MOTM

Yes, I'm blowing the dust off the VC Pulse Divider project today (sorry, I need
a diversion from kitting/shipping/soldering/endless loop). Also, I have had over
$600 in parts I bought for it sitting in the closet for 3 years now :)

There is an 8-step output (3 bit counter into a DAC), and I can select 3
different scalings via panel toggle switch. Here is what I have sketched in
there now:

#1: steps are 1V, so we "step in octaves"
#2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
#3: steps are 3/12th volt, so we "step in 3rds"

Any other suggestions? I plan to use 0.1% resistors here to get quite accurate
(trying to have no trims).

The counter has a panel switch to select either the CLK IN or the /N to drive
it.

For newbies: this module can simultaneously divide an input by /2 to /32 or /1.5
to /32.5 (the variable /N which *is* voltage controlled) along with "fixed"
outputs of /2.../9 & /16). I'm whipping up a breadboard for Robert Rich to use
on the new CD. It uses 2 PIC controllers and has a nice 3-digit LED display. I'm
*guessing* the kit price is in the $239 area. Has a LOT of jacks (like 17?) The
outputs are 0 to +5V square waves at 50% duty cycle, so they can be used as
audio OR triggers into EGs, etc.

Paul S.

#3 - step in 7/12 of a volt, to step in fifths.  

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2004 11:48 AM
> To: MOTM litserv
> Subject: [motm] VC Divider opinion
> 
> Yes, I'm blowing the dust off the VC Pulse Divider project today (sorry, I
> need
> a diversion from kitting/shipping/soldering/endless loop). Also, I have
> had over
> $600 in parts I bought for it sitting in the closet for 3 years now :)
> 
> There is an 8-step output (3 bit counter into a DAC), and I can select 3
> different scalings via panel toggle switch. Here is what I have sketched
> in
> there now:
> 
> #1: steps are 1V, so we "step in octaves"
> #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
> #3: steps are 3/12th volt, so we "step in 3rds"
> 
> Any other suggestions? I plan to use 0.1% resistors here to get quite
> accurate
> (trying to have no trims).
> 
> The counter has a panel switch to select either the CLK IN or the /N to
> drive
> it.
> 
> For newbies: this module can simultaneously divide an input by /2 to /32
> or /1.5
> to /32.5 (the variable /N which *is* voltage controlled) along with
> "fixed"
> outputs of /2.../9 & /16). I'm whipping up a breadboard for Robert Rich to
> use
> on the new CD. It uses 2 PIC controllers and has a nice 3-digit LED
> display. I'm
> *guessing* the kit price is in the $239 area. Has a LOT of jacks (like
> 17?) The
> outputs are 0 to +5V square waves at 50% duty cycle, so they can be used
> as
> audio OR triggers into EGs, etc.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>

Paul writes:
> > #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"

 Wouldn't that would be half steps? :-)

 Andrew

#4 - step in 5/12 for fourths

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "John Loffink" <jloffink@a...> wrote:
> #3 - step in 7/12 of a volt, to step in fifths.  
> 
> John Loffink
> The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
> http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
> The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
> http://www.wavemakers-synth.com
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@a...]
> > Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2004 11:48 AM
> > To: MOTM litserv
> > Subject: [motm] VC Divider opinion
> > 
> > Yes, I'm blowing the dust off the VC Pulse Divider project today
(sorry, I
> > need
> > a diversion from kitting/shipping/soldering/endless loop). Also, I
have
> > had over
> > $600 in parts I bought for it sitting in the closet for 3 years now :)
> > 
> > There is an 8-step output (3 bit counter into a DAC), and I can
select 3
> > different scalings via panel toggle switch. Here is what I have
sketched
> > in
> > there now:
> > 
> > #1: steps are 1V, so we "step in octaves"
> > #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
> > #3: steps are 3/12th volt, so we "step in 3rds"
> > 
> > Any other suggestions? I plan to use 0.1% resistors here to get quite
> > accurate
> > (trying to have no trims).
> > 
> > The counter has a panel switch to select either the CLK IN or the
/N to
> > drive
> > it.
> > 
> > For newbies: this module can simultaneously divide an input by /2
to /32
> > or /1.5
> > to /32.5 (the variable /N which *is* voltage controlled) along with
> > "fixed"
> > outputs of /2.../9 & /16). I'm whipping up a breadboard for Robert
Rich to
> > use
> > on the new CD. It uses 2 PIC controllers and has a nice 3-digit LED
> > display. I'm
> > *guessing* the kit price is in the $239 area. Has a LOT of jacks (like
> > 17?) The
> > outputs are 0 to +5V square waves at 50% duty cycle, so they can
be used

> > as
> > audio OR triggers into EGs, etc.
> > 
> > Paul S.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >

> Paul writes:
> > > #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
> 
>  Wouldn't that would be half steps? :-)

Bleh....not enough Dr. Pepper. Correct.

