SID Sample Playback

The following came in via Rainer on the SDIY list:

"On the SID, samples are played back through 3 different methods:

(1) 4-bit playback abusing the volume register
(2) 8/12-bit playback using PWM (with nasty carrier beep-through...)
(3) stepping the triangle waveform using test bit (reset) and
incrementum (reaching the destination value within 1 sample)

The latter is a rather novel technique first presented in the "Vicious SID" and "Fanta in Space" demos, also demonstrating how this technique even outperforms the Amiga's sound capabilities (by being able to fully modulate the sample using ADSR, multimode filter, and final VCA -- plus having two SID voices in addition to the sample).

For those interested:

Vicious SID:
http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=72678

Fanta in Space:
http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=72563

If you run them on the VICE emulator, make sure to switch the reSID engine to floating point, otherwise you won't hear much...

Rainer"

Roland TB-303 Devil Fish w/ MIDI in Aluminum Case

via this auction

"Serial #178, Version v.4.0B

In December 2003 I purchased my very first TB-303 via Peter Forrest’s VEMIA auction, it was immaculate and functionality perfect. In the next couple of years I purchased several TB’s, but it was clear that the first was the nicest, and so, in 2005, I sent it off to Robin Whittle to undergo the Devil Fish treatment.

In a stroke of luck, I happened to be lucky enough to acquire one of the revered and totally gorgeous alu cases that Martin Rothlisberger designed in his spare time and sent this to Australia so that Robin could built the Devilfish into it.

The fitment into the case is a very tricky affair, they are carved from solid blocks of aluminium by a computer, and thus super accurate; the problem lies in the TB itself, which hailing from the 80’s is not so accurate! Some of the potentiometer positions can subtly vary, and there are other pitfalls, for example the wires can get pinched in different places. This TB has been fitted to the highest standards possible. There are crazy aspects to it, like 2 by 2 carbon fibre washers, an even larger capacity lithium battery than the one Robin uses as stock for the bank memory back up and the rear of the case attaches via precision machined titanium bolts. It’s a functioning piece of design / art.

Robin strikes me as the classic genius engineer and in implementing the modification, I guess his priority is in making sure everything works, not necessarily whether it looks beautiful. As a result, I have expertly implemented a host of cosmetic amendments myself to make things like the LED’s shine more attractively, the knobs sit at a comfortable height and, perhaps most practically, I have implemented a delightfully simple but important idea that buffers the main PCB board, in the event that the machine ever falls face flat, which due to the design by Roland, does leave the machine quite susceptible to a cracked PCB. Some of the ideas I have shared with Robin (to his interest!), others I have not as yet, but I suspect he and other TB enthusiasts would find them interesting, if not a touch obsessive :-)

As the numerous pedantic personal touches might indicate, I never foresaw parting with this machine, but am contemplating it primarily for two reasons, I have another Devil Fish (non MIDI version) so I wouldn’t miss this one all that much, principally I am interested to acquire something entirely different for my studio, which would entail raising the necessary funds.

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Moogfest - Hot Chip, Pretty Lights, Girl Talk and More Added to Lineup

See http://moogfest.com/ for full details on the event.

MakeNoise modules going solo...

YouTube via henrikbjorkk | August 10, 2010

"Only using MakeNoise modules;

2 x Maths (clock, lfo, osc and env)
1 x QMMG (lpg)
1 x Wogglebug (for direction of seq)
2 x Pressure Points with Brains (as seq)

PP´s housed in a modified IKEA Molger case."

Custom Transcendent 2000

via this auction

EKO P15 EKOSYNTH

via this auction

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trouby modular - math trigger sequencer

via this auction

"Why math? This module is based of an 4bit arithmetical-logical unit (ALU). It has clock and Start/Stop inputs and 16 trigger outputs - for each value of the 4bit result. In case of the output value they're numbered from 0-15, not 1-16 as usual. some combinations give a trigger at each output, but in different sequence ;) How it works: The ALU has two 4bit operands, which values you select by the two rotary switches. It has a 4bit operation selector itself and a arithmetical / logical switch; and a 4bit result output. The operation itself is clocked by a 4bit counter - does the 16 notes in 16th for a bar - and the result of each step goes to a line decoder (4bit to 16 lines), visualized by a 4x4 LED matrix and out to 16 separate outputs (4V TTL, near 1ms puls width). PS: don't look at the 'cooler' at the pcbof the proto ...
power is curetronic, i can do a DotCom Adatper."

