Hinton Instruments Gearbox

Hinton Instruments was quite an unknown name for me up until now, but they have been releasing a few highly interesting modules lately.
The Gearbox is one of them.

Hinton Instruments Gearbox. Basic version on the left,
full version with DIN panel on the right

This module was developed in response to a request on the Muffwiggler forum.
( The full thread discussion may be read here )

The Gearbox is a compact module that converts and locks analogue, MIDI and DINSync timing clocks together.
Any one source may be master and the other two follow in synchronisation.

The Gearbox module is available in two versions: a basic 8HP module with a single 5-pin DIN socket that may be used as one input or output or a full version with manual transport control switches and a separate 6HP panel containing four DIN I/O connectors.

Main Features:
- Four analogue inputs: Clock, Pause, Start and Stop
- Five analogue clock pulse outputs, 5V or 10V levels set by links:
- Reset, ÷6, ÷8, ÷12, ÷24 clocks
- Manual illuminated switches: Start and Stop/Cont
- MIDI In and Out
- DIN-Sync In and Out
- 8HP width with mini-jack (EJ), Banana 4mm (EB) or Bantam/TT 4.4mm (ET) jacks
- 120mm deep.
- 6HP width panel for DIN connectors, may be placed away from main panel.

Any analogue signals may be used as inputs enabling slow rising waveforms to be used as jitter free controls.
MIDI and DINSync sequencers and drum machines and DAWs may be controlled by analogue signals and vice versa.
Analogue sequencers may be driven by MIDI or DINSync clocks and commands.

Because all timing is divided down rather than multiplied up there is no sloppy timing with tempo changes.

 More details and specifications at http://hinton-instruments.co.uk/paprod/modular/gearbox/specifications.htm

More A-190-4 News

I contacted Dieter Doepfer about the A-190-4 USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate/ Sync Interface that showed up at a modular synthesizer workshop in Munich earlier this month...
They showed a prototype of a module that wasn't announced yet, and i was glad Dieter had a bit more information.

A-190-4 prototype

He replied to me that the A-190-4 will replace the A-190-1 as the A-190-1 has been developed more than 15 years ago and is a bit old-fashioned and long-winded to operate.

Mainly the missing display has been complained by several customers (i.e. no display of the parameter like midi channel, reference note, scale settings, portamento and pitch-bend range, clock divider, status of the built-in (software) LFO and so on). 

The basic functions of the A-190-4 will be the same as the A-190-1 but the man-machine interface will be better because of the display that shows the parameter value. It will also be equipped with USB. 

The module is still in the prototype state and they expect that it will be available end of 2013 or early in 2014. 

Pricing was not yet available.

At this time Doepfer could not promise that an arpeggiator will be included. 

The programmer of the A-190-4 (Christian Assall) has to decide if this feature will be available (maybe in a future firmware version as the module can be updated via USB)

I guess it does have a little bit more processing power than the original A-190-1, because the 'promised' arpeggiator function on that module never got released.
Last year Dieter already explained to me that there were plans to add an arpeggiator when the A-190-1 was designed about 15 years ago. 

But they found out later that the processor power was not sufficient to add this feature...

New Doepfer Announcements

Doepfer released preliminary information about two new modules.

The A-190-8 is a MIDI/USB to Sync interface.
Basically this module divides the incoming MIDI or USB clock messages into smaller steps.
You could see it as a modular version of the MSY2 MIDI-to-SYNC Converter that was announced in December last year, but with multiple simultaneous outputs and added USB support.
Funny that i already posted my idea for a module like this in late 2010 (Read that blogpost HERE)

A-190-8 Prototype 1

The main application of the module is the control of clocked A-100 modules like sequencers, sequencer controllers, trigger divider, trigger sequencer and similar units, but also to trigger/reset LFO's, envelope generators and more.

The A-190-8 will have 10 available outputs which are not yet fixed. 

Preliminary info can be found HERE, and if the users think other combinations of clocks or start/stop/reset outputs would be better, Doepfer can change that because the outputs are generated by the firmware of the processor.

Read some of the user suggestions at the Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup.

Doepfer left out the usual DIN SYNC socket because to create that you only need clock and start/stop on two pins of the DIN socket. 

If there are sufficient inquiries Doepfer may offer a special cable with two 3.5 jack plugs on one side and a DIN plug on the other. 

(For example to synchronize a TB-303)

A-180 Multiples and
a 2 HP blindplate,
the size of
the new A-180-2

For early in 2013 also a slim version of the A-180 Multiples module is planned.

This will be called A-180-2 and will be half the size of a regular A-180.

Because of the only 2 HP width nuts cannot be used to mount the pc board by means of the socket nuts at the front panel. 

