Friday, 13 November 2020

Modular Synthesizers 101 - Elk Elektroniks Class

I'm looking forward to the upcoming synthesizer meeting on the 21st November at
Elk Electronics. It's just 1 week away. The class will be held in Wollongong, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Check out the FB link for more details

Ed has kindly let us use his work space to spread the word about electronic music.
On the 21st, we will be starting at the beginning and asking the fundamental question:

What are Modular Synthesizers??
 
So if you are new to modulars and interested to begin the journey, this class is for you.
 
In addition, There will be demos using Eurorack , banana and AE modular synths,
plus a Wasp & Minimoog D.
 
 
Note:
Contact Ed via his facebook link to book a spot. This is a Covid safe event and numbers are limited , so contact him first.
 
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These following notes are aimed for someone who is totally new to modular synthesizers.
They are the first part of the modular synth beginner class.
 
 
What are Modular Synthesizers??
Before we can answer this question, we should realise that all synths are made out of modules.
Even a keyboard synth is made out of modules. They are just fixed in position.  
 
This is a Moog model D. It has a fixed architecture.
The sound starts on the left (Oscillators), passes through a mixer (middle), filters, and amplifier. The final sounds emerge on the right (output). The sounds are shaped with envelopes.

A modular synth is essentially the same.
 
But with a modular synth, these modules are not fixed in position or number.
You are not restricted by manufacturer. There are thousands of modules, from makers all around the world.
You can even make your own.
You can combine modules from Russia or Germany, with some from Japan or the USA (and even Australia).
 
These modules are combined using patch cables.
 
These are lots of different types of cable. The left is a 1/4 inch.
Middle, we have some 3.5mm -- used in Eurorack.
To the right we have banana cables .... used in Serge & Buchla synths.
On the extreme right are breadboard patch cables (used in synths like the AE modular)
 
The cables carry two types of signal:
1. Audio
2. Control Voltages (CV).
 
Control voltages are an analog way to automate the various module settings.
(this will be demonstrated in the class).
 
Because there is a huge range & number of modules to pick from, getting started can be a daunting process. But the basic modules common to all modulars are the same. These (in my humble opinion) are the essential ones to get the ball rolling.

1. Oscillators
2. Mixers
3. Filters
4. Envelope Generators
5. LFOs
6. VCAs
7. Sequencers
8. Midi to CV converters 

The class will use a few synths ... a Eurorack Modular, a Banana Modular, an AE Modular, a WASP and a Moog Model D.
You are welcome to bring your own, if you have a synth.
There will also be an oscilloscope, so you can see the sounds.
 
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1. Oscillators
 

These Oscillators, or VCOs are what make your sounds.
VCO = Voltage Controlled Oscillator.
 
2. Mixers
These mix the sounds that come from the oscillators.
 

 
3. Filters
These shape the tones coming out of the synth.
It's a big part of whats called subtractive synthesis. 
Subtractive ....meaning we are removing specific sonic frequencies from the oscillator.
Lots of different types...eg: Low  Pass, High Pass, Band Pass & notch.
Low Pass (LP): allows low frequencies to pass through.
High Pass (HP):  let the high frequencies through.
Band pass (BP):  allows only a narrow band of the frequency spectrum to pass through.
Notch :  (opposite of a BP) . It filters out a narrow band of the frequency spectrum
 

4. Envelope Generators.
These generate voltage envelopes.
They can be triggered by lots of different types of modules, but the most common is a keyboard. 
The envelope has a particular shape which is set by the user.
 

The most common type of envelope has 4 settings or stages 
A = Attack
D = Decay
S = Sustain
R = Release
 
 
5. LFOs
Low Frequency Oscillators.
These are another source of control voltages which you can use to automate various module settings.
You can use them like a simple envelope generator.
As the name suggests, they are also oscillators, similar to a audio VCO, but they operate a much slower frequencies, and (mostly) you can't hear them.
 
 
6. VCAs
Voltage Controlled Amplifer .
It's an amplifier whose level can be controlled by another module that produces CVs (such a a LFO or EG)
 
 


7. Sequencers
These modules generate a series of control voltages to tell a synth to play a series of notes.
They are like an human-less automated keyboard
 
 
8. Midi to CV converters 
These modules are usually connected to a midi keyboard ( though there are other options too). 
They convert midi signals into control voltages.
 


Sunday, 8 November 2020

EMS Synthi E - Using the keyboard

 The EMS Keyboard is not standard I think... I purchased mine separately in the hope it would work.
(EMS Rehberg .. Germany) 

http://www.emsrehberg.de/
And yes it did.
 

The 5pin din cable is very similar to a midi cable.
Plugs into the left (envelope follower section)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make sure the slider is set to external.
and take a cable to  the VCO 1/2 F input.
 
 
The gates to trigger the envelope shaper are generated internally ... no patching is needed.
 

