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Re: FreqSHift Knob

Re: FreqSHift Knob

2003-01-17 by revtor@aol.com

Well..    seeing how there are both coarse AND fine tune knobs already 
present, I really see no need for the larger scale knobs...  Having them 
would indicate that for some reason, super fine tuning your frequencyshifter 
is more vital than.. say..  fine tuning your osc freq.  Im not in favor of 
adding stuff just for the heck of it, or to pay homage to an old design or 
anything.  Plus, unless you go with the big big big bode style knob, then the 
visual impact definitely wont be the same, it will just look a little bigger, 
which really doesnt give much impact at all.   I think panel graphics inspire 
more visual interest and really draw people in to read and ogle over the fine 
technical print.  
  Unless the design was revamped to just have one tune control (ie no fine 
tune) I say keep it as close to the MOTM standard as possible in terms of 
knob/jack spacing/size.

~SM

Re: FreqSHift Knob

2003-01-17 by mate_stubb <mate_stubb@yahoo.com>

There's bigger and there's REALLY big. The conversation started out 
as a request for a REALLY big Bode style knob, and evolved into Tony 
saying that it should be possible to use one or more standard MOTM 
sized knobs.

Look at Tony's website at the actual current panel design and you'll 
see the little UEG sized knobs, with a lot of real estate to spare. I 
personally find the little knobs in the UEG uncomfortably close 
together, and touchy when trying to dial in an accurate pitch. If he 
can find space to put COARSE and FINE tune on regular MOTM sized 
knobs, and maybe spread out the other smaller knobs, I'd be VERY 
happy.

Moe

>>>>
  Unless the design was revamped to just have one tune control (ie no 
fine tune) I say keep it as close to the MOTM standard as possible in 
terms of knob/jack spacing/size.
<<<<

any word from NAMM??

2003-01-17 by media.nai@rcn.com

Anyone heard from Paul??

How is the Synthesis Technology booth doing??

Pictures??

New press about MOTM??


It's just that I have an interest in these things :)

Re: any word from NAMM??

2003-01-18 by pacificamsx <pacificamsx@earthlink.net>

I was there Thursday, and so far, NAMM is going great! Paul is displaying a large "Stooge" cabinet holding a combination of Robert Rich's and my modules, along with one of my SKB cases-full, and another person's custom cabinet.

The new sequencer is WORKING, with no glitches that I'm aware of. The WaveWarper sounds amazing, as does the Fixed Filter Bank (the latter being a prototype with no panel).

Tony's prototype Frequency Shifter is there and working and *sounds incredible*. Even with tiny knobs...  :)

Roger Powell will be at the booth for a bit on Saturday, and Robert Rich has been around quite alot. I met Larry Hendry for the first time this year.

I'll let Paul himself mention whichever "luminaries" have come by the booth--- although I will mention that I got to meet Marvin Jones, who designed the PAiA Stringz 'n' Thingz, which I built as a young lad.  :)   :)   :)

Paul will also have to provide the more interesting details, but that's how it looked to a biased bystander! (Gotta get that photo of Bob Moog in front of my synth...)

I'm going back on Saturday for a little while--- myself or someone else will surely have more to report soon.

-Russell


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, media.nai@r... wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> Anyone heard from Paul??
> 
> How is the Synthesis Technology booth doing??
> 
> Pictures??
> 
> New press about MOTM??
> 
> 
> It's just that I have an interest in these things :)

Re: [motm] any word from NAMM??

2003-01-18 by Dave Hylander

At 02:28 PM 1/17/2003 -0500, media.nai@... wrote:
>Pictures??

Kevin has a few up at http://www.synthfool.com/namm/ including one of 
Robert Rich and Don Buchla in front of the Synthtech booth.


-dave-

http://www.hylander.com

Re: [motm] any word from NAMM??

2003-01-20 by J. Larry Hendry

----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: <media.nai@...>
Anyone heard from Paul??
How is the Synthesis Technology booth doing??
Pictures??
New press about MOTM??


Stooge Larry writes:
I have some photos I will be posting as soon as I can get my feet back on
the ground.
I can offer a few quick reports:

Thursday and Friday the Synth Tech booth was buzzing virtually all day long.
I was not there Saturday.

New MOTM Sequencer = AWESOME.  And, I think it will get even better before
it gets finalized.  Robert is twisting Paul's arm.

New MOTM Wavewarper = different than anything I have ever seen. Talk about
abusing audio.  This is certainly it. :)  Mine is on order.

Scott Rider was telling me about the proposed VC EG.  It sounds very nice
with some cool, features like end of cycle trigger pulses that could be
selected to different spots in the EG cycle.  Hopefully, this week I will be
making the prototype front panel.  This is one that I would love to twist on
Paul's arm to move up the priority list.

