SynthModules

Hello everyone.  The first PSIM-1 pre-production unit has been 
completed and is a 100% success!  I've updated the site to include 
some photos and some audio samples for your enjoyment.    

http://www.SynthModules.com/psim.htm 

PLEASE... give me some feedback.  What do you think?

Best regards,

Brice D. Hornback
http://www.SynthModules.com

Dude....

Congratulations.  This thing seriously rocks.  In case you're not aware of it - on the sample and hold function itself *only* - it's *much* better than a standard sample and hold.  Why?  No droop.  It is a perfect, droopless sample and hold - something that up until now, I don't think has been done in the analog synth realm.  The world is crazy if you don't sell a thousand of these modules.

Take care,
Scott
Recovering from a tremendously long day (went from Okinawa to Japan to San Francisco to Chicago to Wichita in *one* day - thanks to the international date line).

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: bdhornback 
  To: SynthModules@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 10:51 AM
  Subject: [SynthModules] PSIM-1 Update


  Hello everyone.  The first PSIM-1 pre-production unit has been 
  completed and is a 100% success!  I've updated the site to include 
  some photos and some audio samples for your enjoyment.    

  http://www.SynthModules.com/psim.htm 

  PLEASE... give me some feedback.  What do you think?

  Best regards,

  Brice D. Hornback
  http://www.SynthModules.com 



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Agreed! This is one dangerous module. I can see myself getting lost
for hours programming various wild functions. The prototype looks
great and certainly produces smooth sweeps. What's the DAC resolution?

I can't wait to get my hands on one (or more) of these. So, what's the
timeline to production?

Woody

--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites" <scottnoanh@p...>
wrote:
> Dude....
> 
> Congratulations.  This thing seriously rocks.  In case you're not
aware of it - on the sample and hold function itself *only* - it's
*much* better than a standard sample and hold.  Why?  No droop.  It is
a perfect, droopless sample and hold - something that up until now, I
don't think has been done in the analog synth realm.  The world is
crazy if you don't sell a thousand of these modules.
> 
> Take care,
> Scott
> Recovering from a tremendously long day (went from Okinawa to Japan
to San Francisco to Chicago to Wichita in *one* day - thanks to the
international date line).
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: bdhornback 
>   To: SynthModules@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 10:51 AM
>   Subject: [SynthModules] PSIM-1 Update
> 
> 
>   Hello everyone.  The first PSIM-1 pre-production unit has been 
>   completed and is a 100% success!  I've updated the site to
include 
>   some photos and some audio samples for your enjoyment.    
> 
>   http://www.SynthModules.com/psim.htm 
> 
>   PLEASE... give me some feedback.  What do you think?
> 
>   Best regards,
> 
>   Brice D. Hornback
>   http://www.SynthModules.com 
> 
> 
> 
>
--------------------------------------------------
----------------------------
>   Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
>     a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
>     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SynthModules/
>       
>     b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>     SynthModules-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>       
>     c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service. 

> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Woody,

The prototype is actually more of a "pre-production" unit.  It is 
extremely close to what the actual product will be as offered.  Yes, 
it produces *extremely* smooth sweeps.  The DAC has 12-bit 
resolution.  

I have two beta testers (you all know them) waiting to receive their 
PSIM-1's early next week.  Watch for an announcement following their 
reviews.  Production could begin as early as February 1st.  
Initially, these will be produced in small "batches" and there will 
be a waiting list.  More details on this later.  

*** I'm not accepting names for the waiting list just yet. ***

Remember... four programmable outputs and four programmable inputs.  
Imagine (and feel free to discuss on this list) the possibilities of 
the PSIM-1.  The add-on modules that will plug into headers on the 
PSIM-1 (which I'm not quite ready to disclose yet) will absolutely 
KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!  Also, if any of you are wondering what that 
AUX jack is for on the front panel... well... you're definitely going 
to be in for a surprise!

