Topics

1

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Preenfm2 for sale.. Already built, fully working..

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:32:42 PM »

Did you ever dream that you would have a preenfm2 but you are not able to soulder anything ? Or you don't have time.. Or you're lazy.. or your soldering iron is dead..

It's beautiful, isn't it ?

Now it's your chance !!

I am willing to sell my BUILT AND WORKING PREENFM2..
Already built, for FREE..
Built a bit more than one year ago, tested, working, but then I didn't use it much..
In fact, I explored it a bit, tried a few things, and went back to my usual VSTs..

So, it seems clear that I will never really use it, even if I'm sure it's a great engine..
(Obviuosly, if it were a VST, I would almost always be on it, programming presets and playing music..)
(And btw, Xavier.. Or anyone having the answer.. Is there any reason why the Preenfm2 is not compiled as VST,  AU or LV2 ?)

Ok ok.. So, mine doesn't have the beautiful blue OLED.. And no ugly yellow OLED..
In fact, line has an LCD screen.. That's nice too.. But it won't fit in the usual box.. And that's the reason why I sell it without box..

So, it's a Preenf2, without box, and with an LCD screen.. You will decide to keep the LCD, or to buy and mount an OLED.. ANd you will have to buy or build a case..

Whatever.. I have paid it 140euros plus 10euros shipping..
And I will not ask any profit.. I will sell it back for that price (140+10), even if I spent time on it to build..
Isn't it a chance ?

So if you are ready to pay 150 plus shipping, you can contact me..
Pictures can be seen here  ; https://lookfine.noctule.net/Preenfm2/
Have a nice.. day ? night ?
Thierry

2

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / PreenFM2 stopped working.. (solved.. Thanx to Lokki)

« on: January 08, 2018, 09:49:12 PM »

Hello there..
My preenFM2 was working ok the last time I used it.. that might have been in june.. Then I parked it for a while, and took it again today.. And when I plugged an USB cable, running from my computer to the preen, I had a short flash of the blue LED, as usual, and a series of squares on my LCD screen.. I plugged earphones on one output, just like I had done before, and tried pressing INST and one of the buttons on the left, but had no sound in my ears..
So of course I need help..
Have a nice evening or day, or even both..
Thierry

3

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Converting DX7, or DX9, presets..

« on: October 14, 2017, 10:47:17 PM »

Hello there..
How can anyone convert some DX7 prests into PreenFM2 presets.. Is it as simple as loading the DXé sysex into the preenfm2 ?? I guess not..
 Or do we need to enter the parameters one by one, by hand, and make some conversions ?? (for example, operator volume on DX7 become a modulation index on PreenFM2.. It's value can be 0-99 on DX7, and 0-127 on PreenFM2.. Rate scaling, lever scaling, need the modulation matrix.. etc etc..).. Is there a conversion table somewhere ??

Have a good night..
Thierry

4

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / PreenFM2 on Zynthian ?????????

« on: October 14, 2017, 12:38:57 PM »

Hello there..
I'm a dummy, when it comes to programming..
I have a PreenfM2 and I love it..
I'm also building a Zynthian.. I was wondering if the PreenFM2 could be integrated into the Zynthian platform.. The Zynthian already includes Dexed, and I'm happy for that..
But for many reasons, Preenfm2 is much better.. SO I would like to use it inside the Zynhtian..
But you will sure tell me that it's not possible, right ?? Because the programming software is different, of for any other reason ??
Life is so crual..

Except that there is sun..
Hoping you enjoy it..
Thierry

5

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Multi USB inputs..

« on: September 23, 2017, 12:02:03 PM »

Hello there..

Been documenting on TEControl products, mainly for breath controllers..
They need a class compliant device, and I believe that Preefm2 is..
I mean, I believe that I would just have to plug the Breath Controller into the Preenfm2 and blow, and the device would sent its CC2 values and Preenfm2 would understand them, and obey..
The Pedal controller seems an interesting device too..
http://www.tecontrol.se/products

The thing is : If I plug the TEControl module into my preenfm2's USB socket, then I have no more USB socket to plug a Kboard into.. I can still use a MIDI DIN input, sure..