The new MOTM modules are being featured in the "news" section in the next
issue of EM mag.  Be sure to get your copy.   I saw a copy (pre-release, I
guess) there.  Very cool. :)

I played the Doepfer ribbon controller.  I really did like the ribbon
itself.  But, the module attached to it was way stupid even to a Stooge like
me.  I think we need a MOTM format Stooge panel and PCB will all the cool
features and correct implementation of a ribbon element that will allow one
to connect a Doepfer Ribbon.  I'm going to order one (even though I dislike
the notion of buying anything Doepfer).

Almost everyone I met at the show was very nice. I only bumped into one
but-wipe the whole time (he shall remain nameless).  It was really cool to
meet Roger Powell.  I also met MOTMers Thomas White, Russell Brower, Terry
Ahrens and his wife.  And, of course, I met both Paul S and Robert Rich for
the first time.  I met Cynthia Webster of Cynthia modules, Joseph Rivers
from the Audio Playground Synth Museum, Amanda Pehlke (who previously
married Mark Pulver at NAMM).  There were others.  I shook Dr. Bob's hand on
set up day Wednesday.  That was cool.

More when I'm not so tired.
Larry

VC EG

2003-01-20 by media.nai@rcn.com

At 1:16 AM -0600 1/20/03, J. Larry Hendry wrote:
>
>Scott Rider was telling me about the proposed VC EG.  It sounds very nice
>with some cool, features like end of cycle trigger pulses that could be
>selected to different spots in the EG cycle.  Hopefully, this week I will be
>making the prototype front panel.  This is one that I would love to twist on
>Paul's arm to move up the priority list.

I playing around with a VC EG this weekend.  My conclusion as that 
controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the 
entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful.   VC control over 
Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful.  With a fixed decay 
rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which 
seems to sound "natural", imho.

RE: VC EG

2003-01-20 by mate_stubb <mate_stubb@yahoo.com>

I find that it's also very useful to use a keyboard with release 
velocity, and map that to the release time.

Moe

>>>>
I playing around with a VC EG this weekend. My conclusion as that 
controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the 
entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful. VC control over 
Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful. With a fixed decay 
rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which 
seems to sound "natural", imho. 
<<<<

Re: [motm] VC EG

2003-01-20 by jhaible@debitel.net

> I playing around with a VC EG this weekend.  My conclusion as that 
> controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the 
> entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful.   VC control over 
> Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful.  With a fixed decay 
> rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which 
> seems to sound "natural", imho.


My favorite VC parameter is Decay Time.
With Random modulation of Decay time an otherwise sterile Sequencer
patten really comes alive.

JH.

-------------------------------------------------
debitel.net Webmail

RE: [motm] VC EG

2003-01-20 by Les Mizzell

>  My conclusion as that  controlling Attack rate and Attack level,
>  as well as scaling the entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful.
>  VC control over Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful.

Not to disagree with you, but I've got two VC ADSRs in my system, and I
control the sustain and release times a LOT with various controllers.  I
note that I especially do this a good bit with little running percussive
sounds where certain hits my have accents or a little longer decay than
others, but the attack doesn't change.  I'll often do this with a slightly
randomized LFO as well and can generate some wildly varying, but useful,
sounds for each note of the pattern, which usually gives the impression that
there's a lot more going on than a single monophonic line, especially if
using a synchronized delay as well.

Each of us has our own patching styles. I would guess that once you start
using a VC ADSR, you'll find more ways to make good use of the various
options available.

Adding a trigger at the end of a particular cycle so we can retrigger the EG
makes the until even more useful, as we can now get double or triple duty
out of the module since it can now become an LFO or, if design allows, an
audio range oscillator.  Think about using the module as an LFO, with
separate VC of rise and fall rates - now you've got a LFO with VC control of
the waveform shape.....

Such a module is almost a small synth unto itself....

Such a device, with VC of *all* parameters, would be not only a useful
addition, but a welcome one to the MOTM line-up.

My two cents worth anyway...

Re: [motm] VC EG

2003-01-20 by Jason Proctor

A VC EG would be totally yummy. Subtractor has VC control of EG 
params and it's one of my favourite tricks to hook up the curve 
output of a Matrix to decay or something and have sequences take on 
new life.

I'd buy one. Probably.


>
>I playing around with a VC EG this weekend.  My conclusion as that
>controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the
>entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful.   VC control over
>Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful.  With a fixed decay
>rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which
>seems to sound "natural", imho.
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


--

Re: [motm] any word from NAMM??

2003-01-21 by groovyshaman@snet.net

> Stooge Larry writes:
> <snip>
> Scott Rider was telling me about the proposed VC EG.  It sounds very nice
> with some cool, features like end of cycle trigger pulses that could be
> selected to different spots in the EG cycle.  Hopefully, this week I will be
> making the prototype front panel.  This is one that I would love to twist on
> Paul's arm to move up the priority list.

