Analog tuner idea (try #2..no show)

[Magnus Danielson]

>>>>> "S" == Synthfool  <Synthfool at aol.com> writes:

 S> Magnus writes:
 >> For instance will top-octave-divide down cursuits
 >> do this by haveing a high tone and fixed divisions to get all twelve
 >> tones, but the drawback is that they will be sligthly off...
 >> Getting them more exact using this technology needs greater dividers
 >> and this calls for higher common frequency...

 S> This one I know. I'm really only interested in octaves for scaling purposes.

In many cases it will do, I agree, but you did mention the possibility
so I thougth I propose a solution for ya'... if it is too much work,
just skip it.

 >> Why not use an FM detector and allow a tap-in of an multimeter?
 S> I suppose so, however that gives me a lot to look at.

You could use the detector part of a 4046 for instance. But then there
is many other ways to do it. This, together with a DVM and possibly a
built in log-cursuit would allow you to measure the of-tune in cents,
could that be usefull?

 >> An audio-visual combination is a good thing, neigther of them will
 >> survive on it's own I think...
 S> Audio by itself has always been fine with me. 
 S> It might drive my cats crazy, but I've always tuned by ear.
 >> 
 S> 3. Multiple 1/4", 1/8" and banana output jacks.
 >> 
 >> Good thinking. Throw in some RCAs and XLRs while you are at it :)
 S> For what synth? I'd actually include a BNC before an XLR. :)

It's for da Magocrapial Pro-1000 Gold-XLR Monster which features
Monstercabels in the internal wiring... I am sure that you have heard
of it. You know, to maintain the original sound of the 70ties they
have used only 741's and MC1496's which have been burnt in since 1974
in da Magocrapial Burnin owen (which was patended in 1992). The warm
sound emitting from this thing is due to the fact that the chips
haven't cooled of yet. OF course would noone dream of patching this
thing with less then a XLR cable!!!! Since this is an American built
jobie they are running pin 3 hot and pin 2 is not even connected.

This thing needs constant tuning since they "engineers" haven't yet
figured out how to build stable VCOs and VCFs. This is why ever owner
of this piece (due to the internal wiring does the minimal
configuration weigth 2 tons) badly needs Synthfools mystimagical tuner
#2.

Did ya get that?

 S> 4. A momentary "ground" switch to facilitate back and forth tuning when
 S> doing
 S> vco scale adjustments.
 >> 
 >> Are you sure you necessary want to tune toward 0 V ?
 >> I'd prefer an A/B setting if I where to go all the way.
 S> This is a good idea. I can usually do a tuning fine, even if 0 isn't the
 S> "zero" pitch for that synth, but two ranges is a good idea. Thanks!!

Your wellcome.

 S> 6. A jumper with an alligator clip as a ground. This just seems to be a
 S> good
 S> idea.
 >> 
 >> Not sure why you want it... but why not, could be usefull.
 S> The reason being that bananas have no ground and there can be slight ground
 S> discrepancies between jacks in synths and whatever patch cable I've chosen.
 S> True, there could be differing resistances of the center wire in a patch cord
 S> too, but I'd rather have an additional or main fixed ground going to the
 S> power supply and/or chassis.

True. The point here is to asure that there is an ground connection
over an "perfect" isolation if inducted signal since lack of ground
connection is a much more serious problem in a bananarama-synth.

 S> 7. A built-in 4.5 or 5 digit DMM and amp/speaker would be nice too.
 >> 
 >> Neat, there's plenty of things one can come up with once you have one
 >> of those aboard... but then, this is what they call creeping features.
 S> Yes, but I'm a creep!!

Oh, well, then it's OK then I guess :)

 >> And yet again I couln't resist babbling on... how do you all surivive?
 S> I'm flattered that you babbled on MY post!! :)

Well, then... more babble at the next trigger... who's next?

Cheers,
Magnus