[sdiy] quantizer questions..(Ray Wilson model just built)

[Ray Wilson]

The Voltage Quantizer's initial voltage pot is similar to what Paul 
suggested. If you just connect the quantizer's output to a VCO for example 
and adjust the initial voltage pot from low to high you will hear the effect 
of the quantization on the voltage coming from the pot (which is wired as a 
variable voltage divider). So in 1/2 step mode you will hear the oscillator 
rise in pitch in discrete 1/2 step intervals. When I refer to half step I 
mean C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#... etc. Whole steps would be: C, D, E, F#, G#, 
A#, C... etc. Fourths mode would be: C, E, G#, C... etc.   The switches for 
1/2 step, whole step, and fourths act immediately because they change the 
configuration of the output D to A. The quantizer is meant  to follow 
voltages changes in the range of very low frequency to about 400 HZ. For 
example a sequencer running a sequence is typically about 2 or three notes a 
second. A S&H is similar but sometimes up to 10 to 20 notes a second. Once 
you start putting audible frequencies into the input the output starts to 
become more wave like (still consisting of discrete samples of the input but 
more cyclic in nature). So ideally if you want the effect of random notes 
from the 12 tone scale (or whole or fourth note scales) you want your S&H or 
sequencer to be changing at a rate that is sub audible (20 HZ or less). You 
also need to make sure the input voltage is in the range of 0 to +7 volts. 
Negative voltages will not be quantized and the unit will simply output it's 
lowest voltage. (.08333 in 1/2 step mode, 0 in other modes).

You won't hurt the unit by applying out of range synth level voltages. 
(e.g. -10V to +10V). The unit quantizes voltages in the range of 0 to about 
7 volts. It will not quantize negative voltages. So be sure to apply offset 
to the signal being fed in to bring it into the 0 to +7V range.

Cheers and good quantizing.

Ray



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Snazelle" <subjectivity at hotmail.com>
To: "Paul Perry" <pfperry at melbpc.org.au>; <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 5:08 AM
Subject: RE: [sdiy] quantizer questions..(Ray Wilson model just built)


>
> by complexity, what i meant was this. into a 1/voct input i would put 
> something in that i was sure would trigger it. (a signal with peaks and 
> valleys) and it would just put out one or two notes. annoying as hell.
>
> then as i said i tried the linear input..wow
>
>
> i assume its made to work with linear inputs...i didnt do anything wrong 
> now did I?
>
> thanks for the help.
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------
> check out various dan music at:
>
> http://www.myspace.com/lossnyc
>
>
> http://www.soundclick.com/lossnyc.htm
>
>
> http://www.indie911.com/dan-snazelle
> (or for techno) http://www.myspace.com/snazelle
>
>
>> From: pfperry at melbpc.org.au
>> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> Subject: RE: [sdiy] quantizer questions..(Ray Wilson model just built)
>> Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:16:44 +1000
>>
>> More simply, the input signal may not be covering the entire range.
>>
>> As for complexity..
>> The output from a quantizer is going to be LESS complex thatn the input,
>> because while the input signal can have any voltage over a range, the
>> quantizer has only a limited number of defined voltages outout - that is
>> what a quantizer is!
>>
>> The point to doing quantizing, is to turn a continuous varying signal 
>> into a
>> series of notes. It seems as though it is doing that, allright.
>>
>> I'd make a "test voltage" from a 9v battery and a pot, so I could dial 
>> from
>> 0 to +9V, you should get the full range of notes from 0 to 6V, then just 
>> the
>> highest.
>>
>> Mind you, I haven't built one yet..
>>
>> paul perry melbourne Australia
>>
>>
>>
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