Wiardgroup

Hi

Just some inquiries about the Wiard modular

How stables are the VCOs?

I'm also curious about the Omni Filter
Does this filter drop volume or bass as resonance is increased?
Does it also overdrive as resonance is increase?

Does anyone have simple audio files of basic sawtooth filter sweeps
of each of the filter types at moderate to high resoannce?


PS - I think Wiard should have these on their site :)


thanks

Colin

Hi,

The VCO's are VERY stable. But they are still very musical, not 
clinical at all. The waveforms are big, fat and not distorted. What I 
like most is it's linear-FM-Behaviour. Thats why I just ordered 2 
more VCO's for my System to make big FM-Patches with four 
Oszillators. 

The Omni-Filter is a very clean Filter but very organic and not 
clinical at all. It is my favorite Filter (I have 9 diffrent Modular 
Filters including the MoogerFooger-Lowpass-Filter). You can hear the 
Omni on almost all of my Wiard-MP3-examples and on most of the tracks 
on my coming CD. It does not overdrive or drop the volume when 
resonance is increased. Basses do sit very well in the mix and do not 
need any EQ at all in most situations.

Olivier Gerber (smoo)




--- In wiardgroup@y..., coolcolj@o... wrote:

> Hi
> 
> Just some inquiries about the Wiard modular
> 
> How stables are the VCOs?
> 
> I'm also curious about the Omni Filter
> Does this filter drop volume or bass as resonance is increased?
> Does it also overdrive as resonance is increase?
> 
> Does anyone have simple audio files of basic sawtooth filter sweeps
> of each of the filter types at moderate to high resoannce?
> 
> 
> PS - I think Wiard should have these on their site :)
> 
> 
> thanks
> 
> Colin

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

From: <googol@gmx.ch>
To: <wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 6:41 AM
Subject: [wiardgroup] Re: Omni Filter/VCO


> Hi,
>
> The VCO's are VERY stable. But they are still very musical, not
> clinical at all. The waveforms are big, fat and not distorted. What I
> like most is it's linear-FM-Behaviour. Thats why I just ordered 2
> more VCO's for my System to make big FM-Patches with four
> Oszillators.
>
> The Omni-Filter is a very clean Filter but very organic and not
> clinical at all. It is my favorite Filter (I have 9 diffrent Modular
> Filters including the MoogerFooger-Lowpass-Filter). You can hear the
> Omni on almost all of my Wiard-MP3-examples and on most of the tracks
> on my coming CD. It does not overdrive or drop the volume when
> resonance is increased. Basses do sit very well in the mix and do not
> need any EQ at all in most situations.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I really like what I hear from the Omni Filter, it has a nice detailed
smooth liquidy sound.
 A new and different sound which tickles my ears in a nice way :)

I find Moog type ladder filters a bit too syrupy for creating hard
percussive attack type sounds
Even with the resoannce cranked right up,
Moog filters just sound soft and liquidy all the time.
Can the Omni Filter create these types of resonant hard attack tetxures?


Are the VCOs easy to calibrate?
Because I'm not much of techie with these things just yet.


OK so the Wiard is still in production I gather?


Colin

Hi Colin,


> I find Moog type ladder filters a bit too syrupy for creating hard
> percussive attack type sounds
> Even with the resoannce cranked right up,
> Moog filters just sound soft and liquidy all the time.
> Can the Omni Filter create these types of resonant hard attack 
tetxures?
> 
My Omni filter cuts like a razor, especially in band-pass mode. I must 
confess that it's hard to use text to communicate timbral qualities to 
other people. I'm a fan of what I consider "bite" in a VCF. So I'm 
gonna assume we like the same thing in filter response. My experience 
is that almost any VCF design with a slope greater than 12db/Oct 
(18pole or more) gives me the quality I like.....But the 'bite' is 
more a function of the speed of the CV attack. Some older filers have 
CV summing amps based on some pretty slow op amps and as these 
critters age they can slew the attack right off an envelope. This is 
not a consequence of the core filter design, though. Without going 
into a lot of (probably irrelevant) comparisons, suffice to say that 
the CV response of my Omni filter is plenty quick on the uptake. It 
has no trouble keeping up with the output of Wiard's envelator which 
has a brutally fast attack time. I recommend it unreservedly.


