Wiardgroup

After years of design and months of work I have a kind of working prototype of the 
Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I am still getting the bugs out. This is 
targeted to the Frac-Rac format.

MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator". One of the shortcomings of 
modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers for modules. To generate a complex 
control function now, you have to sum together multiple envelopes and LFOs. The 
Envelooper allows you to draw complex control functions visually, with enough points to 
reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes and LFOs. It also stores pitches like a 
sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4 for each pitch.

The Envelooper is designed to support true "gestural" synthesis where a single key press 
or button push can produce control signals for a complete musical gesture. Multiple 
gestures are stored in different Banks and can be selected by voltage control. Using a 
black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger gestures with just the keyboard. The 
Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to free running loop without needing a 
gate or trigger.

The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope generator. For the Envelooper, each 
segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages stored in a PROM, for a total of 1024 
bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are produced simultaneously with a channel to 
channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.

Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time control from 1 millisecond to 20 
seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4 milliseconds and the longest is 80 seconds. 
The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1 volt per octave. Two steps = 83.3 
millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in Wave 256 can be used to program 
pitch information using actual note names.

The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and Mini-Wave is also used to 
program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like this for the 
enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2, S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, R4. 
The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128 and end at +128, D
(ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and end at zero, Release 
pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules produce envelopes 
with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment to another.

The four outputs are mapped two different ways for East Coast and West Coast patches. 
For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the 
waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and output 4 controls the VCA (Borg 2). For 
West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the waveform X, 
output 3 controls the waveform Y  and output 4 controls the lowpass gate.

8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for pitches we want this quantization, but it is a 
problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little known things about Vactrols is that 
they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal through a Vactrol smooths out the 
steps into continuous function. The VCO will have Vactrols or the equivalent on the 
waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The Borg and Boogie filters are based on 
Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.

I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone know that Wiard R&D will continue to 
produce ground breaking designs not available anywhere else. For those REALLY 
interested I have posted the test PROM file in the files section called adsr4.256 Use the 
Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please note this is just an experimental 
file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will ship with the module.

holy baby jesus that sounds like a fantastic piece of
work..and god bless them vactrols
Ti_
--- Grant Richter <grichter@asapnet.net> wrote:

> After years of design and months of work I have a
> kind of working prototype of the 
> Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I
> am still getting the bugs out. This is 
> targeted to the Frac-Rac format.
> 
> MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function
> Generator". One of the shortcomings of 
> modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers
> for modules. To generate a complex 
> control function now, you have to sum together
> multiple envelopes and LFOs. The 
> Envelooper allows you to draw complex control
> functions visually, with enough points to 
> reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes
> and LFOs. It also stores pitches like a 
> sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4
> for each pitch.
> 
> The Envelooper is designed to support true
> "gestural" synthesis where a single key press 
> or button push can produce control signals for a
> complete musical gesture. Multiple 
> gestures are stored in different Banks and can be
> selected by voltage control. Using a 
> black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger
> gestures with just the keyboard. The 
> Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to
> free running loop without needing a 
> gate or trigger.
> 
> The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope
> generator. For the Envelooper, each 
> segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages
> stored in a PROM, for a total of 1024 
> bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are
> produced simultaneously with a channel to 
> channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.
> 
> Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time
> control from 1 millisecond to 20 
> seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4
> milliseconds and the longest is 80 seconds. 
> The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1
> volt per octave. Two steps = 83.3 
> millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in
> Wave 256 can be used to program 
> pitch information using actual note names.
> 
> The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform
> City and Mini-Wave is also used to 
> program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave"
> are set up like this for the 
> enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2,
> D3, D4, S1, S2, S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, R4. 
> The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages
> start at -128 and end at +128, D
> (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain)
> pages start and end at zero, Release 
> pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these
> programing rules produce envelopes 
> with no audible "splice" when the device switches
> from one segment to another.
> 
> The four outputs are mapped two different ways for
> East Coast and West Coast patches. 
> For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of
> the VCO, output 2 controls the 
> waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and
> output 4 controls the VCA (Borg 2). For 
> West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the
> VCO, output 2 controls the waveform X, 
> output 3 controls the waveform Y  and output 4
> controls the lowpass gate.
> 
> 8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for
> pitches we want this quantization, but it is a 
> problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little
> known things about Vactrols is that 
> they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal
> through a Vactrol smooths out the 
> steps into continuous function. The VCO will have
> Vactrols or the equivalent on the 
> waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The
> Borg and Boogie filters are based on 
> Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.
> 
> I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone
> know that Wiard R&D will continue to 
> produce ground breaking designs not available
> anywhere else. For those REALLY 
> interested I have posted the test PROM file in the
> files section called adsr4.256 Use the 
> Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please
> note this is just an experimental 
> file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will
> ship with the module.
> 
> 
> 
> 



