Emu SSMs (was Re: [sdiy] A potential problem with a voice-assignable organ)

[thx1138]

On 6/6/09 12:15 PM, "Tom Wiltshire" <tom at electricdruid.net> wrote:

> 
> On 6 Jun 2009, at 16:10, thx1138 wrote:
> 
>> Any idea where I can find SSM devices such as ssm2020, 2010, 2030,
>> 2040,
>> etc. ?
> 
> You'll be extremely lucky to find any of the chips listed. Which is
> not to say it's impossible, but expect to pay for them. Some SSMs are
> still available, for instance there still seem to be reasonable
> numbers of SSM2044s around, but even these won't last for ever, and
> they're not getting any cheaper.
> 
> The VCAs you will find modern equivalents for. THAT Corp and Analog
> Devices both still make VCAs, and the venerable LM13700 is still
> around in one form or another.
> 
> The SSM2040 has been cloned using discrete components by JH on this
> list, and George Hearn has produced a DIP-format SMD module of this
> chip.
> 
> The SSM2030 oscillator is completely gone though. I have no idea what
> IC audio oscillators there are out there.
> 
> Unfortunately, the heavy use of the SSM chips means that a lot of the
> Emu designs are not really a realistic prospect for modern synth
> builders. Which is one reason people keep going back to earlier stuff
> which was mostly discrete - after all, you can still get transistors!
> On top of that, the matching between units and quality has improved
> enough that some of the disadvantages of this approach originally are
> now no longer such big issues as they were.
> 
> Regards,
> Tom
> 
> 
Hi Tom and Dave and SDIY,

I have a small inventory of all SSM devices in the range of 200 - 400 on
most devices. These are leftover from my own products and Shultz Sound
Design inventory. I have approx. 850 SSM2044 still and I have no plans on
selling them. I plan on using them in some Modular projects I am working on.

I have a 2044 discrete design and it works well as it was my backup plan in
case I could not find enough parts some time back.

I also have built a DSP implementation of the SSM2044 but I never took it to
production. It is based upon the DSP56303 and I could easily port it over to
our newer devices.

I still hate to use DSP in place of good old analogue design.

I was trying to hook up with Ron Dow and see if he is still working. I have
not talked with him since I went to Germany to work with Wolfgang Palm on
the PPG products we designed in 1984-1985.

I am based in the Los Angeles Area and my email address is
thx1138 at earthlink.net.

Regards,

Terry