Hello again,
I will list my three favorite Serge modules that I'd like to see Paul make
clone kits available:
1) DSG
2) UAP
3) Wave Multipliers
This is (another) long one. Sorry gang!
In a message dated 3/4/99 6:18:42 AM, Thomas Hudson <
thudson@...>
wrote:
> There is one module I forgot to mention. There is a Serge
>module called a UAP (?). Seems like a great Swiss Army knife.
>It is basically an self retriggering AR. So it can be used
>as an AR, a LFO, etc.
>I can try to dig out a better description. Can any Serge users
>on the list give more info.
First, the UAP is a very simple but elegant module (not the module Thomas has
described however). The Universal Audio Processor is a dual VCA module with a
switch that allows it to work in three different ways. 1) It can be used as
two independent VCAs. 2) It can be used as a single input VCA which can VC pan
across two outputs. 3) It can be used as a dual input VCA with VC cross fading
capabilities to a single output. It would be great to see Paul introduce
something like this with all those CEM 3330s he's got. The UAP does (as a
recent post to the DIY list mentioned) have the "equal power pan" capability
which seems to involve the perception of a sound losing amplitude as it is
panned from one side to the center; I have no idea how this works.
Secondly, the Dual Universal Slope Generator (DSG) is, as Thomas suggests,
both a multi functional module, and a rather un-glamorous one. As such, it
would be my absolute first choice of any module that Paul could clone. It is
very difficult to explain its operations, so please bear with me here.
Each module of the DSG is a deceptively simple voltage follower, with a few
additions. The voltage output is determined by both the signal input, and the
RISE and FALL times as well as the CV applied to the RISE and FALL times.
There is also a separate TRIG input which causes the output to make one cycle
of a RISE to 5V and then FALL back to 0V (rise and fall times are again
determined as above); while it is in the middle of a cycle, it will ignore any
further highs at the TRIG input until the cycle is over.
INPUTS:
1) TRIG in -- a typical 5V to 10V pulse (gate or trigger)
2) SIGNAL in -- any continuous voltage (audio or CV)
CONTROLS:
1) RISE time -- a control of the slew rate from a low voltage to a higher
voltage.
2) FALL time -- a control of the slew rate from a high voltage to a lower
voltage
3) VC inputs (2) -- these inputs allow VC of the RISE and FALL times. One is a
1v/OCT input (not really, since it won't track very well). The second has a
processing knob which will attenuate the VC input and then (at the 12 O'clock
position) start to invert the input as the knob is moved increasingly CCW
(does that make sense?).
OUTPUTS:
1) (voltage) OUTPUT -- a continuous voltage determined as described above.
2) END -- a NOT gate output (ie, it goes high when the module is idle, and low
while the OUTPUT is not 0V)
It can function in the following basic ways:
1) Voltage follower: a basic voltage follower with separate VC rise and fall
slew rates. In this way it can be used for VC portamento, VC envelope follower
(detector), and other VC glide functions. If an audio signal is applied to the
input it will also work as a VCF (it has poor tracking of course).
2) Oscillator: if the END output is patched to the TRIG input it will cycle
with frequency determined by the rise and fall times and the associated CV
applied to these inputs. It will go audio, but again, the tracking is too poor
to use as a standard VCO. The basic waveform output can be swept between a TRI
(both rise and fall times are kept equal) to a SAW (instantaneous rise or
fall) times; however, if the output is patched to the CV input the wave form
can be made to change shape to a more rounded wave form (like a sine for
example).
3) VC A(S)R generator: a trigger applied to the TRIG input will cause it to
produce one complete cycle. A gate can be applied to cause it to stay high
until the gate is released (an ASR).
4) VC pulse delay, VC pulse division: when a pulse is applied to the TRIG
input it cause the module to cycle. After the cycle is complete, the END
output will go high. Therefore the END pulse will be delayed by the time
determined by the rise and fall times (and CV). If a clock source is applied
to the TRIG input the pulse train will be divided by the time of one cycle
which is determined by the rise and fall times (and CV). This is what I use
for my VC pulse division; using this patch, I simultaneously use the voltage
output to provide an AR voltage for controlling VCAs and VCFs. If an audio
(pulse) signal is applied to the TRIG input, the END output will provide a
subharmoic division of that frequency, very much like hard syncing to an
oscillator.
>It's not exactly a sexy module, but I remember Serge
>suggesting several of them in every system.
>Sounds like one of those modules you never quite figure
>out all the uses.
Yeah Thomas, I think you sum it up pretty well. It may be difficult to explain
the value of a module like this to people who have only used a traditional
VCO, VCF, VCA, ADSR setup, but if Paul were to develop a single module like
this, it could reduce his capital outlay (and ours!) by not having to build
several separate modules to each do a very specific function, and many which
remain un used in any given patch. (In the large EMu system I used many years
ago, it was rare to see more than a quarter or third of it used).
We now return control of your computer to you!
Sorry for the wasted bandwidth.
Synth Peon
John B.