Xpantastic!

Hi Steve,
 
That's wonderful, congratulations!  I was considering doing the same thing with those very same dot matrix displays, using an FPGA to decode the row/col's and create the serial stream.
 
I'm an EE with microcontroller/FPGA experience and I have a matrix 12 .  I'd be very happy to help you beta test your hardware and assist in any measurements/troubleshooting if needed.  My display board looks just like the one in the pictures on your website.
 
Randall
 
 


--- On Thu, 11/13/08, stevelenham <yahoo@...> wrote:

From: stevelenham <yahoo@....co.uk>
Subject: [xpantastic] Replacement display board - request for beta-testers
To: xpantastic@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 5:28 AM






Hi,

I'm new here, so perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Steve 
Lenham and I run a small design consultancy in south-eastern England, 
an increasing part of which involves working on classic synths and 
related equipment.

I recently restored an Xpander and, amongst other things, its owner 
asked me if anything could be done about the failing vacuum-
fluorescent displays. As a result, I designed and produced a 
replacement display board fitted with three Itron DN4015 displays and 
wonder whether it might be of interest to others here.

Full details can be found on my website:

www.bendentech. co.uk/sound/ obvfd.html 

Unfortunately it would appear that Japanese-made synths use a single-
piece display/panel PCB, so aren't compatible with this upgrade. Can 
anyone tell me what proportion of units were made in Japan?

Initially I am looking for a small number of technically- competent 
beta testers for the upgrade to confirm its reliability. They will 
get a nice discount in return for their feedback. UK-based testers 
would be preferred for logistical reasons, and I would particularly 
welcome Matrix-12 owners since I would like to establish any relevant 
differences.

However, do please also let me know if you would be interested in a 
production board - I'd like to know whether this is worth pursuing!

Best regards,

Steve Lenham
Benden Sound Technology
bst@bendentech. co.uk