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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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 Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:
A DIY "no-MIDI" guitar controller for 1V/Octave synths |
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Hi!
I'd like to build a device that accepts as input a guitar jack and generates as output a 1V/Octave for controlling the (VCO's) oscillators of a synth  .
I hope it is possible without using MIDI technology.
Does anyboy have a link to a schematics. I could design a pcb for others (if interested)
Bye
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Pehr
Joined: Aug 14, 2005
Posts: 1307
Location: Björkvik, Sweden
Audio files: 2
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synth_ollie
Joined: Sep 11, 2006
Posts: 149
Location: sweden
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:57 am Post subject:
Thanks |
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Thankyou Ollie,
That's what I was searching for  !!. I'll get through the whole project as soon as possible.
Thank-you again
Bye
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LukeDI
Joined: Sep 23, 2006
Posts: 50
Location: Boston MA, USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject:
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| Best of luck, these things are notoriously hard to get to work right. If you can get it to work though the result is well worth it. |
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Chrometuna
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 209
Location: Topeka
Audio files: 3
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| Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject:
Re: Thanks |
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| stefano wrote: | Thankyou Ollie,
That's what I was searching for !!. I'll get through the whole project as soon as possible.
Thank-you again
Bye
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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know how this works out for you!
It seems very fitting in with an idea I had about controlling a synth with a modified bass guitar (Maybe see my "Bass Fishing For CV" thread?)
The circuits look a bit over my head....unless I found a 'kit' that I could just soldier up.
Let me know if you find any other solutions or ideas for this sort of device.
Dig it.
Cheers
bob c |
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synthmonger
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 578
Location: flada
Audio files: 3
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| Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:39 am Post subject:
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| I'm gonna give a shot at making one once I can get my press-n-peel thingies ordered. Getting a 404 when trying to place an order -_~ |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:18 am Post subject:
4011BE
Subject description: ...ERROR FOUND in the article |
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| synth_ollie wrote: | http://hammer.ampage.org/files/GuitarP2V.PDF
cheers
OLLIE |
In the fig.3 there is clearly represented for IC11 a Quad NOR port.
In the part list there is a 4011 for IC11 that is a Quad NAND  !!
The correct IC to buy is 4001 (NOR ports) as stated in the legenda of fig. 3.
Keeping on debugging..... before soldering!
Bye |
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StephenGiles
Joined: Apr 17, 2006
Posts: 507
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:25 am Post subject:
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| But it the text (textini) on page 15 it mentions 2 input NOR gates! |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:33 am Post subject:
OA91 |
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Hello
I have almost completed the list of the components needed to build the Guitar To Synth by Penfold.
There are also two OA91 (germanium diodes). Do you think that two AA117 can be valid substitutes ?
Stay tuned
Bye |
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goodrevdoc
Joined: Sep 11, 2006
Posts: 288
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Audio files: 1
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| Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject:
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| Quote: | | There are also two OA91 (germanium diodes). Do you think that two AA117 can be valid substitutes ? |
Yeah, any old Ge should work.
-justin[/quote] |
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Chrometuna
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 209
Location: Topeka
Audio files: 3
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:34 am Post subject:
 Power issue |
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I'm waiting for ICs' Guitar2Synth to come from banzaieffects.. in the meanwhile I'm considering to power a lot of things that should ( ? ) work from a single 240 VAC source.
- Mini Sound Lab (ok, it works @+-12V)
- Ray Wilson's Guitar Trigger (it should work @+-12V))
- Robert Penfold's Guitar to Synth (ok, it works @+-12V)
I want to implement this Bipolar Power Supply:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_bipolar_ps.pdf
using a 240/220 to 15/18 VAC transformer and 7812/7912 regulators.
I am wondering about the right amperage of the transformer:
Do you think a 1000 mA tranny is sufficient ?
Bye |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:41 am Post subject:
Re: A DIY "no-MIDI" guitar controller for 1V/Octave synths |
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 I wouln't be so brave to slash my axe.... !! |
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Chrometuna
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 209
Location: Topeka
Audio files: 3
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject:
Re: A DIY "no-MIDI" guitar controller for 1V/Octave synths |
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| stefano wrote: |
I wouln't be so brave to slash my axe.... !! |
Theres all kinds of really cheap-o basses and guiatrs on Ebay.
$75 bucks. And yeah, its gonna be a peice of crap. BUT, for me and it being an expiremental project, thats probably what I'll get. Unless a very cheap bass falls into my lap locally.
For something like hacking a guitar hero controller, things like intonation and action just wont matter.
But my real project is more about using the frets and strings as a circuit for controlling Ray's single buss keyboard circuit. And being a bass, the non-polyphany (Single note, return to 'base' just like any stringed instrument)
But I think it WOULD be fun to do the guitar hero hack, and then hack the game itself to play your OWN songs...and do that live with a big screen TV!