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com

hello grant,

this is amazing. top notch design from you again :-)

best wishes

ingo



--- Grant Richter <grichter@asapnet.net> schrieb:

> After years of design and months of work I have a kind of working
> prototype of the 
> Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I am still getting
> the bugs out. This is 
> targeted to the Frac-Rac format.
> 
> MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator". One of the
> shortcomings of 
> modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers for modules. To
> generate a complex 
> control function now, you have to sum together multiple envelopes and
> LFOs. The 
> Envelooper allows you to draw complex control functions visually,
> with enough points to 
> reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes and LFOs. It also
> stores pitches like a 
> sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4 for each pitch.
> 
> The Envelooper is designed to support true "gestural" synthesis where
> a single key press 
> or button push can produce control signals for a complete musical
> gesture. Multiple 
> gestures are stored in different Banks and can be selected by voltage
> control. Using a 
> black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger gestures with
> just the keyboard. The 
> Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to free running loop
> without needing a 
> gate or trigger.
> 
> The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope generator. For the
> Envelooper, each 
> segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages stored in a PROM,
> for a total of 1024 
> bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are produced
> simultaneously with a channel to 
> channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.
> 
> Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time control from 1
> millisecond to 20 
> seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4 milliseconds and the
> longest is 80 seconds. 
> The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1 volt per octave.
> Two steps = 83.3 
> millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in Wave 256 can be
> used to program 
> pitch information using actual note names.
> 
> The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and Mini-Wave
> is also used to 
> program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like
> this for the 
> enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2, S3,
> S4, R1, R2, R3, R4. 
> The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128
> and end at +128, D
> (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and
> end at zero, Release 
> pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules
> produce envelopes 
> with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment to
> another.
> 
> The four outputs are mapped two different ways for East Coast and
> West Coast patches. 
> For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2
> controls the 
> waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and output 4 controls
> the VCA (Borg 2). For 
> West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2
> controls the waveform X, 
> output 3 controls the waveform Y  and output 4 controls the lowpass
> gate.
> 
> 8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for pitches we want this
> quantization, but it is a 
> problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little known things
> about Vactrols is that 
> they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal through a
> Vactrol smooths out the 
> steps into continuous function. The VCO will have Vactrols or the
> equivalent on the 
> waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The Borg and Boogie
> filters are based on 
> Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.
> 
> I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone know that Wiard
> R&D will continue to 
> produce ground breaking designs not available anywhere else. For
> those REALLY 
> interested I have posted the test PROM file in the files section
> called adsr4.256 Use the 
> Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please note this is
> just an experimental 
> file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will ship with the
> module.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 


http://www.dron.de
http://www.selfoscillate.de
http://www.signalform.de


		
___________________________________________________________ 
Telefonate ohne weitere Kosten vom PC zum PC: http://messenger.yahoo.de

Hi Mark
 --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, Mark Griffiths <mark@...> wrote:
>
> Grant, this looks really interesting! One thing I'm not quite clear
on, you talk about the ability to draw visually..do you mean as on a
PC or contained somehow on the module itself?
>    
>   regards, Mark
>

please forgive the intrusion but my 'potentially hazardous
misconception' alarm went off about Grant's recent post on the very
point you raise (above). I trust the Professor will jump in and savage
me if i get this wrong but here goes...

i assume you are referring to this:

 
> Grant Richter <grichter@...> wrote:

> 
> The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and Mini-Wave
is also used to 
> program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like
this for the 
> enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2,
S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, R4. 
> The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128
and end at +128, D
> (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and
end at zero, Release 
> pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules
produce envelopes 
> with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment
to another.
> 

and this...


> I have posted the test PROM file in the files section called
adsr4.256 Use the 
> Wave256 software to view the segment designs. 

