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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query patchell. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query patchell. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Jim Patchell Patchtron

DIY modular built from scratch by Jim Patchell in 1978.

Note the filter in the Mattson Mini Modular bears his name.

You can find previous posts feature Jim Patchell including more of his modular DIY here.

You can find the Jim Patchell DIY Synthesizer Web Page here.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

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.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jim Patchell's SMBC

The Synth Module Board - Cheezy Version

via Jim Patchell on the SDIY list:

"When I lost most of my eyesight, I didn't think I would ever do something like this again...but here I go again.

Back around 1999, I did this project:

http://www.noniandjim.com/Jim/smb1/smb.html

This board was huge (15" x 10"). And it was so big, building it was a real problem. (Although, back then I could see). I don't remember the component count, but it was a lot.

Well, I got the hankering to give it another try. But this time, I was going to keep it much smaller. I have got the schematic about 95% complete at this time, and after counting the pages, it came to 32. Hmmm....not exactly as minimalist as I intended. I call this one the SMBC, which stands for Synth Module Board - Cheezy.

It includes an AVR X-Mega controller which will do Midi/Sequencer/User Interface duties. Anyway, here is a very prelim schematic.

http://www.noniandjim.com/Jim/SMBCheezy/100-1059.pdf

And the webpage is at:

http://www.noniandjim.com/Jim/SMBCheezy/SMBCheese.html"

Synth Trivia: Jim Patchell worked on the Mattson Mini Modular filter featured here.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Jim Patchell DSM1

"Here is what I have in mind for the moment. This, I propose, to implement in a Xilinx XC3S1000 fpga. I am going to use a Diglent Spartan 3 Starter board with that part mounted on it. This should be able to cover all that is proposed. I will be controlling it with an Atmel ATmeaga2561 microcontroller.

I should be able to run this at 96KHz sample rate, my goal is, however, to run at 192KHz sample rate. The tough one is going to be the filter. I am currently writing the code of the low pass filter. I know that 512 of anything seems like a lot, but, that is just sort of how things break down in the Spartan 3. If it works...I don't think I will need to worry about running out of oscilators. I still need to figure out some way to get modulation into the picture, but, that I am sure will come later. I want to get the basic system down first. It would be kind of keen to be able to do FM modulation from channel to channel..."

More info on the Jim Patchell DSM1 here. Note the filter for the Mattson Mini Modular is based on a Jim Patchell design.

Friday, January 20, 2012

fonik's Jim Patchell Vocal Filter

I ran across an old thread from 2009 via fonik on electro-music.com.  I couldn't find a post here, so I thought I'd put one up.  I did get the start of it on flickr here. Below is a demo and to the left you'll find two pics, one of the front and one of the inside.  See the link above for additional details and demos.

"Recently i stumbled over Jim Patchell's Vocal Filter. i listened to the samples at his site which are amazing. these samples convinced me to want this filter. so i downloaded the gerber files and sent them to futurlec. they made this PCB for me (below). it's a huge project. i will keep you posted... "


VocalFilter 2 by fonitronik
"Klee2 Sequencer controls VCO and Vocal Filter to create a nerveous arpeggio. Some tracks added to show how it could sound in context."

via Jim Patchell's site:

"This is yet another huge project that I am working one. It was not intended to be huge, it just happened that way.

I would classify this as an advanced project. This is not for beginners. There are 479 components on the PC board (at the current count).

This filter was designed to simulate the vocal tract of a human. To do this, there are three resonant filters that will be tuned to different frequencies. To make it so that the phonems can be selected via voltage control, there are three CV shapers on the board. These will allow you to make a more or less arbitrary function to control the filter frequencies. Now, I will be the first to admit that setting the function generators up is going to be a big pain in the ass!, and to do so will require the use of a scope with X-Y display capability.