> 
> Are the VCOs easy to calibrate?
> Because I'm not much of techie with these things just yet.
> 
> 
Can't speak to that. I don't have a wiard VCO, just the digital 
waveshapers. But I notice that you got a response from Olivier Gerber. 
 Based the meticulous (and gorgeous,BTW) nature of his music - I'd 
certainly cite him as an expert in keeping Wiards in tune

> OK so the Wiard is still in production I gather?

you gather correctly. the Wiard is very much in production. I have 
been getting stuff all this fall. Check out some of the recent mesages 
from folks who just got wogglebugs delivered.

 
best,
-doc

hi colin, hi doc,

The VCOs are very easy to tune because they are stable (the scale is 
always correct) and the Tune and Fine-tune Pots are very precise. It 
is even easy possible to tune the VCO without touching the Fine-tune 
knob!

Something about the "bite" of Filters/Omni-Filter. I am experimenting 
very much with envelopes. Normally my envelopes (Wiard and Blacet) 
are feedbacked to get diffrent responses. The Wiard-Envelope react 
very different when the decay-phase is feedbacked compared to the 
Blaced-EG1. Of course I had to change the EG-1 to exp. first (only 
the decay). The Wiard-Env is faster and can get much more exp. 
and "cutting". I like that on the Omni-Filter and prefer that to the 
Blacet EG1. But I also really like the EG1 together with the Wiard 
Mixolator, but then I feedback the decay-CV with the Inverted Out to 
get a very unusual response (only when changed internally to exp.). 
Thats why I really hope that the enveloopers-Module will have a exp.-
Response with CV on the decay...

Olivier




--- In wiardgroup@y..., drmabuce@y... wrote:
> Hi Colin,
> 
> 
> > I find Moog type ladder filters a bit too syrupy for creating hard
> > percussive attack type sounds
> > Even with the resoannce cranked right up,
> > Moog filters just sound soft and liquidy all the time.
> > Can the Omni Filter create these types of resonant hard attack 
> tetxures?
> > 
> My Omni filter cuts like a razor, especially in band-pass mode. I 
must 
> confess that it's hard to use text to communicate timbral qualities 
to 
> other people. I'm a fan of what I consider "bite" in a VCF. So I'm 
> gonna assume we like the same thing in filter response. My 
experience 
> is that almost any VCF design with a slope greater than 12db/Oct 
> (18pole or more) gives me the quality I like.....But the 'bite' is 
> more a function of the speed of the CV attack. Some older filers 
have 
> CV summing amps based on some pretty slow op amps and as these 
> critters age they can slew the attack right off an envelope. This 
is 
> not a consequence of the core filter design, though. Without going 
> into a lot of (probably irrelevant) comparisons, suffice to say 
that 
> the CV response of my Omni filter is plenty quick on the uptake. It 
> has no trouble keeping up with the output of Wiard's envelator 
which 
> has a brutally fast attack time. I recommend it unreservedly.
> 
> 
> > 
> > Are the VCOs easy to calibrate?
> > Because I'm not much of techie with these things just yet.
> > 
> > 
> Can't speak to that. I don't have a wiard VCO, just the digital 
> waveshapers. But I notice that you got a response from Olivier 
Gerber. 
>  Based the meticulous (and gorgeous,BTW) nature of his music - I'd 
> certainly cite him as an expert in keeping Wiards in tune
> 
> > OK so the Wiard is still in production I gather?
> 
> you gather correctly. the Wiard is very much in production. I have 
> been getting stuff all this fall. Check out some of the recent 
mesages 

> from folks who just got wogglebugs delivered.
> 
>  
> best,
> -doc

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1486267079

Check out this auction and the others by the Synthfool
on Ebay right now. The guy is a legend of synth repair
hear in Los Angeles and I think its funny to see his
modified Minimoog with the lit wheels just like Ol'
Bob plans to put out. Ha!

JH, Your Moog filter design in your new 19" panel
looks great. I hope to see the MOTM line integrate the
spaced dual filters if it comes to fruition and
reality as a Paul S Produced module! Another fine
piece of craftsmanship and you should be commended as
usual,

Thomas White



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month.
http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1

Sorry for the lack of previous explanation. I Sent
this mail and ebay link to wiard group due to Grants
original enthusiasm for these synths and the apparent
similarity in layou to MOTM and Wiard. 