Hi Larry!  Lucky you, getting to play around at NAMM! :)
Two questions:

1) Is this VC EG the upcoming CS-80-like MOTM-880?  Was a prototype available
for you to play with?
2) How are your cabinets being received?

George

Re: [motm] any word from NAMM??

2003-01-21 by J. Larry Hendry

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <groovyshaman@...>
> Hi Larry!  Lucky you, getting to play around at NAMM! :) Two questions:

Yes, I felt lucky and was glad to be there.  I met so many nice people.  One
that I particularily forgot to mention was Kevin Lightner.  He was working
in the Moog booth.  Kevin helped me out years ago with some Roland repairs
long before I started into modular and DIY.  His Synthfool website has
always been an inspiration for me showing how individual contributions can
really add up to something big that benefits everyone.

> 1) Is this VC EG the upcoming CS-80-like MOTM-880?  Was a prototype
available for you to play with?

There was no prototype there.  Scott has that and he and I have been
struggling with front panel arrangement to try and cram all those features
into a 2U panel.  It seems like he always has "one too many" of something
for a nice fit. And, of course, no one wants to even consider a compromise
in features.

Maybe Scott can say more about how this compares to the CS-80 EGs.  But, as
I basically understand it, you are correct that it is CS-80 like in that it
can go below zero.  However, there are extras on top of even that. :)

> 2) How are your cabinets being received?

Well, not too many people could dig their faces out of the front of Paul's
sequencer long enough to notice the cabinets.  But, those that did liked
them and the idea behind the cost savings a cabinet kit could offer to
customers.

Larry

Re: [motm] VC EG

2003-01-21 by elhardt@att.net

media.nai@... writes:
>>I playing around with a VC EG this weekend.  My conclusion as that 
controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the 
entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful.   VC control over 
Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful.  With a fixed decay 
rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which 
seems to sound "natural", imho.<<

VC decay is also useful. One reason is that's how real percusive or plucked 
string instruments work.  The higher the note, the shorter the decay time.

Also, a VC EG should have a delay stage.  I've always had the idea that slight 
random variances in a delay stage could make those robotic sounding sequenced 
midi files, sound a little more human.

-Elhardt

"There should be a major world war every generation to give all young men the 
opportunity to participate in thrill of battle and in an important history 
making event." -Presidential hopeful Joseph Lieberman

Re: VC EG

2003-01-21 by paulhaneberg <phaneber@one.net>

I've been playing around with VC EG ideas for some time.  
I'd like to see 5 controllable parameters, delay, attack, decay, 
sustain level and release.  Ideally each parameter should have a 
control knob and a CV knob.  An additional input with knob which 
would affect all time parameters (everything but sustain) could also 
be useful.  I also like the idea of being able to retrigger the EG 
at the end of the cycle.  The full-featured VC EG should also have a 
trigger PB, and an LED indicator.  Another interesting feature would 
be the ability to switch in a larger cap for very long parameter 
times.  The delay section should not only delay the leading edge of 
the gate, but the trailing edge as well, so that the original gate 
length is preserved regardless of delay time.  Sounds like at least 
a 3U module to me.
I love the idea of controlling the attack length and sustain level 
with the note on velocity and the release length with the note off 
velocity.  And adding the re-gate feature allows the module to be 
used as an oscillator (sort of a trapezoidal osc.) even at extremely 
long period lengths.

Re: [motm] Re: VC EG

2003-01-22 by Richard Brewster

I'm interested in this thread, because I will soon complete a couple of John
Blacet's VC envelop generators, which offer many of the features mentioned.

http://www.blacet.com/EG1.html

I've designed a Schaeffer MOTM panel for the Blacet EG 2070, and added a VC
input with attenuator that affects all the time parameters.  I'm expecting
deliver of the panels soon.  The panel design is available on the Yahoo
motmpanels file system.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motmpanels/

A VC EG would be a great addition to the MOTM line, and it would no doubt
have a nice feature set, since Paul Schreiber listens well to his customers.

-Richard Brewster


----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: <phaneber@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:10 PM
Subject: [motm] Re: VC EG


> I've been playing around with VC EG ideas for some time.
> I'd like to see 5 controllable parameters, delay, attack, decay,
> sustain level and release.  Ideally each parameter should have a
> control knob and a CV knob.  An additional input with knob which
> would affect all time parameters (everything but sustain) could also
> be useful.  I also like the idea of being able to retrigger the EG
> at the end of the cycle.  The full-featured VC EG should also have a
> trigger PB, and an LED indicator.  Another interesting feature would
> be the ability to switch in a larger cap for very long parameter
> times.  The delay section should not only delay the leading edge of
> the gate, but the trailing edge as well, so that the original gate
> length is preserved regardless of delay time.  Sounds like at least
> a 3U module to me.
> I love the idea of controlling the attack length and sustain level
> with the note on velocity and the release length with the note off
> velocity.  And adding the re-gate feature allows the module to be
> used as an oscillator (sort of a trapezoidal osc.) even at extremely
> long period lengths.
>
>

RE: [motm] Notice - Frequency Shifter is on the track again...

