MIDI Clocks Module

Applied a new program to the MIDI2CV module hardware and can now generate clock sources based on the MIDI clock.
Sending 5 different divisions on the digital outs, and generating sine waves from a stepped value table at 3 different periods on the PWM outs. The Sine LFOs are in the range of 0 to +5V. Assembly code for the PIC18F2431 is here. Audio sample using 2 of the clock outs and the sine across a 1/4 note here.

dlp Dual Osc Module with Front Panel

The dlp dual osc module now has a front panel and packed into 8hp!
[sample]

DLP midi2cv module now has a front panel!
[Noisy test]

More DLP v2.0 Boards

After a long pause, the control board for the DLP VCO got printed, along with the top and bottom boards for the midi2cv unit. Now just need to wait for some back ordered blank panels and will be able to finish these two eurorack modules.

Dual VCO Module

Midi2CV/Trigger Module:

All the designs, schematics, and firmware code here: https://github.com/danielhood/dlp

DLP v2.0 Boards Alive!

I've started migrating the DLP modules to eurorack format - v2.0! First is the oscillator, two voices on one 8hp board; the knobs will likely live on a 10hp panel.

The boards came back this week, and I finally had a chance to wire one up and verify that it's alive.

Audio on SoundCloud, project info and schems on gitHub.

The Eurorack Saga Begins

After actively trying to avoid going down the rabbit hole, the igloo has finally acquired it's first 19" of Eurorack rails starting with one of the most basic of sound modules, TipTop's lovely BD909 (and Intellijel's Audio Interface II for quiet i/o) This certainly isn't the end of the DIY circuits, as all the Lil'Penguin circuits will likely get a Eurorack makeover. There will also be many other notable and destructive modules as the Eurorack universe is rich with awesomeness, HexInverter.net and MakeNoise being quite noteworthy.

BlizzardTracks.com and CalibratedRecords.net have been updated with a simple new design.

Aslo, we have made several tracks from the back catalogue of each available on Blizzard and Calibrated's SoundCloud accounts. Enjoy!

Techno jam from earlier this week with André et Michèle.
[Mp3]
[mixcloud]

Cleaned the studio. Time for a couple pics:

DLP Kick Module

A 909ish kick module (yes, the one started at the end of 2013) is alive and in a separate box for now:
A audio sample set featuring some overdriven, filtered, and sligtly fx'd kicks: kick_module_test_1.mp3. All audio right off the kit, no post-processing.

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

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.

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)

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

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:

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...

DLP Modular Synth Underway

Well, the file folder of schematics and notes that has been building over several years, is finally turning into something tangible. I've finally built a small rack, and the first module of the "Dirty Little Penguin" (DLP) modular syth.

Of course, the first module is a noisy mono distortion unit that leverages the CD4049 inverter chip. The circuit was based off of Stellan Lehrberg's Slowfinger guitar fuzz circuit.

Here's links to pics of the rack frame:

DLP Pic 1
DLP Pic 2
DLP Pic 3

And, of course, the FR-777 was used to generate test audio. Here's two samples, the original pattern without distortion, and another with:
FR-777 - No Distortion
FR-777 - With Distortion

Next up, hopefully by the end of this weekend, the first oscillator module should be alive. This module will be based off the NE5517, which should be enough to generate Triangle, Saw, Square, and Pulse waves(no PWM yet tho).

In other news, never did pick up the Waldorf Largo. It's a nice soft synth, decent interface, and the digital distortion filter mode is quite slick. However, it didn't offer enough to justify the cost.

One synth that I did try out, with some rather tasty results, is Rob Papen's BLUE soft synth. It doesn't look like much, but the way the interface is setup, allowing you to quickly configure each of the parts, lends itself well to creating nice stereo pads, drones, and effects. The filters available are quite good, a bit smooth in that Rob Papen style, but lend themselves well for creating very detailed and wide sounds, in a way that I haven't really seen in any other synth except for some Reaktor patches ;)

2010 - Studio Alive Again

After moving to a new house in the country, outside Ottawa late last year, the Igloo studio is now up and running again! Gear is set up, and the new room has been given a rockwool treatment which has done wonders for the sound. This is currently the smallest room I've ever been setup in, so a bit of sound treatment was essential. With any luck, and a bit of time, should have some new releases for 2010 for both Calibrated and Blizzard!

The Igloo has already had a couple local Ottawa boys through with some productions, including DJ Dain-Ja

Also, a new CPU (AMD Phenom II - 940) for the main studio box is also on its way, which should give a bit more power with its 4 cores and slight clock speed boost.

Gigs and Gear

Gigs: I'm playing out a hard techno set as phaXis at DFF tomorrow night (Saturday, June 6th) here in Ottawa at the Cock and Lion on Sparks. First time playing that regular club night and its rare that I play techno sets east of Winnipeg, so it should be a thumpin' night to remember!

Gear: Since the local shops here seem to be delayed getting their hands on the Waldorf Largo, and since Moog Audio in Montreal looks like they have stock of the new builds of Future Retro's XS, disturbingly awesome synth, it looks like that the XS and not the Largo will be landing next in the Igloo!

Software Upgrade Day

Kickin' off some new freeform projects, and this calls for software upgrades!

The iZotope Ozone 4 upgrade was the first. Been waiting for that for a bit. Some nice solid improvements to the whole app.

Cubase 5 Upgrade was next. The hard part was finding out where in Canada one has to go for upgrading. Recently Yamaha has taken over the distribution of Steinberg products in Canada, but as anyone can see, the range of Steinberg products available on yamaha.ca is rather thin. Checking into SteinbergCanada.com as directed from a Cubase.net blog post was a bit more informative, however that site wasn't linked from Steinberg's main site - you only get directed to Yamaha's useless site now. Music Marketing is still handling all the Cubase Upgrades while Yamaha has taken over new purchases of Steinberg products; best go to L&M for products, and not through Yamaha's site.

So, now comes the impatient wait until it arrives!