Prof. Richter is referring to a PC application called Wave256 and  not
an on-board software-driven user interface.
You can download Wave256 right now , free of charge, from this page:
http://www.wiard.com/support/support.html
and run it without any additional hardware. But the results will be a
wave image and that is all....

Wave256 is a nifty little Waveform creation application (for the
Windows platform only , thus far) and it DOES include a waveform
drawing option, but it's output is designed to send an image to an
EPROM burner. The envelooper (insofar as i understand it) uses an
EPROM chip to store it's waveshapes, (very much like the Waveform City
& Mini Wave) and the Wave256 PC software will squirt an image of your
custom-designed waveshape to an EPROM burner attached to a PC. From
there, the EPROM is burned, then you remove the EPROM chip from the
burner and install it into a socket (i presume) on the circuit board
of the envelooper. In order for this to happen the user has to obtain
their own EPROM burner *** and correctly install it on his/her PC. 
 As with the miniwave/Waveform City , i'm sure that Grant will include
an EPROM that is already loaded with banks of 'factory'-designed
waveshapes and the loading of user-created shapes is intended as an
OPTION. 
 i also know that there are devices that will fake the EPROM socket on
a miniwave into believing it is reading an EPROM chip when it is in
fact accessing a PC file directly through a ribbon cable but that's
about as close to a direct graphic interface as i believe can be
achieved. i've never actually used one of these EPROM simulation
gadgets but i've heard they exist.
  At any rate, i apologize if all this is already common knowledge to
you . i saw some room for misinterpretation in Grant's post and
decided that a quick clarification might nip some potential let-downs
in the bud , if not for you, then perhaps for others, and so...
If i'm full of shit on this point and there's gonna be a big honkin'
LCD touch screen on a frac-rack envelooper  module, i hope the
professor punches me in the nose publicly , Pronto! 
(and i'm gonna be dyin'to see a panel mock-up of that critter!)
(and the SRP!) 


best,
-doc


***(and ensure that it burns the type of EPROM used by the Wiard modules)

Hi Mark,

I mean in the sense of drawing them on a computer screen.

To make your own custom software, you will need a $200 PROM programmer.

Let's compare the only two devices on the market that are Arbitrary Function Generators.

Device                                         Price             No. Channels           Steps per channel
Buchla Model 250e                      $1700                   3                                16
Wiard Envelooper MARF               $499                     4                             1024

As you can see, even if you buy a PROM programmer and lifetime supply of PROMs, it still 
adds up to only half the cost of a 250e, and the Envelooper has several technical 
improvements.

I have posted a picture of the working faceplate design in the pictures section. The module 
is a 6 inch wide Frac-Rac module.



--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, Mark Griffiths <mark@...> wrote:
>
> Grant, this looks really interesting! One thing I'm not quite clear on, you talk about the 
ability to draw visually..do you mean as on a PC or contained somehow on the module 
itself?
>    
>   regards, Mark
> 
> Grant Richter <grichter@...> wrote:
>           After years of design and months of work I have a kind of working prototype of 
the 
> Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I am still getting the bugs out. This is 
> targeted to the Frac-Rac format.
> 
> MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator". One of the shortcomings of 
> modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers for modules. To generate a 
complex 
> control function now, you have to sum together multiple envelopes and LFOs. The 
> Envelooper allows you to draw complex control functions visually, with enough points to 
> reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes and LFOs. It also stores pitches like 
a 
> sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4 for each pitch.
> 
> The Envelooper is designed to support true "gestural" synthesis where a single key press 
> or button push can produce control signals for a complete musical gesture. Multiple 
> gestures are stored in different Banks and can be selected by voltage control. Using a 
> black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger gestures with just the keyboard. 
The 
> Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to free running loop without needing a 
> gate or trigger.
> 
> The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope generator. For the Envelooper, each 
> segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages stored in a PROM, for a total of 
1024 
> bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are produced simultaneously with a channel 
to 
> channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.
> 
> Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time control from 1 millisecond to 
20 
> seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4 milliseconds and the longest is 80 
seconds. 
> The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1 volt per octave. Two steps = 83.3 
> millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in Wave 256 can be used to program 
> pitch information using actual note names.
> 
> The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and Mini-Wave is also used 
to 
> program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like this for the 
> enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2, S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, 
R4. 
> The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128 and end at +128, D
> (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and end at zero, Release 
> pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules produce envelopes 
> with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment to another.
> 
> The four outputs are mapped two different ways for East Coast and West Coast patches. 
> For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the 
> waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and output 4 controls the VCA (Borg 2). 
For 
> West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the waveform 
X, 
> output 3 controls the waveform Y and output 4 controls the lowpass gate.
> 
> 8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for pitches we want this quantization, but it is a 
> problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little known things about Vactrols is that 
> they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal through a Vactrol smooths out the 
> steps into continuous function. The VCO will have Vactrols or the equivalent on the 
> waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The Borg and Boogie filters are based 
on 

> Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.
> 
> I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone know that Wiard R&D will continue to 
> produce ground breaking designs not available anywhere else. For those REALLY 
> interested I have posted the test PROM file in the files section called adsr4.256 Use the 
> Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please note this is just an experimental 
> file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will ship with the module.
>

perhaps worth 1001 words!
;'>
(and at least 4500 of MY words!)
;'>
;'>
 thanx Professor
-doc



--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Mark,
> 
> I mean in the sense of drawing them on a computer screen.
> 
> To make your own custom software, you will need a $200 PROM programmer.
> 
> Let's compare the only two devices on the market that are Arbitrary
Function Generators.
> 
> Device                                         Price             No.
Channels           Steps per channel
> Buchla Model 250e                      $1700                   3   
                            16
> Wiard Envelooper MARF               $499                     4     
                       1024
> 
> As you can see, even if you buy a PROM programmer and lifetime
supply of PROMs, it still 
> adds up to only half the cost of a 250e, and the Envelooper has
several technical 
> improvements.
> 
> I have posted a picture of the working faceplate design in the
pictures section. The module 
> is a 6 inch wide Frac-Rac module.
> 
> 
> 
> --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, Mark Griffiths <mark@> wrote:
> >
> > Grant, this looks really interesting! One thing I'm not quite
clear on, you talk about the 
> ability to draw visually..do you mean as on a PC or contained
somehow on the module 
> itself?
> >    
> >   regards, Mark
> > 
> > Grant Richter <grichter@> wrote:
> >           After years of design and months of work I have a kind
of working prototype of 
> the 
> > Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I am still
getting the bugs out. This is 
> > targeted to the Frac-Rac format.
> > 
> > MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator". One of
the shortcomings of 
> > modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers for modules.
To generate a 
> complex 
> > control function now, you have to sum together multiple envelopes
and LFOs. The 
> > Envelooper allows you to draw complex control functions visually,
with enough points to 
> > reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes and LFOs. It
also stores pitches like 
> a 
> > sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4 for each pitch.
> > 
> > The Envelooper is designed to support true "gestural" synthesis
where a single key press 
> > or button push can produce control signals for a complete musical
gesture. Multiple 
> > gestures are stored in different Banks and can be selected by
voltage control. Using a 
> > black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger gestures with
just the keyboard. 
> The 
> > Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to free running
loop without needing a 
> > gate or trigger.
> > 
> > The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope generator. For
the Envelooper, each 
> > segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages stored in a
PROM, for a total of 
> 1024 
> > bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are produced
simultaneously with a channel 
> to 
> > channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.
> > 
> > Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time control from
1 millisecond to 
> 20 
> > seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4 milliseconds and
the longest is 80 
> seconds. 
> > The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1 volt per octave.
Two steps = 83.3 
> > millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in Wave 256 can
be used to program 
> > pitch information using actual note names.
> > 
> > The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and
Mini-Wave is also used 
> to 
> > program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like
this for the 
> > enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2,
S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, 
> R4. 
> > The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128
and end at +128, D
> > (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and
end at zero, Release 
> > pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules
produce envelopes 
> > with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment
to another.
> > 
> > The four outputs are mapped two different ways for East Coast and
West Coast patches. 
> > For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output
2 controls the 
> > waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and output 4 controls
the VCA (Borg 2). 
> For 
> > West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2
controls the waveform 
> X, 
> > output 3 controls the waveform Y and output 4 controls the lowpass
gate.
> > 
> > 8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for pitches we want this
quantization, but it is a 
> > problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little known things
about Vactrols is that 
> > they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal through a
Vactrol smooths out the 
> > steps into continuous function. The VCO will have Vactrols or the
equivalent on the 
> > waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The Borg and
Boogie filters are based 
> on 
> > Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.
> > 
> > I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone know that
Wiard R&D will continue to 
> > produce ground breaking designs not available anywhere else. For
those REALLY 
> > interested I have posted the test PROM file in the files section
called adsr4.256 Use the 
> > Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please note this is
just an experimental 
> > file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will ship with the
module.
> >
>

