The Thomas Henry Mega Percussive Synthesizer

wmonk · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:43 pm Post subject:

I looked in the store to order one, but the MPS is sold out. Will there be more boards available soon?

mosc · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Soon, is a relative term. I hope to order some more boards within the week, but - life steps in...

discoslut · Joined: Dec 04, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Netherlands

monokinetic · Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 100 Location: prague

Hi, thanks for coming back to me.

I'm not so familiar with Illustrator, but from my understanding it can export SVG files. If you could export as this then I think it could be something that would be useful for me. But only if it's not too much hassle for you Smile

If not I will just use your previously posted images as a guide!

Best

David

droffset · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

Just received mine in the mail and they look great. Compliments to everyone involved in their production!

2thick4uni · Joined: Feb 20, 2009 Posts: 113 Location: UK

I'd like to buy two pcb's as soon as they are back in stock. Hint hint Wink

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

hi everyone!
i've just finished building the MPS and the sounds veriety are just amazing.
i have some questions to all of you experts :
what is the right voltage for using with the synth, right now i'm working with two 9v batteries. what do you recommend?

how do i test the CV inputs? i did try it with a roland sh-101 CV out but can't get any sound.

and one more question,
according to the bugbrand connections diagrams lead 17/6 goes to "volume top" . i can't find the number on the back pannel diagram.
do i need to connect it to all 3 (shell ,impact and noise ) tops?

thanks a lot for your answers Very Happy

cheers
oneoff

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

someone?

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:41 am Post subject:

Sorry oneoff,
Seems we left you hanging there for a while hey?
Send a PM to the moderator if that happens in future, where is that Mr Stites anyway? Why, I, outta!! Shocked

Okay, now,
The MPS is actually designed for +/-15V, and Thomas was adamant that it should work well at that voltage first and foremost. It's possible you could get good results at +/-12V or even +/-9V, but I think you'd need to make some changes to get the best out of it. (BTW I'm not 100% sure about what those changes would be, but I'm sure my trusty assistant Igor Stites will chime in soon with some handy information. "Igor!?!?" muffled groans, shuffling down the corridor, "I'll put the hose on you again if you don't get in here this instant!!" )
I think the CV issue will be worse because you're using +/-9V, but again, I'd check with Igor.
I'm pretty sure the 17/6 "volume top" goes to the top of the main volume control. (just one) But I'm about to hunting on that to confirm.
Back soon.

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:20 am Post subject:

Bugbrand doesn't actually have a main volume control on his panel. The 17/6 connection is lower level signal designed for line level output through a volume control. Bugbrand only used the 17/7 ouput, which is the full 5Vp-p signal for patching to other modules.
Check with the original schematics on Scott's site.

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

thanks

Skrog Productions · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

Fantastic, just finished one of my MPS boards, wired and operating tremendously .
A couple of daft builder errors but works perfect now, i'm looking forward to getting the drum synth filled with voices.

http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-32167.html

For a manual trig button on the front panel i wired a momentary push between the sensitivity lock & -15V seems to work ok but i'm open to better suggestions ?????

mosc · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

I just ordered some more boards. They should be on sale at the store within two weeks. Sorry for the delay.

2thick4uni · Joined: Feb 20, 2009 Posts: 113 Location: UK

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

one more question to all the experts here:

right now i'm using two separate psu's ,15v
each, the synth is working ok, but i can hear
some noise like a tiny whisle when connecting
the power.
i wonder if it happen because there are
2 power suplys or because they are normal
psu's and not stabilized type.

if i do need one +/- psu only so what would
be the chipest and fastest way of getting or building one?
thanks a lot!
oneoff

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:41 am Post subject:

If you don't know about building PSUs, I'd recommend buying one. It's just a bit too dangerous building a PSU to encourage you to do it, IYKWIM. Wink

If you're confident you deal with it, there are many designs on the net. The schem isn't the dangerous bit though, it's the physicality of mounting the transformer, fuse, inlet, and ensuring a safe earth etc.
There's a company called "Power One" which makes good +/-15V linear supplies for Synth DIY.

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

thanks!
what about using two 15v psu's?

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:55 am Post subject:

No, not a good idea.
The reason being that they could have their respective -ve sides connected to ground. When you wire them up to your stuff, one will get shorted. Even if they don't, you then can get phase problems etc.
You need a proper +/- PSU which uses a different type of transformer. A centre tapped, or dual secondary to be precise.
It might seem a pain, but getting a good PSU is a very good step in the right direction with Synth DIY.

oneoff · Joined: Nov 23, 2008 Posts: 47

thanks alot,
as i said the MPS is working with that two 15v setup,
but i guess it isn't too good for the circuit (i dont realt care
about these cheap psu's..)
so i will surely get myself a new +/- psu.
thanks again
oneoff.

hendrixworkshop · Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Austin, TX

Could someone tell me what these wiring harness-type connectors are? and where I might buy some. They don't appear on my parts list for the MPS, but looking at the pcb, it seems that this is what I should use. The cleaner, the better.

Thanks,

Andy

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creatorlars · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:15 am Post subject:

I'd like to know also, as well as what tool is used to attach the wires.

hendrixworkshop · Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Austin, TX

I bet you just push a stripped wire into the slot. Maybe they come wire attached already. I would like that.

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

headers

http://www.futurlec.com.au/ConnPolHead.jsp

hendrixworkshop · Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Austin, TX

Thanks Luka! Problem solved.