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History
of the PSIM-1
(Last updated
Tuesday February 20, 2007 at
12:55 PM)
Okay, so why does this page
exist? Well, to be honest... I don't want to forget how it all
happened and everyone who was involved in making it all possible.
This page is as much for me as it is for anyone else. The PSIM-1
went from concept to three working REV1.0a prototypes in less than six
weeks! It was a bit of a blur as I'm sure you can imagine.
Anyway... here is the story.
The sequence of events started
on 11/15/2003 when I sent an email to the Blacet list about the "Voltage
Controlled Clock with Event Arranger" DIY article from Synapse magazine
that John Blacet had written and had posted on his Web site. That next
morning... the 16th, I built the prototype Programmable Gate / Event
Arranger on a Parallax Board Of Education with a BASIC Stamp 2 and emailed
details to the Blacet list.
From: "Brice D. Hornback"
To: <blacet-list>
Subject: [BML] BASIC Stamp 2 Clock/Event Arranger
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2003 4:17 PM
Okay... well, I just couldn't get the Event Arranger off my mind. One of
my other hobbies is robotics. Long story short, *all* of my hobbies are
complementary and intertwined. I was wondering how long it would take to
connect a microprocessor to my analog modular synth! :-) Anyway, I now
have a prototype for a "Programmable Event Arranger". I'm using a BASIC
Stamp 2 turning one of the pins on and off switching GND with a NPN and
+5V with a PNP transistor. As in, turn pin on, NPN switches on GND
(through a 100K resistor - without which my first attempt blew the PN2222)
to the PNP which turns on the 5V (protects the microprocessor because I
don't know how much current it takes to act as a
GATE/Trigger/Clock/whatever. Anyway...
I have a short program written that is a very simple (but could be
incredibly complex) event that I've used as a clock to the BZ. I've also
used it to GATE the EG1 to set up complex sweeps and such of the Final
Filtre which is what I'm listening to now. Works like a charm! Using this
method, a "fairly" random event or ??? could be generated using STAMP code
(written in PBasic). I'll see where this takes me. I could wire up all 16
outputs on the Stamp and have LOTS of outputs to the synth. Now that would
get pretty complex. I plan on mounting a simple Stamp carrier board behind
a blank with the DB9 on the front of the panel and an LED as an indicator.
Pretty simple module with LOTS of possibilities!
Of course, all this could be done with a simple PIC with some
preprogrammed events too. Another possibility would be using the parallel
port of your PC to interface with the module. Then, someone could write a
fancy VBasic front end with sliders and knobs and such. A virtual module
for an analog modular synth. :-)
Anyone else have a BASIC Stamp to play with? We could share ideas and
"Event" programs.
Thoughts on this?
Later,
Brice
By 8:00 PM that same evening,
I had built the actual prototype based on a miniature robotics PCB I had
designed months earlier. It had evolved into the "Programmable Clock
Sequencer module".
"Programmable Clock Sequencer module"
11/19/2003
Listen to some samples:
Programmable Gate
Module Sample 1 (330k)
Programmable Gate Module Sample 2 (353k)
Above samples are clocking
a Blacet Binary Zone module.
11/20/2003 - I sent an email
to Jassen where I described what would eventually become the PSIM-1.
Well, there isn't an LCD panel (yet)... but other than that, it's pretty
close!
From: "Brice D. Hornback"
To: "Jassen"
Subject: Re: Brice's Programmable Clock/Gate Sequencer Module
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2003 11:41 AM
Yes. I used a standard PAiA blank so it will fit perfectly with the Blacet
modules. It is a little thicker than the Blacet modules but is the same as
all PAiA, Wiard 1200 series, and others that fit in the frac rack. It is
the same width as the Blacet Multi and attached with the top and bottom
holes. The 9-pin connector is the RS232 serial interface between the
microcontroller and a PC for programming. You write the program in a
version of BASIC and then download it to the module.
The more I think about it, this could be the basis for an entire line of
programmable synth modules. This module would be the "heart" of the
system. Other add-on modules could include a programmable VCO and/or
LFO (square, sine, and triangle waves), programmable ADSR, programmable
Sample & Hold, programmable frequency to CV converter, biometric to CV
interface, as well as many, many more. The possibilities are almost
endless. I chose the BASIC Stamp because it is easy to program and
relatively inexpensive. However, it could be available with your
choice of processor. I would prefer the Basic Atom Pro which is pin
compatible with the Stamp, but offers four analog to digital converters
built-in (on the 28-pin version) which my synth interface PCB is designed
for. You might be able to see the extra holes beyond the 24-pin module in
the photo. The Atom Pro is *significantly* faster than the Stamp. Fast
enough (and it is multitasking with interrupts... it's based on a Hitachi
H8 processor) that it could also be a MIDI controller, sequencer, etc. As
in... MIDI IN and OUT along with all the other programming options. See...
the whole thing about this is, unlike MIDI... this can be programmed to do
anything you want it to. The only limit is the imagination. I can program
sequences that are random, or (enter Chaos theory here)... evolve and
change over time. Add a little subsumptive programming... and the synth
takes on a form of life. Music is many things to many people. I see music
everywhere. Music is in all things. I envision my modular synthesizer
evolving to the point that it is aware of its surroundings and can adapt.
I'm talking about taking electronic music to the point where the
synthesizer is no longer an instrument, but a thinking machine capable of
producing its own symphonies based on its environment AND experiences.
