[Documentation] Recycler - Electric Druid LOOPING VCADSR

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:03 pm

Update 16th April 2012.

Tom at Electric Druid now has LoopEnv PICs in stock, so I'm opening up orders for this project. I'll be ordering 30 x LoopEnv PICs, so there will be 30 bundles available in this run.

Each bundle contains the basics that you need to build the 10 knob version:

- Main PCB
- CV PCB
- LoopEnv PIC
- 20MHz crystal
- 5 x 50k trimmers

....which is Ã‚Â£30 GBP including shipping. Paypal GIFT to:

rickholt22 AT hotmail DOT com

14HP 'Recycler' front panel for 10 knob version is Ã‚Â£15.

Please include your forum name as well as your full address in your payment, together with exactly what you're ordering, helps me keep track...

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(Original opening post, for posterity)

I'm planning to do a similar project for the Electric Druid VCADSR as I'm doing for the VCLFO. Here's the Website page:

http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php? ... ts.envgen7

...and the data sheet:

http://www.electricdruid.net/datasheets ... asheet.pdf

As Electric Druid's aim was a clone of the CEM 3312 and SSM 2056 voltage-controlled envelope generator chips, which went into programmable polysynths, every feature is voltage controllable. It would seem a shame not to implement every feature, so here's the options:
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'Lite' version (7 or 8 HP):

Single PCB
Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release pots
Gate input
Time input (though no attenuator, socket would be normalled to max)
ADSR output
...then, either lin/exp switch or inverted output or trigger input or level input? Which?
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'Medium' version (14HP), everything the 'Lite' version has, plus:

Second PCB for CV inputs
Trigger input
Level input (though no attenuator, socket would be normalled to max)
Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release inputs (though no attenuator, socket would be normalled to max)
Inverted ouput
Lin/Exp switch
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'Heavy' version (21HP), everything the 'Medium verion has, plus:

Attenuators for Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release, Time and Level CV inputs
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I'm kinda just thinking out loud......I guess I could do a Main PCB and a CV PCB so folks could build any of the three versions outlined, and choose their own features.

Anyways, I just ordered 30 x TAPLFO2 PICs for Tom (Electric Druid), and I've asked him to throw in a coulpe of VCADSR PICs too, so I'll work my way through it all, which will probably mean building a few different versions anyway. Any thoughts on my musings fellow wigglers?

widdly · Post by **widdly** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:54 pm

I like the idea of two pcbs, similar to how the envelopes work on the e-mu modular. Maybe you could use a bus for the CV inputs so one CV input board could be connected to more than one ADSR board.

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:03 pm

Ok, I've done a prototype PCB for this. I've added an emitter follower in front of the gate input to protect from overvoltage - it can also be triggered by touching your finger to the tip of the cable - nice! Just like my VCLFO project it can be built as a simple VCADSR with voltage control over global time, or as a complex VCADSR with voltage control over A, D, S and R as well as global time. I've just tested the simple version - works beautifully well, global control over time is a superb feature.

I've been talking to Tom (the Electric Druid himself) about implementing a recycle mode. Could be either a switch (easier to code) or a socket to be fed back into the gate input (harder to code). We'lll see what he comes up with. I think I've 'future-proofed' the PCB, so hopefully whatever the recycle mode ends up being can be implemented with this PCB. Hopefully the recycle mode will be finalised before I do a run of these.

So, I gotta get this 'Lite' version panelled up, then build the 'Heavy' version.

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:03 pm

Finished the panel for my Lite version. I added a little piece of perf for the time CV attenuator and initial amount pots. The sockets that look like multiples are..........multiples.

neilbaldwin · Post by **neilbaldwin** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:12 pm

At this rate you'll beat ADSRjr to the market

Definitely in need of some proper CV-able ADSRs.

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:26 am

Ok! Tom has developed a new version of the VCADSR PIC (VCADSR8B). It does this:

Mode 1: VCADSR
Mode 2: Gated looping mode - loops only when gate input is high
Mode 3: Looping mode - loops independently, ie it's now a VCLFO

I've implemented the new modes on my prototype and will shortly be making a new module implementing full voltage control of all features, which will also have an additional bipolar output to use the looping modes as a full featured VCLFO. This is a fucking sexy module!

neilbaldwin · Post by **neilbaldwin** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:47 am

Edit for clarity: are you going to be selling the PCB and the ICs as a package?

