SynthModules

Yeah, this is something I've asked for on the Blacet list.  Seems like
it would be super easy to make a half-size module with 4 pots and 4
output jacks that could spit out 0-5 volts (or 0-10).

Stepped voltage would be extremely useful as well.  Would it be any
easier/cheaper to have 4 on/off switches that would each turn on 1v, 2v,
3v, etc and could be summed for a total of 10v.  That might be kind of
neat.

Or maybe you just need another PSIM to control the first one ;)

I wish I had even basic electronics skills to make some of this stuff :\

ANdrew

>>> jassen@bright.net 04/07/04 11:40 AM >>>
I'd like to see a utility module that provided stepped voltages.

I plan to set-up a series of "preset" programs on the PSIM and use the
-/+ 
output of my Blacet mixer module to select a preset.

It would be great if there was an add on module with several detented
pots 
(I don't know if that is the proper name - the kind that turn in fixed 
increments).

Maybe (probably more luxury than necessity) an LED array a la the
Miniwave 
that indicates the value of the pot.

For instance, such a module would allow you to select what chords might 
play for the shift registers that all of you are dreaming up...

Plus this would allow mega programs that contained most if not all of
the 
programs that people are dreaming up.

Maybe this is a good use for the AUX i/o?

Jassen 





Be sure to check out the primary Web site at:
http://www.SynthModules.com
  
Yahoo! Groups Links

No problem.  I can add that as an add-on module going forward.  The only
problem is... the panel will cost ten times as much as the parts that go
behind it.  SO... if there IS interest in this... I don't want any "sticker
shock" when the time comes.

How much are you folks willing to pay for a 1U Frac-Rack module with four
pots and a couple wires running over to your PSIM-1?  (You connect them to
the switch tab on the four input jacks so they are normalized to the PSIM-1
analog inputs and the power comes from the voltage reference test point.)  A
little soldering required (photos provided).  OR... I could do it as a
stand-alone module with it's own power connector, four pots, and four jacks.
Hmmm... this sounds like another poll.

Graduations on the faceplate almost double the cost since my panels are CNC
engraved and not silkscreened... and in this case wouldn't be necessary
anyway.  Why?  Stepped voltages are easy... "Quantize" them going into the
PSIM-1.  How many steps do you want?  1,2,10,128, or 256?  No problem... all
you have to do is write the code for it.  (See... a scale of 1 to 10 on the
dial just wouldn't make sense.)  Now, if we're talking digital encoders and
an LCD display... nah... let's not talk about that one just yet.

Now... I cannot stress enough how USEFUL the Wiard Model 1209B Frac-Rac
Joystick Module are.  Get TWO.  You won't regret it for an instant.  That
instantly gives you four CV's to feed into the PSIM-1 and you can move them
around to get all sorts of effects and control over the PSIM-1.  There have
been MANY times I've had both joystick controllers feeding all four PSIM-1
inputs.  As I look over at my synth right now... both joysticks are being
used.  I use them in almost every single patch I do.  They have been as
useful in my synth setup as my power supplies!  I couldn't live without
them.  http://www.wiard.com

- Brice

Oh... by the way, the nuts arrived today for the jacks.  They are PERFECT.
Production resumes... back to building modules...

"The trouble with real life is that there's no danger music."
- Jim Carrey from "The Cable Guy"

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

From: "Andrew Scheidler" <xpandrew@ph.k12.in.us>
To: <jassen@bright.net>; <SynthModules@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: [SynthModules] New poll for SynthModules


