Pants off to the 303- x0xb0x

Today I finally finished the x0xb0x #1. It has been over a year since I finished the build but for some reason I just did not order a case. Well finally the x0xb0x adorns its pactec PT-10 case and it looks beautiful. Aside from missing two knobs, I just could not find the right ones.

Synth32 - Update

As some may know the initial Synth32 boards arrived a few weeks ago, and I have been populating the boards. In the fashion of a true prototype there are some errors which the version 2 board will not have, additionally there are some things I deliberately omitted which will be included such as a 5th order low-pass filter, and on board power supply which includes +5, +3.3, and -5 volts for better amplification.



The revision 2 board is in every respect better than the first. A great number of ideas have been explored and the board is much tighter with a better layout, and access to every pin will now be a reality with very large pads. I think everyone will be pleased.

The second order of proto-boards will happen in the next few weeks after routing of the new board is completed. Please be patient as I want to eliminate all bugs before I do a larger order for these boards.

Max/MSP synth building

It has been quite some time since I have posted anything related to Max/MSP, Puredata or PWGL. In many respects for synthesis building I find PWGL much easier to work with, this might be a result of errors I encountered in some of the tutorials for Max/MSP. Some of the tutorials[1] for Max/MSP have errors partly due to the version they were developed for. The main issue I was experiencing surrounds the use of the umenu with the filtergraph~ and biquad~ objects. The problem with the tutorial example is the point at which the umenu item is connected to the filtergraph~ element. This connection should not happen at the right most outlet but rather should connect to the center outlet. This outlet is labeled as "Menu Item Text Evaluated as a Message" which should be connected to the leftmost inlet "a0 coefficient."





This organization of objects changes the filtergraph~ objects filter curve depending on the option selected in the umenu object. Perhaps due to changes and additions in Max/MSP there are a few missing filter types in the example on the Cycling '74 site. However, here is a complete list of filters: display, lowpass, highpass, bandpass, bandstop, peaknotch, lowshelf, highshelf, resonant, allpass. It is beyond the scope of this post to explain what each one of these filter types do. If you are interested in learning more about these filters I would recommend the book "The Computer Music Tutorial." The new filter types include resonant which is similar to bandpass but to use a definition from physics, "resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate at larger amplitude at some frequencies than at others." And although not technically a filter allpass, functions as a bypass for the filter.


[1] Max/MSP Synth Building with Max/MSP #3

Noise Maker Time

I will be teaching a small introduction to AVR / Arduino class at the Niagara Artist Company this summer during the first week of August (rescheduled from the 4th of July weekend).

I have decided to use this as the foundation to the lecture:

Tinker.It Arduino Synth

This device is fun to say the least. Although I found you need an op-amp to really make it shine. I have a surface mount board available for anyone who is interested, just send me an email and I can send you one for $2 + postage. The board uses SMT / SMD parts (surface mount) but it really makes the tinkerit board scream like it should using an OP275GSZ op-amp from Analog Devices. This device gives a clean amplification at 5v with no additional parts, talk about easy to use.

I think the thing most enjoyable about this project is the hack-ability. You can edit the code to make different sound grains, you can add distortion and other effects, as I am doing, look here for some easy single sided board projects TonePad FX.

Ram Cart Pins

Ram Cartridge by Brian Durocher is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at brian.durocher@gmail.com.


This project is currently closed development. If you would like to become part of the development team or make derived works e-mail me. Permissions will be given to individuals interested in producing cartridges for their own personal use. Permission will not be given or implied for any commercial use as per the Creative Commons attribution.

Kits will become available upon creation of a working prototype. Currently development is in its infancy. Please be patient as I still need to find suitable parts to replace the discontinued PROM's, and other required components such as a case.

If you are interested in following the discussion about the ram cartridge please visit Yamaha Forums UK

DX7 RAM Cart Teardown

Teardown of a DX7 RAM cart.

2x X2816AP (2k * 8 PROM)
1x 2.2 16 Cap Polar
2x 16pin SIP (Marked RML S12472J
1x Slide Switch

Monomachine sans BOX

So it finally arrived the long awaited Monomachine from Elektron. After opening the box I was immidiatly impressed with the build quality, rugged brushed aluminum face, sturdy rotary encoders, and nice feeling buttons. This however, is such a small attribute in a much larger sonic arena.

After experimenting with the Monomachine for a few hours I was able to modify kits, navigate the menus smoothly and make rhythm tracks, with basslines sounding like old school MC303's to Dark gritty D'n'B / dub sub-bass. Given some more time with this machine and a good sequencer I should have almost everything I need to make music in this one box.

Ok perhaps thats a little exaggerated but this thing has some awesome power, it does everything from Voice synthesis to percussion sounds, has so many effects and filters up to 64 steps per pattern, 6 internal tracks per pattern with an additional 6 tracks for triggering external midi equipment. Seriously this tiny box has some major staying power.

The wait

For the past 4 days I have been eagerly awaiting my Elektron Monomachine order. It sits at an import facility somewhere in Ontario. They tell me it will ship out next day after it is released. I cannot imaging what the holdup is. Perhaps the Canadian government is afraid of the awesome sonic powers of the Monomachine. Perhaps I could create music capable of destabilizing the world economy. Maybe I should have ordered two.

However once this synthesizer arrives I will have more reasons to finish the BrOnome (pronounced bro-nome). However with a deadline of Feb 2008 it is unlikelly I will have the project completed for the art show this April.

Cardboard ADSR and RGB 40h brOnome

Two new projects are in the works, the first is the ADSR (Attack Decay Sustain Release) module for the modular synth I am building to use in performance art. This project was a build from the ADSR on the Music From Outer Space Webpage, by Ray Wilson. If you have not seen this webpage you really do need to check it out.

The second project which has just started as of today is the RGB monome 40h. I am temporarily calling it the brOnome. Some more research needs to be done to determine the correct way to implement the RGB Leds with PWM functionality. Its just a matter of time before this one comes together. My plans are to loosely base this project on the monome 40h. In essence I want to make something that not only functions as a monome but also does a lot more. Something like a [Tonorion / Monome]-megasord.

Synth_Tastick!!!!!!!

So I haven't posted for a while. Here is why:



I have been working on putting together a synth with the ICL8038 chip. Right now its just a collection of voltage controlled oscillators. The second board is my first attempt at a midi in port. At the heart of the project I will be using an Amtel ATmega2560. I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Pot's and not the ceramic kind.

I have been making interesting sound devices for my art works as of late. And I figured I would share some of my findings with all of you. Some basic electronics tutorials can be found on Pots which are used in a number of applications for the Arduino.

The Atari Punk console project a Synth Project and a few other projects including an ICL8038CCPD project with Sine Wave, Triangle Wave and Square Wave out.

I started with the Music from Outerspace synth project and I have to admit it was difficult for a first timer. The Atari Punk was a much easier project to build. However now after building the ICL8038 project I am getting quite confident in my abilities and intend on doing some performance art with them.

I will post images shortly.

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