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:06 am

Yes, if there is enough interest. ATM it's just me and you and the tumbleweeds....

Anyone else interested?

neilbaldwin · Post by **neilbaldwin** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:19 am

:(

That's a shame - this looks like an awesome ADSR, pretty much exactly what I've been looking for for a while since I got rid of my Doepfer VCADSR ages ago.

regenbot · Post by **regenbot** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:23 am

I'm interested yes.

samuraipizzacat29 · Post by **samuraipizzacat29** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:10 am

i'd give her a go. not interested in the extra attenuators at extra hp though (but I guess that's up to me, isn't it?

)

synthnut · Post by **synthnut** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:22 am

This sounds like a nice module!
I think I "need" some of these by the sound of it

But wow, who would have thought the Tumbleweeds would be into modular DIY! Cool...
[video][/video]

(Sorry!)

TTFN

Ben
www.resynthesis.co.uk
www.bigbluewave.co.uk

HueMonContact · Post by **HueMonContact** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:01 am

This sounds awesome! I would be interested in 2 depending on price.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:26 am

Does it loop the full envelope? Since someone brought up the ADSRjr, I remember reading something in that thread about the loop mode only being able to use AD or something like that. Full envelop loop would be very nice.

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:08 pm

Rod Serling Fan Club wrote:Does it loop the full envelope? Since someone brought up the ADSRjr, I remember reading something in that thread about the loop mode only being able to use AD or something like that. Full envelop loop would be very nice.

Interesting question. Well, as the Sustain in an ADSR is 'how long you hold the key down' it's kinda not so relevant here. But the Sustain level does have a very significant effect on the behaviour......there are three 'flavours':

1. Sustain set to zero - cycles through the Attack and Decay only, the Release then sets the 'off time' - very cool.

2. Sustain set higher than zero but lower than maximum - cycles through Attack and Decay until the Decay reaches the Sustain level, then it goes into Release. There are some superb weird waveforms to be had here.

3. Sustain set to maximum - cycles though Attack and Release only. Decay sets the 'on time' ie how long it holds high after Attack but before Release.

...and as there are CV inputs available for A, D, S and R...........well just using the Sustain CV input allows you to move between 'flavours' with some incredibly complex waveforms.

Oh, and did I mention that in VCLFO mode it will go up to 310Hz (about Eb above middle C) ?

lysander · Post by **lysander** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:18 pm

Count me in for this one ! Looking forward to it

spotta · Post by **spotta** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:48 pm

Hi Rick

Put me down for one thanks

emdot_ambient · Post by **emdot_ambient** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:44 pm

I'd be interested in PCBs and chips but don't know how many until I know price.

Rod Serling Fan Club · Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:10 pm

I do need an adsr or two for my "traditional system". I'm trying to buy less new PCBs but I have no ADSRs. If the price is right I'd probably grap a couple.

frequencycentral · Post by **frequencycentral** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 1:09 pm

Tom just got his verification order of new LoopEnv1 (the chip formerly known as VCADSR8B) chips - this is the chip used in Recycler. Once some testing is done he'll be stocking them in numbers. I'm hoping to finish of my bigmutha version of Recycler tonight, so we should be set for a run of these soon....

haima · Post by **haima** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:36 pm

this looks pretty cool - i'd be down for a pcb/chip or two...

bensaddiction · Post by **bensaddiction** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:28 am

sweet! I'm game

marvkaye · Post by **marvkaye** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:38 am

count me in for a couple PCB/chip combos as well.

Naturebot · Post by **Naturebot** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:58 am

Me Too times two

bleeps · Post by **bleeps** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:28 am

1 or 2 here pending price. Sounds great!

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

[Documentation] Recycler - Electric Druid LOOPING VCADSR

[Documentation] Recycler - Electric Druid LOOPING VCADSR

"Recycler" - Electric Druid LOOPING VCADSR - NEU!