MOTM

MOTM-310 uVCO is up and running. I am looking at 1 tweak: to compress the COARSE range some from
the MOTM-300.

The MOTM-300 has an extremely wide range for the COARSE knob: at '0' it's about 1 cycle in 8
seconds, and at '10' it's about 150Khz.

I am thinking about 'compressing' it so that the overall range is more useful. This is 1 resistor
value change.

One range I'm looking at is from about 2Hz to 18Khz. The VCO can go lower/higher, this is JUST
the 'no input', free-running range.

The range is like a Slinky: if it goes LOWER, it also goes HIGHER.

So, if I have a 'LFO' type low side, the upper end gets non-useful sooner. So, is 2Hz - 18Khz OK?
Other ranges?

One interesting note is the '5' position is always around 220Hz (set by another resistor). So,
the COARSE resistor can be though of how 'fast' the lower and upper frequencies are reached. Is
it better to have:

a) 10Hz to 10Khz
b) 2Hz to 18Khz
c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz
???

Paul S.
yawn, burp, Zzzzzzz

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>

> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz

hello all,

i'd say "C" because any auxilliary VCO (such as this) is likely to replace
the main VCOs for such duties as creating beat frequencies, ring modulation
and upper harmonics. i think a lot of upper 'headroom' is essential. there's
also the argument about the uVCO's use as an auxilliary LFO and the need for
lower 'headroom' - but i'm not so bothered about that.
a final thought though - i think if the uVCO coarse (and fine..?) pot
'tracked' the same as the main VCO that would be more intuitive to use,
which i suppose points to a range of 0.125Hz to 150KHz
there's no reason whay the 'cheap option' shouldn't still stande head and
shoulders above the competition in every respect :-)

my 0.02 cents (that euro cents) - shit i've just realised i've a big jar of
assorted european coinage - and it's going to be worthless soon
cheers
paul b

From all I have spoken with about the uVCO, it was being counted on for
auxiliary uses and it would be my thought that it would be a mistake to limit
its range.
Jim

"J. Larry Hendry" wrote:

> 
> I bow to the experience of others.  But, I will comment that while aux uses
> for VCOs are common, for me, the most frequent use will be in the audio
> range.  Therefore, the most important thing to me is accurate tracking in
> the usable audio range.  If all three of these choices are equal, I have no
> preference.  If any is best, then that is my choice.
> Stooge Larry
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
> a) 10Hz to 10Khz
> b) 2Hz to 18Khz
> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz
> ???
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> 
> I am thinking about 'compressing' it so that the overall range is more 
> useful. This is 1 resistor value change.
[Caveat: Novice electronics person speaking] If it is *only* a one
resistor substitution, why not include the relevant resistors in the kit
and let the kit builder decide?  Only a small addition to the instructions
with a small table equating resistor value to range would be necessary.

Cost-wise, resistors are inexpensive, and the 'let the builder decide'
approach would allow the flexibility that many customers would prefer (I
am assuming that we will not have 100% agreement on a specific range).

For assembled units, you might want a standard or have, say, two lines on 
your order page, one for 'narrow' range and one for 'broad' range
(recognizing that the latter would require a bit more organizational work
on your part).


Jeff

The same range as the 300 works for me.

Moe

I bow to the experience of others.  But, I will comment that while aux uses
for VCOs are common, for me, the most frequent use will be in the audio
range.  Therefore, the most important thing to me is accurate tracking in
the usable audio range.  If all three of these choices are equal, I have no
preference.  If any is best, then that is my choice.
Stooge Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
a) 10Hz to 10Khz
b) 2Hz to 18Khz
c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz
???

>
>
> I think that 2Hz to 18KHz is a very reasonable compromise for an 
VCO. Letting the builder decide on the range is a great idea too, if 
it can be easily implemented.

Eiher way, I haven't been able to hear up to 150KHz since that band 
Menudo destroyed my hearing back in '80s.

Cheers,

Richard.

For consistency, I think it's best to keep it the same as the 300. 
But if you are going to limit the coarse range then I vote to keep it 
wide:

>c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz


-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Juskiw 
scott@...