Best regards,

Brice D. Hornback
http://www.SynthModules.com 


--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "woodyy_wall" <woody_wall@h...> 
wrote:
> Agreed! This is one dangerous module. I can see myself getting lost
> for hours programming various wild functions. The prototype looks
> great and certainly produces smooth sweeps. What's the DAC 
resolution?
> 
> I can't wait to get my hands on one (or more) of these. So, what's 
the
> timeline to production?
> 
> Woody
> 
> --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites" 
<scottnoanh@p...>
> wrote:
> > Dude....
> > 
> > Congratulations.  This thing seriously rocks.  In case you're not
> aware of it - on the sample and hold function itself *only* - it's
> *much* better than a standard sample and hold.  Why?  No droop.  It 
is
> a perfect, droopless sample and hold - something that up until now, 
I
> don't think has been done in the analog synth realm.  The world is
> crazy if you don't sell a thousand of these modules.
> > 
> > Take care,
> > Scott
> > Recovering from a tremendously long day (went from Okinawa to 
Japan
> to San Francisco to Chicago to Wichita in *one* day - thanks to the
> international date line).
> >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> >   From: bdhornback 
> >   To: SynthModules@yahoogroups.com 
> >   Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 10:51 AM
> >   Subject: [SynthModules] PSIM-1 Update
> > 
> > 
> >   Hello everyone.  The first PSIM-1 pre-production unit has been 
> >   completed and is a 100% success!  I've updated the site to
> include 
> >   some photos and some audio samples for your enjoyment.    
> > 
> >   http://www.SynthModules.com/psim.htm 
> > 
> >   PLEASE... give me some feedback.  What do you think?
> > 
> >   Best regards,
> > 
> >   Brice D. Hornback
> >   http://www.SynthModules.com 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------
> >   Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> >     a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SynthModules/
> >       
> >     b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >     SynthModules-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >       
> >     c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms 
of

> Service. 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hmmmm.....with four outputs, since you can sample and hold already, it wouldn't be too much of a leap to make it a four stage analog shift register.  Now that would be cool.......

Cheers,
Scott

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: woodyy_wall 
  To: SynthModules@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 3:59 PM
  Subject: [SynthModules] Re: PSIM-1 Update


  Agreed! This is one dangerous module. I can see myself getting lost
  for hours programming various wild functions. The prototype looks
  great and certainly produces smooth sweeps. What's the DAC resolution?

  I can't wait to get my hands on one (or more) of these. So, what's the
  timeline to production?

  Woody

  --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites" <scottnoanh@p...>
  wrote:
  > Dude....
  > 
  > Congratulations.  This thing seriously rocks.  In case you're not
  aware of it - on the sample and hold function itself *only* - it's
  *much* better than a standard sample and hold.  Why?  No droop.  It is
  a perfect, droopless sample and hold - something that up until now, I
  don't think has been done in the analog synth realm.  The world is
  crazy if you don't sell a thousand of these modules.
  > 
  > Take care,
  > Scott
  > Recovering from a tremendously long day (went from Okinawa to Japan
  to San Francisco to Chicago to Wichita in *one* day - thanks to the
  international date line).
  >   ----- Original Message ----- 
  >   From: bdhornback 
  >   To: SynthModules@yahoogroups.com 
  >   Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 10:51 AM
  >   Subject: [SynthModules] PSIM-1 Update
  > 
  > 
  >   Hello everyone.  The first PSIM-1 pre-production unit has been 
  >   completed and is a 100% success!  I've updated the site to
  include 
  >   some photos and some audio samples for your enjoyment.    
  > 
  >   http://www.SynthModules.com/psim.htm 
  > 
  >   PLEASE... give me some feedback.  What do you think?
  > 
  >   Best regards,
  > 
  >   Brice D. Hornback
  >   http://www.SynthModules.com 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  >
  --------------------------------------------------
  ----------------------------
  >   Yahoo! Groups Links
  > 
  >     a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
  >     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SynthModules/
  >       
  >     b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
  >     SynthModules-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
  >       
  >     c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
  Service. 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Excellent idea Scott!  Can anyone else think of ways to use four 
programmable inputs and four 1V/octave outputs?