Now, as of today (7-3-2001), I have not really tried this circuit out. Now, I did another breadboard of a simpler circuit a while back (you will find it elsewhere on this website), and the results were encouraging, but, not very spetacular. And, with 479 components, I am not sure if I want to build up a bread board, and due to layoffs at the place I am working, I have imposed a spending freeze, so PC boards are out of the question. So, for right now, this project is on hold due to lack of funds. As soon as I get the PC Board layout done, I will post the gerber files, and maybe some other brave sole will give it a try."

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

PNW2008: Jim Patchell Demos the DSM1 FPGA Synthesizer


YouTube via matrixsynth.

"Jim Patchell Demos the DSM1 FPGA synthesizer at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008."

Remember to click on the pnw2008 label below for more.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Vocal Filter detail

flickr by fonik2000
full size "PCB for Jim Patchell's Vocal Filter" "The 100-1003 is now in the public domain. This filter was designed to simulate the vocal tract of a human. To do this, there are three resonant filters that will be tuned to different frequencies. To make it so that the phonems can be selected via voltage control, there are three CV shapers on the board. These will allow you to make a more or less arbitrary function to control the filter frequencies." More details on Jim Patchell's site.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Practical Electronics Sound Synthesizer and the Minisonic

There is a current thread on the SDIY list regarding who has the oldest DIY synth. You might remember Jim Patchell's 1978 DIY modular.

Geoff built the Sound Synthesizer designed by G.D. Shaw featured in Practical Electronics.

"I built the Practical Electronics Sound Synthesiser featured in the February 1973 issue of the magazine. I think it was the first DIY Synth to be published in the UK. For those who have never seen this, the designers page is here (Shaw's Corner), click on 'New Stuff v Old Hat' and scroll down to the front cover of the magazine"

From the site:
"An interest in the physics of sound meant that 1972 saw the design of a Sound Synthesiser. The prototype instrument is shown on the far left. Practical Electronics agreed to publish the design providing that it was made in modular form and equipped with a keyboard. The resulting instrument is shown on the front cover of PE for February 1973 and the series ran for a total of thirteen months."

Be sure to check out the Practical link below for more. Also check out this site.

Update via McKansas in the comments:
"Hi. I also built the 1973 Practical Electronics synth . Added the VCF that was published later. It had a sample and hold module that is still unrivalled. There were two simple but incredibly useful differential inverter/non-inverter/mixer amps. The ramp generators are very interesting eg: one ramp through the non-inverting and the other ramp output to the inverting input- this result to osc or filter. All my modules still work. This was a well thought out design. It was of course intended as a 'sound workshop' rather than a keyboard synth. The only glaring omission was the VCF. ... also had a great Ring Modulator..and voltage controlled stereo output amps."

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR SYNTH DEMO MINUET IN A MINOR


YouTube via redmartian
Update: I originally had the VIMEO version up, but it wouldn't play, so here's the YouTube one.

"This piece showed up as being by anonymous in Apollo's Banquet (1670) but is actually by Henry Purcell. A sounds/noises made by the MMM production model number one. The pictures are mostly taken from the 2007 PNW Synth DIY with the original MMM Pre-Production Prototype. Last photo is of Seattle at dusk on Saint Patrick's day."

Note this is demo number eight of the Mattson Mini Modular by Red Martian. I thought I'd put up demos one through seven for reference and a look back in time. Some of these originally went up as YouTube videos so the quality here is better. The following is in order starting with the first.

FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR 07A-0001 SYNTHESIZER from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.

"Here is the first production model Mattson Mini Modular analogue synthesizer serial number 07A-0001.

All sounds in this recording were produced on the MMM using the production run modules.

The percussion sounds were sampled and arranged on an Akai MPC-1000. The bass line was sequenced in Logic and the saw leads were recorded as performed.

The bass and lead sounds are produced using three oscillators in tune with various setting differences. The Jim Patchell filter is run with both LP and BP outputs run into stereo VCAs.

The only effect used is reverb from a t.c. electronic M-One."

