Messages

1

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Working on a sheet metal enclosure. :)

« on: April 02, 2012, 12:22:19 PM »

Very nice design!

Will be interested to see the finished article.

2

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Feature Requests

« on: March 27, 2012, 01:13:51 PM »

I bet you could also setup the novation to not send CC messages??

True, but I intend also to use it to control another synth on a different channel - and I will need to CC for that.

It's solved now anyway - the latest beta firmware lets the modwheel through when cc reception is off.
Aftertouch wasn't getting through because the KS4 is not transmitting it 

Also, Xavier thank you for the keytracking - it is fantastic!
I've only yet tried attaching it to the Modulation Indices and then modulating the keytracking amounts for some crazy sweeps. This should allow me to make some nice playable EP patches now. Excellent

In the short time I had, I did not notice any bugs or glitches - it all seems to be working fine. I'll spend time on it tonight.

Thanks again Xavier.

3

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Feature Requests

« on: March 26, 2012, 10:26:10 AM »

Hi stimresp,

Thanks for the pictures. I like the blue of the PreenFM on this big steel keyboard. 
I thing that aftertouch was also passing because it's not a CC, but modwheel was definitely blocked.

Thanks - these actually do make a good pair. Whilst I never liked the Novation Sound, I'm finding that layering with the Preen is giving me some lovely textures. The Preen fits perfectly on top and will stay there. I think the combination is a new instrument unto itself

I must check the Aftertouch...

Try the last firmware : 1.62.B1

I will do and report back.

Thanks again Xavier.

4

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Feature Requests

« on: March 25, 2012, 12:35:15 PM »

Hi Xavier,

I'm coming back with another cheeky, but hopefully minor, feature request 

Inspired by my success in building my Preen unit, I've been getting jiggy with the soldering iron and have fixed-up some old broken gear. I've re-animated a dead Ensoniq DP/Pro, and breathed new life into a neglected Novation KS4 that I've pimped and am now using as a controller. I have the Preen sitting on top of the KS and it is being controlled directly, with the audio going through the KS filters and out to the DP/Pro. Sounds lovely.

Anyway, I have a  small problem with this setup. The KS4 has fixed cc assignments that differ from this of the Preen, so when I turn the filter cutoff, for example, it also affects a parameter in Preen and I can hear the changes.

I don't need to control Preen with controller messages from the KS4, so I turn off the receive cc option in the Preen Config screen. The only problem with this is that is seems to block aftertouch and modwheel also (pitchwheel is ok). I tend to use these in all my patches.

Therefore, is it possible to provide another MIDI config 'Receives' option to specify 'none' except for the performance controllers?

 

5

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Feature Requests

« on: March 17, 2012, 03:34:03 PM »

I've just started with it so I might be missing it someplace, but could the lfos and sequencers be made to not retrigger with each note? The sequencers might be tougher as the start point would need to be syncable, but the lfos should be easy enough.

cheers!

Hi,

You should play with the KSyn parameter in the LFO 1-3 screens. At 0 the LFOs are free-running.

6

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: Feature Requests

« on: March 09, 2012, 11:42:58 AM »

I like very much the first suggestion... moreover it's very easy to implement... 
I will add it.

Superb! Thank you so much

Not sure i understand the second one.. when you set the LFO4 in the matrix, set the mulitplier to 127 and the destination to "all osc freq", you don't have enough pitch change... that's what you mean ?

Yes, I can only seem to get a 1octave pitch drop. Can this be bumped up to 2 or 3 octaves? Just a thought, no big issue.

Thanks again!

7

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Feature Requests

« on: March 08, 2012, 10:58:42 AM »

Hi Xavier,

I only just saw your Facebook page. What a nice surprise we have coming!

I also gather that you are working on a firmware update. I don't know if there's a protocol for feature requests (I suppose I should be hacking my own) so sorry if I overstep the mark, but if possible:

- Note number as matrix modulation source (keytracking). This would be very useful, for example, when applied to modulation index, as a way to allow smoother changes across the keyboard. I think this is a very useful feature on an FM synth.

- Is it possible to give the envelope (LFO4) greater range over pitch, or even a separate pitch envelope? More envelopes are always good


Thanks for your consideration,
Stim

 

8

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: It's alive!

« on: March 05, 2012, 09:03:18 PM »

Here's how mine looks. At first I thought that the recessed LCD portion was mis-aligned, and the natural candidate for suspicion was the 5mm spacers. But now that everything is together I like it - it looks good.





My noobish rush to complete meant that there were a few loose solder joins - noticeable by noise when turning the knobs.
So I stripped it down and went over it again, paying special attention to the LCD pins. I digress to say I think I may have a natural knack for soldering 

Anyway there was still some noise burst when touching the right side, so I started gently tapping each component in turn to see where the loose solder joint was. It turned out (after much tapping) that one of the chips wasn't fully seated. It must have come loose when manhandling the unit.
With that in place I now feel it will last.

I also flashed to 1.61 without problems, benefiting again from the clear instructions. This solved the stuck notes for me, and I've been playing for about 30 minutes now without any problems.

Very pleased with the result. 

9

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: It's alive!

« on: March 05, 2012, 12:23:25 AM »

Yes - my mistake - I worked it out in the end. 

I was just a little worried about the CD pins being bent, but now that everything is together it seem better.

While I'm here, Xavier are there any reference materials for fidding with the source code?

Thanks

10

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / Re: It's alive!

« on: March 04, 2012, 04:11:57 PM »

Hey - congratulations

Yeah, the spacers don't seem quite right. I think the description has them the wrong way round. The 5mm ones seem to go at the front.

Oh yes - must flash up...

Cheers

11

PreenFM1 (the blue one) / It's alive!

« on: March 04, 2012, 03:18:06 PM »

I had never picked-up a soldering iron before 9pm last night, but by lunchtime today I was listening to the dulcet tones of a newborn PreenFM. Hands-on it took about 8 hours.

Truth be told, I never thought I would get it to work, but it did, after some minor troubleshooting. I am absolutely thrilled that I managed it 

And the bonus is this wonderful little synth. Sounds much better than I expected. I am looking forward to spending some serious time with my new baby.

Thank you Xaviar for developing this and providing the clear instructions (inc the resistor sheet - lifesaver!).  I think you have just set me on a new lifelong path - I am already looking at new thing's to try next. 

 

Kind regards,
stim