Topics

1

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / preenfm3 Eurorack (maybe DIY retrofit?)

« on: November 18, 2021, 02:44:27 PM »

I will immediately get a preenfm3 once it is available in eurorack format.  Well, if it ever happens, that is.  I don't even care about having CV input sources, the midi functionality is great and i could just have a CV to MIDI converter for stuff like that.  All I want is the eurorack format (the formfactor).

I don't know if VanDaalElectronics has this planned (like with the preenfm2), in case there is some information on that, I would like to know.

I thought I could just retrofit it myself.  My first thought was that I could just make a custom front panel with inputs and outputs on the side or something like that.  I would reroute all the inputs to the side and to (mini) jacks and trs midi jacks.  Well that is a lot of cables.  At least 28 if I counted correctly.  So I thought I could just print a pcb myself, which i would mount on top of the section of the preenfm3 pcb with all of the connection points for all the jacks and midi and usb, with double male pin headers (or whatever they are called).  This pcb that I would print then has some ribbon cable attachment points, which I would then connect to another custom made eurorack module that just consists of the jacks for midi, usb and audio.  The only other thing I would have to worry about is handling the DC power conversion, but I would handle that on the same custom pcb.

The thing is, I would need the exact measurements of the preenfm3 pcb, so that the pins headers line up.  Afaik, David doesn't publish the files for the pcb of the preenfm3 (which is totally understandable).

Is my idea viable?

I am not very well versed in DIY stuff yet, so please tell me if this is a stupid idea.

[Check the attachment for a sketch of what I mean.  I misspelled "multiple" as "multuple" hahaha]

For those outside the forum that can't see attachments, here is the image:  https://ibb.co/pjfC0wt

2

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Feature request: Midi Note Scaling / Key Level Scaling Like DX7

« on: March 04, 2021, 04:18:27 PM »

The DX7 has key level scaling for each operator, meaning 6 in total.  This makes sense to me, Key level scaling should be available for each operator.  The preenfm2 has only 2 key level scaling sources, and you can't send them to multiple destinations, only to one.  You can send it to more destinations than the DX7, though (the DX7 will always apply it to the level).

It would be cool to have 6 key level scaling sources.  It would make the menu for the modulation sources a bit big, so I see why that would be difficult.

Another idea would be to add key level scaling parameters to the operator menu for each operator, sending it to the level (which for the preenfm2 would correspond to either the "IM1", "IM2" etc. or the "Mix1", "Mix2" etc.??).  What I mean is next to "Oscillator", Env A" and "Env B" to have a fourth menu "Note Scaling" or something.  The two free modulation sources for midi note scaling would stay, I guess.

I would love to try to fork the project myself, but I am afraid I don't understand the code well enough, but I might get there some day.

And yes, I know, the preenfm2 is not a DX7 emulator, but still, importing DX7 patches for basic preset starts is good, and I also just think it is a good feature just functionality wise.

3

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / How does DX7 conversion work?

« on: March 04, 2021, 04:00:05 PM »

I know that the preenfm2 is not supposed to be a Yamaha DX7 emulator, but still, the functionality of translating DX7 Sysex files into the PreenFM2 format is one of the attractive features.  What I would like to know is how this conversion works.

So I can try to get a bunch of patches, look at their values, import them into the preenFM2, and then look at their values to figure it out but it seems tedious for two reasons:  If I just download some DX7 patches, I need to import them somewhere where I can see the values, and ideally I want a script that can just convert them, but I can't find one, and I don't understand sysex enough to code it myself.  Dexed doesn't display values in a nice way, sadly.  Secondly, I can't get preenfm2controller to compile (I gues I'll manage someday), and I therefore would have to load the stuff onto the preenfm2 to see the values.  Tedious.

I tried to look at the preenfm2 source code to find where the DX7 sysex file conversion takes place.  I am too stupid to find it.

So my question is: How does the conversion work?  Can you document this?  Where in the source code can I find where this happens?

Furthermore, since there are only two key level scaling (midi note scaling) sources instead of 6 from the original DX7 can't possibly be respected, can they?

Some of the questions I asked can be answered by trying it out myself simply, I know, I still have to do that, sorry.

4

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / [FIXED] pfm2 Eurorack : DIY help, frozen screen

« on: October 27, 2020, 03:55:36 PM »

I just finished building my preenfm2.  I have the Eurorack version by Van Daal Electronics, but I do still hope you can help me with my problems.  See here https://vandaal-electronics.com/product/preenfm-eurorack-module-diy-kit/

Btw I have read the FAQ.

When I first turned on the module, I got the greeting screen, I got to the edit screen or something (i don't remember, but it looked like in the videos etc), and then it froze, and then it said "!STM32F4 USB DFU!" on the screen.

Whenever I reboot, I usually get a fully lit screen.  So I tried booting up again while holding a button to open the boot menu.  That works fine, but as soon as I boot or something, it starts freezing.  I reformatted the stick and copied the pfm2 folder onto it again, but still it is no better.  I also tried flashing the firmware etc, I still get either a blank fully lit screen, or when I do get to the normal edit menu etc it freezes.

Does someone know what could be wrong?  what should I try doing?  I do think I paid attention that all the soldering was done correctly, but should I check every soldering point again?  Can I do some measurements somewhere?  I hope you can help.

5

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / PreenFM3 Questions

« on: September 08, 2020, 11:37:45 AM »

I just found out about the PreenFM3, the only place I can find information about it is here: http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/preenfm3/.  The FAQ section is helpful, but I have more questions, I wonder if anyone knows (or if Mr. Hosxe will respond).

• When approximately will we be able to get the PCB?  When will we be able to (more or less conveniently) build the PreenFM3?
• Will there be a tutorial/kit/mod for a Eurorack format anytime soon?
• What can we expect approximately for a total price for all parts?

I have been wanting to buy a PreenFM2 Eurorack format for a while now, but now I am wondering if I should wait for the PreenFM3.

I have one concern with the PreenFM3 though.  The screen.  it looks like a normal RGB screen.  I just wish the screen were like the PreenFM2, or something like a screen on an MPC1000 or the screen of an Elektron device.  I don't want dead pixels and also in general it seems like RGB screens just break very easily.  Lower resolution black-and-white LCD screens also just look way better than higher resolution RGB screens.  But that is just a minor concern haha

Yeah so basically I am wondering if I should wait for the PreenFM3 or just get my PreenFM2 Eurorack and be happy with the nice looking screen.  The new features are not super crazy, but still, a good reason to get the PreenFM3, maybe...