Thanks so much for the explanation. I will certainly play with it further,
and if I can get out of here before 7, I'll stop by the Shack on the way
home and get some BNC connectors.
The face profile of this isn't all that much bigger than a MOTM 3U module,
btw. Also, it's what I used to do that little audio sample at
http://www.totaltrash.com/audio/Sound2.mp3, manually switching between the
sine and square waves (and MOTMing it up of course!).
I should go get some more--I got it and an old oscilloscope (works, clean
display, bakelite bird-beak knobs, wonderful to look at, black like the
MOTM, no marks on the display so not so useful for anything but "Cool!"
value) for $40 in the Coney Island area from a backyard surplus dealer.
Don't worry Paul, I'll still be ordering oscillators from you!
Take care and thanks again!
David.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Bradley [mailto:daveb@...]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 11:44 AM
> To: motm@onelist.com
> Subject: RE: [motm] Function generator as oscillator?
>
>
> From: "Dave Bradley" <daveb@...>
>
> > Anyway, I keep the signal waaay down (all the way actually),
> and I've not
> > blown up any of my equipment (I actually did test it first--I don't have
> > documentation for it as it was a surplus buy). Is there any forseeable
> > problem using it with my MOTM? And forgive my ignorance, but
> what are the
> > basic differences between function generators and oscillators?
>
> A function generator IS an oscillator. It's optimized to be a
> high precision
> test signal source. It will typically be very stable, and will have
> extremely pure waveforms. Most do not have CV inputs. Yours does, but
> probably it is not calibrated for exponential 1V/Oct response. By
> all means,
> make up a patch cord and stick some control voltages in and see what
> happens.
>
> A VCO in a synth is also an oscillator, but typically has less pure
> waveforms, is optimized to provide an array of control voltage and sync
> inputs, etc. The MOTM-300 is a LOT closer to a function generator in terms
> of stability than most. Its saw and pulse waveforms are good and
> sharp also.
> The function generator will probably have a purer sine and triangle
> waveform, but it cost many times as much when new, and probably is very
> large.
>
> The MOTM-300 signal levels are around 10 volts peak to peak. If you match
> that, it will work fine. If the function generator does not have
> calibrated
> output levels, stick a volt meter on it, set the volt meter to read AC
> volts, and adjust the output level until it reads about 7 Volts AC. (The
> meter is reading volts RMS instead of peak to peak, and 7V RMS is approx.
> equal to 10V pp).
>
> Dave Bradley
> Principal Software Engineer
> Engineering Animation, Inc.
> daveb@...
>
>
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