PLAN B analog blog

It's time to let cats out of bags and give you all an outline of the
Model 30's preset patches.

I have uploaded a new photo into the Misc folder entitled MODEL 30
PATCH CONFIGURATIONS. As Todd Rundgren would say, you should get that
out and get it cranked up, because it's really gonna help you on this
one...

The Model 30 is configurable.  This is the basis of the 'subsystem'
paradigm. The intent was not to approach this as three VCOs - although
in MINI MODE Patch 1 it is exactly that), but more a subsystem of
three VCOs in which complex timbres can be realized.  This is the main
reason for having only 1 output.

By selecting a patch, the output configuration is changed to reflect
any one of ten internal patches (let's not use the word algorithms,
please.  1, it was a lame description to begin with, 2, it suggests a
connection to DX technology, which the M30 surpasses).  These patches
are broken into four categories:

"MINI" MODE (meaning they replicate classic analog patch
configurations with  MINI in reference to the MINIMoog).

FM MODE - patches which deal primarily with internal Frequency Modulation.

RING MOD MODE - The output is configured as a Four Quad. Balanced
Modulator or Ring Modulator.

FREQ SHIFT MODE - The output is configured to provide Frequency
Shifting of two or more of the VCOs.

Each mode has a series of series of patches available to the user.

Looking at the MINI MODES:

The first is classic Three VCOs through a Mixer.  Yet remember, each
of the inputs to that mixer have full voltage control as well as
manual levels, so more three VCOs into three VCAs into a mixer.

The second patch in the category removes VCO1 from the output and
routes it to FM 2 and 3.  There are actually two paches represented
here.  In one the FM to VCO 3 is in quadrature (thus 90 degrees). 

FM MODES:

In the first patch VCO 1 is removed from the output and used to FM
VCO2.  VCO 3 is unaffected and passes straight to the output.

In the second, VCO 1 FM's VCO2 and the output of VCO2 FM's VCO3.

In the third, both VCO1 and VCO2 are routed to FM VCO3.

RING MOD MODES:

Patch 1: VCO 1 FM's both VCO2 and VCO3, with VCO's FM in quadrature. 
The Output of 2 and 3 are then balanced modulated.

Patch 2: VCO 1 and VCO2 are Bal. Mod, VCO3 passes straight to the
output unaffected.

Patch 3: ! and 2 are Bal Mod, and that output is routed through a
second Bal Mod with VCO 2.

FREQ SHIFT MODES:

Patch 1  gives the DIFFERNCE output of VCO 1 and a summed yield of VCO
2 and 3 running in 90 degree phase relation to one another.

Patch 2 is the same but outputs only the SUM of the two



There are a few things to remember here:

1) At all times the LEVEL pots and VC LEVEL inputs to the three VCOs
are live.  One can effect the dynamics of anything you see in these
diagrams.

2) While patch configurations effect internal routing, they do not
send the panel controls to preset levels.  In short, this module
behaves like an analog VCO bank. In this way sound design decisions
were not made for you, they are made by the end user

3) The Patch pot is fully voltage controllable.  In this way, M30
'hearts' M21C.

4)  Along with any internal FM represented by the patches, the user retains use of the PHASE LOCK (sync) the external individuals VCOs FM inputs as well.  There are some patches where these functions are altered, we will get to this a bit later.

5)  Oh...this is just like a DX7, right?  Wrong!  Remember not only
does the user retain full control of the Waveshape of each VCO in
realtime, but their phase relationship to one another within the patch
(quadrature). Try THAT one on your DX.  

Now you guys realize why I've been so excited over the last five
months (you may have noticed an abundance of exclamation marks in my
letters for no apparent reason).  This module will change the way some
of you approach sound design.]

More when we are able...

- P