ADSR Envelope Generator for Standalone Analog Filters via CV

teknosmoker · Post by **teknosmoker** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:23 pm

OK - who's got some tips/techniques to share with getting more out of their analog filters?

I've got an MF-101, a Frostwave Resonator, and a Mutronics Mutator. All are really great pieces of gear that I've gotten good use out of.

Sometimes I use each of them as the filter section of other various synths (monophonically). To do so, I either use the envelope follower (on the Moogerfooger and Mutator) or manually tweak the filter by hand, while playing back a MIDI sequence on the synth I want to filter. This works, but I am sure that there are better ways...

I've been wondering about integrating them more tightly into my synth setup, making the filters more versatile (sort of a "neo-modular setup). A dedicated ADSR triggered by "note-on" would make them infinitely more flexible and fun to work with. Since all of them have CV inputs for the cutoff, it should be possible (theoretically).

Is there some sort of dedicated control voltage ADSR "envelope generator", that is triggered via MIDI note-on messages? If needed I could perhaps using my Kenton Pro-Solo MIDI-CV converter to send the note-on messages to the CV envelope generator. Preferably one that has a wide range of settings for each ADSR stage (for quick, really punchy transients or long, evolving sounds).

It would be great to even try it out on software synths (like using the Korg Legacy MS-20 along with the Frostwave MS-20 filter clone!).

Any thoughts or ideas?

teknosmoker · Post by **teknosmoker** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:23 am

I believe that a dedicated envelope generator is what I am looking for (like the synthesizers.com stuff). Something like this one might do the trick.

As I live in Europe (whereas synthesizers.com is in the USA), should I look at any other european manufacturers of modular gear for an envelope generator - such as Doepfer? This module looks like it would do the trick. It's cheaper and seems a bit more feature laden - 3 CV outs (1 is inverse), a retrigger input, has a 3 way switch on the front instead of jumpers to adjust the speed of the ADSR stages.

Finally, pardon my ignorance here, but if I don't own a modular system how do I power just an individual module?

-T

synapsecollapse · Post by **synapsecollapse** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:45 am

you could build a power supply and enclosure or you could buy something like this mini case

http://www.analoguehaven.com/doepfer/minicase/

REwire · Post by **REwire** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:19 am

This is what I did to add misc modules to areas where they were needed.

The two Dopefer modules are powered by that little power strip that is wall wart powered. There's an Env to add one to my EML-101 and a mixer to scale CV from my Kenton to the Synthacon. I don't really need to use thje A-141, the A-140 would suffice unless you want to CV control the functions. That one is triggered by the Kenton along with the gate to the EML's other built in Env.

teknosmoker · Post by **teknosmoker** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:54 am

synapsecollapse wrote:you could build a power supply and enclosure or you could buy something like this mini case

While it's a cool little box, I'd rather not spend $100 on the Doepfer mini case, as I plan to build a modular system down the road and would prefer a larger enclosure (just can't afford the time and money to begin that addiction yet!).

I don't know much about electronics and my soldering skills aren't the best. Recently, it took me almost 4 hours to desolder the v1 EPROM from my TR-909 to replace it with a v4 that I purchased ----- and I destroyed the old v1 chip in the process.

REwire wrote:This is what I did to add misc modules to areas where they were needed.

The two Dopefer modules are powered by that little power strip that is wall wart powered. There's an Env to add one to my EML-101 and a mixer to scale CV from my Kenton to the Synthacon. I don't really need to use thje A-141, the A-140 would suffice unless you want to CV control the functions.

Thanks for posting the pic to demonstrate what you are doing. The A-140 is fine for my needs. I don't need CV control over anything other the triggering of the gate.

You say that your 2 Doepfer modules are powered by a little power strip (I assume you mean the PCB strip that's sitting behind the A-141). Is that something that you made or purchased? If you made it, was it simple enough for a person who's not savvy with electronics and can just barely solder can put together easily?

-T

REwire · Post by **REwire** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:51 am

That little power strip is made by Doepfer and powers 4 modules.

teknosmoker · Post by **teknosmoker** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:12 am

Thanks REwire. I found the PSU (A-100MNT) on Doepfer's site and will order one along with the A-140.

I only fear that this purchase could be a gateway into an obsession with the dark and addictive world of modular synthesis...