

Sustain Pedal Assign (B5-Job 1)
Turns on or off the sustain pedal footswitch.
Voice channels A and B can have different settings.
(Uses yamaha FC4 or FC5 pedals - plugs into the reAR of keyboard) 

 Portamento Pedal assign (B5- J 2)
Turns on or off the portamento pedal footswitch
(Uses yamaha FC4 or FC5 pedals - plugs into the reAR of keyboard)

Output Level Attenuate (B6-J1)
Controls the volume from the output hacks
Voice channels A and B can have different settings.
range :0 to 7

Program output Assign ( B6-J2)
Turns on & off the output from the (P) Program jacks
These are the phone & XLR jacks
Voice channels A and B can have different settings.

Modulation Wheel Sensitivity (B7-J1)
Can be used to control effects like tremolo, wow, volume, vibrato.
Range 0-15
 Voice channels A and B can have different settings.

Modulation Wheel Assign (B7 - J2)
Chooses which type of effect the wheel produces.
Three types :
1. EBC -  EG Bias control
2. AMD -- amplitude modulation depth
3. PMD -- pitch modulation depth

Foot Controller Sensitivity (B8 -J1)
Uses a yamaha FC7
Can be used to control effects like tremolo, wow, volume, vibrato.
Range 0-15
Voice channels A and B can have different settings

Foot controller Assign ( B8-J2)
Chooses which type of effect the FC produces.
Three types :
1. EBC -  EG Bias control
2. AMD -- amplitude modulation depth
3. PMD -- pitch modulation depth

Breath Controller Sensitivity (P1-J1)
Uses a yamaha BC1
Can be used to control effects like tremolo, wow, volume, vibrato.
Range 0-15
Voice channels A and B can have different settings

Breath Controller Assign ( P1-J2)
Chooses which type of effect the BC produces.
Three types :
1. EBC -  EG Bias control
2. AMD -- amplitude modulation depth
3. PMD -- pitch modulation depth

After Touch Sensitivity (P2 J1)
Can be used to control effects like tremolo, wow, volume, vibrato.
Range 0-15
Voice channels A and B can have different settings
After Touch Assign (P2 J2)
Chooses which type of effect the after touch produces.
Three types :
1. EBC -  EG Bias control
2. AMD -- amplitude modulation depth
3. PMD -- pitch modulation depth

Split Point ( P3-J1)
Sets the keyboard split-point.
The SP is entered by appropriate keyboard key. The value will be displayed
on the LCD.

Key Shift (P3-J2)
Used to transpose the pitch of the entire keyboard.
range -24 to +24


Performance Name (P3-J3)
Gives each performance memory a name.
Can be 30 characters in length.


MIDI  (P8)


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FM Index
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