But is there a way to have 2, 3 or even 459 USB sockets to control the Preenfm2 ?? You know, for example, those cards we use on computers which multiply a single USB socket into 4 sockets ?? Probably not, as I suppose they need a piece of software to manage them..

Enjoy breathing..
Thierry

6

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Output volume vs polyphony..

« on: May 15, 2017, 05:51:44 PM »

Hello there..
Is it normal if I get a big difference in output volume, when I turn the polyphony "knob" ??
On my preenfm2, the output volume is decreasing, as long as I increase the polyphony, and vice versa.. Is it the normal behaviour ? Or is it just on mine ?

And still.. Enjoy your sun..
Thierry

7

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / A higher polyphony ??

« on: May 13, 2017, 10:33:10 PM »

Hello there.. And most of all, hello Xavier.. Because this message is mainly for you..

Let's say that the subject will be : would it be possible to make a version of PreenFM2, with a bigger polyphony, by using a pair of Preenf405, one would be the master, and the other would simply be the slave ??

I know that the PCB is not made for it.. But we can probably imagine that, instead of placing the Preenf405 board in the IC support, we could use headers, and connect a second PCB which would hold both Preens..

My old Ensoniq ESQ'1 has a "overflow" option, in its MIDI menu, which allows driving a second ESQ'1 (or a ESQ'M expander) when the number of midi notes received, exceeds it's own polyphony (8 notes)..

The master Preen would then have to send exceeding notes to the slave, and performance control like pitch bend, mod wheel etc.. In fact a full bunch of incoming midi messages.. But not only ; it would also have to send all the preset (or combo) parameters, so that both play the same preset or combo..
The slave would be totally hidden, the user would not have access to it : it would only be there to obey to the master..

Each preset or combo that we would save in the master, would be saved identically in the slave's memory, same preset or combo number..

In terms of price, what would it cost ? Of course, an added PCB, and a second Preen.. What else should be doubled ?
What else should be added ?? I think that there would need a mixer.. Possibly digital mixer, or analog, but prior to the final stage, so that we can use the volume knob to set the volume of the mix..

I know, Xavier, that your time is not infinite.. You have a life to live, and you once said that you would like to have time to play your music.. I understand this very well, and I can just approve you..
And in fact, except me, I don't know how many people would be interested in having a more polyphonic version..
I'm just wishing that I could have a "wider" preenFM, (mainly for electric pianos, in fact) and by this message, I'm opening the topic, for discussion.. But if you say "no way", or "no time", or "too complicated", and even "useless when it concerns only you", then I would fully understand and abandon my wish..

Have a good week end..
Thierry

8

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Connecting..

« on: May 03, 2017, 09:04:32 PM »

Hello there..

I wanted to power my Preenfm2 with an external 9V power chord.. Plus is at the center..
The blue leds flashed once, and that's all.. After a few seconds, the 7805 was terribly hot..
And I've been taught that electronics do need smoke.. Components are full of smoke, and once you let the smoke escape from it, then this component no more works; or very badly.. So I stopped immediately..

So my question is : which is the polarity and the voltage of the external power supply that we are supposed to use ??
Plus at the center ? at the periphery ??
And what will be the problem if anyone plugs a power voltage that would be polarity inverted ??
I wonder if I'd rather unsoulder this power supply entry, and have my preenfm always powered by USB..

Second question is :
About the MIDI sockets : I must connect pins 2 and 4 right ?? And there's no polarity, right ??

Thanx in advance for all your possible and wise answers..
And enjoy the rain..
Thierry

9

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Keyboard scaling on envelope rates..

« on: April 23, 2017, 06:57:44 PM »

Hello there..
I see that there is no keyboard scaling, or keyboard follow, for the envelope rates..

I understand that, through the matrix section, I can direct the keyboard-follow value (in fact, 2 values) to different destinations.. This includes individual operator attacks, all operators attack, and all operators release..
But nothing for the decay sections of the envelope (time 2, 3)..