This device really sounds like it will be fantastic (and the faceplate 
design looks very cool also). I also noticed that you just introduced 
an estimate of the initial price point (sneaky :-)). I want one!

--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Mark,
> 
> I mean in the sense of drawing them on a computer screen.
> 
> To make your own custom software, you will need a $200 PROM programmer.
> 
> Let's compare the only two devices on the market that are Arbitrary Function 
Generators.
> 
> Device                                         Price             No. Channels           Steps per channel
> Buchla Model 250e                      $1700                   3                                16
> Wiard Envelooper MARF               $499                     4                             1024
> 
> As you can see, even if you buy a PROM programmer and lifetime supply of PROMs, it 
still 
> adds up to only half the cost of a 250e, and the Envelooper has several technical 
> improvements.
> 
> I have posted a picture of the working faceplate design in the pictures section. The 
module 
> is a 6 inch wide Frac-Rac module.
> 
> 
> 
> --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, Mark Griffiths <mark@> wrote:
> >
> > Grant, this looks really interesting! One thing I'm not quite clear on, you talk about 
the 
> ability to draw visually..do you mean as on a PC or contained somehow on the module 
> itself?
> >    
> >   regards, Mark
> > 
> > Grant Richter <grichter@> wrote:
> >           After years of design and months of work I have a kind of working prototype of 
> the 
> > Envelooper MARF. It works, but not perfectly yet. I am still getting the bugs out. This 
is 
> > targeted to the Frac-Rac format.
> > 
> > MARF stands for "Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator". One of the shortcomings of 
> > modular synthesis is the lack of complex controllers for modules. To generate a 
> complex 
> > control function now, you have to sum together multiple envelopes and LFOs. The 
> > Envelooper allows you to draw complex control functions visually, with enough points 
to 
> > reproduce the effect of summing multiple envelopes and LFOs. It also stores pitches 
like 
> a 
> > sequencer, and you can draw an envelope in channel 4 for each pitch.
> > 
> > The Envelooper is designed to support true "gestural" synthesis where a single key 
press 
> > or button push can produce control signals for a complete musical gesture. Multiple 
> > gestures are stored in different Banks and can be selected by voltage control. Using a 
> > black and white keyboard, you can select and trigger gestures with just the keyboard. 
> The 
> > Envelooper also has a "Loop" switch that sets it to free running loop without needing a 
> > gate or trigger.
> > 
> > The Envelooper is modeled after an ADSR envelope generator. For the Envelooper, 
each 
> > segment of the A, D, S and R is four 256 byte pages stored in a PROM, for a total of 
> 1024 
> > bytes for each envelope. Four 8 bit outputs are produced simultaneously with a 
channel 
> to 
> > channel skew of an inaudible 1 microsecond.
> > 
> > Each ADSR segment has an independent "playback" time control from 1 millisecond to 
> 20 
> > seconds. The shortest total envelope time is 4 milliseconds and the longest is 80 
> seconds. 
> > The ouputs are calibrated like the Mini-Wave to 1 volt per octave. Two steps = 83.3 
> > millivolts = a semitone. So the table programmer in Wave 256 can be used to 
program 
> > pitch information using actual note names.
> > 
> > The Wave256 software used to program the Waveform City and Mini-Wave is also 
used 
> to 
> > program the Envelooper. The waveforms in a "Wave" are set up like this for the 
> > enveloopers four outputs; A1, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3, D4, S1, S2, S3, S4, R1, R2, R3, 
> R4. 
> > The programming rules are as follows; A(ttack) pages start at -128 and end at +128, 
D
> > (ecay) pages start at +128 and end at 0, S(ustain) pages start and end at zero, Release 
> > pages start at 0 and end at -128. Following these programing rules produce 
envelopes 
> > with no audible "splice" when the device switches from one segment to another.
> > 
> > The four outputs are mapped two different ways for East Coast and West Coast 
patches. 
> > For East Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the 
> > waveform, output 3 controls the VCF (Boogie) and output 4 controls the VCA (Borg 2). 
> For 
> > West Coast use, output 1 controls the pitch of the VCO, output 2 controls the 
waveform 
> X, 
> > output 3 controls the waveform Y and output 4 controls the lowpass gate.
> > 
> > 8 bits has a fair amount of zipper noise, for pitches we want this quantization, but it 
is a 
> > problem for VCAs and other inputs. One of the little known things about Vactrols is 
that 
> > they remove zipper noise. So running an 8 bit signal through a Vactrol smooths out 
the 
> > steps into continuous function. The VCO will have Vactrols or the equivalent on the 
> > waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise. The Borg and Boogie filters are 
based 
> on 
> > Vactrols and already remove zipper noise.
> > 
> > I just wanted to post a little note to let everyone know that Wiard R&D will continue to 
> > produce ground breaking designs not available anywhere else. For those REALLY 
> > interested I have posted the test PROM file in the files section called adsr4.256 Use 
the 
> > Wave256 software to view the segment designs. Please note this is just an 
experimental 

> > file to test ideas, NOT the final file which will ship with the module.
> >
>

Hmmmm,

There were several hints in that last post by Grant.

:-)


>
>I also noticed that you just introduced
>an estimate of the initial price point (sneaky :-)). I want one!


>The VCO will have Vactrols or the equivalent on the
> > > waveform X and Y inputs to remove zipper noise.> > >

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> Let's compare the only two devices on the market that are 
Arbitrary Function Generators.
> 
> Device                                         Price             
No. Channels           Steps per channel
> Buchla Model 250e                      $1700                   
3                                16
> Wiard Envelooper MARF               $499                     
4                             1024




I have no doubt that the Envelooper is going to be an awesome piece 
of kit and you can sign me up for one now Grant but I have to take 
issue with this comparison.

It seems to me that a 250e on which one can immediately edit the 16 
steps per channel on is quite a different beast than editing a 
waveform on the pc, burning an PROM, turning off your rig, removing 
an envelooper from its rack to get access to the prom slot, 
replacing the prom, and then powering up the rig again.  

Also I'd suggest that the Modcan cv-recorder and a joystick could be 
considered another arbitrary function generator on the market.  

Again let me reiterate that I'm very excited about the envelooper 
and in no way wish to denigrate it.  I will be happily exploring its 
uses with whatever is on the factory prom.

Chris

Another 'Arbitrary Function Generator' would be the Haken Continuum
Fingerboard with the CVC cv output box.  When matched with a typical
MIDI sequencer, the Fingerboard/CVC will accurately record me spilling
my drink on the keypad, and allow me to do the typical MIDI sequencer
ediiting thing (transpose, change speed, store, or discard), then
replay the performance in 16 bit resolution, providing smooth
portamenti over a 7 octave range (or a really smooth pan, or
modulation, depending on the patch.  Each CVC box will output 12
individual cv voltages (and x,y, and z voltage for each of four
voices).  Of course, the glutton for exotica that I am, I am planning
on 2 CVC boxes for my Wiard system (8 voices - 24 voltage sources).

Like the old Subotnick electronic pieces of the 70's, where he snorted
like a 'Wild Beast' into a microphone, recording his 'gestures,' then
transformed them into pulses and control voltages via Buchla Envelope
Detectors, I intend to start accumulating a library of my
drink-spilling events, which I will use for multichannel panning, mood
lighting and other long-term lfo-type functions whose periods are in
the minutes.  The more movement, the better.... 8^>

gary




"wiardmodular" <wiardmodular@...> wrote:

> 
> I have no doubt that the Envelooper is going to be an awesome piece 
> of kit and you can sign me up for one now Grant but I have to take 
> issue with this comparison.
> 
> It seems to me that a 250e on which one can immediately edit the 16 
> steps per channel on is quite a different beast than editing a 
> waveform on the pc, burning an PROM, turning off your rig, removing 
> an envelooper from its rack to get access to the prom slot, 
> replacing the prom, and then powering up the rig again.  
> 
> Also I'd suggest that the Modcan cv-recorder and a joystick could be 
> considered another arbitrary function generator on the market.