- Brice
http://www.SynthModules.com 

--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites" <scottnoanh@p...> 
wrote:
> Hmmmm.....with four outputs, since you can sample and hold already, 
it wouldn't be too much of a leap to make it a four stage analog 
shift register.  Now that would be cool.......

> 
> Cheers,
> Scott

Here are a few ideas I've had for the PSIM:

1. Quad quantizer with different notes/scales for each voice

2. Quad "Source of Uncertainty." Use the inputs to control the rate of
change and/or the transition to new voltages: stepped, log, linear,
exponential.

3. Multiple rhythm generator--different rhythms triggered by different
input voltages.

4. Non-linear transform processor: a single inuput produces multiple
outputs. May not be fast enough for audio, but useful for unusual
morphing LFO shapes.

5. Arbitrary envelope generator: one input sets the number of
segments; second input selects a specific segment; third input sets
the slope for the selected segment; fourth input then triggers each
segment in sequence. I need to think more about how this would be set up.

6. Along the same lines as number 5, arbitrary sequencer: while
playing back, one input selects the beginning loop point, a second
input selects the ending loop point. Allows you to change the sequence
length and position during playback.


--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "bdhornback" <bdh@c...> wrote:
> Excellent idea Scott!  Can anyone else think of ways to use four 
> programmable inputs and four 1V/octave outputs?
> 
> - Brice
> http://www.SynthModules.com 
> 
> --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites"
<scottnoanh@p...> 
> wrote:
> > Hmmmm.....with four outputs, since you can sample and hold
already, 

> it wouldn't be too much of a leap to make it a four stage analog 
> shift register.  Now that would be cool.......
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > Scott

test

Hey, folks! I'm new to this group, and I'm "on the list" to get a 
future PSIM-1. :-) This module should be capable of some really cool 
stuff because it's got a lot of CPU power. There are some question 
marks regarding the "surprises" that Brice has in store for us, 
though, so we can only guess at its full potential.

Scott Stites and Woody had good suggestions: shift registers, 
quantizers, sequencers, rhythm generators, envelope generators...

Sequencers are to be expected, although it remains to be seen 
(surprise!?) how we will load a sequence. Will the PSIM-1 ever have a 
MIDI or USB port? If so, many control options would be available.

Back to CPU power for a sec: Up to 100,000 instructions per second is 
pretty fast. That's 100 per millisecond, or hundreds of instructions 
in just a few msec. That's more than sufficient for many, many 
purposes.

You want quantizers? Sure! Now, how about a quantizer that 
simultaneously generates one or more harmony lines?

Shift registers? You can have a normal one, or you can make some 
outputs do unusual things, like delay things by a different length of 
time, skip steps, do some AND/OR logic with other outputs, etc, 
etc... There is a lot of RAM to play with, so a shift register output 
could delay a sequence by an arbitrary number of steps. Heck, you 
could play a sequence forward, backward and in random order at the 
same time.

Logic functions will be child's play to implement: AND, XOR, etc. 
Gate delays and repeaters (echo) are simple, too.

Woody also suggested a "Non-linear transform processor: a single 
inuput produces multiple outputs. May not be fast enough for audio, 
but useful for unusual morphing LFO shapes." This is a cool idea, but 
you probably wouldn't bother using it on an LFO since you could 
simply generate the whole mess -- including the LFO -- inside the 
PSIM. But, sure, you may want to bring in an external LFO. In any 
case, there are plenty of uses for transform functions.

One idea along these lines is a programmable portamento generator. A 
non-linear example would be an "equal time" mode, where the PSIM 
calculates a smooth glide for a set number of milliseconds; no matter 
the pitch (voltage) interval, the glide time would be constant. You 
could do some interesting polyphonic portamento things, too.

Well, I'm sure that we've all got potential applications on the 
brain. Thanks for listening to mine, and let's hear some more ideas.
--
john

How about using Freqout to do simple additive synthesis?

