[sdiy] Fun with the Oberheim M6

[Tim Parkhurst]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Glen [mailto:mclilith at charter.net]
> 
> At 12:28 PM 8/25/04 , Tim Parkhurst wrote:
> 
> >Has anybody had this sort of thing happen? Perhaps it’s a lesson for all
of
> >us using micro-driven analog equipment.
> 
> I'm not saying your theory is wrong, but I wonder if the unit simply
needed
> to warm up to full temperature and let its circuitry stabilize? Did you
> make sure to let the unit run for an extended period of time before doing
> the tuning?
> 
> Of course, some of your discrete circuitry might have drifted in value
over
> the years, and those VCF's might have just barely been within range of the
> internal processor's correction capability. Had the discrete parts been
> closer to perfect, perhaps the "oughta-tune" button would have worked the
> first time?
> 
> Anyway, it's good that you finally got it working.
> 
> congratulations,
> Glen
 
Oh, my theory could very easily be wrong! ;) It's just my best guess. As far
as temperature induced drift, I don't think I've ever had that problem with
the M6. The 'buzzy VCF' problem was consistent, even after a few hours of
operation (everything nice and warmed up), and while servicing, I had the
lid of the M6 opened and closed several times (everything cold, open and
drafty). I should add that the chip swap cut the problem (approximately) in
half on one voice, so it seems that some chips are 'closer' than others. I
have seen notes on the Curtis data sheets that chip to chip variation can be
quite high. Still, the repeated calibration was what finally did the trick.

By the way, I've tried the demo version of the OB6000 patch editor and it
really makes a HUGE difference in programming this beast. It makes
programming the M6 downright fun! You're able to set up and tweak patches
almost effortlessly. I'll also be trying the Matrix 2001 program (demo) this
weekend, and I'll post my 'review' as soon as I can.

OB6000 patch editor
http://www.technomusic.de/ob6000/


Matrix 2001 patch editor
http://home.hccnet.nl/mark.strijbos/syn/m2001/


Cheers!

Tim (entering the Matrix...6, that is) Servo

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.713 / Virus Database: 469 - Release Date: 6/30/2004
 



***************************************************************************
This message is confidential.  The information contained in
this e-mail message is intended only for confidential use of the
recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in
error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
message is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in
error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, and delete the original
message.
***************************************************************************