Model 28: Messing around with the new firmware
2009-10-02 by Peter Grensader
All, As I mentioned there's an upgrade of the Model 28 firmware in the works, I've had a chance to play around with it and I'd like to share that with you. Although the 28 was designed as a master clock as opposed to a external frequency multiplier, the new firmware introduces a sync mode which increases the accuracy when processing external signals. The following audio example has four tracks: 1) The first is Logic's software sampler (Xylophone) being driven by a M37 LFO which was converted to a midi quarter note string via an Analogue Systems Rs-200. 2) The second track, which appears in the right channel is analog patch playing quarter notes which is also driven by the same clock as the software synth in track 1, once it was recorded by Logic - so no M28 in the mix yet. 3) The third track is appears in the left channel and is an octave up from track 2, and is driven by the M28 quarter note output which is being paced by the same recorded clock as track 2. 4) The forth track, the ring modulated thuddy one - is in both channels and is the M28's serial output being driven by a M24 random voltage that is selecting whether a 1/4, 1/8 or 1/8 trip is being passed to the output. The first thing you hear is the software synth, then track two fades in the right channel, followed by track 3 on the right and finally the random serial output with the thuddy beats. here's the link: http://www.ear-group.net/m28_samplefile1_tap%202x.mp3 You can have a look at what you're listening to here: http://www.ear-group.net/graphic1.jpg One of our beta testers, Don Kim, did another sample recently: http://virb.com/ibdk/audio/441725 his comments: It synced to midi notes much better than before [without the update] that freakout that used to happen while it was trying to find the sync. It just seems to take a measure and it syncs. I added some more fun by changing the notes it was syncing to. Simple polyrhythmic type stuff. 3 tracks of M28 running 3-5 envelopes. two voices using the midi click notes to show where the clock is (if you can't figure which ones, then I think it's syncing well). Also added a couple drum machine tracks using Logic as the master midi clock just to see how it all syncs with external gear. ------------------------------------ I'd like ask you guys if there are any other things you'd like me to try with this, let me know and i'll post the results here.
