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Few questions

Few questions

2007-11-18 by jalmari3

It is rather quiet here at the moment... Some questions:

1. It was mentioned, that new type of vactrols are used in the M13. Is 
it possible to install them into old units? What kind of difference do 
they make?

2. Looking the Milton, I saw no offset knob for step CV...? This seems 
important, as otherwise one has to sacrifice a mixer with offset 
capability for proper control...
The Modcan Milton sequencer has an offset knob:
http://www.modcan.com/bseries/vcseq.htm
It is appealing, but of course the jacks are  1/4".  

3. About the annouced add-on for Milton (enabling step skip, vertical 
sequencing etc.): Is it going to be a normal module or perhaps some 19" 
1U unit? Will it work without a Plan B case?

Best regards
Jari Jokinen

Re: Few questions

2007-11-20 by (i think you can figure that out)

Addressing your qestions:

I'm not yet sold on the new vactrols.  They do allow for a bit less
leakage, but they're really hot - meaning they trn on quickly and to
the extent where it's difficult to replicae the input voltage received
and the VC in port.  You tend to lose a lot of the dynamics.  So
boviously it's on the to-do list for further investigation presently.

Regarding the CV offset pot on the Milton:   Agreed, your points on
the value of the CV offset pot are valid.  It's a great idea....where
do I put it?  Have a look at the current faceplate and you'll notice
there isn't quadrant on it that doesn't already have a control
mounted. It can go no wider as it's already at 84 HP.  Comparisons to
the Modcan unit are a bit academic as Bruce has close to twice the 
real estate (hieght) that Eurorack affords.  Unfortunately here's no
more room.

Added functionality you mention...not sure yet.  But I do have a
quesiton for you all on this:

Where do you see the benefit of Skip Step? I see it a cool feature -
just not sure about it's use.  I'm open on this - please give me your
thoughts.

The Milton is going to run from a wallwart - it will have it's own
independent supply so yes, it's stand alone if you want it to be, but
it's scaled to Doepfer input/output level standards. If you wanred to
use it as a standalone so it could easily adapt itself to other format
and their specific voltage requirements, there would be some component
replacement involved.

- P


--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "jalmari3"
<jari.jokinen@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> It is rather quiet here at the moment... Some questions:
> 
> 1. It was mentioned, that new type of vactrols are used in the M13. Is 
> it possible to install them into old units? What kind of difference do 
> they make?
> 
> 2. Looking the Milton, I saw no offset knob for step CV...? This seems 
> important, as otherwise one has to sacrifice a mixer with offset 
> capability for proper control...
> The Modcan Milton sequencer has an offset knob:
> http://www.modcan.com/bseries/vcseq.htm
> It is appealing, but of course the jacks are  1/4".  
> 
> 3. About the annouced add-on for Milton (enabling step skip, vertical 
> sequencing etc.): Is it going to be a normal module or perhaps some 19" 
> 1U unit? Will it work without a Plan B case?
> 
> Best regards
> Jari Jokinen
>

Re: [PLAN_B_analog_blog] Re: Few questions

2007-11-20 by Norman Fay

Skip step is (mainly) great fun to play with, that in itself makes it
a worthwhile inclusion, I think.  It's a good performance control, a
way to add some variety to a sequenced part which might otherwise get
a little monotonous.  Also, one can divide a 16-step sequencer into 2
8-step sequences, if one is performing 2 pieces, for example.  One
could also switch between the 2 sequences in a gradual, rather than
instantaneous manner, as the sequence runs, you could flip one switch
off in one half of the sequencer while filipping one on in the other
every couple of bars, so the sequences merge into one another.  The
couple of times I've used my "Zeit" sequencer live, I've used the skip
step loads.

Looking at the .gif of the nu-milton on the ear group site, I'm
curious about how it's implemented there?  IIRC the "classic"
implementation on the Moog sequencer is to have an on-off-on switch
with each step, where having the switch in the center plays the step
as normal, having it flipped one way plays the step and outputs a
trigger pulse, but holds the voltage output/s from the previous step,
and having it flipped the other way skips to the next step.   That
does seem to be a pretty much perfect implemetation, I must admit, I
can't imagine a better way to do it.

Looking at the picture of the wide M21 in the yahoo photos file, I see
that the module is smaller in height than other euro modules, to make
room for the touchplate controller that fits in underneath it.  I
wonder if it's worth expanding the width of the sequencer to liberate
a bit more panel space - space out the controls a bit, add the CV
offset that Jari mentions, maybe add a set of switches for rest/skip,
and make the touchplate a standalone item that connects to the
"mothership" via a cable?  The touchplate is something I'd want to
have velcroed to a keyboard, rather than in a rack, personally.

