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Elektor Formant Modular

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Reuctant Sale

Reuctant Sale

2010-08-16 by terry.garrett76

It is with great sadness that I have to give up this project of 30 years plus. I cannot carry on as my eyesight (and patience!) has failed in recent years. I just wish that I had the time to do this project at an earlier age when I was getting married helping to bring up 2 children as well as having a full time job. Of course now being retired I have the time but not the youth and health of years past. 
          I also think it unwise to carry on with the project as I do not wish to spoil the circuit boards with sub-standard soldering owing to the fact that I find it difficult to see the components. Some of the IC's are unobtainable (uA726 in particular).
         When I started in 1973 on a synthesiser with modules from a company called `Dewtron' the enthusiasm was there but not a lot of skill. I still have the original 3 octave keyboard (a `Luigi') with contacts. This was eventually used in the Elektor Formant from 1978 onwards in a larger wooden casing with aluminium frame at the front to hold the module front panels. I did not use the suggested Formant front panels as I wanted to customise my own, not always agreeing on the controls suggested. I also wanted the synth to be semi-modular, so using switches to connect up the more common patches. I suppose I modelled it more on a ARP 2600, with plans to add some of the modules that model used like Sample and Hold and maybe even output amplifier with speakers/headphones.  
          The wooden casing is I am afraid a bit of a mess as I never tidied up the power supply, it needing a protective cover and the power wires are taken through holes drilled in the shelf to hold the modules. I also unwisely used pieces of `Veroboard' to take the wiring commons and module connections to their respected destinations. I was planning to redo this with PC headers – the plug and sockets making it so much easier than unsoldering myriads of wires when working on a module. I used 2 Din sockets to connect (unfinished) keyboard to main unit but planned and obtained D sub 25 pin connectors to enable more connections. There is of course so much to say as each of us probably has their own peculiarities associated with their model.
          I am hoping to check VCO2 and 3 as they have not been powered up for about 20 years!  But VCO1 works, probably some of the potentiometers need changing.
           Here is a module count of my system: - VCO (3), 24dB VCF (works but temperamental – too many switches in the original plan I think) ADSR and AR envelope generators, VCA (not powered up for 20 years) Mixer panel, Resonance Filter Module in kit form, Ring Modulator/Envelope Follower in kit form, plus the Keyboard Interface and Interface receiver also the keyboard PCB's (glued to the keyboard). VCO's and Keyboard Interface have been modified with FET Opamps. 
           I also built a single LFO for use in the keyboard unit including Pitch bend and Octave shift circuitry on a home made PCB. Further plans were for a New Pitch Detector/Legato circuit, VCLFO, Sample & Hold, Noise Gen, possibly an output amp. These could be accommodated in the original housing. Plus input output sockets and Moog style octave shift 2' – 32' for the VCO's.
           So if anyone is interested I shall put some photographs up if someone can advise me how. I insist collection only in the UK, (I live Bromley SE London / Kent / Surrey area). I know that the amount of time I spent on this project far outweighs the £500 or so spent so if anyone is willing to take it on I would accept a reasonable offer before it goes on Ebay.
                          Terry

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