Elektron Musical Instruments

On Fri, 26 Jan 2001, Aaron J. Grier wrote:

> On Fri, Jan 26, 2001 at 04:10:26PM -0000, sophalicus@... wrote:
> 
> I think most sidstation troubles are hardware-related.  the power supply
> design isn't engineered too well, (6V supply for a 5V regulator is
> silly,)

You could say that we've learned a lot. :) Take a look at the Machinedrum
power supply system and audio design and you'll see quite a difference.

About the 6V/5V-regulation - yes it is tight, and going for 7V supply can
probably solve some problems. The PSU's we're shipping the units with
nowadays makes for a very stable combination with the SidStation. Also the
regulators we use for SidStation are not standard, but low dropout, which
means they should not steal more than around 0.5-0.6 V. Which is still
very tight - I agree. :)

> and I suspect the inputs and outputs of the SID chip itself lack
> proper static clamps and input and output buffers.

We designed the input/outputs as copies of the C64 to get the same sound.
Therefore the strange transistor-amplifier on the output.

> don't get me wrong -- I like my sidstation -- but the fact that it was
> designed by inexperienced engineers fresh from college definitely shows.
> ;) 

Probably correct. :) But I guess noone in an experienced position could
spend a few years on college-allowance (?) to to what we did with/for the
SidStation.

> Hopefully someday elektron can be convinced to release a proper
> service manual for the sidstation to open the possibility for upgrades.
> <hint, hint>

Do you really need it? The circuit board should be fairly easy to follow
for anyone with a bit of experience with electronics design.

Daniel