YouTube Published on Aug 9, 2012 by squidfanny
squidfanny (RSS)
"Mega-modded Omnichord Synthesizer.
Hacked, Circuit Bent, Modded & Stuffed full of funky new circuitry.
Similar mods to my previous 'Steam-Punk' Omnichord, but with this one I also went a bit mental with additional circuitry - there's a Filter with LFO, Space Echo (analog delay), a comprehensive Rhythm Patch-Bay & an integrated Step-Sequencer....
The Step Sequencer can be used to generate custom rhythms, or just add additional beats to the preset rhythms.
It also has a row of switches, dedicated envelope generator (sonodrome's 555 envelope generator) and Knob to allow sequenced Pitch Modulation. Yes, can now program tempo Synced Pitch twisting :)
Best of all, the sequencer can be used to twist & Modulate the ECHO, in the same way as the pitch modulation!!!
Check out the mental astral sounds that a Twisted Echo can produce..............
Cool eh?
This Omnichord has been another epic project, the machine was in a very bad way when I got it - power-amp & logic clock were both busted, and there was heat damage to the board too. All these faults were caused by a combination of wrong polarity power supply, and suzuki's decision to omit a polarity diode on the machine :(
I mean seriously man, a diode costs about 1 penny....
Perhaps Suzuki were cashing in on the repair business too?
Anyway, I replaced an IC to make the chord generator chips work again, repaired the heat damage on the board, and replaced the busted power-amp with an array of transistor amps to retain the vintage sound.
Also gave it a new set of caps, and added about 30 little caps to remove the unwanted triggering Clicks / Pops.
It's still a bit noisy, but certainly an improvement on the original.
There are metal touch points dotted around this machine that will generate bleepy tones, and modulating squarewaves. Depending on which touch-points are used, you can generate pleasing clean tones, dark bass or varying types of distortion. Combine this with the Glitch Controls to prodcuce bleepy arpeggios, some lovely techno-scrobber sounds and de-tuned discord.
I think this will be my final Omnichord OM-27. Reckon I've exhausted the circuit bending potential for this machine, so next Omnichord's gonna be a different model."
Update: two pics and additional details via this auction.
"Internal Speaker & Battery compartment have been removed to make way for various new Knobs, Switches, Metal Bolts, Metal Touch-Points, Buttons & Flashing Lights. The machine is powered with a standard 12 volt adapter. Audio is provided by a 1/4" Jack Socket on the front of the machine. I do not have the Rubber Pick for this machine - to use the harp-plate you'll need to press quite hard or just lick your finger. Apart from this, the machine functions just as a standard Omnichord OM-27, with no functions or features affected. Inside the machine is an arsenal of funky new circuitry, this includes a Filter & LFO, an Analog Delay (SPACE ECHO) and an Integrated STEP-SEQUENCER for creating original Rhythms, or adding to existing rhythms. The Step-Sequencer can also be used to program Pitch-Modulation, AND also to Modulate the ECHO RATE. Both the Sequencer-Pitch Mod and the Sequencer-Echo Mod have a dedicated envelope generator and an 'Amount' Knob for Pitch-Up or Pitch-Down."
Wow
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be an Omnichord expert. I just happend upon one of these and can't seem to get any audio from it. I hooked it up to the scope and the chord gen appears to be working (can see the varying wave forms) and the rhythm synthesis appears to be working as well. The issue appears to be where the signals combine for output. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks