::ABOUT ?* is almost the same as the Zachtekind & ?Kind. A walkman with extension circuit that is powered by the walkman itself, controlling the Walkmans playback speed with buttons linked to the potmeters next to them. It is a simple device that makes it possible to playback tape in very slow speed and switch between selected speeds, intuitive and playful. it is stereo. Has a build in radio (AM/FM, no extra controls over this radio are added).
::Audio/CV - input cv in for playback speed control -5v to +10v (example: 0v = low pitch, 5v is high pitch, so it is in reverse from normal). - amount of CV can be adjusted with a potmeter. - output audio out from walkman.
::Controls: - 5x pot for playback speed per push button momentary switch. - 1x ON/OFF toggle switch for 1st playback speed pot switch override.
::Power: - 2x AA battery, The range of the speed control pots is different when powered from a battery.
"A friend lent me a Zachteman for a few days and I took the opportunity to record a lot of stuff with it.
The Zechteman is a kind of DIY Mellotron made from a hacked portable cassette player created by the genius Gieskes.It has a keyboard, a vibrato and even a Cv input that controls the pitch and a Gate input that controls the vibrato (Perfect to use it with my Eurorack Synth).
For this demo, I used my Aiwa Cassette Recorder to record a single note with my Analog Synthesiter Moog Werkstatt for 5 minutes and then I used the cassette with the Zachteman to create a melody.
For the last part I added some effects with the Zoia of Empress Effects and I took the opportunity to make a quick Beat with sounds I released on Sound Provider( Analog Now & Techno Now / https://www.sound-provider.eu/ ) with Maschine Plus of Native Instruments, it allowed me to see that the sample banks of sound provider also works well with the Hiphop 😊😉
"The module is designed for connecting walkmans to eurorak (but it can also do other things, read below)
pre amp
about: The pre amp used is a burr brown OPA2134 in two stages with melf metal film 1% resistors for low noise. Low noise is not realy needed for use with a walkman.. because they are quite noisy, but if you want to use it with other things like piezo elements or a guitar you can also use it to preamplify those.
A: The audio input is a Stereo 3.5mm jack input (all other jacks are mono jacks). It is Capacitor coupled. The tip of the connector goes to the pre amp, The sleeve goes to the 1VOctave tracking system.
If the volume goes above 1.4v PP it will be cut of by clipping diodes, the output can still reach the rails of the opamp on the output stage.
B: The audio output is Capacitor coupled. The output can be 10v PP, depending on the input.
C: CV input for controlling the audio output volume.
It takes 10v PP (adjust it up/down with E).
The circuit uses a vactrol, the curve it makes is anti log.. so it is somewhere between a gate and a pre amp.
D: Attenuation for the audio input signal.
E: Audio output volume. Moves CV input up or down.
317 regulator controller
F: CV input for adjusting L
G: Sets amount of offset from ground for L
H: 1v Octave input (the sleave of conector A is used for tracking information)
Range is 0v to 5v (the actualy octave range depends on the connected device, usualy the range is 2 to about 4 octaves).
M: Adjusts voltage of F.
L: Set voltage of output from I (317 output).
.: (small dot connected to M) 1v octave offset, 1 octave range, from C to C (that is the musical note C. Use a 2mm flat screw driver to adjust).
K: Activate 1v Octave tracking.
Adjustment menu for 1V Octave tracking:
Hold the button while powering up (keep holding it for about 5 seconds.)
The led in the button will blink when you let go of the button, if you push the button it will blink 1 time more, until you reach 7 blinks, then it will reset to 0 blinks, and you can go round again.
If you hold the button for 2 seconds you will enter the next menu.
There are 3 settings you can change. after exiting the last settings menu your changes will be saved and used the next time you powerup the module.
Change the settings for how you feel the device you connected works best.
adjusts the rise in frequency tracking (7 blinks is maximum).
adjusts the fall in frequency tracking (7 blinks is maximum).
adjusts the smoothnes in low voltage range (0 blinks is most stable (if lower then 2 blinks is used here, it can overshoot and get stuck, so its best to use at least 2 blinks here)).
317 regulator
about: This section is optically separated from the rest of the modular. This means the ground is not connected to the eurorack system and the power is also not connected to the eurorack system.
This is designed for driving small DC motors in walkmans, but you can also connect other things to it.. for instance a LED light or power a complete device with it.
I: 317 voltage regulator output. The output voltage is from 0v to above 0v. The actual output voltage depends on the power supply you connect to it. Maximum current draw is 500ma.
J: DC + in the center, maximum 12v DV input. It is advised to keep the input voltage between 6v and 9v, i use 7.5v If the input voltage is 12v the voltage regulator will get hotter then if you connect a lower voltage. the less hot it gets the longer it will fuction. Heat can also cause the output voltage to change (mainly because the vactrol can heat up)"
"The Walkman has a recording of a TR-808 with the drums on one track and the rim shot on the other.. The Rim Shot is used to trigger the sequencer, that sequences the Gakken SX-150.