Sounds like a gas :)

Mike

--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "woodyy_wall" <woody_wall@h...> 
wrote:
> Here are a few ideas I've had for the PSIM:
> 
> 1. Quad quantizer with different notes/scales for each voice
> 
> 2. Quad "Source of Uncertainty." Use the inputs to control the rate 
of
> change and/or the transition to new voltages: stepped, log, linear,
> exponential.
> 
> 3. Multiple rhythm generator--different rhythms triggered by 
different
> input voltages.
> 
> 4. Non-linear transform processor: a single inuput produces multiple
> outputs. May not be fast enough for audio, but useful for unusual
> morphing LFO shapes.
> 
> 5. Arbitrary envelope generator: one input sets the number of
> segments; second input selects a specific segment; third input sets
> the slope for the selected segment; fourth input then triggers each
> segment in sequence. I need to think more about how this would be 
set up.
> 
> 6. Along the same lines as number 5, arbitrary sequencer: while
> playing back, one input selects the beginning loop point, a second
> input selects the ending loop point. Allows you to change the 
sequence

> length and position during playback.
> 
> 
> --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "bdhornback" <bdh@c...> wrote:
> > Excellent idea Scott!  Can anyone else think of ways to use four 
> > programmable inputs and four 1V/octave outputs?
> > 
> > - Brice
> > http://www.SynthModules.com 
> > 
> > --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites"
> <scottnoanh@p...> 
> > wrote:
> > > Hmmmm.....with four outputs, since you can sample and hold
> already, 
> > it wouldn't be too much of a leap to make it a four stage analog 
> > shift register.  Now that would be cool.......
> > > 
> > > Cheers,
> > > Scott

Okay.... now someone mentions the FREQOUT command.

LOTS of detail in this message... so please read carefully.

Here you go... you can use PWM for triangle and sawtooth; FREQOUT for the
sinewave; and TOGGLE for the squarewave.  Range: 0 Hz to 32,767 Hz.  TWO
additional parts (10k resistor in series and a 1uF cap to GND) "should" be
added to the PSIM-1's AUX port to use it for AUDIO OUT.  I'm considering
adding these in the "production" version of the PCB but then again... maybe
I won't.  The AUX Port is unbuffered (although the Atom Pro itself does have
some protection) and is connected directly to the port pin on the Atom
Pro... so if you blow up your AUX port using it for anything.... you're on
your own.  But remember... although the PSIM-1 will output triangle,
sawtooth, square, and sine waves... it's not a VCO by any means.  Yes....
you "could" write the code to voltage control the frequency output on the
AUX port via the analog inputs... so I guess it "could" be a VCO too.
Okay... surprise.  It outputs audio...BUT... it doesn't sound that great
compared to a "real" VCO.  Anyway, that's why the AUX port is there.  You
can program it to do LOTS of things.  I've been using the AUX port to output
a tone to tune my two VCO's as well as using it as a Gate/Trigger (it is
either 0V or 5V - OFF/ON) using the TOGGLE command.  There you go.

As long as we're talking about additional surprises.... there are two
additional "headers" which consist of the other four I/O pins that we're not
currently using.  One is for an I2C bus so it can communicate with... for
example which may or may not include future add-on boards, serial EEPROMs,
maybe more analog INs and OUTs, etc.  Get the idea?  The second header is
another pair of pins that just happens to be an async serial port.  No more
details on this one at this time... but let's just say there may be
additional "communication" capabilities in the future.  :-)

See... there is a LOT more to this module than I've let on at this point.
I'm still discovering all of its possibilities.  There is a lot of software
that needs written.  The CORE software is basically completed.  Once we get
a bunch of these out there and folks start programming AND sharing their
code.... well, that's when it will REALLY get fun!