BTW: is 1.3rs or fifths more "useful"?

Paul S.

>  > > > #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
>>
>>   Wouldn't that would be half steps? :-)
>
>Bleh....not enough Dr. Pepper. Correct.
>
>BTW: is 1.3rs or fifths more "useful"?
>

Most useful (in order):
1. octaves
2. fifths
3. fourths
4. minor thirds
5. major thirds
6. whole step
7. half step
8. everything else

On Saturday 07 August 2004 19:20, Mike Marsh wrote:
> #4 - step in 5/12 for fourths

Second that, both 4ths and 5ths would be great.

- Robert

I find I use the VC Divider a lot for clocking an analog sequencer. Being  
able to subdivide by 2 to say 32 is quite useful. Having a really fast pulse  
train and toggling frequently between different subdivisions can create really  
interesting rhythms.
 
I hope this can be kept in mind while developing this module.
 
JB

I'm going to start with oct/4th/5ths with a resistor table for the 'real' one to
put in whatever you want :)

Just finished the schematic. Off to basketball game, then I'll lay the pcb out
(it's 1/2 autorouted, which will route in about 4 seconds).

This stepped output goes 'up' only. There is also a RESET input that zeros the
divider/stepped out.

It's a cute design, IMHO.

Paul S.

Agreed.  

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Juskiw [mailto:scott@...]
> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2004 1:13 PM
> To: motm@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [motm] VC Divider opinion
> 
> >  > > > #2: steps are 1/12th volt, so we "step in ...errr. whole steps"
> >>
> >>   Wouldn't that would be half steps? :-)
> >
> >Bleh....not enough Dr. Pepper. Correct.
> >
> >BTW: is 1.3rs or fifths more "useful"?
> >
> 
> Most useful (in order):
> 1. octaves
> 2. fifths
> 3. fourths
> 4. minor thirds
> 5. major thirds
> 6. whole step
> 7. half step
> 8. everything else
> 
>

On Sunday 08 August 2004 02:50, John Loffink wrote:
> > Most useful (in order):
> > 1. octaves
> > 2. fifths
> > 3. fourths
> > 4. minor thirds
> > 5. major thirds
> > 6. whole step
> > 7. half step
> > 8. everything else

Same here. Nice list.

- Robert

If the output square waves go +/-5V instead of 0 to +5V, then they can 
be inverted by any analog inverter.  I find this useful to produce both 
phases for control purposes.  If you invert 0 to +5V you get 0 to -5V, 
which can't be used as a gate or trigger.

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>For newbies: this module can simultaneously divide an input by /2 to /32 or /1.5
>to /32.5 (the variable /N which *is* voltage controlled) along with "fixed"
>outputs of /2.../9 & /16). I'm whipping up a breadboard for Robert Rich to use
>on the new CD. It uses 2 PIC controllers and has a nice 3-digit LED display. I'm
>*guessing* the kit price is in the $239 area. Has a LOT of jacks (like 17?) The
>outputs are 0 to +5V square waves at 50% duty cycle, so they can be used as
>audio OR triggers into EGs, etc.
>
>Paul S.
>
>  
>

> If the output square waves go +/-5V instead of 0 to +5V, then they can
> be inverted by any analog inverter.  I find this useful to produce both
> phases for control purposes.  If you invert 0 to +5V you get 0 to -5V,
> which can't be used as a gate or trigger.

Errr...not going to put 16 level shifters on there! Over 180 parts just for
that!

Paul S.
finishing up pc board for the breadboard *today*

Yes, I can certainly understand that!  For DIYers who would like to add 
this feature to any module, check out the PC board Ken Stone made for 
this purpose at my request.  Go to http://www.cgs.synth.net/ and look 
for the CGS56 PC board, Gate Converter.  It has 4 converters built 
around a TL074 chip.  The board is 1.15 x 2 inches in size.  Four of 
these boards would be needed for Paul's VC Divider (assuming 16 
outputs).  The CGS56 could be put to other uses, as well.

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>>If the output square waves go +/-5V instead of 0 to +5V, then they can
>>be inverted by any analog inverter.  I find this useful to produce both
>>phases for control purposes.  If you invert 0 to +5V you get 0 to -5V,
>>which can't be used as a gate or trigger.
>>    
>>
>
>Errr...not going to put 16 level shifters on there! Over 180 parts just for
>that!
>
>Paul S.
>finishing up pc board for the breadboard *today*
>
>
>  
>