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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:33 pm Post subject:
Steiner Microcon Project |
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Hi Everyone.
To compliment the Steiner Synthasystem resurrection I completed (see here http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html), I'm now undertaking the Steiner Microcon. I'll put up a page with build/calibration notes and will have PCBs for sale. Be aware, it does use two Vactrols which may be hareder to find as time goes on. They are the VTL5C3/2 variety right now available at Allied Electronics. It also makes use of 5 74C14 Hex Inverters. There are some substitutes which I'll have in the build notes. It also uses a 2n5246 JFET which also recently went away, but it isn't really special and there are substitutes. Everything else should be relatively easy to find.
There are a couple of trimmers on the PCB which will be configured so you can make it a panel pot, like resonance, and sustain level. So, stay tuned.
The Microcon was a standalone synthesizer voice, VCO, LFO, VCF, EG (driving a VCA). It also had a unique way to "fatten" the VCO sound. Below is a photo taken of one Nyle mounted in a custom rack of 8 (or was it 9) Microcons as a special order.
Carry on...
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_________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html Last edited by dingebre on Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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diablojoy
Joined: Sep 07, 2008 Posts: 809 Location: melbourne australia
Audio files: 11
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:51 pm Post subject:
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hmm nice would like to hear a sample or three |
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SubG (deactivated)
Joined: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 70
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:03 am Post subject:
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nice |
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Tim Servo
Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 924 Location: Silicon Valley
Audio files: 11
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject:
Steiner Microcon Project |
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Hi Dave,
Looks like a neat project. As far as the vactrols, Mammoth Electronics, Small Bear Electronics, and (in the UK) Banzai Music carry them. They are about $6 each, but it looks like they're available.
Tim (photoresistance is futile) Servo |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:07 pm Post subject:
Re: Steiner Microcon Project |
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Tim Servo wrote: | Hi Dave,
Looks like a neat project. As far as the vactrols, Mammoth Electronics, Small Bear Electronics, and (in the UK) Banzai Music carry them. They are about $6 each, but it looks like they're available.
Tim (photoresistance is futile) Servo |
Thanks Tim. I just picked up a few more from Mammoth. Never bought there before. Good prices.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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vladosh
Joined: Aug 02, 2010 Posts: 659 Location: macedonia
Audio files: 46
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:23 am Post subject:
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Hi
Also interested in this project ,thank you for remaking it ..looks it's a lot ahead of it's time ,however i would like if the vcf could be patched out so it can be more modular ,i hope it won't be hard to modify the pcb's ..and forgot .. i've been looking at the schematics available somewhere on the net ,can't figure if it's using a tempco ?
thanks
Vlad |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:10 am Post subject:
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vladosh wrote: | Hi
Also interested in this project ,thank you for remaking it ..looks it's a lot ahead of it's time ,however i would like if the vcf could be patched out so it can be more modular ,i hope it won't be hard to modify the pcb's ..and forgot .. i've been looking at the schematics available somewhere on the net ,can't figure if it's using a tempco ?
thanks
Vlad |
Hi Vlad,
I'm considering adding other "patch" points, and yes there is a tempco as well as some high frequency tracking correction.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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vladosh
Joined: Aug 02, 2010 Posts: 659 Location: macedonia
Audio files: 46
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:47 am Post subject:
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Hi ..thanks for sharing the schematic ,a little noob question straight away - can i relace the ssm chip with two matched transistors , iknow this has been discussed many times ,but anyway ,if so ,which transistors are best for that purpose 2N ,BC ?
Greetings
Vlad |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 7:50 am Post subject:
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vladosh wrote: | Hi ..thanks for sharing the schematic ,a little noob question straight away - can i relace the ssm chip with two matched transistors , iknow this has been discussed many times ,but anyway ,if so ,which transistors are best for that purpose 2N ,BC ?
Greetings
Vlad |
Remember, Vlad, the schematic is preliminary and probably has a mistake or two I haven't caught yet.
Yes. I haven't experimented, but any small signal NPNs should work. The SSM is primarily a place holder. The original used an AD810. The best I can figure out right now is it was a Semiconductor Technologies chip. http://www.semi-tech-inc.com/default.htm. Although I can't get them to answer me if they are still available. They list them at their webisite, though.
Bottom line is I'm pretty sure you can replace the AD810 (SSM2210) with any matched pair. There are a couple of monolithic pairs available. Linear Systems makes one, LS318 and Analogue Devices makes a new one, the MAT-12 available at Arrow Electronics (at least) in single quantities. http://components.arrow.com/part/detail/50655244S8707494N2771.