2003-01-22 by Tony Karavidas

I will be working on the frequency shifter full time starting next week
and it should be done very soon! (finally)

I would appreciate anyone who is interested in ordering one tell me
privately. Knowing this in advance may affect how many I have built. The
knob thing is still under consideration.

Best regards to all,
Tony

[motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-24 by media.nai@rcn.com

At 3:34 PM +0000 1/20/03, mate_stubb <mate_stubb@...> wrote:
>I find that it's also very useful to use a keyboard with release
>velocity, and map that to the release time.

Yes, I've often heard that from Matrix 12 owners, but I don't think I have
a keyboard that sends release velocity, or that I could play
well-enough to take advantage of it if it did.

At 5:03 PM +0100 1/20/03, jhaible@... wrote:
>
>My favorite VC parameter is Decay Time.
>With Random modulation of Decay time an otherwise sterile Sequencer
>patten really comes alive.

Would you care too elaborate on that??  Do you find that
effect useful even when you can vary the gate time??

Anyway, I never heard of a MOTM-880, have no idea what kind of EG a
CS-80 has, or what Scott is doing.  Has he posted anything about it??

Basically, what I was doing was trying to cook up a  "performance
envelope", an expressive EG for playing leads from a MIDI keyboard
using velocity, entirely for my own purposes.

At 11:15 AM -0500 1/20/03, Les Mizzell wrote:
>
>Not to disagree with you, but I've got two VC ADSRs in my system, and I
>control the sustain and release times a LOT with various controllers.  I
>note that I especially do this a good bit with little running percussive
>sounds where certain hits my have accents or a little longer decay than
>others, but the attack doesn't change.

In trying to get "realistic" percussive sounds, I found that attack
level was as important, or even more important, than attack rate.
With a higher attack level, you get a naturally longer decay even if
the decay rate is fixed, as well as an overall increase in loudness when
used with a VCA.

Of course being able to control attack rate with velocity is very
important for playing pads and strings, and useful for percussion as
well.

>Each of us has our own patching styles. I would guess that once you start
>using a VC ADSR, you'll find more ways to make good use of the various
>options available.

I'm sure :)

>Adding a trigger at the end of a particular cycle so we can retrigger the EG
>makes the until even more useful, as we can now get double or triple duty
>out of the module since it can now become an LFO or, if design allows, an
>audio range oscillator.  Think about using the module as an LFO, with
>separate VC of rise and fall rates - now you've got a LFO with VC control of
>the waveform shape.....

That's more like the Encore UEG, which is an excellent module.  Now
if you took that, and added CV for everything and standard MOTM-sized
knobs, even after shaving it down to only four stages (ADSR) it would
still be 4U!!

The Serge TSG/DSG modules are excellent designs as well, yet their VC
ADSR is a separate module.  I'm all for multi-purpose modules, but I
think it might more efficient to have two or more different EG
modules that take up 1U or 2U than one enormous module that tries to
do everything.

>Such a module is almost a small synth unto itself....
>
>Such a device, with VC of *all* parameters, would be not only a useful
>addition, but a welcome one to the MOTM line-up.

I agree.  It's better to have a swiss army knife _and_ a leatherman tool :)

At 9:40 PM +0000 1/21/03, elhardt@... wrote:
>
>VC decay is also useful. One reason is that's how real percusive or plucked
>string instruments work.  The higher the note, the shorter the decay time.

That is a very good point.  If someone were concerned with that, they
could use the note CV to modulate decay.

>Also, a VC EG should have a delay stage.  I've always had the idea that slight
>random variances in a delay stage could make those robotic sounding sequenced
>midi files, sound a little more human.

Although I've found that random doesn't sound human, I see your
point.  VC delay could be modulated to change the feel of a sequence.

At 10:10 PM +0000 1/21/03, paulhaneberg <phaneber@...> wrote:
>
>I've been playing around with VC EG ideas for some time.
>I'd like to see 5 controllable parameters, delay, attack, decay,
>sustain level and release.  Ideally each parameter should have a
>control knob and a CV knob.  An additional input with knob which
>would affect all time parameters (everything but sustain) could also
>be useful.  I also like the idea of being able to retrigger the EG
>at the end of the cycle.  The full-featured VC EG should also have a
>trigger PB, and an LED indicator.  Another interesting feature would
>be the ability to switch in a larger cap for very long parameter
>times.  The delay section should not only delay the leading edge of
>the gate, but the trailing edge as well, so that the original gate
>length is preserved regardless of delay time.  Sounds like at least
>a 3U module to me.
>I love the idea of controlling the attack length and sustain level
>with the note on velocity and the release length with the note off
>velocity.  And adding the re-gate feature allows the module to be
>used as an oscillator (sort of a trapezoidal osc.) even at extremely
>long period lengths.

In addition to all those good ideas, there is attack level, hold,
voltage scaling, lin/exp, gate/trigger modes, etc.  Which would make
it a 5U module!!

As much as I appreciate all of the ideas expressed in this thread, it
supports a massive amount of features.  Imho, too many to fit into
one module.   So I suggest the best approach would be a division of
labor over several different modules.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>  >>>>
>I playing around with a VC EG this weekend. My conclusion as that
>controlling Attack rate and Attack level, as well as scaling the
>entire envelope, via velocity, are very useful. VC control over
>Decay, Sustain, or Release weren't that useful. With a fixed decay
>rate, the decay time increases as the attack level increases which
>seems to sound "natural", imho.
><<<<

[motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-24 by The Old Crow

On Fri, 24 Jan 2003 media.nai@... wrote:

> Anyway, I never heard of a MOTM-880, have no idea what kind of EG a
> CS-80 has, or what Scott is doing.  Has he posted anything about it??

  I am back from NAMM, and can elaborate.  The CS-80 filter EG and the
MOTM-880 are a bit different, so I will describe both:

Stock CS-80 filter EG:

  The CS-80 filter EG is "bipolar".  This means the envelope does not have
to start or end at zero.  On the CS filter EG, there are the following
controls:

  Initial Level (IL): a slider that selects the starting voltage for the
envelope (front end of attack slope).  The range of this control is -5 to
0 volts.

  Attack level (AL): a slider that selects the peak voltage that the
attack slope must reach before transitioning to the decay slope.  The
range of this control is 0 to +5 volts.

  Attack Time (AT): a slider that selects the time to slope from IL to AL.
The range of this control is 1ms to 10 seconds.  One thing to note is the 
time varies with the distance between IL and AL.  The maximum time of 10 
seconds exists only when IL=-5, AL=+5.  All other times are proportional 
to the actual distance between endpoints.

  Decay Time (DT): a slider that selects the time to slope from AL to 
zero.  Nominally 1ms to 10s but as with AT the actual distance is a 
factor.

  Release time (RT): a slider that selects the time to slope from zero to 
IL after the gate (key) is no longer active.  Nominally 1ms to 10s range.

  Note that there is no sustain control.  On a CS-50/60/80 the filter EG 
sustain level is fixed at zero.

MOTM-880:

  Initial Level and Attack Level have the same action as in the CS filter 
EG, and the same ranges.  Each also can be set by a 0 to +V CV.

  Attack, Decay and Release Times are 3ms to 30 seconds and are also 
adjustable with 0 to +V CVs.

  Sustain Level:  The MOTM-880 has ajustable sustain from -5 to +5, also 
adjustable with a 0 to +V CV.

  Here is a diagram that should make things clear:
http://www.cs80.com/motm880/csadsr.gif

  Now the the MOTM-880's other features:

  There is a LIN/EXP switch to select the slope type.

  There is a 3-position switch to select the point at which a TRIG OUT
pulse is generated: when the attack peak is reached, when GATE IN goes 
inactive or when the end of the cycle is reached.

  There is a MANUAL GATE pushbutton.

  There is a bicolor LED showing the cycle status.  Yellow for GATE active
and in attack phase, green for GATE active in decay/sustain phase and red 
when in release phase; a brighter green or red (I think I can pull this 
stunt in PICcode) when a TRIG OUT is asserted and the LED is dark when the 
EG is idle.

  Normal and inverted envelope outputs.

> As much as I appreciate all of the ideas expressed in this thread, it
> supports a massive amount of features.  Imho, too many to fit into
> one module.   So I suggest the best approach would be a division of
> labor over several different modules.

  Oddly enough, the 880 is a 2U module.  My prototype undimensioned 
placement guide shows the layout:

http://www.cs80.com/motm880/motm880.gif

  The "Stooge notes" in the above image are for drilling purposes. ;)

  I am building three prototypes, and things like the LED colors are under 
PIC control, so if they need tweaked later, it is no problem.

Crow
/**/

[motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-25 by Scott Juskiw

This will be a FANTASTIC addition when it's released, I am pumped 
about this one. The panel looks a bit crowded though, mostly from the 
Gate pushbutton and Gate LED. The LED can certainly be moved around, 
as you've indicated. Perhaps the -OUT could be eliminated so that a 
larger 0.5" pushbutton can be used (like the one Moe mentions on his 
website). I use this same 0.5" pushbutton on my Darkstar and OMS-820 
modules and I really like it. The -OUT is convenient, but can easily 
be generated by a MultiMix or MOTM-830. Just my $0.02.

BTW, is your Pulse Width Multiplier module still under consideration 
as an official MOTM product? I'm still looking forward to that one, 
but I seemed to be the only one who was salivating over it.

At 5:02 PM -0500 2003/01/24, The Old Crow wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>   I am back from NAMM, and can elaborate.  The CS-80 filter EG and the
>MOTM-880 are a bit different, so I will describe both:
>...
>
>   I am building three prototypes, and things like the LED colors are under
>PIC control, so if they need tweaked later, it is no problem.

[motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-25 by media.nai@rcn.com

At 5:02 PM -0500 1/24/03, The Old Crow wrote:
>
>   I am back from NAMM, and can elaborate.  The CS-80 filter EG and the
>MOTM-880 are a bit different, so I will describe both:

Thank you, I appreciate your taking the time to explain all this.

>   Attack Time (AT)
>   Decay Time (DT)

Based on your descriptions, regardless of what Yamaha might have
called these, more accurate names for these functions would have been
Attack Rate and Decay Rate.

(As you know, this is the case with almost all analogue ADSR's -- the
knobs control current sources charging a cap, so their settings only
translate to time values if the attack level and sustain level are
fixed, and unlike the CS-80 the sustain usually isn't fixed.)

>MOTM-880:
>
>   Initial Level and Attack Level have the same action as in the CS filter
>EG, and the same ranges.

Excellent :)  I've already explained in my last two posts to this
thread why I think Attack Level is such an important feature.

If the CS-80 EG is analogue, wouldn't there would be a bit of a slope
as it drops from the sustain level to the initial level??  I also
wonder if Roland were looking at the CS-80 when they designed the VCF
EG for the TB-303.

>Each also can be set by a 0 to +V CV.

Do the CV inputs completely replace the knob settings, or do the CV
inputs modulate the knob settings??

>   Attack, Decay and Release Times are 3ms to 30 seconds and are also
>adjustable with 0 to +V CVs.

Are these settings actual rates, or are they really times??  Imho,
this is a very important distinction.  If Decay is a rate, then you
get this nice "natural" effect of higher attack levels resulting in
longer decays.

While 30s is certainly long enough, I don't know if 3ms is punchy
enough for driving a VCA.  Or is this being designed primarily as a
filter envelope??

>   Sustain Level:  The MOTM-880 has ajustable sustain from -5 to +5, also
>adjustable with a 0 to +V CV.

I'm thinking that would give this module a bonus feature -- it can be
used as a voltage buffer, just like the 800 can be used as a voltage
source.

>   There is a 3-position switch to select the point at which a TRIG OUT
>pulse is generated: when the attack peak is reached, when GATE IN goes
>inactive or when the end of the cycle is reached.

Wow!! That gives it a whole mess of new functions!!

However, I do notice that it does not have a trigger input.  If it
did, it could be used as a trigger delay, a VC LFO, and not the least
expected feature, an envelope generator when using a trigger!!

So how does it respond to gates that drop before the attack or decay
phase is over??  I guess that's the question.

As you know, the 800 has three different modes, including a
trigger-only mode that it produces Attack-Decay envelopes using the
Attack and Release knobs.  The UEG has several options how it handles
dropped gates, including a one-shot mode.  Whether this is
implemented using two switched jacks, or one jack and a toggle
switch, the ability to respond to a trigger is essential for a
full-featured EG.

Imho, I would replace the manual gate pushbutton or the inverted
output with a switch or trigger input jack.

>   Normal and inverted envelope outputs.

Many of the inputs within the MOTM system have reversing attenuators, and
I haven't found the "negative" outputs of the 800 all that useful.
An output inverted in the intuitive sense (upside down), where 0V is
5V, and 5V is 0V, would have been much more of a feature.  Perhaps
there is no complimentary function for a bipolar envelope, although I
am thinking that maybe I should look into modifying my 800's.


>  > As much as I appreciate all of the ideas expressed in this thread, it
>  > supports a massive amount of features.  Imho, too many to fit into
>  > one module.   So I suggest the best approach would be a division of
>  > labor over several different modules.
>
>   Oddly enough, the 880 is a 2U module.  My prototype undimensioned
>placement guide shows the layout:
>
>http://www.cs80.com/motm880/motm880.gif
>

Yes, while it is not possible to include every possible feature in
2U, the features you chose to include are very clever.

Several people said they want knobs for each CV function, which would
have added six knobs to the MOTM-880 making it 4U.  Imho, such knobs
are not necessary, and afaik, the Serge and Blacet VC ADSR's don't
have that feature either.

Anyway, perhaps more elegant way to label the CV input jacks for the
traditional functions, might simply be "A" "D" "S" "R".

>   I am building three prototypes,

That's good, I only need two ;)

>and things like the LED colors are under
>PIC control, so if they need tweaked later, it is no problem.

Is it all digital??

Re: [motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-25 by The Old Crow

On Sat, 25 Jan 2003 media.nai@... wrote:

> Based on your descriptions, regardless of what Yamaha might have
> called these, more accurate names for these functions would have been
> Attack Rate and Decay Rate.
> 
> (As you know, this is the case with almost all analogue ADSR's -- the
> knobs control current sources charging a cap, so their settings only
> translate to time values if the attack level and sustain level are
> fixed, and unlike the CS-80 the sustain usually isn't fixed.)

  Yes, the should be called rates.  Yamaha called them times, however, 
which led me to believe that they used some sort of analog multiplier in 
their EG chip to achieve a constant time for a given setting of the rate 
controls regardless of the initial or attack level settings.  After a 
bunch of tests on a CS-50 voice board, though, I determined that the times 
were not constant as they were affected by the moving of the IL/AL 
endpoints.  The Yamaha "time" moniker stuck in my head, though.  I will 
call them rates from now on.  (I was very happy to learn that the times 
were not constant, as building my equivlant of the EG became much easier).

  When I refer to times, I am usually stating the minimum/maximum times 
attainable when the levels are the farthest apart.  So, a max. attack time 
of 30 seconds means IL is as low as possible and AL is as high as possible 
to get the most "vertical" distance the slope has to traverse.

> If the CS-80 EG is analogue, wouldn't there would be a bit of a slope
> as it drops from the sustain level to the initial level??  I also
> wonder if Roland were looking at the CS-80 when they designed the VCF
> EG for the TB-303.

  Well, yes, a slope defined by the release rate control.

> Do the CV inputs completely replace the knob settings, or do the CV
> inputs modulate the knob settings??

  Modulate.  Replacing the knob settings would by far too awkward to be 
useful.  Much more intuitive to set a level or rate, then "move it around" 
with a little +/- CV.  The "0 to +V" I mention is an extreme, such as when 
a knob is fully CCW and the full range of the parameter is to be adjusted 
with a CV.

> While 30s is certainly long enough, I don't know if 3ms is punchy
> enough for driving a VCA.  Or is this being designed primarily as a
> filter envelope??

  Well, my original spec. was to do 1ms to 10s (nominal) but it was 
suggested that the times/rates be made longer.  It is just changing the 
timing capacitor; perhaps the assembly instructions can suggest more than 
one value so a user can get what they want.
 
> >   There is a 3-position switch to select the point at which a TRIG OUT
> >pulse is generated: when the attack peak is reached, when GATE IN goes
> >inactive or when the end of the cycle is reached.
> 
> Wow!! That gives it a whole mess of new functions!!
> 
> However, I do notice that it does not have a trigger input.  If it
> did, it could be used as a trigger delay, a VC LFO, and not the least
> expected feature, an envelope generator when using a trigger!!
> 
> So how does it respond to gates that drop before the attack or decay
> phase is over??  I guess that's the question.
> 
> As you know, the 800 has three different modes, including a
> trigger-only mode that it produces Attack-Decay envelopes using the
> Attack and Release knobs.  The UEG has several options how it handles
> dropped gates, including a one-shot mode.  Whether this is
> implemented using two switched jacks, or one jack and a toggle
> switch, the ability to respond to a trigger is essential for a
> full-featured EG.

  This is one of those things that I'll determine when tweaking PIC code.
Originally I wanted to have separate gate and trigger inputs, but I can 
program the PIC to do an A/R function for a dropped gate, etc.  I've also 
considered replacing the inverted output with a trigger input.

> >PIC control, so if they need tweaked later, it is no problem.
> 
> Is it all digital??

  No, only the logic circuit to step through the cycle is digital.  I
decided to use a PIC part to allow for some flexibility in the way
gates/triggers are handled, the level and rate analog switches are
operated, the LED is handled and trigger outputs are handled.  All the
rest of the EG is analog.

Crow
/**/

Re: [motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-26 by media.nai@rcn.com

At 5:23 PM -0500 1/25/03, The Old Crow wrote:
>
>(I was very happy to learn that the times
>were not constant, as building my equivlant of the EG became much easier).

I'm happy too :)   A fixed rate is a much better than a fixed time
with a VC attack level!!

>  > If the CS-80 EG is analogue, wouldn't there would be a bit of a slope
>  > as it drops from the sustain level to the initial level??  I also
>  > wonder if Roland were looking at the CS-80 when they designed the VCF
>  > EG for the TB-303.
>
>   Well, yes, a slope defined by the release rate control.

Sorry, that was a badly written question.  What I meant to ask,
is there a bit of a slope as the output drops from the sustain level to the
initial level when the gate first begins??  Then again, now that you
said that it's analog, it still might be a bad question :)  My
understanding is that it idles at the sustain level until it receives
a gate.

