[sdiy] Test / Sequencer / Arduino

[Carsten Toensmann]

Hi Rick,

when I started my own Formant project (MSS2000) I read your pages of course
to get an impression of what it could mean to start such a huge project. And
yes - it was a LOT of work, but it was worth it. I never built a sequencer
for it though but a MIDI interface.

Nowadays it seems to me that the Formant disappeared from the DIY scene more
or less, which is a pity in my opinion, so I hope you will manage to
reanimate your system and continue your project.

I finished my Formant project in May 2008 after a building time of 6 years.
The system has been part of several music productions and I like it. See
details on http://www.analog-monster.de/tagebuch_en.html

Regards

Carsten

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] Im Auftrag von Rick Jansen
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 25. März 2015 11:38
An: Synth-Diy
Betreff: [sdiy] Test / Sequencer / Arduino

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


_______________________________________________
Synth-diy mailing list
Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy