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Post by rodney on Jun 16, 2019 15:53:18 GMT
HI all,
First up, I'll say that I have only just ordered my first AE modular so the following is yet to be tested.
Although, strictly speaking, the Korg SQ-1 sequencer is not a patchwire thing, this seems the best place for this post.
The SQ-1 has an extra jack output for controlling the LittleBits synth modules (whose filter and oscillator are designed in collaboration with Korg littlebits.com/products/synth-kit).
So ... it should be fine to feed it straight into/out-of an AE patchwire connector.
Although safe, there are some weird things:
I found this link useful. The guy even gets out the oscilloscope for us.
In a nutshell,
"...Normal CV sequencers and stored voltage modules will send a direct current for each step, maintaining that voltage until the next step is triggered. LittleBits attempt to include both CV and Gate in each step, rising to the stored step voltage when triggered, but then dropping back to 0 Volts when the Gate would normally switch off. While the Duty knob controls Gate length from the A and B Gate outputs, it also sets the length of the high period of each step from the LittleBits Out, which returns to 0 Volts when the Gate goes low. This method of using the rising voltages as a gate on is not necessarily new, but certainly generates unique results when routed to an oscillator. ..."
I'll check this out as soon as my AE goodies arrive and report back. I'll also work to get AE and LittleBits talking to each other to see what happens. 
cheers,
Rod.
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Post by rockysmalls on Jun 17, 2019 12:40:03 GMT
HI all,
First up, I'll say that I have only just ordered my first AE modular so the following is yet to be tested.
Although, strictly speaking, the Korg SQ-1 sequencer is not a patchwire thing, this seems the best place for this post.
The SQ-1 has an extra jack output for controlling the LittleBits synth modules (whose filter and oscillator are designed in collaboration with Korg littlebits.com/products/synth-kit).
So ... it should be fine to feed it straight into/out-of an AE patchwire connector.
Although safe, there are some weird things:
I found this link useful. The guy even gets out the oscilloscope for us.
In a nutshell,
"...Normal CV sequencers and stored voltage modules will send a direct current for each step, maintaining that voltage until the next step is triggered. LittleBits attempt to include both CV and Gate in each step, rising to the stored step voltage when triggered, but then dropping back to 0 Volts when the Gate would normally switch off. While the Duty knob controls Gate length from the A and B Gate outputs, it also sets the length of the high period of each step from the LittleBits Out, which returns to 0 Volts when the Gate goes low. This method of using the rising voltages as a gate on is not necessarily new, but certainly generates unique results when routed to an oscillator. ..."
I'll check this out as soon as my AE goodies arrive and report back. I'll also work to get AE and LittleBits talking to each other to see what happens.
cheers,
Rod.
yes, I think the normal CV output is also switchable to 1v, 2v, 5v or 8volt.. so that one could be used as a ‘normal’ cv alongside the weird shaped LittleBits cv output.. the sync output is also 5v and you can put up to 20volts into the sync input so that should be safe. the gate output though is 10volts!? ,, beware!! probably stick some tape over that one if yr using it with the Ae. and just adapt the littlebits output to gating duties (if thats possible?) |
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Post by admin on Jun 17, 2019 12:59:25 GMT
You can easily connect the normal CV and Gate outputs of the SQ-1 to either the IO ports on the Master module or to the 4I/O module. I’ve demonstrated this in my video:
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Post by rockysmalls on Jun 18, 2019 11:28:59 GMT
You can easily connect the normal CV and Gate outputs of the SQ-1 to either the IO ports on the Master module or to the 4I/O module. I’ve demonstrated this in my video: ah! so the 10v gate output is aok if put through the AE rectified inputs? Carsten maybe you can answer a question for me,, is there a difference between the circuitry/buffers etc of the master module audio in/outs and the Control in/outputs? . clearly they are switchable on the 4I/O module but I originally was thinking that the master inouts were maybe all the same circuitrywise and you could ( in theory ) plug 4 mono audio signals in via these sockets? |
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Post by admin on Jun 18, 2019 11:54:55 GMT
ah! so the 10v gate output is aok if put through the AE rectified inputs? Carsten maybe you can answer a question for me,, is there a difference between the circuitry/buffers etc of the master module audio in/outs and the Control in/outputs? . clearly they are switchable on the 4I/O module but I originally was thinking that the master inouts were maybe all the same circuitrywise and you could ( in theory ) plug 4 mono audio signals in via these sockets? Yes the master and 4I/O modules can handle 10V via the 3.5mm jacks without problems. They are made to connect with Eurorack which is -12V to +12V. I don't know what the circuits are in the modules, but if they are similar to the AUDIO/DC behaviour on the updated 2VCA module then this may give a clue as to the difference: www.tangiblewaves.com/store/p11/2VCA_.html"A switch determines the operation mode (DC/CV or audio), choosing the right position can reduce/avoid pop's with short attack envelopes." So I guess you could put audio into CV and CV into audio, but you may lose some quality either way. |
