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brownshoesonly – Triple Video VCA
I’m clueless with video synthesis but know that Nick/brownshoesonly is one of the leading guys in the country doing it. He lives in the neighborhood, has been supporting T_A for the past few years, and he’s taking pre-orders on his DIY circuit.
Greetings all..
I am very happy to inform that I have completed a build of a Triple Video VCA. It’s an extension of the DIY circuits Lars had posted here in the forum.
As an Lzx user this is geared to fit right into the system. The module follows both the Lzx voltage and panel specifications. It’s a skiff-able SMT design based around 3 LT1251′s and 3 LM6172′s with Lars’ schematic shown below.
Currently I have 35 boards and 35 panels. I am looking to pre-order roughly 5-8 of these modules at a $25 discount for $175. This pre-order is designed to help me acquire a batch of parts to finish the rest of the modules. Once I fill some part orders my pre-order will close. If/When this run of panels would ever sell out. The panel graphics are subject to change based on whether or not I try to put out some other simple utilities.
This module was something that I wanted so I could free up crossfaders. You can patch a VCA in the TVFKG by using the B input and the CV(leaving A empty). But I just don’t have enough crossfaders. (or keyers sometimes). It’s a simple utility that I’m sure you can find plenty of use for.
It works wonders in the Vector world. And could be a big part of developing a rutt etra style block diagram. My NASA Com Truise video is nothing but a standard vector patch with VCA’s on the ramps and the video into a VBM with an envelope follower on the CV, and one slow LFO.
So please PM me with any interest on the discounted preorder. I’m currently waiting on knobs and ribbon cables before I’m able to ship the first completed modules. ($5 shipping) All sales would be through Paypal.
A little background.
I am an electronics tech living and working in Chicago Il. Many of you may have met me . I’ve been at just about every T_A meet for the past 3 years.
Since college I have felt as if I have lost elements of my education. Motivated to halt that sequence of events I started talking to Lars about making a triple video vca. Through these talks and a lot of hand holding, I got used to working with a new PCB design software. Lars’ really came through with tips/hints and encouragement to get this project done. (thanks Lars!)
Feel free to DIY yourself.
Harvestman – Bionic Lester Overview
Harvestman – Bionic Lester Overview
The Bionic lester is a two channel -12db/oct switched capacitor multimode filter.
Each channel has 3 outputs: Dedicated lowpass, dedicated bandpass, and a multimode output selectable between highpass, allpass or notch. Filter mode selection is shared between filters. When no LEDs are selected, it is in secondary notch mode. Secondary notch mode has less distortion and a higher maximum resonance compared to the lit LED notch.
Channel 1 is a standard filter setup with a Harvestman twist
Input 1 – Normalled to output 1 and output 2
Gain – Distortion starts to occur around 12 o clock knob position.
Alias – At low cutoff frequencies, you’ll be able to hear the aliasing/clock noise)
- When set to HI, self oscillation is possible with high resonance with no input.
- The filter cutoff is accomplished by clocking the switched capacitor filter with a high-speed VCO. The Cutoff knobs are basically controlling the frequency of this VCO. – The actual cutoff frequency is a divided down ratio of this high speed osc frequency – the “aliasing” control makes the ratio lower so the sampling rate of the system is worse.
Cutoff – Channel A cutoff controls are normalled to the B cv input attenuator if nothing is plugged into B.
Resonance – Shared between both filters
Channel 2 breathes chaos and has access to all functions of Channel 1 including its Resonance but the heart and distinct aural differences between this filter and every other filter is the Clock Source section.
Clock Source – Selects between clock source A (filter 1) or clock source B (filter 2).
-If there is a large difference in cutoff frequencies, the filters generate more beat frequencies than the input signal themselves.
Split-Peak example
Setup: Signal into Channel 1 input, outputs from Low Pass from both channels, cutoff B CV knob all the way up, both gains all the way up, resonance all the way up, cutoff b at a low value.
Sweep cutoff frequency A and you should hear a phasing type effect. The higher the value of cutoff B, the longer the distance between peaks.
A mixer expander is coming later that is a 2×3 mixer taking all of the I/O from the module and creating a mix of it, with VCAs on the two outputs. Mute switches are available too. It also works on external signals.
Make Noise – Dual Prismatic Oscillator Teaser
Kurt Ballou – Studio Tour
WMD – Micro Hadron Collider Filter Overview
The Micro Hadron Collider Filter is a simple module with a common routing scheme found in other filters like the Sherman Filterbank or Schippman Ebb & Flute that, for the uninitiated, can get confusing. To put it in one sentence: The Micro Hadron Collider is a dual channel and dual filter module that utilizes serial and parallel modes.
Flowchart
WMD – Synchrodyne Overview
When receiving the Synchrodyne, I decided to explore it without a manual. This manual-less approach yielded hours of incredible sounds and lots of, “what the hell am I doing?”. I thought it was a self contained experimental noise maker (which it can be), a strong PLL audio modifier (which it can be), or a distortion unit (which it can be). After some research and taking notes, the lightbulb went off and it made sense. I found that the Synchrodyne is “supposed” to be used as an audio modifier. Throw a VCO or any noise source into the filter input and it’ll properly mangle your sound with its 5 sections: VCO, PLL, VCA, Wavefolder, Filter. In short, the VCO’s Pulse Output clocks the PLL and the PLL controls the Filter. This strange signal path creates incredible sounds and can be broken/intercepted anywhere in between.
The WMD Synchrodyne has so much going on, is so deep functionality wise and complex with intricate internal routing paths but I made an overview video that is essentially a ‘getting started’ tutorial.
The WMD official video and manuals contain a lot more information such as:
- The VCO is temperature compensated
- The Filter outputs can self oscilate while the 4p (-24dB) output is more stable.
- Input level of the Wavefolder has a trim-pot on the back that will be easily accessible on the planned expansion.
- WMD Synchrodyne Information
- Analog Haven
Flowchart
Dave Jones Design – O’TOOL
I Dream of Wires – Extended Interview Series: Drumcell
Our good friend Moe Espinosa, Drumcell!
In January 2012, the I Dream of Wires team stopped by the studio of techno producer Drumcell, to discuss his evolution from producing with hardware, to software, and now back to hardware again, with a focus on eurorack modular synthesis. The interview was conducted for inclusion in “I Dream of Wires: the Modular Synthesizer Documentary.” Drumcell is also the founder of Droid Recordings, and co-founder of Droid Behavior, one of LA’s longest running techno event promotion companies, standing at the centre of the West Coast techno community for nearly a decade.
I DREAM OF WIRES is a forthcoming documentary film about the history and resurgence of modular synthesizers. The film is currently in production. This is the 3rd in a series of extended interviews, which will be produced and released in various formats throughout the production, and following the release, of the film. I DREAM OF WIRES extended interview segments are sponsored by MATRIXSYNTH (m.matrixsynth.com).