I"ve tried these as well as discrete generic NPNs in Nyle's other designs where a matched pair should be used and they worked fine. I see no reason whey they won't work here. _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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vladosh
Joined: Aug 02, 2010 Posts: 659 Location: macedonia
Audio files: 46
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:03 am Post subject:
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Thanks for the info .. thought about match transistors just to cut down overall cost but even if this is not the cheapest project around i guess might be worth it ,so i'll watch for updates on it
cheers |
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Tim Servo
Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 924 Location: Silicon Valley
Audio files: 11
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Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:26 pm Post subject:
Steiner Microcon Project |
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Hey Dave,
One more thought: maybe put together a small case and power supply and put one (or two) Microcons in there for a nifty little "desktop" synth.
Tim (that's my thought limit for the day) Servo |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject:
Re: Steiner Microcon Project |
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Tim Servo wrote: | Hey Dave,
One more thought: maybe put together a small case and power supply and put one (or two) Microcons in there for a nifty little "desktop" synth.
Tim (that's my thought limit for the day) Servo |
Absolutely. Nyle has a custom "rack" he put together for someone once a long time ago. It has either 8 or nine modules and a rotary switch on the back which might be for combining the voices in different ways. Nyle couldn't remember...
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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SubG (deactivated)
Joined: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 70
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 2:12 am Post subject:
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can't wait to get one of these boards
great stuff |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject:
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SubG wrote: | can't wait to get one of these boards
great stuff |
HI everyone. I have not forgotten. Family, work, and other projects put my SDIY stuff on hold for a few weeks. I am still in process of laying out the PCB. I'll stay in touch here as I make progress.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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SubG (deactivated)
Joined: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 70
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject:
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my idea was to built one behind a buchla panel,but seems i will need to redraw the pcb
anyhow looks great |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:18 pm Post subject:
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SubG wrote: | my idea was to built one behind a buchla panel,but seems i will need to redraw the pcb
anyhow looks great |
What form factor works best for Buchla? I can re-do the layout if it still works behind a Euro panel.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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SubG (deactivated)
Joined: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 70
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:08 am Post subject:
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to fit behind buchla panel pcb may be max. 105x155 mm,105x150mm is ideal |
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bod
Joined: Apr 28, 2009 Posts: 148 Location: Glasgow
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:44 am Post subject:
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cool, i would be well into a couple of these! |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:58 am Post subject:
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SubG wrote: | to fit behind buchla panel pcb may be max. 105x155 mm,105x150mm is ideal |
So in my "english" unit mind, this is 4.13 by 6.1 inches. The PCB as it stands is 3.9 by 4 inches. So as is, it should fit, if not an ideal size.
What could be done to make it easier for you to use? Different mounting hole location? _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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SubG (deactivated)
Joined: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 70
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject:
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SubG wrote: | dingebre wrote: | SubG wrote: | to fit behind buchla panel pcb may be max. 105x155 mm,105x150mm is ideal |
So in my "english" unit mind, this is 4.13 by 6.1 inches. The PCB as it stands is 3.9 by 4 inches. So as is, it should fit, if not an ideal size.
What could be done to make it easier for you to use? Different mounting hole location? |
well for a buchla style module ideal would be to replace all connectors by 2 long headers parrallel ,but stretch the pcb to the buchla size then so the headers comes at outsides of the pcb,so the pcb just have to be plugged in into the hmm pot pcb .
but normaly first a front panel layout design have to be done to see where there is room for headers..
and provide on board +/- 15v psu (buchla compatibility)
i think if you do a pot pcb aswell for buchla style you could sell some.
i probably will wire up mine.
something like this: |
Fascinating. Thank you for the info and example. For now, I think I will stick to my standard layout form. But if there is enough interest for a specific Buchla format, I'm willing to give it a go.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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reve
Joined: Feb 23, 2008 Posts: 149 Location: USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:40 am Post subject:
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Totes in for two of these if we're looking at like $20/each. _________________ - r. mosquito
SynthDIY Synthpop -> http://www.reverbnation.com/photovoltaik |
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dingebre
Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 270 Location: Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:11 am Post subject:
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reve wrote: | Totes in for two of these if we're looking at like $20/each. |
Don't know prices yet. What I've done in the past is I'll go ahead and place an order for a bunch of stock and set a price based on how many I order. That way, I don't have to deal with the hassle of pre-orders and "interest" I don't mind having extras.
It also depends on whether or not it will need a piggy back power conditioning/regulating PCB. If you have a clean +/- 12 volt supply, you may not need anything else. If you have +/- 15, you'll have to regulate it down so you could benefit from my external conditioning PCB. If I put the regulators and filtering on the main PCB, the form factor will go up, so maybe a 2 PCB set from the get go is best. I can then make the overall form factor smaller, like a 14 U euro panel at the expense of being a bit deeper.
I'll figure that out as soon as I get the first prototype in and make sure the circuit works.
I know I want to build a few of these to play with so I'll almost certainly place a big'ish order and see how it goes. If they sell out, I'll make another order.
Sorry to ramble on like that.
David _________________ David M. Ingebretsen, M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Enginering, Inc.
dingebre@3dphysics.net
http://www.xmission.com/~dingebre/Synthasystem.html |
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