> Let's compare the only two devices on the market that are 
> Arbitrary Function Generators.
> > 
> > Device                                         Price             
> No. Channels           Steps per channel
> > Buchla Model 250e                      $1700                   
> 3                                16
> > Wiard Envelooper MARF               $499                     
> 4                             1024
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I have no doubt that the Envelooper is going to be an awesome piece 
> of kit and you can sign me up for one now Grant but I have to take 
> issue with this comparison.
> 

OK I was just comparing the two least expensive MARFs that are available and the only 
ones targeted to music.

If you want a really good MARF like NASA or the military, then you need to go to these 
vendors. But a good MARF will generally run $5000-10,000 and they can't be controlled by 
a black and white keyboard.

Techtronix AFG3000 MARF
http://www.tek.com/products/signal_sources/afg3000/index.html
uses ARBEXPRESS WAVEFORM EDITTING SOFTWARE a free download, crippled

Thurlby Thandar MARFs
http://www.tti-test.com/products-tti/generator/gens-arbitrary.htm

Waveform Manager Plus for Windows software
http://www.tti-test.com/products-tti/generator/wavemanplus.htm
Like Wave256 only better, probably not cheap to buy, free download does not save to disk.

Flite Electronics SFG-630
http://www.flite.co.uk/sfg-830-30mhz-arbitrary-function-generator.htm
runs another waveform software package, I did not see a download link.

Any waveform you can display on the PC screen can be traced into Wave256 by a brute 
force method (tedious, but it does work). Once the waveform is on the screen, hit 
Printscreen, paste into Paint, print it on a transparency, tape to screen and trace with 
Wave256 draw tools.

It would probably be easier to just parse the BMP file itself to get the waveform.

DOC PUTS TONGUE IN CHEEK SO FAR THAT IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS THE MUMPS
(again)...

ooooooo!  OOOOOOO!
this is arbitrary as all get-out!
and it's even cheaper (if you already own a 2600)....

step 1a
-on an Arp 2600, hook the reverb output, with nothing connected to the
reverb input, to the envelope follower input then the E.F output to a
CV-in (ie VCO pitch)...set the E.F. for it's fastest response.

or

step 1b
hook the reverb out to the sample input of the sample/hold and set the
 S/H trigger rate to the high end, and the S/H output to a CV-in

 then...

step 2
 hit the back of the 2600 with your fist, or maybe a rubber mallet!
repeatability????? sure! just hit it again! (and make sure you hit it
exactly the same way)

no fancy computers required at all! ...just limber reverb springs and
a little bit of gravity

plus, as a byproduct, you'll shake-out any badly seated components in
your 2600!
;'>

(takes tongue out of cheek)

another factor to consider in any comparisons (and comparisons are
ALWAYS subjective and controversial) is that , based on his track
record, an arbitrary function generator from Wiard is 90% likely to be
  delivered within the window in which delivery was quoted and it is
99% likely to function per spec when it is delivered. IMHO, makers
like Grant & John Blacet don't get enough credit for delivering more
modules than excuses.

Viva los Wiardos!
-doc

-- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Chang" <gchang@...> wrote:

>
> Another 'Arbitrary Function Generator' would be the Haken Continuum
> Fingerboard with the CVC cv output box.  When matched with a typical
> MIDI sequencer, the Fingerboard/CVC will accurately record me spilling
> my drink on the keypad, and allow me to do the typical MIDI sequencer
> ediiting thing (transpose, change speed, store, or discard), then
> replay the performance in 16 bit resolution, providing smooth
> portamenti over a 7 octave range (or a really smooth pan, or
> modulation, depending on the patch.  Each CVC box will output 12
> individual cv voltages (and x,y, and z voltage for each of four
> voices).  Of course, the glutton for exotica that I am, I am planning
> on 2 CVC boxes for my Wiard system (8 voices - 24 voltage sources).
> 
> Like the old Subotnick electronic pieces of the 70's, where he snorted
> like a 'Wild Beast' into a microphone, recording his 'gestures,' then
> transformed them into pulses and control voltages via Buchla Envelope
> Detectors, I intend to start accumulating a library of my
> drink-spilling events, which I will use for multichannel panning, mood
> lighting and other long-term lfo-type functions whose periods are in
> the minutes.  The more movement, the better.... 8^>
> 
> gary
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "wiardmodular" <wiardmodular@> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I have no doubt that the Envelooper is going to be an awesome piece 
> > of kit and you can sign me up for one now Grant but I have to take 
> > issue with this comparison.
> > 
> > It seems to me that a 250e on which one can immediately edit the 16 
> > steps per channel on is quite a different beast than editing a 
> > waveform on the pc, burning an PROM, turning off your rig, removing 
> > an envelooper from its rack to get access to the prom slot, 
> > replacing the prom, and then powering up the rig again.  
> > 
> > Also I'd suggest that the Modcan cv-recorder and a joystick could be 
> > considered another arbitrary function generator on the market.
>