> Yeah, this is something I've asked for on the Blacet list.  Seems like
> it would be super easy to make a half-size module with 4 pots and 4
> output jacks that could spit out 0-5 volts (or 0-10).
>
> Stepped voltage would be extremely useful as well.  Would it be any
> easier/cheaper to have 4 on/off switches that would each turn on 1v, 2v,
> 3v, etc and could be summed for a total of 10v.  That might be kind of
> neat.
>
> Or maybe you just need another PSIM to control the first one ;)
>
> I wish I had even basic electronics skills to make some of this stuff :\
>
> ANdrew
>
> >>> jassen@bright.net 04/07/04 11:40 AM >>>
> I'd like to see a utility module that provided stepped voltages.
>
> I plan to set-up a series of "preset" programs on the PSIM and use the
> -/+
> output of my Blacet mixer module to select a preset.
>
> It would be great if there was an add on module with several detented
> pots
> (I don't know if that is the proper name - the kind that turn in fixed
> increments).
>
> Maybe (probably more luxury than necessity) an LED array a la the
> Miniwave
> that indicates the value of the pot.
>
> For instance, such a module would allow you to select what chords might
> play for the shift registers that all of you are dreaming up...
>
> Plus this would allow mega programs that contained most if not all of
> the
> programs that people are dreaming up.
>
> Maybe this is a good use for the AUX i/o?
>
> Jassen
>
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out the primary Web site at:
> http://www.SynthModules.com
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out the primary Web site at:
> http://www.SynthModules.com
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Longish ramble follows. I welcome suggestions for dealing with multiple
cable & physical formats. Thanks. Now on with my post:


I was going to convert my PSIM to the MOTM format with a Stooge panel. Now
I'm not so sure. I am definitely buying a Stooge panel, but I may use it as
Brice describes, below.  Let me back up a little...

I had no Frac Rack gear until I bought a PSIM-1 plus a Blacet PS and rack
cage to house it. I have plenty of gear with 1/4" jacks, though, so I am
reluctant to get into the 1/8" format too heavily.

Plan A was to use the PSIM with some 1/4-to-1/8 adapters. This looks cheesy,
seems fragile, and it doesn't address the issue of getting *more* 1/8" gear.

Plan B was to join the Stooges, reformatting everything into MOTM format.
Now, I'm having second thoughts, since there is a lot of cool Frac Rack gear
and I'm not sure that I want to reformat it all! (There is Wiard 1200 and
Blacet, plus Doepfer, which also uses 1/8" connectors although the EuroRack
is a little different.) The 1/8" stuff is so nice and compact, too. So...

I've been working on Plan C, which involves living with both 1/4 and1/8,
after all.

Plan C, Version 1, has me installing the Frac Rack cage *and* MOTM rack
rails *and* a custom patch bay into one rack enclosure. The patch bay will
be mounted between the rows of Frac and MOTM gear, and will feature both 1/8
and 1/4 jacks. It will also provide cascaded mults for both jack sizes. (To
make the patch bay, I intend to modify a commercial unit, replacing some
1/4" jacks with 1/8" ones -- will this be a problem due to oversized holes?
I'm not too far into the planning!)

What about the Stooge panel? That's a special case. My idea is to mount it
directly above or below the PSIM itself, and use it as a breakout box with
1/4" jacks and input attenuators (see
http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/panel/gif/psim7.gif). My intent is to wire
a custom connector behind each front panel; a custom cable will connect the
MOTM panel to the PSIM.

I'm also looking into using Peter Grenader's Gizmotron
(http://www.buzzclick-music.com/gizmotron.html) to make attenuator/inverters
for the PSIM outputs. But that's another module...
--
john

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brice D. Hornback" <synthmodules@synthmodules.com>


> No problem.  I can add that as an add-on module going forward.  The only
> problem is... the panel will cost ten times as much as the parts that go
> behind it.  SO... if there IS interest in this... I don't want any
"sticker
> shock" when the time comes.
>
> How much are you folks willing to pay for a 1U Frac-Rack module with four
> pots and a couple wires running over to your PSIM-1?  (You connect them to
> the switch tab on the four input jacks so they are normalized to the
PSIM-1
> analog inputs and the power comes from the voltage reference test point.)
A
> little soldering required (photos provided).  OR... I could do it as a
> stand-alone module with it's own power connector, four pots, and four
jacks.
> Hmmm... this sounds like another poll.
>
> Graduations on the faceplate almost double the cost since my panels are
CNC
> engraved and not silkscreened... and in this case wouldn't be necessary
> anyway.  Why?  Stepped voltages are easy... "Quantize" them going into the
> PSIM-1.  How many steps do you want?  1,2,10,128, or 256?  No problem...
all
> you have to do is write the code for it.  (See... a scale of 1 to 10 on
the
> dial just wouldn't make sense.)  Now, if we're talking digital encoders
and
> an LCD display... nah... let's not talk about that one just yet.

