A collection of circuits by Nicolas

Pehr · updated and edited, 08-05-10, by v-un-v

I couldn't resist gathering all these circuits somewhere. Very Happy

frequencycentral · Joined: May 25, 2008 Posts: 186 Location: UK

I just have to say thank you to nicolas 3141 for his work and to Pehr for cataloguing the collection. These are very interesting little circuits. And also well suited to adapting to stampbox use, which is my primary focus ATM

v-un-v · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 4:44 am Post subject:

Actually I've done the same for Ian Fritz (a big link list)- but I have been waiting months for Ian to say yes Twisted Evil

Off for the weekend- will sort it out Monday Smile

Pehr · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 5:15 am Post subject:

nicolas3141 · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:12 am Post subject:

Brilliant - I'm flattered this stuff is considered worthy of stickiness. I was actually looking back through the archive for this thread so I could add to it. And whadya know it had been stickified.

Anyway, I just loaded another one - simple noise source:
http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-34745.html

These circuits are not meant to be highly featured and sophisticated, but are intended to be easy to build and understand for those starting out in sdiy. Good enough to be musically useful, but simple enough so that you can build them in a few hours and then get back to making that music. A bit like the MFOS Soundlab, but with a more modular approach (and a bit more emphasis on CV generation). I also try and only use readily available and easily substitutable parts.

Cheers,
Nicolas

Pehr · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:23 am Post subject:

Your designs are really awesome in their simplicity.
And you use LM324, which I have tons of right now Very Happy

Added the noise and qoute.

Thanks

nicolas3141 · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

I use the LM324 for a couple of reasons. The main one is that it is one of the crappiest quad opamps out there and if my prototypes work with an LM324 the design should work with most other opamps as well. Secondly it is cheap and available everywhere and unlikely to become unavailable anytime soon. It also seems pretty rugged, while having lowish current consumption which makes it suitable for battery powered gear. And its inputs and outputs can go closish to supply voltages which is also good in the battery powered world.

macumbista · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

Wow! Cool! Thanks for these, I must have missed them earlier. Bonus points for thinking of battery operated stuff. We'll have to start a solar and wind-powered thread next Wink

Dego · Joined: Apr 22, 2008 Posts: 139 Location: Sweden

Today I finished the ADSR and it works great. I am going to build your filter next. Smile

Looking forward to more of your designs Smile

The ones I have built so far:
VCLFO
LFO
ADSR

nicolas3141 · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback. It is really good to know people are finding this stuff useful. I am often posting these things after only building one prototype, so there is definitely scope for mistakes and it is very helpful if people reply to let me know whether they had any problems or not.

Thanks,
Nicolas

parasat · Joined: Aug 13, 2009 Posts: 33 Location: chicago

Many thanks, nicolas. They might not be sophisticated and full featured,
but they're inspiring to me (and I'm sure to others, considering the current economic downturn).
It's hard to sock away enough for exotic components and PCB making when you're barely making rent...

Now what was that about a S&H and VCA? Smile

Cheers,
Parasat

nicolas3141 · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:05 am Post subject:

Hi Parasat

It is now uploaded. Sorry for the delay, but it has been summer in New Zealand and I have been enjoying sol instead of solder Smile

http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-41277.html

Cheers,
Nicolas

droffset · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:57 pm Post subject:

Hey cool you're in New Zealand too, I never realized that. Thanks for these circuits Nicolas. Smile

nicolas3141 · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 5:22 am Post subject:

Another one:
http://electro-music.com/forum/post-292718.html

This is a very simple sawtooth VCO. Very low parts count, easy to build, easy to understand, but hopefully still a useful addition to your battery powered mini-modular.

Even though I am posting it after all that other stuff, it would make sense as a good starting point as a first project in sdiy.

Cheers,
Nicolas

v-un-v · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 5:32 am Post subject:

Tres bien Nicholas!

I've updated the first post list too, so it's right there, when this page is opened. Very Happy

Tom

droffset · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 3:20 pm Post subject:

Should this one be added to the list? I haven't tried it yet though, maybe someone else has.
http://www.electro-music.com/forum/topic-38087.html

v-un-v · Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 12:32 am Post subject:

Eeek! From where did that muvaa spring? Looks like Nicholas' first post?

THX! I've added it to the list! Very Happy

Pehr · Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:

athleos · Joined: Mar 13, 2010 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle, WA

Does anyone know of a really "simple" V/Hz keyboard controller circuit for these? There are a few around for 1V/Oct (MFOS comes to mind) but nothing more or less "simple" for the V/Hz crowd. I don't really need more than a CV out with Port/Glide if possible.

[edit] or is it possible to modify the ribbon controller for keys? possibly resistors in series etc...

nicolas3141 · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:27 am Post subject:

Hi

To adapt the ribbon controller to keyboard you would replace the ribbon with a whole lot of trimpots in series. Like this - http://electro-music.com/forum/post-303331.html#303331

Or see this similar, but more sophisticated and probably built and tested, circuit from Eric Barbour - http://www.cgs.synth.net/tube/controller.html

Cheers,
Nicolas

athleos · Joined: Mar 13, 2010 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle, WA

Thanks so much Nicolas!! This is awesome! I'll let you know once I've got it built and tested!

Cheers,
Barry

athleos · Joined: Mar 13, 2010 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle, WA

Hey Nicolas, in that CGS controller schematic, would any components need to be changed when using a bi-polar 9V PSU or will it work as is? I'm just curious because your controller is missing the Gate out which would be useful for ADSR and Eric B's controller is rated for 12-15V.

nicolas3141 · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:02 am Post subject:

should be fine. power the opamps from +/-9v and all the other grounds should be 0v.

cheers,
nicolas

Ojd · Joined: Feb 22, 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Ua Audio files: 1

Hi there. Just wanted you to know, I finished my project (but still making some tweaks here and there). It is no exaggeration to say that you inspired me to do it. I though it would be impossible (I became very frustrated trying to take on something complex), but stumbling upon your thread here, on this forum, made me think that I was wrong. And some 5 month later I'm tweaking my own mini-modular! So thank you.

What it is:

Simple SAW VCO (2x) - [I think about upgrading though, V/hz seems really disappointing]

CGS DC Mixer (1x = 4 input)

2N3904 noise (1x) - [low level compared to VCOs, so no overdriven noise Sad

]

Poyvox VCF (1x) [really simple filter, 3 single opamps, 2 transistors, sounds harsh and metallic, I mean, no way i can get flute-like tone out of it (mellow moogalike sound), it really reminds me of soviet synths - it makes noise even if you don't need it]

LFO (1x) [Very nice modulation source, skew pot is essential]

Stupidly Wanderful Vactrol VCA (1x) [has its quirks, but stil HIGHLY USABLE]

modular01.mp3

Description:

Little tune I made, well, to celebrate and glorify my new instrument. All was done with lfo doing something, recorded, then fit into tracks tempo. There was no way to preview what was going to be next note or anything, really sound on sound, or sound afte

Download (listen)

Filename:

modular01.mp3

Filesize:

2.2 MB

Downloaded:

1911 Time(s)

marcelds · Joined: May 24, 2011 Posts: 19 Location: austria

something i'd definitely salivate over would be a "best of nicholas" single PCB with several of the designs together. would love to see this happen but am personally really clumsy with pcb design... wow!