Back on track(Idea to get on track

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Martin Gustafsson" <lt_sado at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Back on track(Idea to get on track
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000 23:23:03 +0100

Hi!

> To make some minds on this list to keep focus on the right subject:
> I want to build a small transportable device containing:
> 1: A small patternprogrammable(needs only to have one programmable pattern, changable in realtime e.g a lot of switches). 16 steps and kick, snare, hihat, open hihat.

I take it that you want a simple 16 x 4 sequencer (the matrix is 64
switches alone) triggering simple synths, a form of scaled-down
version of the TR-808, right?

> 2: simple 2-VCO, ADSR, VCF etc patchable synthesizer with a 16 step sequenser
> 3: same as nr 2 

OK.

> All three devices should go to the same tempo of course.

Thus, a common LFO for the rate.

> I don´t know what sort of seq edit interface to use for the drums but some sort of matrix 16(steps) X N sounds would be fit.
> For the synths there would be perfect with a rotating knob with a span of 24 values(2 octaves). Or maybe just a knob for the fun of finding the right pitch.
> All this with a trigg in.

Well, the sequencer part would be simple. You thus wants 4 gate
channels and 2 CV channels I guess, each taking a sequence of 16.
Triggering such a thing should be simple, having it take DIN-24 sync
(start and 24 ticks clock) should not be a major thing either.

Then comes the question, how complex do you want the synthesizer parts
to be? Which waveforms? Which modulations? LFO? Sync? Filter type?
Things like that.

> Would this be possible?

Sure, if you put some effort into it while limit yourself. Some things
can be made cheap, others tends to be expensive. Expensive in this
case can involve real estate (the physical size), expense, power
consumption etc. Not requireing too many waveforms on the VCOs is a
good example. Using less complex solutions for some things migth very
well work in the intended application.

You could get some inspiration to sequencers as well as other things
over at Anders Sponton's site... which is a generally good place to
pick up information and ideas.

Cheers,
Magnus