Build Pictures 2025

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

Hello everyone,

I was asked to build this for integrating an analog ratcheting sequencer into a studio’s MIDI equipment setup by a friend, the author of the Formant MSS2000 book.

So I decided to build this as a set of eight independent microcontroller controlled CV/GATE/CLOCK to MIDI converters.
Each converter consists of a pair of inputs (CV and CLOCK) and a corresponding CLOCK display LED.

At the top of the module you find three switches (again with indicator LEDs, because I just love Mr. Green

LEDs) to select one of eight programs the module runs with.
Currently implemented is "Program 0" which was requested by my friend, but further functions are in development.

Fun Wink

Here a video which shows the module converting an analog sequence with ratcheting into MIDI based ratcheting for my MIDI controlled Oberheim SEM clone as a feasibility test:

https://youtu.be/zcSQnTrbIEA?si=22iIfI8ag4w-dPT-

CV2MIDI_3dview.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

81.42 KB

Viewed:

13 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

cv2midi_front_benchtest_small.JPG

Description:

Filesize:

79.8 KB

Viewed:

11 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

kkissinger

The Peasant

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

Hello everyone,

my new converter toy reached the next level. "Program 1" is implemented. This makes the device being a stand-alone MIDI sequencer.

CLK1 serves as master clock. CV1 to CV8 are iterated. Unconnected CVs are interpreted as 0V / C0 note.

Here the new fun video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrOuQNHJ9Yw

CV2MIDI_prog1.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

43.54 KB

Viewed:

9 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

Fresh from the playground: 2 more sequencer modes as "Program 2" and "Program 3" implemented: "Moving Backwards" and "Knight Rider Mode" Mr. Green

See YouTube Demo 3!

Youtube_demo3.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

85.3 KB

Viewed:

12 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

The Peasant · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 8:36 pm Post subject:

Hi again everyone,

I finally was able to make a recording of the tube synth modules, including the new VCF design which is still only on breadboard. Once I get that module built I will work on making an actual video of everything so far.

To make the recording I just set up a sequence and let it play while I changed settings. I also added some reverb, since everything sounds better with reverb!

The first part is just the VCO module through the VCA, then the noise module is added for a while, then the VCF is included for the last part. Enjoy!

Take care,
Doug

alltubepath.flac

Description:

Download (listen)

Filename:

alltubepath.flac

Filesize:

52.44 MB

Downloaded:

15 Time(s)

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

My first microcontroller based module, an 8 channel MIDI2CV/GATE - interface (UCVM) from 2004 did not boot any more. Reason was a dead ISP connector.

So I did what I was afraid of, I opened it after several years and entered the guts.

Enjoy the pictures.

ucvm_repair_03.jpg

Description:

UCVM control

Filesize:

93.62 KB

Viewed:

9 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

ucvm_repair_02.jpg

Description:

UCVM voices

Filesize:

129.88 KB

Viewed:

12 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

ucvm_repair_01.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

198.27 KB

Viewed:

8 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

ucvm_repair_04.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

99.34 KB

Viewed:

7 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

ucvm_repair_05.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

131.34 KB

Viewed:

7 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

PHOBoS · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 12:11 pm Post subject:

some lovely looking stuff in here. Very Happy

I might not be building anything myself at the moment but I am watching from the sidelines.

kkissinger

Years ago, when I began expanding my synthesizer system, I needed to add an additional power supply and the associated wiring in the new cabinet. Wanting to ensure reliability, I chose to use larger 18 AWG wiring and robust TE connectors. This became the new standard for all added modules, and I built distribution cables to supply power accordingly.

Over time, however, I became less satisfied with the loose cable runs — they weren’t as secure as I’d like, were vulnerable to vibration, and didn’t look particularly neat. Still, redesigning the bus system was one of those "I’ll get around to it later" projects.

As I started adding microprocessor-based modules, I wanted to integrate a CAN bus to support global inter-module functions. That provided the push I needed. I realized I could use my 3D printer to create custom channel segments that support both the existing TE power connectors and new Molex CAN connectors.

The snap-in feature of the TE connectors made it relatively easy to design 3D-printed mounting holes to accommodate them securely. Since my printer's bed is only around 12" wide, I chose to print 3" channel segments (matching the Aries 3" module width), then arrange them end-to-end to form a continuous channel along the cabinet.

This is still a work in progress, but I recently completed the first cabinet channel and took a photo to show a before-and-after comparison — the top cabinet still has the original loose power cables, while the bottom cabinet uses the new channel. I’ve also included a picture of a few channel segments as they come off the 3D printer. For efficiency, I print them three at a time per batch.

P7180003.JPG

Description:

Power supply buss installation in progress to compare old and new

Filesize:

2.03 MB

Viewed:

4 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

P7180007.JPG

Description:

Channel pieces from the 3d printer

Filesize:

1.54 MB

Viewed:

4 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

Grumble · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2025 12:36 pm Post subject:

I've made what I call a DRONER, It's a standallone module around an Arduino UNO, programmed as a native midi device ( google HIDUINO) for sending Midi over USB.
You can choose a note, change velocity and pitch in real time.
The noteOn is sent when the ON button is pressed while the noteOff is sent when the OFF button is pressed.
When noteOn is active, I can change Pitch with a rotary encoder, and the Velocity can be set with the potentiometer.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zpr1dhiscE4&si=2Lu5zHIT3lCUMhMP

20250717_111148.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

523.12 KB

Viewed:

1 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

analogmonster · Joined: May 30, 2011 Posts: 90 Location: Germany

@Kevin and @Grumble, beside the cool synth stuff you build there are also some nice 3d printed components here! thumb up

kkissinger

kkissinger · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 2:21 pm Post subject:

PHOBoS · Posted: Yesterday, at 10:23 am Post subject:

Grumble · Posted: Yesterday, at 1:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks!
I wasn't happy with the software and have been tweaking today.
Much better functionality now.