> One interesting note is the '5' position is always around 220Hz (set by
> another resistor). So, the COARSE resistor can be though of how 'fast' the
> lower and upper frequencies are reached. Is it better to have:
> 
> a) 10Hz to 10Khz
> b) 2Hz to 18Khz
> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz

I vote for the "c" option.

e

C please.  It would be nice to have the fine range compressed some though, 
similar to Larry H's 300 mod.

dave

At 01:01 AM 11/24/2001 -0600, you wrote:

>One interesting note is the '5' position is always around 220Hz (set by 
>another resistor). So,
>the COARSE resistor can be though of how 'fast' the lower and upper 
>frequencies are reached. Is
>it better to have:
>
>a) 10Hz to 10Khz
>b) 2Hz to 18Khz
>c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz
>???

c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz

or wider

John Loffink
microtonal@...

While I agree that the upper range of the coarse knob (over 30Khz) is not
really that useful and eats up some of the knob range, I would prefer to
keep the 310 adjustments the same as the 300.  If this is not an option,
then I would vote 'C'.

Alternatively...

If the coarse range is determined by only one resistor, then maybe make a
"resistor value-coarse range" chart in the instructions and allow the kit
builder to decide the range.  Maybe this could be done for the 300 as well?
(uh-oh)

Hopefully it will be possible to reduce the range of the fine knob to about
2 semitones via one resistor change, as described in Stooge Larry's 300 mod.
(I've made that mod to my 300s - makes it less touchy when adjusting beat
frequencies.)

See what happens when you ask for input?  ;)

George

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
> a) 10Hz to 10Khz
> b) 2Hz to 18Khz
> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz
> ???

And if this is possible, then how about a jumper to select the range?

Mike

--- In motm@y..., Jeffrey Pontius <jpont@k...> wrote:
> > 
> > I am thinking about 'compressing' it so that the overall range is 
more 
> > useful. This is 1 resistor value change.
> [Caveat: Novice electronics person speaking] If it is *only* a one
> resistor substitution, why not include the relevant resistors in 
the kit
> and let the kit builder decide?  Only a small addition to the 
instructions
> with a small table equating resistor value to range would be 
necessary.
> 
> Cost-wise, resistors are inexpensive, and the 'let the builder 
decide'
> approach would allow the flexibility that many customers would 
prefer (I
> am assuming that we will not have 100% agreement on a specific 
range).
> 
> For assembled units, you might want a standard or have, say, two 
lines on 
> your order page, one for 'narrow' range and one for 'broad' range
> (recognizing that the latter would require a bit more 
organizational work

> on your part).
> 
> 
> Jeff

I like the idea of having options, but I'm sure
even if Paul doesn't set up the kit that way some
industrial MOTMer or Paul will let everyone know
what values will give what results. If just given
one choice with the kit I would go for:

> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz

But I'd like to know more about this comment: 

> So, if I have a 'LFO' type low side, the upper
> end gets non-useful sooner. 

How "non-useful"; how "sooner"? Could someone tell
me about the usefulness of HIGH frequencies
(50-150Khz)? I'm sure there is a use above the
hearing threshold, but how high?

Thanx,
Mr. Nezumi

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:
>
> > So, if I have a 'LFO' type low side, the upper
> > end gets non-useful sooner.
>
> How "non-useful"; how "sooner"? Could someone tell
> me about the usefulness of HIGH frequencies
> (50-150Khz)? I'm sure there is a use above the
> hearing threshold, but how high?


Most 'music' is below 8Khz. And 50% of the population can't hear above 15Khz. So, the tradeoff
is: if you want LFO-type speeds at the low range (0 to 2 ticks), you 'run out' of useful audio at
the '7' tick.

Also, I have to pick RN55E resistors (ultra-stable) that my supplier has (will call on Monday). I
think I'll be able to get a value for approx. 1Hz to 24Khz. No, I can't change the pcb for
jumpers.

Paul S.

> c) 0.5Hz to 30Khz

Count me in for (c) as well.  I'd like the widest possible range from
the uVCO, matching the 300 being optimal.

Graham

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