Live performances SHOULD be fun visually! |
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henq
Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 23
Location: holland
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| Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:
Re: A DIY "no-MIDI" guitar controller for 1V/Octave synths |
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[quote="Chrometuna"] | Quote: |
But my real project is more about using the frets and strings as a circuit for controlling Ray's single buss keyboard circuit. |
i have seen pictures of a guitar with a synth built in that worked that way...
if i remember correctly the frets where also cut in 6 pieces so you could really play al the notes.
it was a hollow body and 50 of them where made (thats what i remember reading)
it would make a great instrument i think... |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:51 am Post subject:
Mini |
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Hi all
I'd have some question for you about some mods I'm going to do (or not?) for controlling the Ray Wilaons Mini Sound Lab with the Guitar to Synth by Penfold
1) Penfold's device generates a trigger signal of +5V. Do I need to modify this level in order to trigger the Mini Sound Lab ?
2) Penfold's device generates a LOGARITHMIC Control Voltage law. Do you think I need to convert it to a LINEAR law ?
Thankyou in advance
Bye
--)) Stefano ((-- |
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fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 3950
Location: Germany
Audio files: 23
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:03 am Post subject:
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what about the MS20 interface? (just a guess)
i once had a MS20 - that was in the time before those analogues where "in" again - and i remember controling it with a guitar and even a micro...
_________________
cheers,
matthias
____________
Big Boss at fonitronik
Tech Buddy at Random*Source |
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synth_ollie
Joined: Sep 11, 2006
Posts: 149
Location: sweden
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:
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| the ms20 interface is great, only that its a hz/v design and not oct/v.... |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:58 am Post subject:
L555 ? |
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I have a terrible doubt :
I couldn't find any datasheet about the L555, so I supposed it it a Timer and I am using a NE555. In your opinion, am I right ?
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goodrevdoc
Joined: Sep 11, 2006
Posts: 288
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Audio files: 1
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:
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| Quote: | I have a terrible doubt :
I couldn't find any datasheet about the L555, so I supposed it it a Timer and I am using a NE555. In your opinion, am I right ? |
Should be fine.
-justin |
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ericcoleridge
Joined: Jan 16, 2007
Posts: 889
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:31 am Post subject:
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I've been wanting to build a circuit like this forever as well. I studied this one that you're building... but it looked too complicated for me to do without a kit or PCB at least.
I already have an MS20, but, I'd like to also have a stand-alone freq/volt convertor.
I once tried to assemble the MS20 circuit, but couldn't get it to work. I hope you have better luck with the circuit you're working on (you probably will-- I'm just new to DIY synth electronics, and don't really completely understand alot of the things I'm building).
I've also thought of buying/sampling one of those Analog Devices Freq/Volt ICs and experimenting with it. Maybe using some filter, schmitt-trigger, and/or Sample and Hold configuration to stabilize the input frequency. Seems like this might be an easier or less problematic solution than others I've seen.
But then, I just wonder why no one else seems to have tried it before (at least I haven't found anyone yet who has). Makes me think it's more complicated than it appears.
Really love to know how your project comes out. I'm hoping very much that it works for you-- that would give me more confidence to try it myself...
On this same subject, I was really hoping the new Mooger-Fooger would accomplish this task-- but unfortunately not. It still looks like a really cool effect/processor/instrument... but unfortunately no Freq to Voltage. |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:09 am Post subject:
First success
Subject description: .. but a lot of work is still needed .. |
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| stefano wrote: |    SOMEHOW, IT STARTED TO WORK !!!!!
PRODUCTION OF SAMPLES AND PHOTOS IN PROGRESS....
Yes, sir, yesterday the Penfold F2V Guitar to Synth Interface started to convert guitar frequencies to voltage. I say "SOMEHOW" because I had to make a little mod (or bypass) to start it work. And I think that the device is not working in the way that Penfold designed it... but it WORKS.
I suspected that the signal path "stopped" at the gates of the quad switch 4016BE (I use a MC14016BCP for IC4). IC4 is driven at pin 13 (control pin) by a signal coming from pin 4 of IC11b, so I wondered what would have happened if pin 1 and pin 2 of IC4 would have always connected (like if the control al pin 13 was always enabled). The easiest way to do this is to **short** pin 1 and pin 2 of IC4. I did it and immediately the circuit started to convert frequencies to voltages.
The mini sound lab accepted the 1V/Octave scale produced by Penfold P2V.
I played an A (5th guitar string), tuned the osc-1 Minisoundlab and VR2 (shift control). Then I played the same string at the 12th fret (1octave up) and I used the VR3 (gain control) to tune the sound from the oscillator.
I didn't win the war, but I think at least a good battle! I'm on my way to completely debug this circuit because I don't actually like this bypass  .
Next step I'd like to do with an oscilloscope (any advice accepted ):
- controlling the signal at (IC11 pin 4) = (IC4 pin 13) (after generation of quad switch control signal)
- controlling the signal at IC10 pin 6 (before generation of quad switch control signal)
Stay tuned |
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Macaba
Joined: Jul 13, 2005
Posts: 160
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject:
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| Being a digital junkie, my solution would be to sample the guitar audio with a DSPic, (A digital signal processor), do a fast fourier transform on the input signal, and simply find the most dominant frequency from the transform output, and then output a voltage using a DAC. |
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stefano
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: ITALY
Audio files: 5
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:19 am Post subject:
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| Macaba wrote: | | Being a digital junkie, my solution would be to sample the guitar audio with a DSPic, (A digital signal processor), do a fast fourier transform on the input signal, and simply find the most dominant frequency from the transform output, and then output a voltage using a DAC. |
Before sampling the guitar signal would you apply a low pass filter ? |
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