[sdiy] Anyone built the ELEKTOR VOCODER?

[jbv]

Kevin Peek  :

> Just wondering if anyone has built the ELEKTOR Vocoder before?
>
> I downloaded the files from : http://omega.tellus.vallentuna.se/anders/
>
> It looks rather more complicated than what I had in mind. I was
> wanting to build something like Scott Bernardi's design.
> But I am willing to try the ELEKTOR if it not too difficult.
>
> Thanks.
> Kevin

I built it when it was published in the magazine, roughly 20 years ago.

AFAIR it wasn't too bad (at least for early 80's standards). The nice
thing
was to be able to DIY a great tool a-la-kraftwerk, as I couldn't afford
the
top gear (EMS, etc.).

I remember using it for radio announcements & jingles, and the results
were quite acceptable (at least the message was 100% understandable).

On the down side, I remember that calibration was a bit tricky, and that
it was pretty difficult to eliminate the carrier from the output signal
(probably because the VCAs use CA3080 chips).

I guess I already mention to the list that I've spent some time
re-designing
that vocoder, turning it into a 30 bands with MIDI i/o. I've even
finalized
(almost) the PCBs, but haven't got the time to build nor test anything
yet...

The only DIY activity I have for a few months is reading the posts on
this list, and starting flame wars about "reply" buttons...    ;-)

jbv