More Updates!

 In response to some other interest in Steiner synthesizer gear, specifically the Microcon, I've added some clarification to the Microcon page regarding the DAMP switch and wiring. Please visit http://analoguerealities.com/projects/steiner-microcon/ for the details. Nothing too dramatic but I think there has been some confusion on this switch. Nyle found an error on the schematic regarding the wiring of the DAMP switch which was built into the Rev 1.2 PCBs. The fix is just swapping a couple of the wires on one side of the switch. The Rev 1.3 PCBs corrected this error and can be built as shown in the 1.3 schematic. I hope this helps.

Updates!

I updated the Moog 914 FFB project pages. I corrected some issues on both the GIC and inductor versions, nothing major. It's a simple removal and/or replacement of a few components. I also re-designed the layout of the inductor PCBs to accommodate inductors from CineMag. These are excellent inductors and are the same ones supplied to Moog for their re-issued 914 and 907 FFBs as part of their modular system resurrection. Please go to the website, analoguerealities.com, and click through to the 914 project. Contact me if you have questions.

I also added some new photos to my studio page, enjoy!

I thought I should add some kind of update to confirm that I am still here and going strong. I really need to get some videos together because I think I have some very interesting gear that should be seen and heard and compared. A good example is delay modules. I ma fascinated by these effects. I have a Blacet Time Module, Doepfer analog delay, two Moog Mooger Fooger delays, a TipTop Audio Z-DSP, and a T-Rex Replicator tape delay and I just ordered an Oakley ADR30 analog delay kit using the venerable MN3005 BBD chip.

I have also added some gear of late including a T-Rex Replicator tape delay, DFAM, Erica Synths Graphic VCO, and other gear. I also finished my restoration of a Moog 1150 Ribbon controller and am negotiating the purchase of a restored Moog 1125 Sample & Hold.

I'm most excited about an order for some modules by Synth-Werk! Gerhard has put together some amazing Moog clone modules following the original schematics, adapted to a "Dot Com" power connector for ease and compatibility, but still able to be used in vintage and the newly reissued Moog modulars! Really brilliant. He will even add S-Trigger connectors to those modules that use triggers for complete compatibility with vintage gear. I ordered a 921ABBB module set to augment the 921A and two 921Bs in my Moog Model 15. I also added a VCA, EG, HP Filter, Dual Trigger Delay, and Envelope  Follower, with S-Trigger connectors where appropriate. I also bought an "extra" 921B which I want to put in the Model 15 so I have three 921Bs instead of just two. I'll probably put the Moog Attenuators module in the expansion cabinet to make room for the third 921B. I have a second Dot Com Q960 sequencer with Sequential Switch, Sequencer Interface, and Quantizer that I will install with the Synth-Werk modules in two expansion cabinets, again from Dot Com; an "8 Space" and a "16 Space" cabinet that will sit nicely beside the Model 15. I can't wait to get it together and fire it up.

There are also other projects and gear going on in my shop/studio that I just find fascinating and would like to highlight and share on my YouTube Channel. I have a nice collection of HP calculators with and without modifications. I have acquired some very useful test gear, I love oscilloscopes, and other things. Bottom line, I'd like to share some of this, so I hope some decent videos will be forthcoming... stay tuned.

PCBs are here

I received my large order of PCBs today. As soon as I can unpack and make sure they're right, I'll update the website www.analoguerealities.com, with the new inventory.

David

Nyle came by today, which is always a treat. The occasion was there is a documentary being made about him and his life. Part of that life crossed mine and so I got to be a small part, too. When the documentary is finished, I'll post a link if it's allowed. It was a lot of fun. Nyle played his EVI hooked into my Synthasystem. Then, Nyle (and I) played around with it having fun (mostly Nyle tweaking the knobs). The photo on top is just a sort of long shot while the crew was setting up lights. The one at the bottom is Nyle himself in front of my Synthasystem.

New Web Site and Web Log

My new site is running on about 1 of 8 cylinders, but it is useable. The old web site is officially closed down and the new one Analogue Realities is taking over the duties. It's also a Web Log, so I will be making most updates there, but posting links here so those who follow this blog will get the news.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Audio for 914 comparison

Here is audio comparing my 914 to Yves Usson's design. I compared the inductor version. There are a couple of things to remember:

1. Yves uses two cascaded filter cells, each one having the same cutoff frequency but different "Q". Mine has two cascaded filter cells as well but also follows the Moog where the first cell's cutoff is a little lower than the second cell's cutoff. The "Q" of the second cell is essentially fixed with a resistor and the trimmer on the input to the first cell is adjusted to change the overall "Q" to get a "Q" of 3.7 (per Yves' research) which seems consistent with the component values on the Moog schematics (although there are a couple of errors on those schematics, no surprise). One glaring is a missing resistor on the second cell which sets the "Q". Somehow, Jurgen missed this. I caught it when I was unable to get a close visual match to the Moog frequency response curves so I did a detailed study of the only photographs I could find of the Moog 914 and worked through the math.
2. The Moog has a fixed high pass filter with an effective cutoff of about 60Hz (if memory serves me) between the summing node of the filter cells and the input to the output amplifier. The 907 did not have this and I don't think Yves included this on his 914, but I could be wrong. Jurgen included it on his 914. This affects the low pass cell response.
3. Yves changed the 700Hz cell to a center frequency of 750Hz.
4. I think the actual cutoff frequencies for the HP and LP cells are a bit different in my 914 as opposed to Yves.

In the audio, my 914 is in the left channel and Yves' is in the right. There is some kind of funky echo or ray gun sound at the beginning of the audio. I have no clue what artifact it is. I recorded the two using a Tascam DP-24. The output of each filter was fed directly into the DP-24 with no additional EQ, or other modification. I'm driving the filters with the same sawtooth from a Steiner Type "A" VCO whose frequency is driven by a sine wave from a Steiner Type "B" VCO. The resulting audio files were mixed down to a stereo track using the DP-24 then uploaded here.

I start with all cells and let you hear the YU 914 alone, then mine. I then take out each cell one at a time HF down. I then compare each cell one at a time. I end by adding all the cells back in and then letting each filter play on its own again, YU first then mine. Saw tooth with frequency swept by a sine wave.

The most exciting 4 minutes of synthesizer sounds you will ever hear! :)

Here is a link to the uncompressed audio. It's 40 MBytes.

AR 914 v. YUSynth 914