MMM JP VCF

Mattson Mini Modular JP VCF
Jim Patchell Signature
Multi-mode Filter

Jim Patchell's DIY Synthesis

Many of you might recognize the name Jim Patchell. For those of you that do not, Jim is about as respected as it gets in the Synth DIY community. He started his first synth project back in 1973:

"Well, this project was started in 1973, or there abouts. I was at Santa Barbara City College at the time. The library there had Radio Electronics magazine, and I would go there to read and do home work. When I saw the article on building your own synthesizer, I was hooked immediately. This was, of course, the legendary Paia 2700. Some of the circuits were build as is, others I didn't like. The VCO was one of those. I used the national semiconductor application notes for the LM324 to build the voltage controlled triangle oscillator. Back then, I had no money to speak of, so everything was pretty much built from salvage parts. The LM324 was a free sample. They were not cheap back then. I did buy some LM741/747/748 type opamps to make some of the modules. All of the transistors were salvaged. Pots were a very strange collection of pots salvaged from old radios (I could kick myself for that misdeed)."


Low Pass Filter pictured. He's contributed quite a bit to the synth community. You can see a bit of his work in the following three sites.

The Jim Patchell Synthesizer D.I.Y. Web Page
Jim Patchell's First Synthesizer Project
A New DIY Synthesizer Project

He is also responsible for the electronic design and PC Board layout for the MIKADO Analog Sequencing System posted here.

PNW 2007

"The next Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting:
(Is this the fourth year or the fifth year?)

September 29, 2007
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Renton Technical College
Building C, Room 111
3000 NE 4th St
Renton, WA 98056

A new economical modular synthesizer may be announced and demonstrated.

The now happily married Jim Patchell may come up again from SB. (We gotta do some serious string pulling.)

Too bad we can't talk Cynthia into visiting the Pacific Northwet with modules.

Bulgarian Pizza will be served at Noon as usual. (Please contribute $$)

James hair will be the color of Carbon111 this year.

I will post additional information on my website soon. The old information gets you on the right track.

Please RSVP with requirements.

Take care,
John
www.sound-photo.com
www.antenna-farm.com"

You can see images and videos of previous PNW Events here.

MIKADO Analog Sequencing System

Prototype analog sequencer project on the Techno Toys site. Title link takes you to more info including a sample, details for each module and an image of the hardware in the flesh.

"Mikado is a configurable analog sequencing system, optimized for controlling a small (2-4 voice) analog modular synthesizer.

Mikado was designed to meet the need for a flexible, non-traditional hardware sequencer. A primary design goal was to include several modules for creating and manipulating rhythms using dividers, logic, and manual input. Flexible voltage sequencing, quantizing, signal routing, and manual inputs were other necessities.

Mikado is a "semi-modular" sequencer ala the Fenix or Serge systems, rather than discrete modules as other systems are. This is in keeping with the goal of controlling a small system, and reflects the designer's needs. Mikado could also serve as the heart of a larger sequencer system by adding modules from other manufacturers. In the present design, banana jacks are used for patching, though other types of jacks could be used by changing the front panel drilling accordingly.

Mikado's module complement and front panel were designed and specified by Jim Johnson. Electronic design and PC board layout are by Jim Patchell. PC boards for this project will be made available, and a customizable front panel is also available. It should be noted that, while the remaining material on this page describes the sequencer's specified configuration, the circuit and PC boards will have some additional capabilities, such as extra LED drivers, some additional sequencer modes, etc.

Modules
Mikado's module complement is as follows:

* 1 Master Clock
* 2 8x2 Sequencers
* 2 Quantizers
* 1 Pattern Generator
* 1 Transposer
* 2 Analog Switches
* 1 Sequential Switch
* 2 2-input Logic Gates
* 1 4-input Logic Gate
* 3 Logic Inverters
* 1 Type D flip-flip
* 1 One-shot
* 1 Binary Divider
* 1 Prime Divider
* 1 Divide-by-N
* 2 Gate Switches
* 2 Gate/Trigger Buttons
* 3 Toggle Switches"


Via Exsurdo in the comments of this post.

PNW Synth Meeting This Saturday

Just a reminder that the PNW Synth Meeting is this Saturday. Title link takes you the previous post with some pics.

Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting

Saturday, October 21, 2006
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Renton Technical College
Building C, Room 110
3000 NE 4th St
Renton, WA 98056

No charge. (Contribute for the Pizza) Free.

There will be several more first time visitors this year. Please bring
synths that you have brought in the past. Don't forget power cords, patch
cords, adapters. I am planning on having a small Mackie mixer and powered
speaker for your use.

Performances are welcome.

Talks are welcome.

Lookers are welcome.

Good Lookers are welcome.

Jim Patchell will not be coming this year. A pending marriage takes
priority.

More information at www.sound-photo.com

Take care,
John
www.sound-photo.com
www.antenna-farm.com