Official Soft Sync Fix
1999-06-07 by Paul Schreiber
Thanks to Dave & Larry (who did all the work) here is how you need to modify your MOTM-300 VCOs to enable Soft Sync. ADDITIONAL RESISTOR NEEDED: 4.7K (4700 ohms) 1/4W 5% If you cannot obtain one, email me how many you need. I'll send them right out. All VCOs shipped after today will include this resistor and new instructions. You can also use a 5.1K (5100 ohms). Step #1: *Unsolder* the inner conductor wire from the SYNC I/O left lug. Step #2: Solder the 4.7K resistor - one lead on the top lug, the other on the left lug. BE SURE the leads are short. Step #3: Re-solder the coax inner wire TO THE TOP LUG. That's it!!!! HOW IT WORKS You are adding a series resistance to the narrow sync pulse. The resistance is added ONLY WHEN you plug a jack into SYNC I/O. This additional resistance is enough to attenuate the sync pulse so that the LM319 comparator fires only when the sawtooth is near ground. HOW TO TEST IT You need to have 2 VCOs, EACH ONE with the mod. Step #1: set each COARSE and FINE knob to 5. NOTHING into 1V/OCT or FM. Step #2: set each SYNC switch to SOFT Step #3: plug a patch cable between the SYNC I/O jacks Step #4: you need to listen to the SINE out OF EACH VCO at once. Either use a mixer or what I do is run each VCO into Left or Right of my stereo AUX input. Step #5: apply power. *CAREFULLY* listen as you move the FINE knob of 1 VCO (doesn't matter which one) You should hear the VCOs "lock" (no beats) then "unlock" (beats) as you adjust the relative frequencies to the 2 VCOs. It's not obvious at first, but pay close attenion and you can hear it. There should be NO volume changes as you lock/unlock (NOT TRUE with hard sync) Again, sorry for not catching this at prototype and hat's off to Dave & Larry. Ain't MOTM building fun??!? I encourage everyone to listen to the new MP3 VCO/'120 samples on the website. MP3 players are free everywhere: I use WinAmp (www.winamp.com). Dave's analog drums are great! And check Larry's "Theremin" patch. Joe Pavone has 2 longer pieces that use all sorts of stuff. But I'm greedy! I want more! Paul Schreiber