[sdiy] Synthi AKS sequencer cloning possibilities - and musings on Ken Stone's Pedalboard Controller as the core of an arpeggiator/sequencer.

[anthony]

I can't remember if we've discussed this topic in depth or not so I'll cast 
again:

I've looked at the schematic for the sequencer for the Synthi AKS and it is 
amazing. And it's sad that what looks like a critical component is horribly 
and finally obsolete. Has anyone ever thought of updating this design.

I like the idea for an on-the-fly performance oriented sequencer. Knob 
twiddling is fun, but it would be great to be able to just punch a sequence 
in and go. I have a design germinating in my brain that revolves around Ken 
Stone's CGS Pedalboard/Minikeyboard controller, some latches, like maybe 
CD4044's and his CGS gate sequencer and some other bits to fit it all 
together. I first got the idea when I looked at the schematic for the CGS 
Pedalboard schematic - the way the CV in generated from the output of the 
74C922 (or a 74C923 for a 20-note version...) with a R2R ladder like a D/A 
converter. I thought you could take that raw binary output and chug it 
through a chain of latches with their own R2R ladders, controlled by some 
sort of sequencer and it'd make a nice arpeggiator/sequencer.

Doesn't this sound like a neat elegant aproach? It woldn't get a 256-step 
sequence, but 8 or 16 would be easy.

I think both ideas have their merits.

Oh but I were a rich man and I'd have my own Synthi AKS and I could play "On 
The Run" on my very own!

cheers,
aa