Another thing I've been thinking about w/r/t the sequencer - I realise
this might be a bit "I want the moon on a stick" - would it be
possible to have at some point in the future a pattern/pattern chain
memory module that can be attached to either of the sequencers?   Have
the sequencer as released able to work 100% as a standalone unit, but
with a connector on the back so the memory module can be added later.
Man, just think about how awesome that would be.

Inquiring minds want to hear how the event went, also.

On Nov 20, 2007 2:09 AM, (i think you can figure that out)
<peter@buzzclick-music.com> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Where do you see the benefit of Skip Step? I see it a cool feature -
> just not sure about it's use.  I'm open on this - please give me your
> thoughts.
>

Re: Few questions (and answers in line - PG)

2007-11-20 by jalmari3

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure 
that out)" <peter@...> wrote:
> The Milton is going to run from a wallwart - it will have it's
> own independent supply so yes, it's stand alone if you want it
> to be, but it's scaled to Doepfer input/output level standards.
> If you wanred to use it as a standalone so it could easily adapt
> itself to other format and their specific voltage requirements,
> there would be some component replacement involved.

Thank you. I have further questions (I ask, because I am 
considering some case and rack options to expand my system):
1. Is the Milton rack-mountable?

PG: We'll be making a little frame for rck mount, like the Wiard rack systems so you won't need a chassis for the Venti.


2. Can it be installed into a Doepfer cabinet?

PG: Yes, without the frame, but you'll have to figure out  way to get the wallwat cable in there - they don't have access holes which I think is a mistake.

3. Is the wallwart necessary, or can the power be drawn from Doepfer 
power buss?

PG: Not decided yet,but that would be fairly easy.  However, if you connected both by accident there may be smoke!

And regarding the planned Milton add-on units:

4. Is the TKB going to be 1U rack-mountable?

PG: The tough plates will work that way, yes.

6. Will it be ergonomic in vertical mounting?

PG: Being dyslexic, it's hard for me to visualize what you're speaking of...could you elaborate on what you mean by vertical?

7. Are Skip Step, vertical sequencing etc. planned features of the 
TKB? 

PG:  That would come form other add-ons. Or are they perhaps implemented in another add-on module? 
Would 
this module be a "normal" Eurorack module?

PG: see above

8. How are the connections between modules made?

PG: ribbon cables from the back

That was really too many questions. 

PG:  not at all, tat's what I'm here for!

Thanks for reading.

PG: thanks for asking
Jari Jokinen

Re: Few questions

2007-11-20 by klstay

DISCLAIMER - This is NOT at all the voice of experience; I am merely
stating why I was looking for Skip Step functionality, among other
things, and thus will order a Q960 setup initially for sequencing.

When I see what others were able to do interactively by dynamically
bringing steps in and out of a sequence between the first and reset
step (along with moving the reset step around dynamically) it looks
very,... well, interactive and dynamic and 'natural' to me and I want
to be able to do that.

Just my $.02 worth.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Where do you see the benefit of Skip Step? I see it a cool feature -
> just not sure about it's use.  I'm open on this - please give me your
> thoughts.

Re: Few questions

2007-11-21 by jalmari3

> JJ: 3. Is the wallwart necessary, or can the power be drawn
> from Doepfer power buss?
> PG: Not decided yet,but that would be fairly easy.
If it is easy, I would suggest the option for convenience.

> JJ: 6. Will it be ergonomic in vertical mounting?
> PG: Being dyslexic, it's hard for me to visualize
> what you're speaking of...could you elaborate on
> what you mean by vertical?
By vertical I did mean normal non-tilted rack-mounting. However, 
looking at the photo "The first M21 mounted in the mothership", we 
see that the TKB faceplate will look upwards. I was wondering, if 
this makes a difference for ergonomics.

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "Norman Fay" 
<vietgrove@...> wrote:
> Looking at the picture of the wide M21 in the yahoo photos file,
> I see that the module is smaller in height than other euro modules,
> to make room for the touchplate controller that fits in underneath
> it.
But M21 is already normal height (3U). The touchplate controller 
takes extra 1U.

Best regards
Jari Jokinen

Re: Few questions

2007-11-23 by NoRMaN PHaY

Looking at the pic in the photos section again, Jari, you're right.  I
had noted the "motivity input port" next to it in the photo, and also
seeing the narrower knob caps on the sequencer, assumed the motivity
port was standard height, and the sequencer had been squashed up to
make  room for the touchplate.  10/10 for observation there, eh?  :-/

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "jalmari3"
<jari.jokinen@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>

> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "Norman Fay" 
> <vietgrove@> wrote:
> > Looking at the picture of the wide M21 in the yahoo photos file,
> > I see that the module is smaller in height than other euro modules,
> > to make room for the touchplate controller that fits in underneath
> > it.
> But M21 is already normal height (3U). The touchplate controller 
> takes extra 1U.
>

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