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Synth-DIY Southern California - April 3, 2010


YouTube via thisfear — April 03, 2010 — "A rough drive-by shooting at the Synth-DIY analog/digital synthesizer gathering in Sante Fe Springs, CA. See the Synth-DIY mailing list and the Analogue-Heaven mailing list for more info. If you see yourself here, (a) sorry for the vid quality, (b) please make a comment so others can find you."

Update: Two pics of Jim Patchell's modular via George Mattson. Note these images are from the PNW SDIY gathering a few years ago. steelydang in the comments asked what modular it was so I thought I'd update the post with these images.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Synth DYI meeting in Santa Fe Springs


YouTube via FOCtv — April 03, 2010 — "Synth DYI meeting in Santa Fe Springs April 3, CA 2010"

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Vocal Filter PCB stuffed

flickr by fonitronik

full size

note the Jim Patchell on the PCB

click on the labels below for more

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Buchla Format Mattson Filter Demo


Published on Dec 13, 2016 legionhwp

"Buchla format 4-Pole, 24dB/Octave State Variable Filter jointly designed by Synth DIY guru Jim Patchell and George Mattson.

The filter design is based off the now-obsolete SSM 2040 filter and has simultaneous Low pass, Band pass and High pass outputs.


PS: Yes I know Buchla uses Banana cables for CV only and Tinijax for audio. That's what I meant :)"

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

From the Syntar to the MMM Phoenix

In case you missed it, click here for a letter from George Mattson on the MMM Phoenix series analog modular synth. I thought I'd pull some highlights from the letter below, but please do read the full letter. You can also find a detailed spec list for each module available for the system here, and you can find more info on the Syntar here and here.


"My name is George Mattson.
30 years ago I developed and manufactured a performance oriented analog synthesizer I called a Syntar. The synthesizer was innovative at the time, met with limited success and has recently become a topic of conversation in a variety of synthesizer forums.

Due to the growing abundance of new, analog synthesizer enthusiasts, I have been asked to return to manufacturing.

I took the core circuits of the Syntar (thus, the Phoenix Series) and designed a new format; a portable, true analog modular synthesizer specifically budgeted for the new market."
[Matrix: note the analog of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes of the Syntar.]

Some highlights on some unique modules to the system.

"Signal distribution: I do have one major design philosophy quirk. I don’t like passive multiples-period. Using a passive multiple for signal distribution degrades the signal. Using a passive multiple as a “mixer” sums the signals together and can lead to overloading the input of the destination module. I designed two new modules to replace these functions:
The 4X-1X2 buffer: Sort of a buffered “splitter”. It can take 4 different input signals and split them into two output signals for each channel. Each signal is buffered so, the signal is rejuvenated and doesn’t degrade. I took the liberty of cascading the channel outputs into the input of the next channel. So, if a signal is patched into channel 1, it is available on all 8 outputs until the chain is broken with a subsequent channel input. Then, the original signal is available on the preceding outputs while the new signal is available on all of the remaining outputs. It sounds weird but, once you’ve used it, you wonder how you were able to get by without it.

The 4X Mixer: The “other function” replacement of a passive multiple. The mixer has four inputs and actually two outputs, an inverting and a non-inverting output. I designed the mixer to be used for either audio or control voltage signals. This allows for precise adjustment of an audio mix or, a real nifty way to build complex control voltages by using multiple CV sources. In order to add a bit of excitement, my audio mixing days came back to me and I added a “punch-in” pushbutton on each channel to allow for an abrupt addition or elimination of the channel signal into or out of the mix. This is usually a subliminal function but, makes a big difference in audio or CV real-time control.

Filter: The Syntar utilized the SSM 2040 filter. They’re not available anymore at any kind of reasonable price or in guaranteed quantity. Since I had plenty to do with the rest of the system, I was able to get a custom filter designed specifically for this system kindly and graciously by Synth DIY guru Jim Patchell. He designed a 4-Pole 24dB/Octave state-variable multi-mode filter for this. That’s synth-speak for WOW. It sounds great. Thanks Jim. Way to kick a--!