--- thomas white <djthomaswhite@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1486267079
> 
> Check out this auction and the others by the
> Synthfool
> on Ebay right now. The guy is a legend of synth
> repair
> hear in Los Angeles and I think its funny to see his
> modified Minimoog with the lit wheels just like Ol'
> Bob plans to put out. Ha!
> 
> JH, Your Moog filter design in your new 19" panel
> looks great. I hope to see the MOTM line integrate
> the
> spaced dual filters if it comes to fruition and
> reality as a Paul S Produced module! Another fine
> piece of craftsmanship and you should be commended
> as
> usual,
> 
> Thomas White
> 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting,
> just $8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
> 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month.
http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1

As far as I know, the Aries modulars were produced by a group 
spun off from MIT. The early modules used 4 big knobs and later 
modules used up to 8 knobs. The first Wiard system was built 
on Aries module frames using 8 knobs and 16 jacks.

I couldn't fit all the functions I wanted in that number of jacks, so 
the production Wiard was increased to 10.5" in height. Aries 
faceplates are 9" x 3" and Wiard are 10.5 x 2.83" (17/6).

The Aries was the first to introduce the incredibly sensible idea 
of putting the jacks on the bottom away from the knobs. The later 
modules had some very advanced designs (including the 
multi-pulse waveshaper (whoops gotta program a bank with 
that)). Ron Rivera of Rivera Music Services designed some 
modules (or was rumored to). The later generation Aries dual 
VCA was the basis for the Mixolator faceplate design. It 
introduced the X,Y and Z notation along with the continuously 
variable linear to log slope control.

The early designs were essentially right out of Electronotes, and 
so are based on Terry Michaels designs (Terry is down the 
street here in Milwaukee). They follow the electrical standard laid 
out by the Arp 2600 and are fully interpatchable with Wiard and 
Blacet modules.

They are also constructed of excessively good electronic parts, 
but this did not help in the long run. It was the failure of the 
majority of the $12 Allen Bradley sealed military pots in the Aries 
that made me realize that ALL pots will eventually fail, no matter 
how much you pay for them. As a consequence, the Wiard is 
designed so the pots are extremely easy to replace, requiring 
just pliers and a small screw driver, no soldering tools are 
needed.

I have always felt that the all black faceplate / black knob design 
looked retarded. In my experience, the harder something tries 
look important on the outside, the less important it usually is.

If the Aries designers had been utterly confident that the internal 
electronics were World Class, They would have decorated the 
modules to look like something that fell out of a French 
whorehouse window, or another design that would call attention 
to their superior quality.

But instead, Aries merely did the absolute minimum of design 
needed to make them functionally usable (perhaps because 
they were not original). A more courageous designer would have 
been concerned with creating an object that posessed lasting 
beauty, an instrument that both sounded and looked beautiful.

So while the Wiard was very much influenced by the Aries 
excellent electronics, ease of use, clear sound and innovative 
panel layout, I dumped the dorky "learning lab" look in favor of an 
appearance appropriate for musical artists.

Oh yea, and not a single LED anywhere on a stock Aries 
envelope. Fortunately, most of them have this oversight corrected 
by now.

Well, this explains it all to me (or maybe not):

make it look ugly (like a "French whorehouse window") to show how good 
it is? And that is an "appearance appropriate for musical artists"!!!

As a musical artist, I take offense to that! (not a lot, but some) ;-)

or maybe it's a vendetta thing? ;-O

and "I dumped the dorky "learning lab" look..."

Is this where the now cultishly lengendary "dork" picture of Paul S. 
with the Aries comes into play?

(I'm not trying to rekindle any fires - just curious)

Barry


--- In wiardgroup@y..., grantrichter2001@y... wrote:

