PLAN B analog blog

It's time to let cats out of bags and give you all an outline of the
Model 30's preset patches.

I have uploaded a new photo into the Misc folder entitled MODEL 30
PATCH CONFIGURATIONS. As Todd Rundgren would say, you should get that
out and get it cranked up, because it's really gonna help you on this
one...

The Model 30 is configurable.  This is the basis of the 'subsystem'
paradigm. The intent was not to approach this as three VCOs - although
in MINI MODE Patch 1 it is exactly that), but more a subsystem of
three VCOs in which complex timbres can be realized.  This is the main
reason for having only 1 output.

By selecting a patch, the output configuration is changed to reflect
any one of ten internal patches (let's not use the word algorithms,
please.  1, it was a lame description to begin with, 2, it suggests a
connection to DX technology, which the M30 surpasses).  These patches
are broken into four categories:

"MINI" MODE (meaning they replicate classic analog patch
configurations with  MINI in reference to the MINIMoog).

FM MODE - patches which deal primarily with internal Frequency Modulation.

RING MOD MODE - The output is configured as a Four Quad. Balanced
Modulator or Ring Modulator.

FREQ SHIFT MODE - The output is configured to provide Frequency
Shifting of two or more of the VCOs.

Each mode has a series of series of patches available to the user.

Looking at the MINI MODES:

The first is classic Three VCOs through a Mixer.  Yet remember, each
of the inputs to that mixer have full voltage control as well as
manual levels, so more three VCOs into three VCAs into a mixer.

The second patch in the category removes VCO1 from the output and
routes it to FM 2 and 3.  There are actually two paches represented
here.  In one the FM to VCO 3 is in quadrature (thus 90 degrees). 

FM MODES:

In the first patch VCO 1 is removed from the output and used to FM
VCO2.  VCO 3 is unaffected and passes straight to the output.

In the second, VCO 1 FM's VCO2 and the output of VCO2 FM's VCO3.

In the third, both VCO1 and VCO2 are routed to FM VCO3.

RING MOD MODES:

Patch 1: VCO 1 FM's both VCO2 and VCO3, with VCO's FM in quadrature. 
The Output of 2 and 3 are then balanced modulated.

Patch 2: VCO 1 and VCO2 are Bal. Mod, VCO3 passes straight to the
output unaffected.

Patch 3: ! and 2 are Bal Mod, and that output is routed through a
second Bal Mod with VCO 2.

FREQ SHIFT MODES:

Patch 1  gives the DIFFERNCE output of VCO 1 and a summed yield of VCO
2 and 3 running in 90 degree phase relation to one another.

Patch 2 is the same but outputs only the SUM of the two



There are a few things to remember here:

1) At all times the LEVEL pots and VC LEVEL inputs to the three VCOs
are live.  One can effect the dynamics of anything you see in these
diagrams.

2) While patch configurations effect internal routing, they do not
send the panel controls to preset levels.  In short, this module
behaves like an analog VCO bank. In this way sound design decisions
were not made for you, they are made by the end user

3) The Patch pot is fully voltage controllable.  In this way, M30
'hearts' M21C.

4)  Along with any internal FM represented by the patches, the user retains use of the PHASE LOCK (sync) the external individuals VCOs FM inputs as well.  There are some patches where these functions are altered, we will get to this a bit later.

5)  Oh...this is just like a DX7, right?  Wrong!  Remember not only
does the user retain full control of the Waveshape of each VCO in
realtime, but their phase relationship to one another within the patch
(quadrature). Try THAT one on your DX.  

Now you guys realize why I've been so excited over the last five
months (you may have noticed an abundance of exclamation marks in my
letters for no apparent reason).  This module will change the way some
of you approach sound design.]

More when we are able...

- P

Very interesting description, it sounds like the Model 30 will generate tons of glistening 
metallic madness, I can hardly wait to hear it. After seeing (and lusting for) that Buchla 700 
on Ebay and reading about it's frequency mod and waveshaping sound sources, this was the 
perfect time to see the M30 introduced.

2 general questions-

First the waveshape control. I see a waveshape knob, one modulation input and 3 select 
buttons for the  oscillators, how does this work in practice? I can see using this system to 
individually change the waveshapes of the oscillators, but do all 3 oscillators receive the 
same amount of waveform modulation from the lone waveshape mod input?

Second, this oscillator will certainly be generating some crazy high harmonics, being a digital 
system, how present is aliasing?

The M30 seems to me to be a perfect example of the benefits of adding digital design to a 
modular system, congrats!

I want to address your questions fully, but we are rushed to get the
first lot of M15's made in the new facility (yeah!) completed.  I will
go into this in further detail tonight.  Briefly however:

"glistening metallic madness"

You're thinking sine tones, you're thinking DX.  You can't do that. 
WIthin the the M30 1) every VCO has eight parent waveforms in which
countless individual timbres can be had 2) the VCOs can be placed in
and out of phase relation depending on where they are routed (quadrature).

Imagine a DX where each of the six VCOs had multiple waveform
possibilities.  Stop imagining - you can't.  You think you can, I did,
but all of my preconceived notions went out the window the moment I
experienced what this actually sounded like.

(Somebody mention FM-8)

Yes, you can do multi waveforms per operator there...but you don't
have SYNC (all we all know how beautiful digital sync sounds), you
don't have quadrature, you don't have selectable thru zero or
accessibility to external FM of the modulating VCOs.   

Yes, it will do metal as you mention.  It will also do heavy metal.

Sound samples are coming.

Let me address this other stuff when I get home.

- P




--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Landman"
<mlandman@...> wrote:
>
> Very interesting description, it sounds like the Model 30 will
generate tons of glistening 
> metallic madness, I can hardly wait to hear it. After seeing (and
lusting for) that Buchla 700 
> on Ebay and reading about it's frequency mod and waveshaping sound
sources, this was the 
> perfect time to see the M30 introduced.
> 
> 2 general questions-
> 
> First the waveshape control. I see a waveshape knob, one modulation
input and 3 select 
> buttons for the  oscillators, how does this work in practice? I can
see using this system to 
> individually change the waveshapes of the oscillators, but do all 3
oscillators receive the 
> same amount of waveform modulation from the lone waveshape mod input?
> 
> Second, this oscillator will certainly be generating some crazy high
harmonics, being a digital 
> system, how present is aliasing?
> 
> The M30 seems to me to be a perfect example of the benefits of
adding digital design to a 
> modular system, congrats!
>

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure that out)" 
<peter@...> wrote:
 further detail tonight.  Briefly however:
> 
> "glistening metallic madness"
> 
> You're thinking sine tones, you're thinking DX.  You can't do that. 
> WIthin the the M30 1) every VCO has eight parent waveforms in which
> countless individual timbres can be had 2) the VCOs can be placed in
> and out of phase relation depending on where they are routed (quadrature).

You realize you're making me drool on the computer keyboard...

> Yes, it will do metal as you mention.  It will also do heavy metal.

Arrgh, my keyboard just shorted out in a cloud of blue smoke!

Seriously, I'm sure there's a WIDE variety of tonality within what you've described, certainly 
beyond DX "metal" sounds. And please, answer when time reasonably allows, there's 
certainly no rush here, just enthusiasm.

Best-

Mark