Having a decay depending on the keyboard is truly useful for all pianos (acoustic and electric), for mallet instruments (marimba, vibraphone...) and for plucked string instruments (guitars, basses)..
 
Can this be changed ?

Enjoy the sun..
Thierry

10

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / User wave forme ??

« on: March 30, 2017, 06:54:09 PM »

Hello there..
Why is the number of user waveforms limited to 6 ??
Sure it's better than on a DX7..
Is it for technical reasons and then, this limit can't be changed ?? Or is it just a choice, and it can be discussed and modified ??

Second question is : when I use one of them in a sound,  is the waveform stored with the preset data, or am I supposed to always leave this waveform on the USB key, so that the preset can call it when needed ??

Enjoy the sun..
Thierry

11

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / I ordered it..

« on: December 14, 2016, 09:43:28 AM »

Hello there..
Today is a  big day for me.. I ordered THE synth !!
Yeah !!

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah !!!!!

12

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Any other project ??

« on: October 13, 2016, 09:48:07 PM »

Hello again.. 
This might have been discussed earlier,  but..  Do you,  Xavier (or did you) have any project,  for another synth,  with another synthesis method??
Additive synthesis,  for example.. Of substractive ??

13

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Wood and synths..

« on: October 05, 2016, 01:06:55 PM »

Hello there..
I suppose you already know this page..
 www.synthsandwood.co.uk
Me,  I just been told today.. So I decided to share it..  Just in case..
Have a nice sunny day in the nicest season of the year..
Thierry

14

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / A possible all in one synth ??

« on: September 30, 2016, 06:52:09 PM »

Hello there..
I guess this question is mainly for Xavier..
I would like to built an all in one synth, better than an expander..
I would like to have in a single box, the keyboard, 2 or 3 wheels (bend, mod, plus an extra one), and an input for breath controller (in fact, an external potentiiometer)..
I already have a good 3oct keyboard (Kimber Allen, with 2 contacts per key, which I bought in the last century, but never buiilt..)
The questions are..

1) Does anyone here have a good scheme, to share ? So that I could build my own controller..

But I could as well use an already made master keyboard..

2) In both cases, I would want the "internal" keyboard to control the Preenfm2, of course.. So I would connect its midi out to the tmidi in of the preenFM2.. Simple and basic.. But I would also want to be able to command the Preenfm2 with an external device (Other keyboard, sequencer, or anything..).. So of course, I would need a midi merge..
Does anyone have a good scheme for a MIDI merge circuit ?? A real midi merge, able to manage at least two inputs, even if they send midi codes simultaneously..

3) The question is for Xavier.. Would it be possible to have the preenfm2 merging 2 or more midi inputs, by itself, without using any midimerge ??

3) The next question is for Xavier again.. Would it be possible to have the Preenfm2 doing all this :   reading the (open/close) contacts of the bare keyboard, translating into note on/note off/ velocity.. Reading the status of theb  wheels and external potentiometer, turning these into commands value.. Using all this to command its own sound generating module.. accpeting incoming midi data, and merging them with its own command values.. and eventually, sending those data to a midi out plug ??
What any compact combo synth can do, in fact..

Maybe this topic has already been talked about, I don't know..

Have a nice weekend..
Thierry

15

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / [Added in 2.05] Breathing..

« on: September 11, 2016, 04:39:12 PM »

Hello there..
Any possibility to have PreenFM2 responding to breath controller midi messages ??
I guess it's not harder to implement, than the mod wheel..
Is it possible to have it implemented so that it would appear as one source in the modulation matrix ??
I suppose, but maybe I'm wrong, that it should be as simple as duplicating the line corresponding to the mod wheel, and then replace the mod wheel identification code, by the breath controller identification code..
Then probably one line to add, so that it's visible in the matrix ??
Is it possible ??
Friendly..
Thierry

"Only the fools blew it,
You and me knew life itself is
Breathing
Breathing..
Oooh life is..... breathing.."
(Kate Bush)