Analogue-sequencer

--- In analogue-sequencer@yahoogroups.com, Nick Thompson <nicholas.thompson@...> 
wrote:
To avoid wasting anyone's time I have answered a coupld of my own questions :)

> 2) There a bit of discussion about PLED displays using the Hitachi controller.  Is this still 
the way to go?  Did people come to a concensus as to the "best" part to go with?

The display part for sale on the sequentix website looks good, are these still available?

> 3) The software I have is probably pretty achaic, is there a way to update the part I have, 
if not is there still a source for this part (or is the firmware available somewhere for 
burning a new part?)

<http://www.sequentix.com/sq_download.htm>

> 7) is there a user manual for the original software version or for any updates I might 
find.

<http://www.sequentix.com/sq_download.htm>

-- Appreciate answers on the other questions though.  Thanks!

Nick

Hello,

My studio got caught in a time warp.  In fact I packed it up in the garage when we had kids and moved to a bigger house, and I've just started to rediscover everything.  One of the things I discovered was my P3 boards, they are postmarked 11 AU 03 !!!  

I'm jazzed about this because I had thought they had gone lost/missing.  

Forgive me for asking all this here so far after the fact, but I have a few questions.  If anyone can remember back to building theirs I'd really appreciate any tips or pointers.

The CPU has P3-016 on the tape on top.

I have 7 circuit boards:

MIDI IN/DIN Sync
Upper Pot Board
Lower Pot Board
Key Func/Pot Finc
Keypad
Main Board v1.3
Unlabelled (S1 thru s16, D17 thru D32 and D1 thru D16)

Hopefully everything I need is there.

I have found some build instructions at <http://www.sequentix.com/build/old/p3-build.htm>.  Thanks for leaving these up :)  Are these the best to use?  

I have a parts list (3 pages) with my boards.

I'm in the process of sourcing parts in the US, probably using mouser and/or allied.

Some questions:

1) Are these build instructions pretty up to date, are there gotchas I should be aware of.
2) There a bit of discussion about PLED displays using the Hitachi controller.  Is this still the way to go?  Did people come to a concensus as to the "best" part to go with?
3) The software I have is probably pretty achaic, is there a way to update the part I have, if not is there still a source for this part (or is the firmware available somewhere for burning a new part?)
4) are there any "problem" parts that have gone out of production
5) I remember some discussion around getting front panels made.  Is there a file for this, for the version of the boards I have.
6) which parts are best socketed?  I tend to socket stuff partly because my soldering is ok to good, but I feel less anxious about damaging parts.  At very least I will socket the main processor/eeprom or whatever it is.  I've built an evenfall minimodular and around 10 blacet modules without problems, so this should be OK if I spread it out over a few evenings.
7) is there a user manual for the original software version or for any updates I might find.
8) Does anyone in the US have any recommendations about switches to use, are the Maplin switches sill available?

Thanks and apologies if these questions have been asked over the years.  I lost touch with the group (I stayed subscribed but turned off emails for a few years).  

And feel free to go tell me to search the archives if this is taking too much bandwidth :)

I'm really looking forward to getting this together.  Kids seem to be a time warp, eh?

All the best

and THANK YOU!!

Nick



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

> I have found some build instructions at 
> <http://www.sequentix.com/build/old/p3-build.htm>.  Thanks 
> for leaving these up :)  Are these the best to use?  

Best and only !
 
> 1) Are these build instructions pretty up to date, are there 
> gotchas I should be aware of.

I can't remember as far back as the v1.3 boards.
They didn't change by much though.

> 3) The software I have is probably pretty achaic, is there a 
> way to update the part I have, if not is there still a source 
> for this part (or is the firmware available somewhere for 
> burning a new part?)

All the necessary update files are available for download from Yahoo files
or the Sequentix site.
Might be best to leave worrying about the firmware level until you have
built it ;-)

> 4) are there any "problem" parts that have gone out of production

The PLED displays, and the main CPU are no longer available.
You can use an LCD. Be careful with the CPU...

> 5) I remember some discussion around getting front panels 
> made.  Is there a file for this, for the version of the boards I have.