Keyboard control: OK, I had to make some concessions here. Rather than designing an analog keyboard input module and trying to find and stock keyboards (they’re hard to find anymore in small quantities), I went digital and provided a MIDI-CV input module. It’s actually integrated into the power supply module, which makes this a double-wide module and isn’t available as a stand-alone module. I originally designed the system using a commercially-available MIDI-CV controller but, it had limited function, the manufacturer was hard to communicate with and they didn’t want to give me any reasonable OEM pricing. Sooooooo, I had a MIDI-CV controller designed to my specifications by Scott Rise of Division 6. This turned into one of the coolest modules. (even if it is d*g*tal) Read the module descriptions for a full description. This allows the owner to use any MIDI generating keyboard they desire, or any MIDI generating sequencer control. Mmmm- 16 systems, each utilizing a different MIDI channel. Yes, it blows the “Basic and inexpensive” philosophy out the door. But, it was actually less expensive to design and manufacture than pay the “not-so-OEM” pricing offer’s I was quoted for something less versatile. We all win. I’m negotiating with Scott (a nicer way of saying “convincing”) to produce versions of this in other formats or stand-alone units and allow me to offer them for sale on the web site." [Read this thread for more]. via Scott in that thread: "The rumors are true; I will be coming out with a standalone version of the MIDI-CV converter. As far as an exact time frame, I'm not entirely sure yet. I need to get through the MMM launch stuff first.

I also want to get some input from people like you who might possibly have a need for such a converter or are already using one. What would you like to see it do? Now is your chance to help shape it and make it useful. The initial version is going to be based on the one I designed for the MMM but some things will need to be different. For example, should the mod wheel continue to drive a separate 0-5v output or should it modulate the main CV? Does it need an S-Trig output?

Later down the road I will be making a multi-out version that has even more features, so even if your suggestions don't make it in this version they would probably make it into the next one."

click here for the full letter. click here for the modules. click here for the main site.
And don't miss the forums.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

SDIY Assorted random project ideas

See http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/ems11/projectideas_sp11.html. I mirrored this below for the archives as it's on an edu site and they have been known to disappear after interest is gone. There are some interesting details on various synth designs including the Rhodes Chroma VCO, Yamaha CS-80 filter, Roland Jupiter-6 filter, Korg MS-20 sytle VCO, Buchla 148, Tau 1005 Utility VCO, Korg Delta, and more.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

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.

Friday, September 21, 2007

5th annual Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting

"The 5th annual Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting will be:

September 29th
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Renton Technical College
Building C, The Technology Resource Center Room 111 3000 NE 4th St Renton, WA 98056

Late breaking news: The Mattson Mini Modular will be unveiled at this meeting. Yes, the happily married Jim Patchell will be present.

More information about the meeting is available at www.sound-photo.com. Unfortunately I have not updated the site from last year. Lazy or busy. The room has changed 111 which is the larger room next door.

I know that someone wants to carpool from Vancouver Island. It is probably okay to make one solicitation on these lists. In the past people have carpooled from Portland.

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

Note: This will be the first public appearance of the Mattson Mini Modular, so if you want to see it and you are in the area, please come. If you have a synth to bring, feel free to bring it as well.

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Makers at PNW2008


Some of the makers at this years PNW 2008. If I missed anyone, please let me know. In order:

flight of flight of harmony

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Vocal Filter 17

flickr by fonitronik
(click for more)

Jim Patchell Vocal Filter by fonitronik

full size

www.fonitronik.de

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR 07A-0001 SYNTHESIZER


FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR 07A-0001 SYNTHESIZER from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.


"Here is the first production model Mattson Mini Modular analogue synthesizer serial number 07A-0001.
All sounds in this recording were produced on the MMM using the production run modules.
The percussion sounds were sampled and arranged on an Akai MPC-1000. The bass line was sequenced in Logic and the saw leads were recorded as performed.
The bass and lead sounds are produced using three oscillators in tune with various setting differences. The Jim Patchell filter is run with both LP and BP outputs run into stereo VCAs.
The only effect used is reverb from a t.c. electronic M-One."
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