Okay... that's getting a little out there.... Anyway...
I could design it using a wider front panel and include a LCD display
which could offer a menu system for multiple program selection. You will
see this as a module available for sale in the coming months. There will
be an online community for sharing ideas and programs. ...and on and on...
This is only the beginning.
Okay... I need more coffee...
How does all this sound to you?
- Brice
11/21/03 at 6:01 PM - I wrote
an email to Grant Richter of the Wiard Synthesizer Company (I had just
ordered a Wiard Noise Ring) and explained the following:
"I'm in the process of designing a new
module myself and look forward to seeing how the two work together. Yours
is a source of random voltages (among other things)... while mine is a
programmable (including random) Clock/Gate sequencer. The two together
could be quite chaotic! I am designing a series of unique microcontroller
based synth modules that will complement Wiard, Blacet, & PAiA modules."
At this point, I decided to start trying to figure out
what the module would be called and what it would look like. I
decided two programmable gates were better than one.
11/21/03 - The very first concept drawing of
the PSIM-1
11/22/2003 - Grant Richter and
I had our first conversation regarding the design. He suggested it needed
CV outputs if it were to be a "real" module. So, I looked for a
decent DAC to use and found one on November 25th. The design of what it would
look like and include went through many revisions but I finally settled on
what I thought would work best and allow for future expansion. Below is the
first drawing showing the four CV outputs from the DAC. I had also
added the reset STOP button at this time as well.
11/23/03
12/7/2003 - I had a photo of
the concept module (probably the image above) up on my SynthModules web
site and someone on the Blacet list found it and asked who the Web site
belonged to. So... the first email was sent to the Blacet list mentioning
the PSIM-1.
From: "Brice D. Hornback"
To: <blacet-list>
Subject: Re: [BML] New Frac-Rack modules.
Date: Sunday, December 07, 2003 3:34 PM
I haven't uploaded the latest photos or info on the PSIM-1 to the Web site
yet (it's now a 2U wide module), but in it's final format that I'm working
out the details now on... it has four (4) CV inputs and four (4) 1V/oct.
CV outputs. One of the things it can do is 4-voice Quantizing with 12-bit
outputs. Or, you could configure it for 2 voice quantizing and use the
other two inputs/outputs for sequence/pattern generation and CV selection
of programming options. There will be multiple add-on expansion modules as
well. To keep this on topic, please keep in mind you need Blacet modules
to use the PSIM-1. It won't do much without all the Blacet modules to
control.
I've set up a group for discussion of the PSIM series modules here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SynthModules/
Thanks for your interest.
Brice D. Hornback
http://www.SynthModules.com
12/08/2003 - First concept drawing of 2U
panel. Since the Atom Pro already had four ADC inputs, my design
fell together quickly. Between the last week of November and the
first week of December, several emails between Grant and I were
exchanged while I worked out details of my design. Grant was
helpful in looking over the schematics I drew up based on my ideas and
the components I selected and found a few errors I made while laying out
the first PCB. The next day, I uploaded the latest drawing of the PSIM-1 to
the Web site. It's getting very close now. Notice there still
isn't an AUX output port yet? That wasn't actually added until the
day I placed the order for the panels. I decided I didn't like not
having an AUX port and there was an I/O pin available for use. I
just couldn't see not having that extra hole on the panel. I didn't
really know at the time I placed the order what I was going to do with
it... but put on one there anyway.
12/09/2003 through 1/10/2004 -
Lots of design and frustration. Way too much coffee and far too
little sleep. The first revision of the PCB (REV1.0a) was completed
and three prototype boards were ordered. The first revision of the
front panel was completed and those were ordered as well. (I'll fill
in more detail here later.)
1/11/2004 - I had a completed
PSIM-1 PCB w/ an actual panel built and running. Below is a photo of the
first completed PSIM-1 in my system on 1/13/2004. I was currently
building the other two REV1.0a modules when this photo was taken.
1/17/2004 - SynthModules PSIM-1 REV1.0a modules. Mine is on the
left, Grant Richter's is on the right. Dr. Mabuse's (Doc) was built
but not included in this photo. I shipped the other two modules
to Grant and Doc on January 17th. Doc received his PSIM-1 module at
10:41 am on January 20, 2004 and Grant received his at 3:18 pm the same
day.
Note: the PSIM-1 would not have been
possible without hundreds of gallons of fresh roasted, ground, and brewed
coffee... as well as who knows how many cases of Mountain Dew!
2/17/2004 - Three SynthModules PSIM-1 REV1.0b modules were shipped.
2/29/2004 - The PSIM-1 REV1.0c PCB's were ordered. I was waiting to
hear back from the supplier about the panels and got those ordered the
next morning. I did order a few extra panels and PCB's... but this
will be the last batch of PSIM-1 modules I do for a while so I can get a
few of the add-on modules into production for the current PSIM-1 owners.
I'm hoping if everything arrives on time, to begin assembly of this next
batch on March 17th. I hope to begin shipping the modules the
following week.
3/16/2004 - The parts, panels and REV1.0c PCB's have arrived! I'm
still waiting on 4,000 feet of hookup wire, but that's not going to stop me from
getting started.
3/20/2004 - AHMW 2004 Gathering in Northern Indiana.
See photos. A total of five complete and
one "partial" PSIM-1 REV1.0c modules were hand-delivered at the event.
Film composer Gary Chang's pair of PSIM-1 REV1.0c Modules in temporary
enclosure.
To be continued...
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