The waiting list is getting longer and the orders WILL be filled in the
order in which they are received.  I will be doing these in small batches at
a time and offer them to the folks on the waiting list in the order I
received their emails.  If you want a PSIM-1 anytime soon... send me an
email and GET ON THE WAITING LIST.  As a heads up... these will be *paid for
in advance preferrably with PayPal* with a 4 to 8 week expected delivery.
I'm sure it'll take less time than that... but If I run into any snags with
suppliers, get sick, run out of solder, fall over exhausted from building
modules twenty hours a day, or just decide to play with my own synth for a
little while, etc... well... you know what I mean... I just don't want you
to think you'll send me the $ and have your module in two days.  I'm doing
this all by myself and each and every single one will be hand built and
tested by ME.  So, once you place your order... please be patient with me.
Okay?

So... in summary... the PSIM-1 is just the beginning.  Doc described it like
Legos.  He couldn't have come up with a better analogy.  There will be
add-on module that plug directly into the PSIM-1.  If you don't have a
PSIM-1... you won't be able to use the add-on modules.  :-)  The PSIM-1 is
*not* a computer controlled module.  It is a PROGRAMMABLE module.  I won't
make claims about it being a thousand modules in one (because then I'd have
to write 1,000 different programs just because *someone* would surely hold
me to it!)... but you get the idea.

I still have a few surprises up my sleeves.  I'm *not* talking about the
add-on modules yet.  Oh... I might as well mention one more thing though.
Yes, the AtomPro24-M is a 24-pin module (IC).  However, there is a 40-pin
socket on the PSIM-1 PCB.  If you've check out the Basic Micro web site...
they "claim" they are going to release a 40-pin version of the Atom Pro but
I'm not holding my breath.  BUT... when they do, simply drop in the new
AtomPro40-M and you'll have 16 more I/O pins to play with!  (We could add
racks full of add-on modules!)  But like I said, I don't know when they are
going to release it.  They don't know either.  I can't promise they ever
will.  BUT... IF they do... the 40-pin socket is already on the PSIM-1 board
and it's ready for the upgrade.

Okay... so now that you know it has an I2C bus and an async serial port....
anyone have any suggestions for expansion modules???

Get those emails sent to me OFF list to get placed on the waiting list.
Okay?

Best regards,

Brice D. Hornback
http://www.SynthModules.com


----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Mike Marsh" <mmarsh@websense.com>
To: <SynthModules@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 5:32 PM
Subject: [SynthModules] Re: PSIM-1 Update


> How about using Freqout to do simple additive synthesis?
>
> Sounds like a gas :)
>
> Mike
>
> --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "woodyy_wall" <woody_wall@h...>
> wrote:
> > Here are a few ideas I've had for the PSIM:
> >
> > 1. Quad quantizer with different notes/scales for each voice
> >
> > 2. Quad "Source of Uncertainty." Use the inputs to control the rate
> of
> > change and/or the transition to new voltages: stepped, log, linear,
> > exponential.
> >
> > 3. Multiple rhythm generator--different rhythms triggered by
> different
> > input voltages.
> >
> > 4. Non-linear transform processor: a single inuput produces multiple
> > outputs. May not be fast enough for audio, but useful for unusual
> > morphing LFO shapes.
> >
> > 5. Arbitrary envelope generator: one input sets the number of
> > segments; second input selects a specific segment; third input sets
> > the slope for the selected segment; fourth input then triggers each
> > segment in sequence. I need to think more about how this would be
> set up.
> >
> > 6. Along the same lines as number 5, arbitrary sequencer: while
> > playing back, one input selects the beginning loop point, a second
> > input selects the ending loop point. Allows you to change the
> sequence
> > length and position during playback.
> >
> >
> > --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "bdhornback" <bdh@c...> wrote:
> > > Excellent idea Scott!  Can anyone else think of ways to use four
> > > programmable inputs and four 1V/octave outputs?
> > >
> > > - Brice
> > > http://www.SynthModules.com
> > >
> > > --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Stites"
> > <scottnoanh@p...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > Hmmmm.....with four outputs, since you can sample and hold
> > already,
> > > it wouldn't be too much of a leap to make it a four stage analog
> > > shift register.  Now that would be cool.......
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > > Scott
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SynthModules/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>  SynthModules-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
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>
>