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Post by rockysmalls on Jun 18, 2019 13:48:07 GMT
ah! so the 10v gate output is aok if put through the AE rectified inputs? Carsten maybe you can answer a question for me,, is there a difference between the circuitry/buffers etc of the master module audio in/outs and the Control in/outputs? . clearly they are switchable on the 4I/O module but I originally was thinking that the master inouts were maybe all the same circuitrywise and you could ( in theory ) plug 4 mono audio signals in via these sockets? Yes the master and 4I/O modules can handle 10V via the 3.5mm jacks without problems. They are made to connect with Eurorack which is -12V to +12V. I don't know what the circuits are in the modules, but if they are similar to the AUDIO/DC behaviour on the updated 2VCA module then this may give a clue as to the difference: www.tangiblewaves.com/store/p11/2VCA_.html"A switch determines the operation mode (DC/CV or audio), choosing the right position can reduce/avoid pop's with short attack envelopes." So I guess you could put audio into CV and CV into audio, but you may lose some quality either way. thanks mr C.. i will try it and see if it effects audio quality at all. |
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Post by rodney on Jun 21, 2019 22:24:46 GMT
Maybe, while I'm waiting for the superbooth effect to die down, and for Robert and his elves to wade through the pile of orders, I will start building a quasi module to hold my favourite LittleBits synth modules so they have power and some AE compatible sockets for patching straight in. I was thinking to do this anyway because, although the LittleBits magnetic connectors are fun, you can't patch live that way because you are also patching the power connector and making big *WHUMP* through the speakers each time you change something. I also have a NovaDrone, which is, I think, 0-12v so I'll have to make sure it doesn't send bad stuff across. Although the Master Module looks after everything well, Id like to make a 'voltage nanny' that can scale voltages up an down appropriately but brutally limit it to 5v no matter what else is going on. I'm also thinking that a module that scales line and mic level signals to and from 0-5v would allow me to draft my collection of unused guitar stomp boxes back into service of the greater noise. Prototyping these will help distract me while I crouch by the door, trembling with excitement whenever a courier van comes by ... |
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Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556 
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Post by Lugia on Jun 22, 2019 1:04:12 GMT
Actually, the voltage/polarity limiting is the big draw for the Soundmachines Nanobridge. When it's properly supplied with a ground and +5, its "protected" points clamp to that specific range: 0 to +5V. This makes it super-useful for AE purposes, as it can "safe" incoming signals from Eurorack, etc external sources. It's also nice to have 14 points of 3.5mm - pinpatch conversion onboard...and nice in that it fits into the AE pricing scheme at a measly 31 EUR. See here: www.sound-machines.it/product/ns1nanobridge/ |
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Post by spacedog on Jun 22, 2019 11:08:04 GMT
I have what is likely an obvious question. Does the NanoBridge clamp and scale the voltage down to 0-5V...? Or does it just clamp (i.e. hard limit) the voltage to 0-5V...?
If it clamps and scales, that's the most useful and provides both the safety needed and also allows the modulation waveform to be maintained (i.e. doesn't just cut the top off for anything over 5V).
If it just clamps, then (to me) I would potentially be losing the modulation waveform unless I was either careful to limit the waveform or I scaled it myself. This would require me to have visual knowledge of the waveform abd comes back to the concept of a small 'scope module.
Of course, ultimately, the clamping provides peace of mind that no matter how crazy you go with the modulation, you won't damage your synth, although the AE Modular itself seems content to clamp +ve volatages. I am not so sure how it would handle -ve voltages though...?
Ultimately, if you want that peace of mind, it looks like a decent investment for about 30 euro. I just need to find one in the UK.
EDIT:
Looking up the definition of clamping, I see that it fixes the max/min of the signal by shifting the DC value. A clipper prevents a signal from exceeding a maximum (and minimum). Voltage scaling converts a the max to min values of a signal to a different max to min value. So, where I was describing clamping, it would really be clipping, I think.
My point is really about knowing what process the NanoBridge performs - clipping, clamping or voltage scaling - or a clever combination of two of of those.
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