A couple of thoughts, all of which I've implemented because I don't 
like the 1/8" format:

* Stooge Larry will make you 1/8" to 1/4" cables.  His cables and 
connectors are wonderful.  This is an optimal soultion. (Truth be 
told, I don't have any of these yet, but I will when he does the next 
cable run).

* John Blacet has a $12.00 frame that adapts Frac modules to MOTM 
size.  The frame also includes pilot holes for 8 x 1/4" jacks: you 
wire these from the module's existing 1/8" jacks.  I did this for my 
Noise Ring and it works very well.  You have either 1/8" or 1/4" 
jacks available as needed.  Note that for the Noise Ring a little 
shaving was needed to get the pots to fit behind the frame.  Also the 
frame is just slightly too wide, but can be shaved with a little 
Dremel action.

* Paul Schreiber has an adpater panel in MOTM format that includes 8 
each of 1/4", 1/8", and Banana jacks.

* Stooge panels rock.  I've converted several Blacet modules to MOTM 
and though it takes a little DIY skill, the end results are 
terrific.  NOTHING cooler than an MOTM-ized Time Machine!

* Finally, Schaeffer will create a nice panel for you of your own 
design. A 1U MOTM panel could probably fit 12 1/4" and 12 1/8" if you 
want to roll your own adapter panel.

Mike

--- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, "john mahoney" <jmahoney@g...> 
wrote:
> Longish ramble follows. I welcome suggestions for dealing with 
multiple
> cable & physical formats. Thanks. Now on with my post:
> 
> 
> I was going to convert my PSIM to the MOTM format with a Stooge 
panel. Now
> I'm not so sure. I am definitely buying a Stooge panel, but I may 
use it as
> Brice describes, below.  Let me back up a little...
> 
> I had no Frac Rack gear until I bought a PSIM-1 plus a Blacet PS 
and rack
> cage to house it. I have plenty of gear with 1/4" jacks, though, so 
I am
> reluctant to get into the 1/8" format too heavily.
> 
> Plan A was to use the PSIM with some 1/4-to-1/8 adapters. This 
looks cheesy,
> seems fragile, and it doesn't address the issue of getting *more* 
1/8" gear.
> 
> Plan B was to join the Stooges, reformatting everything into MOTM 
format.
> Now, I'm having second thoughts, since there is a lot of cool Frac 
Rack gear
> and I'm not sure that I want to reformat it all! (There is Wiard 
1200 and
> Blacet, plus Doepfer, which also uses 1/8" connectors although the 
EuroRack
> is a little different.) The 1/8" stuff is so nice and compact, too. 
So...
> 
> I've been working on Plan C, which involves living with both 1/4 
and1/8,
> after all.
> 
> Plan C, Version 1, has me installing the Frac Rack cage *and* MOTM 
rack
> rails *and* a custom patch bay into one rack enclosure. The patch 
bay will
> be mounted between the rows of Frac and MOTM gear, and will feature 
both 1/8
> and 1/4 jacks. It will also provide cascaded mults for both jack 
sizes. (To
> make the patch bay, I intend to modify a commercial unit, replacing 
some
> 1/4" jacks with 1/8" ones -- will this be a problem due to 
oversized holes?
> I'm not too far into the planning!)
> 
> What about the Stooge panel? That's a special case. My idea is to 
mount it
> directly above or below the PSIM itself, and use it as a breakout 
box with
> 1/4" jacks and input attenuators (see
> http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/panel/gif/psim7.gif). My intent 
is to wire
> a custom connector behind each front panel; a custom cable will 
connect the
> MOTM panel to the PSIM.
> 
> I'm also looking into using Peter Grenader's Gizmotron
> (http://www.buzzclick-music.com/gizmotron.html) to make 
attenuator/inverters
> for the PSIM outputs. But that's another module...
> --
> john
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Brice D. Hornback" <synthmodules@s...>
> 
> 
> > No problem.  I can add that as an add-on module going forward.  
The only
> > problem is... the panel will cost ten times as much as the parts 
that go
> > behind it.  SO... if there IS interest in this... I don't want any
> "sticker
> > shock" when the time comes.
> >
> > How much are you folks willing to pay for a 1U Frac-Rack module 
with four
> > pots and a couple wires running over to your PSIM-1?  (You 
connect them to
> > the switch tab on the four input jacks so they are normalized to 
the
> PSIM-1
> > analog inputs and the power comes from the voltage reference test 
point.)
> A
> > little soldering required (photos provided).  OR... I could do it 
as a
> > stand-alone module with it's own power connector, four pots, and 
four
> jacks.
> > Hmmm... this sounds like another poll.
> >
> > Graduations on the faceplate almost double the cost since my 
panels are
> CNC
> > engraved and not silkscreened... and in this case wouldn't be 
necessary
> > anyway.  Why?  Stepped voltages are easy... "Quantize" them going 
into the
> > PSIM-1.  How many steps do you want?  1,2,10,128, or 256?  No 
problem...
> all
> > you have to do is write the code for it.  (See... a scale of 1 to 
10 on
> the
> > dial just wouldn't make sense.)  Now, if we're talking digital 
encoders
> and
> > an LCD display... nah... let's not talk about that one just yet.

hello there,
as far as the whole 1/8 to 1/4 thing goes, get hold of a 19" x 1U panel
pre-cut with Neutrik D type holes
you can normally fit 12 x D types in a 1U panel. then you need some D type
blanking plates - these are normally (in the uk at least) white or black
plastic
from here it's easy to drill whatever holes you need into the plastic blanks
and mount them on the panel

cheers
paul b
sheffield
uk...

--- Andrew Scheidler <xpandrew@ph.k12.in.us> wrote:
> I wish I had even basic electronics skills to make some of this
> stuff :\

No need to be just wishing.  The idea is to start with something
simple is a good one.  What you are talking about it indeed something
simple.

Let's start with the most simple.  A control with a single output
that is ranged from 0-10 volts.

You could build a module with 4 of these circuits:
Total parts:
4 pots, 4 knobs, 1 nice quad op amp (TL074), 12 resistors and 4
capacitors.

The most expensive part is the pots and knobs.  So, there is no need
to try to cheapen it even furthur by leaving out the buffers.

If you are interested, I can help.  You can lay it out on a $2
protoboard from radio shack. total cost of the electronic parts about
$2-$3 plus the pots and knobs.

Larry H

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway 
http://promotions.yahoo.com/design_giveaway/

Thanks, Larry! (Says me, jumping onto Andrew's train. :-)

I also want this, although I'd like negative voltages, too. +/-5 or 10
volts. (Yet I always try to stay positive...) Is that just as simple?

Maybe the following spiral circuit will work. Note the 4-spiral ladder
design:
(Must view with monospaced font)

   o--^^^---||--<!--@----@-\
                     \-@----@-->|--~*&$%#!~--;-)


This should be on the synth DIY list, which was begging for on-topic stuff!
--
john



> --- Andrew Scheidler <xpandrew@ph.k12.in.us> wrote:
> > Yeah, this is something I've asked for on the Blacet list.  Seems like
> > it would be super easy to make a half-size module with 4 pots and 4
> > output jacks that could spit out 0-5 volts (or 0-10).
> >
> > Stepped voltage would be extremely useful as well.  Would it be any
> > easier/cheaper to have 4 on/off switches that would each turn on 1v, 2v,
> > 3v, etc and could be summed for a total of 10v.  That might be kind of
> > neat.
> > [snip]
> > I wish I had even basic electronics skills to make some of this
> > stuff :\
>

Larry Hendry wrote:

> No need to be just wishing.  The idea is to start with something
> simple is a good one.  What you are talking about it indeed something
> simple.
>
> Let's start with the most simple.  A control with a single output
> that is ranged from 0-10 volts.
>
> You could build a module with 4 of these circuits:
> Total parts:
> 4 pots, 4 knobs, 1 nice quad op amp (TL074), 12 resistors and 4
> capacitors.
>
> The most expensive part is the pots and knobs.  So, there is no need
> to try to cheapen it even furthur by leaving out the buffers.
>
> If you are interested, I can help.  You can lay it out on a $2
> protoboard from radio shack. total cost of the electronic parts about
> $2-$3 plus the pots and knobs.
>
> Larry H