building modular, need schematics, etc

[Magnus Danielson]

> I'm starting to prepare for building a modular synth and have the 
> following questions.
> 
> 1) Exactly where can a person get ordering information for the ASM-1 
> stuff.  I've found data at: 
> http://www.it.kth.se/~e93_mda/synths/companies/stopp/
> but no ordering/pricing info.  Front panels?

Murvel! Yet another piece of info I didn't get onto the page... but here it is:

ASM-1 PCBs:
	Drop a mail to Gene Stopp <gstopp at fibermux.com>

ASM-1 Front panels & VCO Tempcos:
	Drop a mail to Christopher List <Christopher_List at Sonymusic.Com>

The Tempcos is delayed somewhat but all the other stuff is on the shelf I 
beleive.

Could people remind me of what needs to be updated on the ASM-1 page... there 
is
several good tips that has surfaced but I don't recall all of them rigth now...

I should link in the pictures of built ones as they appear.

> 4) Are most people using 1/4" jacks for audio & control, or bannana 
> jacks for cv, or what?  Is 3.5mm same as 1/8"?

I have never seen true 1/8" (3.175 mm) plugs, just 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm plugs.

I have seen both 1/4" (6.35 mm) and some other similar (6.25 or 6.50 mm?)
teleplugg version thougth....

I use 1/4" jacks mainly but is considering good banana jacks as an alternative.

> 5) Any benefit of shielding cv cables?  Can audio patch cables be 
> unshielded?

CVs can usually be unshielded (and is in bananajack cases) since they are
typhically running just outside of a box and in again and has a strong signal.

Audio patch cables can be unshielded when used as patchcables on a modular, but
in patch bays and between modulars they should be shielded.

Keep them all shielded and makes life a little easier...

> 6) When using 1/4" jacks for cv, don't you short the cv to ground at 
> every insert?  I guess this is acceptable?

Yes, you certainly do. This is why it is common practice to let output signals
be buffered by a 100 ohm resistor so that such a short will only load the 
output
with 100 ohm, something which most output stages do without permanent damage.

> 7) I've seen several CV levels used 0-5,-5-+5,0-10, etc.  What's 
> good/common here?

Bert gave a good answer before me... but the cases he gave does not allways
comply with reality... but they are a good thum rule I guess...

> 9) Are schematics (books, mags) available for the Formant system?

There where 2 books, now you can find some of it scanned at
ftp://ns.tellus.vallentuna.se/incoming/anders/sas/formant1.zip
ftp://ns.tellus.vallentuna.se/incoming/anders/sas/formant2.zip

BTW: These are unfortunatly in a ZIP format I CANT read, so if someone would
be so very nice to put them in a propper format (TAR/GZIP that is) I would be
very happy... that goes for all the stuff at that site.... Anders, please?

> 10) Is there a source for raw keyboards (no case) ?  Prefer to buy 
> straight from a manufacturer, not surplus.
> 
> 100) Is this enough questions?

As the humorless person I am I lack question 11 to 99... ;-)

Cheers,
Magnus