Instead of that the PC board is mounted by screws and spacers at the front panel.(pic)

Personally i don't think i want one of those in my system because of how a nut-less module looks, but i can imagine there are people who applaud space-saving modules like this.

There were also a few other announcements/updates:
In December the A-192-2 (Dual CV/Gate-to-USB/Midi interface) will be available and even the hardware of the Polyphonic CV/Gate interface A-190-5 is ready.
"Christian (Assall) is about to program the firmware. But it takes longer than expected  and so the A-190-5 will be available early in 2013."

Special thanks to Bakis Sirros in the Doepfer Usergroup for sharing parts of this info.
Bakis can be found via multiple ways, support him and his band(s) to help the Greece economy a bit:

www.parallel-worlds-music.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Parallel-Worlds/192093934136476
www.myspace.com/interconnectedmusic
www.myspace.com/memorygeist
www.DiN.org.uk
www.vu-us.com

Doepfer MSY-1

MIDI-to-SYNC interface MSY1 

In 1994 Doepfer released a MIDI-to-SYNC interface called MSY1
The MSY1 was an interface that could convert MIDI realtime events CLOCK, START and STOP into the corresponding signals CLOCK and START/STOP of the SYNC standard.

The MSY1 was a nice little grey box, with only a few connections (MIDI in-Thru, SYNC out, Clock Out and Start/Stop out) and it had two LEDs that lit up when active.
It did not have a built-in power supply or an on/off switch, instead it used a simple plug-in type external power supply.

The SYNC standard (or DIN sync or sync24) was used in vintage drum computers or sequencers such as the Roland TR808 rhythm composer and the Roland TB303 bass line.

SYNC-START/STOP is a signal that indicates on the 2 possible states: START = +5V, STOP = 0V. MSY1 enables the 1:1 conversion of MIDI CLOCK to SYNC CLOCK i.e. 1 MIDI clock triggers 1 SYNC clock pulse, as well as the reduction of the tempo by dividing the incoming MIDI clock frequency by an integer factor.

SYNC-CLOCK is a periodic TTL signal (0/+5V) representing the tempo.

Inside the MSY-1 you find a 8 pole DIP switch or 8 jumpers depending upon to the type of MSY1.

With jumper 1-7 the dividing factor can be set to any value between 1 and 128.

1 corresponds to the 1:1 conversion, 128 is the maximum of frequency reduction, i.e. after 128 MIDI clocks 1 SYNC clock appears.

The last one of the 8 switches/jumpers changes the clock polarity.

The SYNC standard uses the same type of 5 pole 180ø DIN connectors as MIDI. 

But the standards do not fit as other pins are used and the signals are completely different!
So you always have to distinguish between the MIDI and SYNC connectors. 

Using a suitable cable (e.g. 5 pin DIN plug -> two 1/4" mono jack plugs) the CLOCK and/or START/STOP outputs of the MSY1 can also be used to control arpeggio, gate, trigger or other +5V/TTL controlled events of analog synthesizers via MIDI.

Find the MSY-1 manual HERE (txt)

Most wanted III - DIN Sync

The DIN Sync (or Sync24) standard, was introduced by Roland in the 80's for synchronizing sequencers, drummachines and (synth-) arpeggiators. The name Sync24 is derived from the frequency of the pulses, 24 pulses per quarter note (PPQN). A clock signal  of 2.51 V, at 24PPQN, defines the speed of the sequence or drum pattern. The start/stop signal defines if the sequence is running and has a voltage of 0 or +5 Volts. A lot of Roland's products were using this standard at the time, so some have sync-in, -out, or switchable sockets.

After the wide adaptation of the MIDI standard, the DIN sockets started to dissapear from most instruments. Syncing instruments via MIDI is now handled by the MIDI Beat Clock at a same 24 PPQN rate.

The SYNC plugs look the same as MIDI plugs ( DIN-standard, round with 5 pins ) ,but the pins have a different configuration as the MIDI plugs. The Din Sync standard can only handle clock signals (for tempo) and start/stop signal, so it sends no pitch-control. More info on Doepfer's SYNC FAQ page.

I know the DIN-Sync standard is now close to death. Only a few 'modern' drum-machines still have a SYNC In or Out, like for example the Novation Drumstation that i own.

The idea of a A-100 SYNC converter module doesn't sound bad in my opinion, perhaps a kind (extended) modular version of  MSY2 MIDI-to-SYNC Converter that Doepfer sells? ( A-190-X maybe? )

If i might suggest some extra features, why not add a 16 (or more) trigger outputs (A-160/A161-style) , SYNC-in possibility, reset output(s) and switches on the front for choosing dividing factors.