There are some files about, but you may need to modify to suit the type of
key caps you use.

> 6) which parts are best socketed?

On a one-off DIY thing, I'd socket everything.
Aside from anything else, it makes troubleshooting much simpler.

> 8) Does anyone in the US have any recommendations about 
> switches to use, are the Maplin switches sill available?

The Maplin switches aren't available.
I think you can use standard tact switches with those boards, you are spoilt
for choice in key caps for those.
 
> I'm really looking forward to getting this together.  Kids 
> seem to be a time warp, eh?

Aye.

Best regards,
Colin Fraser
Sequentix Music Systems Ltd
http://www.sequentix.com

hi,Nick...i've builded two p3 in 2008,i 've bought lots of parts at
Rapid electronics very cheap knobs,potentiometer,led tact switch (mec
or standard the £ is low .;enjoy)i used Schaeffer for the front panel
and i can send you some tips for your file; my P3 is the gold Boops
edition (pictures here);-)..i recommand you to buy a memory expansion
to Colin (perhaps the last)for the version 4 software..i will be happy
to help you if i can..Colin is always a good captain, here  .Best regards




 In analogue-sequencer@yahoogroups.com, "Colin Fraser" <colin@...> wrote:
>
>  
> > I have found some build instructions at 
> > <http://www.sequentix.com/build/old/p3-build.htm>.  Thanks 
> > for leaving these up :)  Are these the best to use?  
> 
> Best and only !
>  
> > 1) Are these build instructions pretty up to date, are there 
> > gotchas I should be aware of.
> 
> I can't remember as far back as the v1.3 boards.
> They didn't change by much though.
> 
> > 3) The software I have is probably pretty achaic, is there a 
> > way to update the part I have, if not is there still a source 
> > for this part (or is the firmware available somewhere for 
> > burning a new part?)
> 
> All the necessary update files are available for download from Yahoo
files
> or the Sequentix site.
> Might be best to leave worrying about the firmware level until you have
> built it ;-)
> 
> > 4) are there any "problem" parts that have gone out of production
> 
> The PLED displays, and the main CPU are no longer available.
> You can use an LCD. Be careful with the CPU...
> 
> > 5) I remember some discussion around getting front panels 
> > made.  Is there a file for this, for the version of the boards I have.
> 
> There are some files about, but you may need to modify to suit the
type of
> key caps you use.
> 
> > 6) which parts are best socketed?
> 
> On a one-off DIY thing, I'd socket everything.
> Aside from anything else, it makes troubleshooting much simpler.
> 
> > 8) Does anyone in the US have any recommendations about 
> > switches to use, are the Maplin switches sill available?
> 
> The Maplin switches aren't available.
> I think you can use standard tact switches with those boards, you
are spoilt

> for choice in key caps for those.
>  
> > I'm really looking forward to getting this together.  Kids 
> > seem to be a time warp, eh?
> 
> Aye.
> 
> Best regards,
> Colin Fraser
> Sequentix Music Systems Ltd
> http://www.sequentix.com
>

Kudos Dude! Nice Find!

If you're looking at all that and going "when will I have the time???" I 
HIGHLY recommend having a chat with the guy that built mine for me (and 
another list member). Details here:

http://nuxx.net/gallery/v/stuffivemade/sequentix_p3_for_mark_pulver/

Very quick turn-around, awesome guy to work with, very reasonably priced, 
and INCREDIBLE work. Mine had been sitting around since mid 2003, just a 
hair longer than yours. :)

ref: Steve <c0nsumer@nuxx.net>


Have Fun!

Mark
-----
Nick Thompson (10:25 AM 2/6/2009) wrote:

 >
 >Hello,
 >
 >My studio got caught in a time warp.  In fact I packed it up in the garage
 >when we had kids and moved to a bigger house, and I've just started to
 >rediscover everything.  One of the things I discovered was my P3 boards,
 >they are postmarked 11 AU 03 !!!

This is for a friend. Its in Toronto. He wants 1600 CDN. I can put you in touch with him if you're interested.


      

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