Doc,

Add to your patch an AS300 analog-to-midi converter and now you can
time stretch those functions into longer events. 8^>

A few whacks on the head with the rubber mallet will produce stars, too...


gc




"drmabuce" <drmabuce@...> wrote:

>
> 
> step 1a
> -on an Arp 2600, hook the reverb output, with nothing connected to the
> reverb input, to the envelope follower input then the E.F output to a
> CV-in (ie VCO pitch)...set the E.F. for it's fastest response.
> 
> or
> 
> step 1b
> hook the reverb out to the sample input of the sample/hold and set the
>  S/H trigger rate to the high end, and the S/H output to a CV-in
> 
>  then...
> 
> step 2
>  hit the back of the 2600 with your fist, or maybe a rubber mallet!
> repeatability????? sure! just hit it again! (and make sure you hit it
> exactly the same way)
> 
> no fancy computers required at all! ...just limber reverb springs and
> a little bit of gravity
>

>Device                      Price             No. Channels           Steps per channel
>Buchla Model 250e   $1700                   3                                16

Now that I have had a chance to study the 250e more closely, I realized Don used the term 
"Arbitrary Fuction Generator" in a romantic or philosophical sense, rather than in a strict 
technical sense. There is nothing wrong with that, I am sure if you buy a guitar stomp box 
called an "X-Ray Machine", you do not actually expect to use it for medical diagnostics.

The 250e bears little resemblace to what engineers consider an Arbitrary Function Generator. 
It IS an extemely full featured sequencer.

On the technical side, it lacks a remote computer programming interface and supports only 
straight line segments from flat to various slopes. I am sure, like all Don's products, thats it 
is a lot of fun to use and produces musical results. But since it is not technically anl Arbitrary 
Function Generator, there is little sense in comparing it to the Envelooper.

I am investigating the use of in-circuit programmable Flash memory in addition to, or 
possible replacing the PROM. This will allow reprogramming the data contents through a 
front panel interface with JTAG cable to a computer.

In this specific case, God bless progress and the rapidly falling memory prices.

> 4 1024

If I understand this "4 1024" correctly in terms of *arf-dom, it means 
4 discrete 1,024 segment/stage envelopes/sequencers.   Is this correct?
Then each segment/stage can produce a voltage between 0-10v?  

Can each of the 4 evelopes/sequencers be clocked at a different speed?

If that is the case, then this is one seriously powerful module.

Mind blowing!

E

Programming from the pc and dumping directly into the envelooper would 
be brilliant!  I sure hope you can make it work.   Great to hear that 
this is a possibility.  Thats much cleaner than burning proms and 
swapping them out.  
 

> I am investigating the use of in-circuit programmable Flash memory 
in addition to, or 
> possible replacing the PROM. This will allow reprogramming the data 
contents through a 
> front panel interface with JTAG cable to a computer.
> 
> In this specific case, God bless progress and the rapidly falling 
memory prices.
>

doc,

>i also know that there are devices that will fake the EPROM socket on
>a miniwave into believing it is reading an EPROM chip when it is in
>fact accessing a PC file directly through a ribbon cable but that's
>about as close to a direct graphic interface as i believe can be
>achieved

that sounds closer to what I'd really like to find...

I've been looking at usb/ethernet daq devices, some provide multiple
high resolution voltage outputs, but the price is still quite high
(let aside the software programming...), and the critical point (for
sequencing/control voltage generation) is timing : a suitable
interface would allow tu use the computer as a completely passive
memory/transfert function device, free of software pacing issues...

I still think this is THE way to go, but I'm sure the wiard marf will
be nice enough...time for getting an old pc and a prom burner...