You might remember Trouby Modular from this post.

Chimera Synthesis bC16

via Noisebug on Ebay

"The bC16 miniature patch synthesizer packs a fully featured VCO, LFO, envelope generator, analog VCA, analog VCF, noise sources & ring modulator all in a CD sized case CNC machined from 10mm high-grade acrylic plastic.

Fifteen color coded potentiometers control key functions, connections between synthesizer sections are done using twenty-five 2mm mini-banana sockets.

Powered by either six AAA batteries or by an external (not supplied) 9 to 12v source, the bC16 can be used free standing (internal headphone amplifier), linked to an external keyboard/sequencer or MIDI-CV converters, combined with other bC16's, etc...

Now with a 2 year warranty, advanced v3 firmware (arpeggiator, NRPN MIDI support), a price of £300.00 +delivery (& VAT in UK/EU) and hundreds of (seriously) diverse bC16 customers across the world ranging from award winning composers, industrial/electro/punk/rock/ pop/soul/new-age bands, games designers and film/TV to drone artists.

bC16 sections:
VCO: The complex VCO (actually two linked VCO's) waveshape can be adjusted through sine/triangle/sawtooth and square wave (with adjustable dutycycle). The VCO can be CV modulated (log response), FM modulated (linear response) or can be driven by MIDI NOTE values. The two linked VCO's can be offset using a control knob, CV or MIDI for rich complex tones.

LFO: Like the VCO the LFO is actually two linked low frequency oscillators with a host of modulation possibilties and waveshapes. Like the VCO the LFO can also be controlled via MIDI.

VCF: An all analog 24dB discrete ladder filter with variable cuttoff (knob and CV), adjustable resonance, specially designed to work from the low voltage busses in the bC16.

EG: The bC16 envelope generator is very easy to use, four knobs (or via MIDI) control the Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release parameters of the envelope. Set sustain to zero and the EG enters repeat mode for long VCS3 style modulation possibilites.

VCA & HEADPHONE AMP: An analog voltage controlled amplifier is provided along with an built-in headphone amplifier (volume control via grey knob).

MIDI INTERFACE: An enhanced internal MIDI interface allows control (monophonic) of:
NOTE to VCO FREQUENCY
ENVELOPE triggering (patchable trigger output)
PITCHBEND (including pitchbend amount via RPN)
PORTAMENTO on/off
PORTAMENTO rate
MODULATION (bC16 has modulation output)
REMOTE/OVERRIDE control of 12 of the 15 knobs via CC# and/or NRPN

ARPEGGIATOR: An internal arpeggiator allows you to control arpeggio's (rising, falling, rising/falling, ordered) via either an internal clock (20 to 6,000 BPM) or via an externally supplied MIDI CLOCK (BPM/2 to BPM x24).

WHITE acrylic plastic
Each bC16 is built from 3 layers of a high-grade acrylic plastic , each layer is CNC machined on both sides in-house. The sandwich is then assembled and seven bolts hold the entire unit rigidly together. Recent improvements in machining technology have improved the fit and finish."

DEITER DOEPFER STRING - PHASER

via this auction

"DR. Doepfers earliest work. 3 phase LFO driving 3 phase shift cards. Unit works, I tested it at +/- 15v, the LFO rate was high, so maby its +/- 12v? Auction includes module and original paperwork/ schematic in German. This is a rare unit, I have not seen another. It was my intention to repackage this as MOTM, bot I have TOO many projects."

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VINTAGE STEINER MASTERS TOUCH FILTER

via this auction

"Rare Vactrol based filter. Breath controller, bite and touch modulator. Perfect working order, very good cosmetics. Auction includes original owners manual, schematics and breath/bite tubes."