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 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » Ken Stone designs - CGS
VCS wiring
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macumbista



Joined: Sep 12, 2007
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

[EDIT: less confusing now that I removed some extra circuitry, including some DC Mixers and one Analog Logic board. Second "wobbly" VCS works fine, first still acts like an ass....]

OK, the other VCS is even more confusing than the first. Again, input, pots and CV all seem to work, trigger and end out definitely do not. This time, the LED works, but the whole thing seems more like a Source of Uncertainty module! The voltage wobbles all over the place, and seems to be affected by my body resistance/capacitance!

For the latter problem, I'll check the wiring again. But since (besides the LED), both PCBs have trouble with the trigger/end out/cycle feature, I wonder what the similarity is? I replaced one of the LM3900 ICs, just to see if that was the problem (it wasn't).

ICs seem to be getting power on the correct pins. I don't have a scope, unfortunately.

HELP! Suggestions more than welcome at this point.

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macumbista



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PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Got the first VCS almost working. Everything including the LED works fine, except End Out/Trigger in. So I can't get it to cycle.

I get a faint flicker on the LED from an external trigger, but no noticeable output voltage from the Output. Using a patch cable to connect End Out to Trigger in gives no response at all.

All ICs replaced at least once. Also most of the transistors, espc the one in
the End/Trigger section. Wiring triple-checked. Most of the solder joints reflowed as well.

Anything else I can try?

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macumbista



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PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

OK, the last problem turned out to be a cracked trace on one end of the 820K resistor between pins 9 and 11 of the LM3900. Apparently, the force of cutting the lead alone cracked this trace, so I've asked Ken if this might be a result of his new PCB manufacturer, since I didn't have anything remotely like this problem with other/earlier CGS PCBs.

Also, for the archive... if you can't get the VCS to cycle then setting it in cycle mode and then adjusting the trimpot can help. The effect might not take place immediately, but on the next power-up or trigger it should. My procedure was:

1. Flip the module around, with the Out connected to a VCO so to hear when it starts cycling.
2. Adjust trimpot a little bit.
3. Power down/power up. Listen for cycling in the VCO.
4. When you get the VCS cycling, ease back on the trimpot until just the point where it stops, then bring it up again so it starts. I'm guessing this gets it as close to a 5V trigger out as possible without a scope.

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macumbista



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PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Build complete!!!! More info at http://macumbista.net/?p=421

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

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numbernone



Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I also wired my second VCS last night. They are crazy.
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robotfunk



Joined: Jun 22, 2009
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

got the same problem as Macumbista.
I can slew rise and fall fine, it works as a filter fine, just can't get the damn thing to cycle! Trig and End Out don't seem to be doing much..

tried the trimpot all the way to no avail, double checked joints on trig/end out and around LM3900 .. .all seems fine ..
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The Bad Producer



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

you could try changing the 10N cap to 1N as per Kens suggestion on the site?

Quote:
A problem in the genuine Serge is that cycle locks up at various frequencies due to a charge inbalance in the trigger circuit. If you experience this problem, it can be solved by changing the 10n capacitor to 1n . This is the capacitor near the cycle switch on the circuit diagram.

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robotfunk



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I figured if it locked up at certain frequencies, it would at least cycle at others? I don't get any sound in any position of the pots or the trimpot..
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robotfunk



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

also read this in the Yahoo group:

> >>> the 10n/1n only has any affect when it is set to run fast. If you can't
> >>> get
> >>> it to oscillate at any setting, you have a different problem.
> >>>
> >>> Ken
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Didn't think I should start a new thread for this. I'm also having a speck of trouble with my VCSes. The first one is probably fine short of me frying the 074 chip. Replacing that today, so hopefully that one will work.

The other is a bit more puzzling. I've checked all the components and was extremely careful installing and orienting parts (I've done tons of builds in the past.) Basically, I plug it in, and the LED blinks once. I can't get it to cycle (though for a little while the LED was stuck on. Now it seems to be stuck off. When I probe around the board, I don't see much in the way of positive voltages over .5V. There are some points (one of the opamps, AC out, etc.) that have -25V. So it looks like I'm having some power rail issues, but I'm not sure what's causing it.

I've read about the LM3906/LM3904 pinout differences on Ken's site, so I checked them, and they seem to be correct. BTW: these are Bridechamber kits, not my own part sourcing. I haven't had any trouble with other BC kits parts-wise, so I assume that since there aren't any notes on the site about orientation of the transistors, that they should go in the "normal" way.

Any ideas? Please let me know if I can provide any additional information that may be helpful. I've got someone coming over to help me figure this out, but any information I can gather in the meantime may prove helpful.

Thanks!
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andrewF



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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

with the power turned off and the board disconnected from your power supply, measure the resistance between the +V rail and Gnd on the circuit board.
Is it very low, zero?
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

This seems odd to me, but I'm not a total expert on these things. Very Happy

I probed the negative side first, and saw 0. Then the positive side, which read around 5M, then slowly started dropping. Then hit the negative side again, and it started around 3M, and started slowly rising.

This is with no power to the device, probing the power pins. I didn't hit the v+ and ground connections in the panel wiring area. Now that I re-read your post, you may have wanted me to check there. Can try that in a bit.
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Ok, checked the V+ and GND on the actual PCB (rather than power pins,) and I get 4.2K
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andrewF



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PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Well at least it isn't a short.

Sounds like you have to get methodical.

check the pinouts of your transistors, not on a datasheet but with a multimeter, or make a simple circuit to light a led (see CGS LED driver).

Check the power pins of the chips in the circuit to make sure they are getting +V and -V as required. Also, with the power off, use a make sure pins connected to ground are indeed connected using the continuity buzzer.

