[sdiy] monolithic VCO chips for FM??

[synthplayer88 at spymac.com]

On Thu Aug 19 11:23 , Steve Ridley <spr at spridley.freeserve.co.uk> sent:

>
>
>> Just wondering if there is an offshelf monolithic VCO chips available out there?
>> It would really make the circuit much smaller and easier to make, am thinking
>> about building a multi VCO circuit with patching points for some FM, may be there
>> is a kit out there? :)
>
>There were the CEM3340 and SSM2030 & 2033 from back in
>the late 70s.  You can still get the CEM3340s from Paul Schreiber,
>but they're no longer in production.  The SSM VCOs are scarce
>now and should really only be used for fixing old synths that
>already use them.
>
>Look up National Semiconductors application note AN-299 for
>a fairly simple VCO - it's the basis of most DIY designs now.
>
>
>Steve


Hi Steve,
Thanks for the advise! :)

I am aware of the classic chips like the CEM and the SSM as I have been a big fan
of the ol'skool analog synth, been a collector of Oberhiem, SCI, Roland, moog
synth etc....... 

I am trying to stay away building synth based on those chips purely due to the
fact that they are scarce and therefore could be very expensive sometime down the
track and I don't want to be caught up in that situation after designed and
building the circuit. However, I love the sound of the CEM and SSM synth they are
VERY HANDY to use because they are specifically designed/build to do just that.
Too bad there isn't a market for it to demand the semiconductor manufactures to
keep it alive....  :(

I guess I am just being lazy trying to look for a 1 chip solution but I remember
seeing on TI's site that they've got a couple of signal generator chips putting
out sine, square and saw, there are a few of those around and still in production
by couple of others too. Will keep you guys posted when I find some! :)


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