[sdiy] Test / Sequencer / Arduino

[Rick Jansen]

Hi,

This is both a test message and a new-old project revival note. I was notified traffic on 
synth-diy may have halted, but as far as I can see everything still works.

For the Formant I was, years ago, designing and building a sequencer, as we all do one 
time in our life. This one is inspired by the Synthanorma Sequenzer, as used by Kraftwerk 
and Tangerine Dream, in that it does not have potmeters but uses 12-position rotary switches.

Mine has 3 rotary switches per step: 1. note duration 2. octave, 3. pitch. A switch, a 
trigger output and a LED (to impress the ladies) are also included.

I was in the process of doing a circuit built with the regular HC digital ic's, like 
timers, counters, multiplexers etc etc, and a DA-converter.

Basically the circuit already work[ed][s], but you know how it is when duty and jobs and 
relatinships take their time: such projects get shelved.

For years I've seen projects in magazines like Elektor, using small digital controllers 
like Arduino. Usually I skipped those, as that is not the kind of electronics I personally 
like a lot. But I realise now how cheap and versatile they have become. They're almost a 
uA741. Perhaps even more Arduino's are sold than uA741's these days. And, with analog 
in/out, and digital in/out pins. Impressive.

I even saw that is is quite easy to sync an Arduino program with the MIDI clock!

Here is the current status:

   <http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/rick/Emusic/Sequencer/>

Now I need to bring back to life the Formant, which has been sitting there, unused for 
about 10 years. Hope the elco's are all still keeping their liquids!

Best,

rick