Tuesday, December 10, 2013

midi2cv Module v3 - Synth & Drum Modes

The hardware and software of the midi2cv module has been updated to v3.

The hardware update adds 4 new gate/trigger outputs to the existing 3 CV and 1 gate/trigger out as well as a switch to toggle between 2 modes.

The software update takes advantage of all outputs, and allows two control modes: Synth and Drum

Synth mode responds to all notes and uses the 3 CV outs for Pitch, Velocity, and CC#1 (Modulation). Gate outputs 2 to 5 trigger when CC#2-5 are > 63.

Drum mode only responds to C1, C#1, D1, D#1, and E1. The first 3 notes trigger gates 1 to 3 and drop their velocity to the CV 1 to 3 outs. The last two notes trigger gates 4 and 5.

Each mode can produce the same output, the difference is how you control it with your DAW.

Some demo tracks for the two modes are up on the phaXis SoundCloud account: https://soundcloud.com/phaxis. The demos were done with the DLP and the FR-777 mainly because I ran out of things to modulate on the DLP in order to use all the outs (yes that needs to change!). Some outboard FX from the Yamaha REV-100 and Lexicon MPX-110, and a bit of love on the mix with iZotope's Ozone back in Cubase.

Updated schematics for the midi2cv module as well as the full assembly code for the PIC controller are up on the GitHub account: https://github.com/danielhood/dlp

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

DLP Gets More Oscillators

I've added two sub oscillators under OSC1 and added an independent 2nd Oscillator limited to just saw and square (with PWM). OSC2 can be tied to the CV of OSC1 or controlled independently.

A new sample at the end of the audio section here.

A simple tech track featuring OSC1 modulated by OSC2 here.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

DLP Gets ADSR x 2

I have added two ADSR envelope generators to the DLP synth. A couple envelopes go a long way! The envelope was based off a design using a 555 timer from René Schmitz

Here are some audio samples of the two envelopes modulating various parts of the DLP:
VCA and VCF
VCA and PWM
VCA and EXP FM
VCA and EXP FM running through Distortion (6 minutes of kicks)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

More DLP Audio

Here are links to the audio samples and images from the initial build phase of the DLP synth from October 2012:

Audio

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

DLP - VCF & VCA

I finally had some time to turn back to the Dirty 'Lil Penguin (DLP) semi-modular project. A low pass VCF and VCA have been added, so the damn thing is now playable!

Audio sample here.

The sample is straight audio right from the DLP, driven by the FR-777 sequencer, and recorded via Ardour 3 on Fedora. Yes, I may be moving away from Cubase to Ardour as it can run it on a 64 bit OS and it still has drivers for the Emagic Unitor AMT-8!

Additionally I have updated the DLP github project with the latest schematics and code. Next build phase will be the dual ASDR envelopes, and then finish off the sub osc's and OSC2.

Here are some pics:

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Tascam DM-24 gets a VGA port

The screen on my Tascam DM-24 has been unusable for a couple years, as probably every other DM-24 owner has experienced by now). It dies a slow miserable death as the glue on the horiz/vert connectors lets go and more and more lines cover the screen. Not fun.

So, a few years ago, after attempting unsuccessfully, to try and craft a converter that will take the LCD screen signal and convert it to VGA, I discover a guy from France at 2seemy.com has done just this, and more.

Last week I ordered this in, and 7 days later I have it up and running, like a dream and installation was so easy.

Now to reconfigure the DM-24 to do some much needed remapping!

Note the DLP synth is still an active project, and a large chunk is built, just need to do a post about it...