The keyboard is powered from the synthi e.
I probed the socket with my multimeter 



Saturday, 7 November 2020

Befaco Eurorack Power Supply - Lunchbus

 Some pics of the Befaco LunchBus

It's a super easy kit to build ... perfect for beginners.
The Befaco page is here:
 
I purchased a full kit . Befaco is located in Barcelona, Spain.

The power supply needs to be DC 9V to 18V.
(3Amps)
 
This is an old generic PSU from a laptop.
 


 The novel and cool design makes soldering the headers really easy.
The PCB is double sided ... half of the header is soldered on each side




tHERE  is on board +5V, along with the standard +/-12V



I decided to use an old school case.




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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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Thursday, 5 November 2020

Erica Syntrx & EMS VCS3 - The Putney (Part two)

 Part 2 of the Comparison demos between the Erica Synths Syntrx and the EMS Synthi models
(Synthi AKS and VCS3 - The Putney).



The video highlights some obvious differences between the two including the pin Matrix and controls.
There is a simple square wave, pulse width, filter and reverb test then we get into some experimental
 'Noisy' patches to compare the sound of the two.

This is not a musical comparison but aims to compare Sound and Timbre of the two synths based on
a few patches.

Decent headphones or speakers are recommended.

Part 1 looked at a comparison with the Synthi AKS - you can watch that here:
https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2020/10/part-one-of-shootout-between-erica.html


Nebula Awards - Best Novel -1980's

 Some good books to read during lockdown.

1980


Timescape by Gregory Benford

Publisher    Simon & Schuster
Publication date
    1980-81
Media type    Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages    412 pp
ISBN    0-671-25327-1












1981

The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe

Publisher    Timescape Books
Publication date
    1981
Media type    Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
Pages    303 pp
Award    Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1982)
ISBN    0-671-41370-8










1982

No Enemy But Time
By Michael Bishop

It was included in David Pringle's book Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels


Publisher    Timescape Books/Simon & Schuster
Publication date
    1982
Media type    Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages    397 pp
ISBN    0-671-44973-7




1983


Startide Rising by David Brin
Publisher    Bantam Books
Publication date
    1983
Media type    Print (Paperback & Hardback)
Pages    462 (first edition, paperback)
Award    Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1984)
ISBN    0-553-23495-1 (first edition, paperback)









1984

Neuromancer by William Gibson 
Publisher    Ace
Publication date
    July 1, 1984
Media type    Print (paperback and hardback)
Pages    271
ISBN    0-441-56956-0










1985

 Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 
Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    15 January 1985
Media type    Print (Hardcover, Paperback & Ebook)











1986
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    March 1986
Pages    415
Award    Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1987)
ISBN    0-312-93738-5











1987
The Falling Woman by Pat Murphy

Publisher    Tor Books
Publication date
    November 1986
Pages    287
ISBN    0312854064












1988
Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold


Publisher    Baen Books
Publication date
    April 1988
Media type    Paperback
Pages    307
Awards    2014 Prometheus Hall of Fame
ISBN    0-671-65398-9















1989


The Healer's War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Doubleday, New York, New York, U.S.A., 
1988. Hardcover. 

303 pages.
 



 ISBN 10: 0385248288ISBN 13: 9780385248280
 








Sci Fi Links
Asimov's (Isaac) Foundation
+ Asimov  - I, Robot -  - novels & Magazines
+ Dune - The Chronological order of the novels
+ Dune Universe Timeline

+ 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

+ Nebula Best Sci Fi Novel awards - 1960s
+ Nebula Awards SciFi Best Novel - 1970s

+ Red, Blue & Green Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson 
+ Star Wars 
+ vorkoisgan saga reading order - Lois McMaster Bujold

Monday, 2 November 2020

Happy Birthday George Boole.






































































































 
This is a old serge module that performs Boolean logic. It's a form of algebra that is centered around 3 basic operators: OR, AND, and NOT. The core of Boolean logic is the idea that all values are either true or false. ... on or off.... 0 or 1.  From this idea, computers were born.
 
George Boole was born on this day (2 November) in 1815.
Though he only lived for 49 years he accomplished so much.
His legacy lives on to this day.
 
 
 
I came across this add , the other day reading an old copy of a Sci-fi magazine.
It's for a Geniac kit.
 

It's a very basic analog electro-mechanical "computer" that uses 6 disks.
It can do basic Boolean logic. 
 
 
You need to physically wire connections between an internal battery, the disks and some lightbulbs.
It doesn't have any form of memory, so can't perform sequential equations.
I don't think it has any latching circuits.
 
Links.
 

Sunday, 1 November 2020

Burma - Boat Ride to Bagan

 Some pics of a boat ride on the Irrawaddy River. 

The Irrawaddy or, officially, Ayeyarwady River flows from north to south through Burma. It is the country's largest river. It is about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) long.
It is where they wash, drink, travel, and pray.

Its name is believed to derive from the Sanskrit term airāvatī, meaning “elephant river.”
It's source is the Himalayas.
 

Between Mandalay and Bagan.

Very relaxing... not much to do apart from watch the world go by.


 
It's a 12 hr trip