Messages

1

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Replacement Buttons/Knobs

« on: October 27, 2016, 06:20:02 PM »

Unfortunately they don't stick out at all. They are completely flush with the metal case. As for encoders can i use any replacement encoders?

2

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Replacement Buttons/Knobs

« on: October 27, 2016, 10:06:03 AM »

Now that I have a metal case, I'm finding the buttons aren't long enough to stick out in the metal case, so I want to try and find new ones! Also what are some good resources for picking out new knobs?

3

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: STM32F7 series? (or adding delay to the FX section)

« on: October 16, 2016, 08:48:22 AM »

The preenfm2 firmware uses the Standard Peripheral Libraries by ST, and  many parts would require to be rewritten to work with the  STM32F7 :
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SPLReinstatement 

Substractive synth requires FX as the base of their synthesis.
That's not the case of FM synths 
The FX section of the preenfm2 have been added rather late in its life.

A delay would requires memory which the stm32F* don't have.

I admit a preenfm2 with 4 different outputs would be better 

What I would like to see for a DSP upgrade is so that preenfm2 could run at 24bit/48khz. Maybe in a future update make it so you can sacrifice multi timbrality (like cutting 1 or two of them) to increase the bit depth and sample rate.

4

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Custom algorithms

« on: October 14, 2016, 07:10:44 AM »

Hello there..
Talking about algorithms..  I cant see no "feedback" setting,  anywhere,  on the editor,   or on the algorithms page on ixox.fr..
When I had my DX9,  feedback's range could be set between 0 and 7.. I didnt find any change  from 0 to 5, but it was often useful to set it to 6 or 7..
Now, I use the FM synth on Caustic,  and I love it..  The feedback setting  is a continuous (virtual)  pot..  Same,  the difference is not so important,  that it would need such acuracy..
But still,  this setting. can be useful,  when set to max,  especially when you use only 3-4 operators..
My wonder is.. How did you manage to convert DX7 sounds, those who need this feedback setting set to 7? Do they sound similar anyway,  even without feedback at all ??
It's not so important,  though..  I was just wondering..
Have a nice evening..  Or morning..  Or night..
Thierry

The DX7 patch loading isn't a direct translation since there is no feedback in the preenfm2. The reason, I'm told for the lack of feedback is the main goal of feedback was to get noise or sawtooth like waveforms out of the operator, which we can just do by using a custom waveform.

What I'm curious about is if it shows feedback, is there a way to convert so the operator in question automatically loads as a noise or sawtooth for the waveform? That would be cool I think

5

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Star Quad Cable

« on: October 12, 2016, 06:34:21 AM »

Hate to be bombarding the forum with topics, but I thought I'd share something with the group. I work in film doing sound, and my boss was telling me about using Star Quad cable for long cable runs and for anything that crosses power.

Here is the science behind it...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-whats-special-about-star-quad-cable

Anyhow, I built some star quad cable for use with preen to see how it affected the noise floor and something magical happened...all of my interference from USB disappeared! No more display motivated noises, no more hissing, it's all gone! Must have been RF interference from the computer which the cable eliminated. Just thought I'd share.

6

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Custom algorithms

« on: October 09, 2016, 11:33:39 PM »

Could it be possible to have a section for custom algorithms. They could either be created externally and entered under a special "user" alg, or perhaps a routing section? It would be cool to experiment with cross modulation and other such things.

7

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Balanced outputs

« on: October 07, 2016, 04:02:14 PM »

edit: i switched to the balanced cables, and for some reason despite it being an unbalanced output it helped with the noise floor both on USB and DC

8

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Balanced outputs

« on: October 06, 2016, 05:04:27 PM »

Hi is there a way to mod this to convert the unbalanced outputs to balanced?

Currently since this is my only synth that is unbalanced it is also the one with the highest noise floor and most rf interference and I'd like to bring it on parity with my analog synths.

9

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Wood and synths..

« on: October 06, 2016, 01:40:47 AM »

I have an elektron analog four and rytm...can you make a two tier stand for that?

10

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Wood and synths..

« on: October 05, 2016, 07:09:16 PM »

Link doesn't work

11

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: New Build Issues

« on: October 05, 2016, 06:08:40 AM »

This fixed the problem. Thanks so much! I guess that means when I get the metal shield and metal case in the mail it will solve my problem. This will work in the interim!
edit: I kinda feel like a prefabricated shield should be included as a part future kits. I know you intended the resistor to resolve the issue, and it does reduce SOME of the noise, but a shield is still required it looks like.

12

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: New Build Issues

« on: October 05, 2016, 05:32:55 AM »

I think the difference between the USB and the DC in is only because of the difference of voltage they provide.
USB is often a bit less than 4.8V.
On top of that USB often adds noise that reach the audio path...

Before trying the shield, make sure you solder a 22 ohm resistor in the "oled" resistor slot on the PCB.

XAvier

Indeed I did do that. That's how I fixed my issue with the OLED changing changing brightness every time i pressed a button

13

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: New Build Issues

« on: October 04, 2016, 05:21:37 AM »

So the noise I'm hearing is at 13.3khz with an amplitude of -60db when plugged into DC with no USB. With USB and no DC it's 12.9khz with some broadband noise underneath at an amplitude of -63db. The band with DC only is very narrow whereas with USB it's a bit wider. It's actually very jarring to hear, it kinda feels like someone is constantly blowing a dog whistle lol...


The images were of my soldering job. Was trying to find a usable way to share them. May not be relevant anymore. I've ordered the metal case and the kind gent said he would also include the shield mod for free, so I'll see if that resolves the issue. Is there anything else you can think of that could help? (just in case that doesn't work?)

edit: don't let all my questions deter from the fact that this is an incredible synth!!

14

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Folder support in patches

« on: October 03, 2016, 06:48:45 AM »

Hi, so I got a pretty extensive patch collection for the DX7, patches which work in the preenfm2.

As it stands the way to make them work is to copy and paste the sysex files into the DX7 folder, but that creates complete chaos. Is there a way to add folder structure? Or alternately, can I add folders to the root patch directory?

Regards,

Donald

15

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: New Build Issues

« on: October 03, 2016, 02:48:57 AM »

Figured out the display issue, it was the OLED resistor missing haha...


now on to the noise...

it's worth noting that the high pitch from DC and the static/noise from USB don't change in amplitude from the volume button, the USB noise changes with mouse movements, and they both sit at about -81db. My Moog Sub 37 doesn't even register on the meters by comparison.