>  > While 30s is certainly long enough, I don't know if 3ms is punchy
>  > enough for driving a VCA.  Or is this being designed primarily as a
>  > filter envelope??
>
>   Well, my original spec. was to do 1ms to 10s (nominal) but it was
>suggested that the times/rates be made longer.

What kind of slow ass music are these people are making?? :)

>It is just changing the timing capacitor; perhaps the assembly instructions
>can suggest more than one value so a user can get what they want.

That's a good point.  Imho, a manual gate pushbutton is not
necessary.  The UEG has one because it can function as a sequencer,
but it seems a superfluous feature for an EG.  So if it keeps
everyone happy, a toggle could offer three different timing ranges
instead.

>   This is one of those things that I'll determine when tweaking PIC code.
>Originally I wanted to have separate gate and trigger inputs, but I can
>program the PIC to do an A/R function for a dropped gate, etc.  I've also
>considered replacing the inverted output with a trigger input.

That is an extremely worthwhile consideration.  An inverted output
could be produced in cooperation with other modules, but there is no
substitute for separate gate and trigger inputs.

>   No, only the logic circuit to step through the cycle is digital.  I
>decided to use a PIC part to allow for some flexibility in the way
>gates/triggers are handled, the level and rate analog switches are
>operated, the LED is handled and trigger outputs are handled.  All the
>rest of the EG is analog.

That does seem the best way, as the logic functions are digital anyway.

At 2:50 PM -0700 1/25/03, Scott Juskiw wrote:
>
>This will be a FANTASTIC addition when it's released, I am pumped
>about this one.

Me too :) I was in process of designing an EG with CV attack level for myself
(I don't think you can buy from anyone), then Larry mentioned OC was
working on a new EG, and lo and behold, it has VC attack level!!

>The panel looks a bit crowded though, mostly from the
>Gate pushbutton and Gate LED. The LED can certainly be moved around,
>as you've indicated. Perhaps the -OUT could be eliminated so that a
>larger 0.5" pushbutton can be used (like the one Moe mentions on his
>website). I use this same 0.5" pushbutton on my Darkstar and OMS-820
>modules and I really like it.

Imho, it doesn't need a pushbutton or a negative out.

>The -OUT is convenient, but can easily
>be generated by a MultiMix or MOTM-830. Just my $0.02.

I agree, not to mention many inputs have reversing attenuators.

Re: [motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-26 by Scott Juskiw

At 5:23 PM -0500 2003/01/25, The Old Crow wrote:

>   Modulate.  Replacing the knob settings would by far too awkward to be
>useful.  Much more intuitive to set a level or rate, then "move it around"
>with a little +/- CV.  The "0 to +V" I mention is an extreme, such as when
>a knob is fully CCW and the full range of the parameter is to be adjusted
>with a CV.

I'm hoping that positive control voltages will increase the rate, 
rather than increase the time. It would be handy to be able to plug a 
key down velocity (or key up velocity) from a MIDI-2-CV interface 
directly into the 880 so that playing softly gives slow attack and 
release times while playing forcefully will give much quicker attack 
and release times. Also, the key voltage can be used to shorten the 
attack/release times as you play progressively higher up the keyboard 
to mimic the same effect on acoustic instruments. I believe this is 
how all my other synths work.

Re: [motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-26 by The Old Crow

On Sun, 26 Jan 2003 media.nai@... wrote:

> What I meant to ask, is there a bit of a slope as the output drops from
> the sustain level to the initial level when the gate first begins??  
> Then again, now that you said that it's analog, it still might be a bad
> question :)  My understanding is that it idles at the sustain level
> until it receives a gate.

  The envelope starts and ends at the initial level.  On a gate, the 
envelope slopes to attack level atthe attack rate, decays to sustain 
level at the decay rate, stays at sustain level until gate off, then 
releases back to initial level at the release rate.

  When the module is first powered on a 'reset' state is applied to the 
envelope circuit where it is placed at the initial level at the fastest 
rate.

  I will replace -OUT with TRIG IN.  A trigger would just do the attack 
and release portions.

> Imho, it doesn't need a pushbutton or a negative out.

  Lots of folks want a pushbutton, so I plan to include one.

Crow
/**/

Re: [motm] RE: VC EG

2003-01-27 by media.nai@rcn.com

>   The envelope starts and ends at the initial level.  On a gate, the
>envelope slopes to attack level atthe attack rate, decays to sustain
>level at the decay rate, stays at sustain level until gate off, then
>releases back to initial level at the release rate.

See?? I knew it was a stupid question :)

>   I will replace -OUT with TRIG IN.

Cool :)

>A trigger would just do the attack and release portions.

That would work with a drum controller.  Since the logic is done with 
a PIC, it shouldn't be too hard to program it to respond to gates and 
triggers just like the MOTM-800.

>  > Imho, it doesn't need a pushbutton or a negative out.
>
>   Lots of folks want a pushbutton, so I plan to include one.

Then that's probably the right thing to do.