MOTM

First I must heartily apologize to Roy. I didn't read his post (below) 
thoroughly enough to see that he had only mentioned the 15 pot idea as ONE 
option, and that an option similar to what I was thinking of immediately 
followed. Sorry Roy! I've got to read more closely.

Here's what I'd imagined:

Three pots (or encoders):
1) VC IN (per stage).
2) Time to end point.
3) Set end point (voltage).

Next/Prev arrows (similar to what Roy describes below) to select the stage.

Some way to select the degree of the exponent for a change of state (I'm not 
exactly sure how the to describe the attack portion of a typical EG -- 
exponential with reverse orientation)? Moe and I will like the "whompass" 
(and more!) attack stages that are readily available.

How about 8 LEDs (one for each stage) -- changing at the rate of the voltage 
of that stage in a smooth and soothing fashion.


I think this would be a great module, and not difficult to operate or overly 
expensive in any way.

I know several people didn't like the notion of using uP in their analog, but 
I'd still like to think about this in addition to the current VC EG.

I still like the VC DADSR idea too!
JB

In a message dated 2/1/2000 12:44:49 PM, roytate@... writes:

>It would HAVE to have a gate-detected indicator LED at least, and you
>could flash that when it changes stages.  My latest (2 year old) idea
>for a multi-stage EG consists of a series of 8 stages, with each stage
>having 3 parameters:  ramp-to voltage, ramp rate and sustain switch.
>The ramp-to voltage and ramp rate allow various timings and slopes, and
>the sustain switch causes the processor to stick on that stage until
>it detects a gate off.  I planned on using a PIC chip as a controller
>for JH's VC EG idea using 2 NPN and 2 PNP transistors.  This seemed to
>be easier than using a DAC.  I would use a window comparator to determine
>when to change stages.  This is quite similar to the Roland MKS-50 EG,
>only extended beyond ADSR.
>
>I would LOVE for something like this to become a MOTM module!
>
>I would envision a multi-stage EG as having 15 or more knobs and 
>6 sustain switches; or 2 rotary encoders, 3 push-buttons and 
>an LCD panel [add 8 jacks for voltage controll].  The buttons would 
>be next/prev stage and sustain toggle.  You could also use the 
>next/prev buttons as next/prev feature if you added several parameters
>to each stage.
>
>The 16 knob variant starts sounding like a sequencer doesn't it?
>Either way, a PIC controller tied to an analog VC-EG stage would 
>allow for voltage control without worrying about stepping.
>
>Either way, I'm not against your idea, and in fact would like to 
>have one.  You could add a gate delay, and a punch option to a
>digital EG quite easily.  And for what it's worth, I vote for
>using a PIC since I already have a PIC programmer.
>

>>* " I know several people didn't like the notion of using uP in their
analog..."*

This statement is interesting from a philosophical standpoint. Certainly
some people are going to fall closer to the "purist" mark than others.

For the record, my own personal opinion is that uP's behind an MOTM panel
would be fine, as long as the *interface* is still consistent with what we
all love about modulars (jacks, knobs, & switches). And of course the same
high quality parts, sound (where applicable), etc. Also, I think that if
you're going to do something with a uP, it should be a task that *warrants*
a uP. If it's something that can be done with a handful of resistors &
capacitors, it's better done that way. That last goes without saying I
guess; this is starting to sound like a 'charter.'

Is there ever justification for an LED/LCD panel with increment/decrement
buttons (hopefully an data-dial instead)? Sure, I can imagine that some
complex functions really can't avoid this. And truth be known, it might be
cool to have an LED readout here and there in the rig... impresses the
in-laws. But wherever possible, I would hope that the d*g*t*l nature of a
uP-based module would be "hidden" by knobs & switches.

Just my $0.02. Feel free to call me names and throw cabbage at me.

Hi All !

Dream mode on :

I'd vote for an Xpander like interface on any \ufffdP controlled panel .  
Put 6 switches above and 6 rotary encoders below a 40 char X 4 line 
lcd display (or same size graphic...) .  Now if this display could be 
something else than green, BW or so .  There's some colour displays 
available in about the same size ;-)  This would give name and value 
to any selected parameter .  Using slightly smaller knobs, one could 
even squeeze two such displays in a 4u panel .  Then one could hang 
several function specific panels (with i/o jacks, the ADA circuitry, 
and the \ufffdP doing the work) from this one control panel .  Or give 
each function module it's controller, whatever .

Dream mode off .

Makes sense ?

Cheers .


Keep 'em oscillating :)


Hugo
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