> As far as I know, the Aries modulars were produced by a group 
> spun off from MIT. The early modules used 4 big knobs and later 
> modules used up to 8 knobs. The first Wiard system was built 
> on Aries module frames using 8 knobs and 16 jacks.
> 
> I couldn't fit all the functions I wanted in that number of jacks, so 
> the production Wiard was increased to 10.5" in height. Aries 
> faceplates are 9" x 3" and Wiard are 10.5 x 2.83" (17/6).
> 
> The Aries was the first to introduce the incredibly sensible idea 
> of putting the jacks on the bottom away from the knobs. The later 
> modules had some very advanced designs (including the 
> multi-pulse waveshaper (whoops gotta program a bank with 
> that)). Ron Rivera of Rivera Music Services designed some 
> modules (or was rumored to). The later generation Aries dual 
> VCA was the basis for the Mixolator faceplate design. It 
> introduced the X,Y and Z notation along with the continuously 
> variable linear to log slope control.
> 
> The early designs were essentially right out of Electronotes, and 
> so are based on Terry Michaels designs (Terry is down the 
> street here in Milwaukee). They follow the electrical standard laid 
> out by the Arp 2600 and are fully interpatchable with Wiard and 
> Blacet modules.
> 
> They are also constructed of excessively good electronic parts, 
> but this did not help in the long run. It was the failure of the 
> majority of the $12 Allen Bradley sealed military pots in the Aries 
> that made me realize that ALL pots will eventually fail, no matter 
> how much you pay for them. As a consequence, the Wiard is 
> designed so the pots are extremely easy to replace, requiring 
> just pliers and a small screw driver, no soldering tools are 
> needed.
> 
> I have always felt that the all black faceplate / black knob design 
> looked retarded. In my experience, the harder something tries 
> look important on the outside, the less important it usually is.
> 
> If the Aries designers had been utterly confident that the internal 
> electronics were World Class, They would have decorated the 
> modules to look like something that fell out of a French 
> whorehouse window, or another design that would call attention 
> to their superior quality.
> 
> But instead, Aries merely did the absolute minimum of design 
> needed to make them functionally usable (perhaps because 
> they were not original). A more courageous designer would have 
> been concerned with creating an object that posessed lasting 
> beauty, an instrument that both sounded and looked beautiful.
> 
> So while the Wiard was very much influenced by the Aries 
> excellent electronics, ease of use, clear sound and innovative 
> panel layout, I dumped the dorky "learning lab" look in favor of an 
> appearance appropriate for musical artists.
> 
> Oh yea, and not a single LED anywhere on a stock Aries 
> envelope. Fortunately, most of them have this oversight corrected 
> by now.

I'm sorry, make that: "like something that fell out of a French 
whorehouse window." (don't now if that's better or worse) ;-)

Does anyone know where I can find some detailed panel shots or 
diagrams for Wiard modules? All I can find are shots that don't really 
have much detail, I'd like to be able to read the jack and pot legends 
and I'm not likely to see one in person any time soon.

Final front panel pattern thought: one can add food coloring to 
lemonade, put it an opaque glass, strain out the pulp or add sugar, if 
that's all that will quench your thirst and you don't like it's 
percieved bitter, pulpy or yellow attributes. It will still taste 
pretty much the same and possibly a little better.

Thanks, Barry

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "coyoteous" <satori@t...> wrote:

> Well, this explains it all to me (or maybe not):
> 
> make it look ugly (like a "French whorehouse window") to show how good 
> it is? And that is an "appearance appropriate for musical artists"!!!
> 
> As a musical artist, I take offense to that! (not a lot, but some) ;-)
> 
> or maybe it's a vendetta thing? ;-O
> 
> and "I dumped the dorky "learning lab" look..."
> 
> Is this where the now cultishly lengendary "dork" picture of Paul S. 
> with the Aries comes into play?
> 
> (I'm not trying to rekindle any fires - just curious)
> 
> Barry

Thanks, John and Les.

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "John Loffink" <jloffink@a...> wrote:

> It's amazing that a simple request like this has to be made.  I just
> requested the same thing from Technosaurus.  Their web site pictures are
> too small to see any detail.  They sent a brochure in the mail with a
> promise to update the web site soon.
> 
> Wiard does have some pdfs of the older modules under the support page,
> and there was a front panel scan of the wogglebug that's probably still
> in the yahoo archives.
> 
> John Loffink
> jloffink@a... 
> 
> > Does anyone know where I can find some detailed panel shots or
> > diagrams for Wiard modules? All I can find are shots that don't really
> > have much detail, I'd like to be able to read the jack and pot legends
> > and I'm not likely to see one in person any time soon.
> >

> Does anyone know where I can find some detailed panel shots or 
> diagrams for Wiard modules?

http://www.wiard.com/support/patch_startpos.jpg

There's other patchsheets on the site as well.....

Not aware of any closeup photos at the moment though...

Les Mizzell

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C:\DOS   
C:\DOS\RUN   
RUN\DOS\RUN 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's amazing that a simple request like this has to be made.  I just
requested the same thing from Technosaurus.  Their web site pictures are
too small to see any detail.  They sent a brochure in the mail with a
promise to update the web site soon.

Wiard does have some pdfs of the older modules under the support page,
and there was a front panel scan of the wogglebug that's probably still
in the yahoo archives.

John Loffink
jloffink@austin.rr.com 

> Does anyone know where I can find some detailed panel shots or
> diagrams for Wiard modules? All I can find are shots that don't really
> have much detail, I'd like to be able to read the jack and pot legends
> and I'm not likely to see one in person any time soon.
>