That, together with a set of MIDI In and Thru, or an internal link possibility  to the A-190, would make an awesome (and not too expensive) module that for example could be used for percussive effects like triggering drumsounds in Sync with your old equipment.

Volts per Octave

The Volts-per-Octave standard luckily turned out to be a quite good one.
A lot of (early) synthesizers manufacturers adapted this standard, 'invented' and popularized by Bob Moog.

Best known manufacturers of early products using the 1V/Oct standard are Roland, Moog, Sequential Circuits, Oberheim and ARP. The big benefit of standards like these is inter-compatibility between products of different manufacturers. It allowes them to communicate better.

The V/Oct standard was wider adapted as other standards, like for example Yamaha and Korg's Hertz-per-Volt standard, that  represented an octave of pitch by doubling the voltage. 
A few synths that use the Hz/V standard are:
Korg: 770, 900-PS Preset, M-500 Micro Preset, M-500SP Micro Preset, Mini Korg, MS-10, MS-20, MS-50, Synthe-Bass, X-911
Yamaha: CS5, CS10, CS15, CS15D, CS20M, CS30
Moog: Taurus I Bass Pedals
Paia: 2720, 4700 Series

The Hz/V standard was used before the log converter was used in VCO's and is essentially linear control as can be found on various signal generators and function generators like those used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop before they got a VCS3*. There are/were solutions available that convert from  Hz/Volt to V/Oct and vice-versa.  ( like the Korg MS-02 ).

No wonder that the A-100 system uses the V/Oct. standard. You can easily synchronize your system with almost any (old) machine that you have lying around, and most MIDI-to-CV converters use the same standard too.

For example i love using the CV (and Gate) output of my Roland TB-303 to control my A-100 system. The signal arrives at my system via a  A-180 2x4 multiple, so i have 3 copies of both signals available at any time.
Sometimes i use the CV slightly detuned for an interesting effect, sometimes i put it through a voltage inverter first, something that doesn't work out with all your 303-lines because of tuning.

The Gate output (trigger) of the TB-303 can be sent through a delay for some more interesting echo-like effects.
There are so many possibilities for your other gear to communicate with your A-100 with the 1 V/Oct standard... just go ahead and try... and amaze yourself.

*thanks to Tony Steventon for additional info

Doepfer MAQ16/3 and Doepfer A-100 - A Dynamic Duo

If i could only advice one external controller for the Doepfer A-100 system it would definitely be the Doepfer MAQ16/3 MIDI/Analog Sequencer.

This versatile sequencer has 3 rows of 16 knobs, and outputs a CV (for pitch) and a Gate (trigger) signal for each row. It also has a MIDI input for synchronizing, and a MIDI output to connect any sound generating MIDI device.

The ease of use of this sequencer is incredible, in just a few minutes you have different (bass-) lines wobbling through each-other...

Different running modes are available for each row, such as Forward/ Backward/ Random/ Pendulum and many more, so the possibillities are almost limitless. Other parameters that can be altered in the sequencer are First/Last step, Gate time, Tempo, and almost any other MIDI event type.

My only personal negative point that i would like to mention is the limit of 30 sequence memory spaces, way too little in my opinion, and i know it is more than what sequencers could store long time ago, but hey... can't this be upgraded to 99 memories ( please!? )

There are many alternatives for the MAQ16/3, the A-155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer is Doepfers own dedicated in-system sequencer module that can be extended with the A-154 Enhanced Sequencer Controller, but still doesn't have the full funcionality of the MAQ.

(Analog) sequencers of other brands are also quite popular, some in a eurorack module form-factor, others in the shape of desktop controllers...
What's your favorite? Feel free to leave a comment below!

Best Friends Forever V

The Best Friends Forever section on this blog is a selection of modules that always stay connected, even when i create new patches.

This combination is not much different from my earlier BFF posts, only thing is that here the modules are already connected internally, and not externally with patch-cords.

The two modules, A-160 Clock Divider and A-161 Clock Sequencer are unmissable for rhythmic purposes and for syncing with MIDI or a ( voltage controlled ) LFO.

The Divider is syncronized via the Trigger and Reset Inputs, this module divides the frequencies in steps from /2, /4, /8, /16, /32 and /64, resulting in very usable trigger signals.

The synced Clock Sequencer is a very simple sequencer with 8 steps, the speed of the steps is controlled by the input of the Divider. In fact this combination of modules is an impressive sequencer on it's own.

The outputs of both modules can be used to control any clock, trigger or gate input.
For example, you can use them to trigger envelope generators, resets and (voltage controlled) switches.
It is also possible to use the A-161's trigger outputs to reset the A-160, check out the video below for the basic functions of these modules.

Video: A-160 Demo


Thanks to @Hawklord2112 for the kind permission to use this video