Doepfer

Greetings everyone!

Before I begin, I'd like to admit that there's a good chance that this 
project will go nowhere.  I have mentioned before that I'm building a new 
module, and I may have plans to sell it.  I may as well let everyone know 
what I'm doing, because I'd love some feedback.  Even if I do succeed, it 
will be months before I have a prototype.  If I fail, I'll share all the 
information I've accumulated so far.

The module will be a "multi-use" digital module:

* It will have 4 inputs and 4 outputs. (8 bit resolution on the a/d and d/a 
converters)

* The brain will be a microcontroller, which is basically a little computer 
on a circuit board, programmed in 'C' or assembly.

* The unit will have a 16 character LED and three or four buttons to select 
patches and change parameters.

* It will NOT have non-volitile memory on board.

* Here's what it will do:

  Clocked pattern generation
  clock divider
  all the basic logic (and/or/xor)
  clocked/unclocked random gate generator
  gate delay, etc ...

And, if I'm lucky, it should also do:

  LFOs (voltage controlled)
  ADSRs
  8-bit sample and hold
  8-bit audio distortion (??)
  Noise generator
  Envelope follower
  Logical comparison of 2 voltages
..and other low frequency cv stuff that won't suffer because of the 8 bit 
resolution.

QUESTIONS!!! --

1.  Would it be horrible if the unit only output 0-5 volts on the 4 output 
lines?  I can do 0-12 volts if people wish.

2.  This unit may cost a lot to produce.  Is it worth it?  I'm guessing that 
the final product may cost around $400-$500 USD.

3.  Anyone have any requests?  I'm trying to keep it simple so I can finish 
it.  Some patches may have more than one function.  For instance, since 
there are 4 outputs, there may be a patch with 4 different LFOs on the 
outputs at once.  Or, two LFOs and two ADSRs.

For the curious, I'm using a rigel corporation R-535J prototype micro 
controller board.

I'm super excited about this project!  I'm not a capitolist money monger, 
and I would be happy if other people built similar modules.  The more the 
better.

Thanks,
- Bret

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Le Dimanche 13 Janvier 2002 21:14, vous avez écrit :

> The module will be a "multi-use" digital module:
>
some swiss army digital knife  ? ;) 

> * It will have 4 inputs and 4 outputs. (8 bit resolution on the a/d and d/a
> converters)
>
> * The brain will be a microcontroller, which is basically a little computer
> on a circuit board, programmed in 'C' or assembly.
>
> * The unit will have a 16 character LED and three or four buttons to select
> patches and change parameters.
>
> * It will NOT have non-volitile memory on board.

mmh a big drawback. at least analog gear can be switch off until the next day 
to continue a patch... So it won't be possible with your module ? 

> * Here's what it will do:
>
>   Clocked pattern generation
>   clock divider
>   all the basic logic (and/or/xor)
>   clocked/unclocked random gate generator
>   gate delay, etc ...
>
> And, if I'm lucky, it should also do:
>
>   LFOs (voltage controlled)
>   ADSRs
>   8-bit sample and hold
>   8-bit audio distortion (??)
>   Noise generator
>   Envelope follower
>   Logical comparison of 2 voltages
> ..and other low frequency cv stuff that won't suffer because of the 8 bit
> resolution.
>
> QUESTIONS!!! --
>
> 1.  Would it be horrible if the unit only output 0-5 volts on the 4 output
> lines?  I can do 0-12 volts if people wish.

I don't know but probably 0-12 volt is better specially if you produce some 
patterns ? Unless these patterns are not meant to be played by a VCO. 

> 2.  This unit may cost a lot to produce.  Is it worth it?  I'm guessing
> that the final product may cost around $400-$500 USD.

It is some money, a module can be costy no problem with that. All depends of 
the features. Will you include some slew circuit to round the 8 bits steps ?

> 3.  Anyone have any requests?  I'm trying to keep it simple so I can finish
> it.  Some patches may have more than one function.  For instance, since
> there are 4 outputs, there may be a patch with 4 different LFOs on the
> outputs at once.  Or, two LFOs and two ADSRs.

Will it be possible to have several lfo with different wave forms and 
frequencies on 1 output ?

Best regards,

Linium

hi linium,
i don't think that 0-5 volts is a problem!with these 5
volts you have a range of 5 octaves!!!unless you need
12 octaves for your vco's...
also,the 8 bit resolution is intended and not to be
rounded by a slew limiter,right??
the real problem is the price!!for me 400-500 USD are
TOO MUCH!!i think that a price of 250 USD would be
great!!
anyway for me here in greece is too much problem to
buy a module from USA, so,.... 
but,it's an interesting module!!
synthfreak

--- Linium <intent@club-internet.fr> wrote:
> Le Dimanche 13 Janvier 2002 21:14, vous avez �crit :
> 
> > The module will be a "multi-use" digital module:
> >
> some swiss army digital knife  ? ;) 
> 
> > * It will have 4 inputs and 4 outputs. (8 bit
> resolution on the a/d and d/a
> > converters)
> >
> > * The brain will be a microcontroller, which is
> basically a little computer
> > on a circuit board, programmed in 'C' or assembly.
> >
> > * The unit will have a 16 character LED and three
> or four buttons to select
> > patches and change parameters.
> >
> > * It will NOT have non-volitile memory on board.
> 
> mmh a big drawback. at least analog gear can be
> switch off until the next day 
> to continue a patch... So it won't be possible with
> your module ? 
> 
> > * Here's what it will do:
> >
> >   Clocked pattern generation
> >   clock divider
> >   all the basic logic (and/or/xor)
> >   clocked/unclocked random gate generator
> >   gate delay, etc ...
> >
> > And, if I'm lucky, it should also do:
> >
> >   LFOs (voltage controlled)
> >   ADSRs
> >   8-bit sample and hold
> >   8-bit audio distortion (??)
> >   Noise generator
> >   Envelope follower
> >   Logical comparison of 2 voltages
> > ..and other low frequency cv stuff that won't
> suffer because of the 8 bit
> > resolution.
> >
> > QUESTIONS!!! --
> >
> > 1.  Would it be horrible if the unit only output
> 0-5 volts on the 4 output
> > lines?  I can do 0-12 volts if people wish.
> 
> I don't know but probably 0-12 volt is better
> specially if you produce some 
> patterns ? Unless these patterns are not meant to be
> played by a VCO. 
> 
> > 2.  This unit may cost a lot to produce.  Is it
> worth it?  I'm guessing
> > that the final product may cost around $400-$500
> USD.
> 
> It is some money, a module can be costy no problem
> with that. All depends of 
> the features. Will you include some slew circuit to
> round the 8 bits steps ?
> 
> > 3.  Anyone have any requests?  I'm trying to keep
> it simple so I can finish
> > it.  Some patches may have more than one function.
>  For instance, since
> > there are 4 outputs, there may be a patch with 4
> different LFOs on the
> > outputs at once.  Or, two LFOs and two ADSRs.
> 
> Will it be possible to have several lfo with
> different wave forms and 
> frequencies on 1 output ?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Linium
> 
> 


=====
synthfreak(parallel worlds)
athens-greece
[Doepfer_a100] group owner-moderator

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