Topics

1

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / User Waveforms

« on: August 15, 2021, 11:16:52 AM »

Hi,

I didn’t want to mess up the sticky on this forum about user waveforms.

I have tried Audacity and Adobe Audition on a Mac, both of which supposedly can export wave data as txt. But I just have not been able to find the option to do so in either of those apps.

I think I’m using wave files with the correct specs.

The menu path for Audacity mentioned in the sticky thread from 2016 doesn’t seem to exist in my Audacity (latest Mac version) and neither can I find a txt export option in Audition, even though the manual says it exists.

Are there any other ways to convert a wave file to txt?
Google search results all seem to be for conversion of spoken word audio to written text.

Alternatively, would anyone like to share their txt files for PreenFM?

Thanks,
Phil

2

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / PreenFM3 display going blank

« on: August 06, 2021, 08:09:36 PM »

Hi,

I built a PreenFM3 a few weeks ago and have been very happy and impressed with it!
Wonderful synth engine, interface, and a fantastic variety of filters! Thanks for a great synth!

The one thing that is bothering is that the display occasionally goes blank. I know that this is supposedly due to noisy power and changing to a different USB power supply did improve the situation. I also know that a function was already implemented in the firmware that automatically resets the display when it goes blank. This works sometimes but often I still have to reset the display manually by pressing MENU and -.

My observation is that the display never or only very rarely goes blank when the PreenFM3 doesn’t receive any MIDI information. I can have it on that way for many hours and the display stays perfectly fine. But when the unit plays the display does go blank often. The frequency of blank screens seems to depend on the load on the synth engine (how many notes, voices, active sound channels etc.)

I’m no techie and I could be completely wrong, but to me the dependence on synth engine load might indicate that the cause isn’t noisy power. BTW, none of my other synths and effects etc. have ever shown any signs of power issues.

I doubt that my solder connections to the display are weak and I’ve tried numerous different USB power supplies and power outlets.

I'd be glad for advice how to solve this!

Thanks,
Phil

3

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / [solved] PreenFM3 new built problem

« on: June 26, 2021, 06:13:35 PM »

Hi,

I received my PreenFM3 DIY kit from Van Daal today!

After assembly, the synth doesn’t seem to start up.
I am completely new to DIY synths, so it’s quite possible that I messed up something!

The only signs of life my PreenFM3 currently shows are a lit green and orange LED on the mainboard.
I’m powering it via an Apple iPhone USB charger. I also tried a different USB charger with higher output. Same result.
The SD card, formatted to FAT32, contains the flash_bootloader.cmd and firmware files, plus their bin files.

There are some discrepancies between the current boards and the assembly instructions by Van Daal. A few times I had to scratch my head a little before continuing. My kit came with the 1.6 mainboard and 1.2 controlboard.

I’m listing the important discrepancies, in case I messed up there:

- Page 1 of the assembly instructions shows a 2pin header with jumper that needs to be connected to USB Ground. This is missing on the 1.6 mainboard, so I didn’t do anything with the extra provided 2pin and jumper.
- Page 3 shows a 'Solder Wire Jumper' that doesn’t seem to exist on the 1.2 controlboard.
- Page 3 gives instructions for the placement of an 'Isolator Washer.' I did not use the provided washer and could not identify any purpose for it with the current boards.
- Page 4 shows the TFT installation. My kit included various pin thingies, supposedly as alternative means to deal with the TFT as there would be no other use for all of these except to handle the TFT.

I would be very glad for any advice anyone on this forum can give!
Please have mercy, if I did something foolish!

Thanks,
Phil

4

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / PreenFM3 case options

« on: April 21, 2021, 10:21:09 AM »

Hi,

I’m interested in building a PreenFM3 using the kit from Xavier with faceplate but without the rest of the case.

Commercial services for 3D printing the rest of the case are expensive at around €140 in Germany.

Is there an inexpensive solution for side and back panels to go with the faceplate provided in Xavier's kit?

I know of the Van Daal metal case but would much prefer a black enclosure.

I’m completely new to the DIY synth world and would be glad for any advice about case options!

Thanks!
Phil