Sorry this is a long one.

[Tony Allgood]

Hi,

Right, the prime mover for my 303 clone exercise is to see what the hell
is the fuss about and to make a nice analogue bass synth for my MC-303.
There will no midi controllers required, because they can't be recorded
on the MC-303. Its just gate, velocity and note CV, that will come out
of the convertor. Therefore velocity alone will control the slide and
accent. Couple this with legato playing and you should be away. Cubase
users, etc will be able to use velocity bars to fix everything. However,
for those of you with fancy MIDI-cv convertors, the option will be there
for standard logical control of the slide and accent, as well as CV on
the filter cut-off.

Yes, the imperfections of the 303 sequencer will make the sound of a
303, but let us not forget that a great cello multi-sample only sounds
(roughly) like a cello if it is played/programmed like you are a
cellist. No block chords, OK. So program Cubase or whatever, like you
would a step time thing and you're maybe half there. Go to grid edit and
shove notes in at random, and I bet it will probably sound even more
like a TB. As for timing errors giving it a groove. Groove can be
programmed, and though not trivial, it is not impossible and jolly good
fun. That groove knob on the MC303 is amazing, and the MC-303's timing
is pretty unusual as well.

As for knobs, my board will be laid out to house only the standard pots
found on the silver beast. BUT, it has been designed to have more knobs
if the user wants. There are other bits included on the board that will
make for a rather nice synth. It should fit in a half rack, 1U high for
standard clone, 2U for superbassline. You could use the other half of
the rack for jack sockets, or do another one. Or what about a 16 stage
analogue sequencer. Yes that does sound good. The design is almost done,
and I shall put the circuit up on the archive very shortly if Tony Clark
will let me.

Having said all that, there is someone on this list who wants to do a
clone of the sequencer. Watch this space.

Regards,

Tony Allgood, Cumbria, UK

e-mail: oakley at techrepairs.freeserve.co.uk

Rack mounted Moog VCF module. Details to be found at...

http://aupe.phys.andrews.edu/diy_archive/schematics/effects/filter.html