Getting 25V reading on this circuit means something is wrong....or you measured between +V and -V......

enjoy Very Happy
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Ok, I feel very stupid now, but I totally missed the jumper wires on the board. Smile

So, it isn't cycling right now, but I have proper voltages around every part of the board I've checked. I only seem to have +15 on the LM3900 though. Is it a + only part, or should there be - as well?

Thanks for the help by the way!
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Just got it working. It was cycling, but something happened to my LED connection. Don't know if it was a bad joint, or what, but I resoldered the connections, and it works correctly now. Thanks!
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andrewF



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PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

J3RK wrote:
Ok, I feel very stupid now, but I totally missed the jumper wires on the board. Smile

I only seem to have +15 on the LM3900 though. Is it a + only part, or should there be - as well?



glad its working, now you can really enjoy!

don't worry, jumpers are easy to miss, everyone does it from time to time.

yes, the 3900 is connected between +V and gnd only
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J3RK



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PostPosted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Thanks! Totally enjoying them now! (I've had the VCS in Frac before, had a Serge Creature (right half of TGO is basically a VCS,) and some Wiard Envelators.) These ones though are quite feature-packed.
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Luka



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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

great minds think alike derek Smile
I also have the 2vcs + analog logic combo

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

100% functional and making insane slopes

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macumbista



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PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Luka wrote:
great minds think alike derek Smile
I also have the 2vcs + analog logic combo

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

100% functional and making insane slopes


Wow that's some hot shit!!!!! My fav analog logic remains the NAND, however Wink

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abelovesfun



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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Just plugged mine in after wiring and it's working! I am fist pumping for days. One weird thing to work out though: triggering and outputting isn't working with jacks fully placed in, only with them half-in, touching the switch of the jack. I seem to remember that I was supposed to wire the switch of a jack to... something, but can't remember what that was about...

Can anyone enlighten me there? All of my jacks are the switchcraft jacks with switches so I just need to wire whatever it is. Any hints?
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wackelpeter



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

when you apply a Trigger Signal to the wire that's leading to the jack for Trigger in it is triggering and start cycling?
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bence



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PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

hi people! (sorry for the hijack, didn't want to start a new thread)

i have a question about the cgs75 vcs lin/exp mode :
based on the schematics, if the exp rise and exp fall switches are closed, then the actual slope is dependent on the settings of the fall cv and rise cv pots - am i right?
after the two cv summing opamps (which sum the fed back output through the exp switches also), there are two attenuverters - so actually the slope can be changed from log through lin to exp...right? can anyone confirm this for me, pls?Smile

i'm planning to build a vcs with separate feedback attenuverters besides the original cv attenuverters (and putting their output to the transistors' bases through additional 82k summing resistors), so i can alter the slopes and adjust cvs separately...all this, if i'm thinking correctly. am i?Smile

any input is appreciated, thanks:)
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elmegil



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PostPosted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

bence wrote:
i have a question about the cgs75 vcs lin/exp mode :
based on the schematics, if the exp rise and exp fall switches are closed, then the actual slope is dependent on the settings of the fall cv and rise cv pots - am i right?


Yes, you are.



bence wrote:

after the two cv summing opamps (which sum the fed back output through the exp switches also), there are two attenuverters - so actually the slope can be changed from log through lin to exp...right? can anyone confirm this for me, pls?Smile


I just learned this through experience working on a pair of VCS modules about a month and a half ago. You are correct.


bence wrote:

i'm planning to build a vcs with separate feedback attenuverters besides the original cv attenuverters (and putting their output to the transistors' bases through additional 82k summing resistors), so i can alter the slopes and adjust cvs separately...all this, if i'm thinking correctly. am i?Smile

any input is appreciated, thanks:)


I would use summing op amps, just to be sure to isolate the sections from each other, rather than simply running through an extra resistor to the transitor. Otherwise, sounds like a useful variation Smile
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wackelpeter



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PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Next highjack of an ancient thread...

As i posted in another thread about the Serge DUSG that i was really happy with my build and that it tracked nearly accurate by 1V/oct i also said that this wasn't the case on my 2 VCS...
Also i have minimal control over the fall rates, manually by knob or via CV...

In my DUSG i have equivalent control over both functions, rise and fall...

As it's almost the same principle it should be the same on the VCS and the DUSG, correct?

Before i start debugging i would like to ask you, if i should be able to bring the VCs into faster cycles with the rise at it'S slowest and the just by turnign the fall potentiometer?

Checked most parts and they seem to be okay... Think the problem could be located located at the tranny network... on both bases of the transistors connected to the controls of the rise and fall time i read nearly close values...
by turning the pots for rise and fall time i get around 0V to 360mV at each base so all the control part seems to be okay...


Edit ... changed all trannies and still the same... these time the transistors are from the same batch as on my working DUSG... so i think no pinout problem and the two i desoldered and measured with my DVM also had EBC when you look on the flat side and the legs are at the bottom...

hmmm... both collectors that should go to ground are on gnd and both collectors going to pin 2 of the LF353/TL072 are connected there... also all of emitters share the same point and both bases that should be connected are connected...

when i reduce the 1k8 resistor on the base of the 3904 connected to the rise control by putting a 1k in parallel the frequency raises...
doing the same with the 1k8 at the base of the 3906 on the control for fall rate... nothing changes...

whilst writing this and i noticed that by the more i reduce the 82k resistor fro mthe wiper of the fall pot i get more and more control over it's rate... okay
seems to be a useable solution for that problem... but i fear this will cause some problem with the V/oct tracking...

but perhaps... my thought when i turn both pots in the opposite position each rise slow vs. fall fast and rise fast vs. fall slow and adjust this to get the same frequency then V/oct tracking should also work... i'll see...

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