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8bit Cipher panel

Working well
10HP panel - USD22
set of PCBs (2 layer) - USD25
assembled - USD200

This module is based on the one part of the Buchla Source of Uncertainty/Random Voltage source, although it has been modded somewhat to obtain 4 CV and 9 gate outputs. It requires a clock signal and a signal on at least one of the data inputs to operate. 
The strobe input makes it a bit like an 8 bit sample and hold. If nothing is inserted into the strobe jack the module carries on as normal. When a signal is introduced to strobe, the data obtained from the data jack is only loaded onto the outputs when the signal is high.
Like virtually everything else in the NLC synth, any signal crossing 1V can be used as a clock or data signal.

The best way to see what it does is feed it two signals from different sources, say two LFOs. Leave the clock signal steady and vary the frequency of the signal to the data input. Also try different wave-shapes such as square, sawtooth or triangle. You will see how the data is shifted down thru the stages.
It takes a little bit of tweaking to get the data moving thru in patterns you like, but should be very easy to see what is happening by watching the LEDs.

Once you have it running nicely, connect one of the CV outputs to a VCO and have a listen to the patterns. Tweak the signal on the data input to see how this changes. The first & final stages are fed back to Data input2 via a crude XOR circuit. If nothing is patched into this input, the feedback signal will ensure a nice level of complexity to the output patterns.
The CV outputs are all related to each other but are all different; part of CV1 is fed to CV2, part of CV2 is fed to CV3 etc.

The stage outputs are great for driving drum modules….or anything you like.









Construction pix and comments:

 Place the connectors on the bottom PCB, solder the 2 end pins 1st and check they are standing perpendicular to the PCB. Correct if necessary and then solder the rest.

 Place the other connectors onto the engine PCB, do not solder them yet
 Connect the PCBs and when nice and snug, solder the connectors to the engine PCB
 Remove the upper PCB and install the sockets & LEDs. It might be nice to install a different coloured LED for the centre (serial) position. I found it easiest to place the sockets on the PCB (unsoldered) then place the panel over them. It takes a little bit of jiggling, then hold the two together with one hand and screw the nuts on. Finally solder it all up.
 Note: rows of jacks share ground tabs




 



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Non Linear Excursions 006

More wonderful music from Steve.




He describes the patch as: Just some (raw) techno using mostly NLC. Boom: Doof1 (with sustain mod) 4x4: Mutant BD Hit (snare-ish): baDumTISSS1 (with IN from Doof2) Hats: Sauce of Unce (high noise) -> 329 Phase/Flange Beat: Bong0 (with IN from FlipFlop Chaos) -> Multi-band Distortion -> Serge Res EQ Off Beat: Doof3 -> Timbre! -> Multi-band Distortion -> Serge Res EQ Klang: baDumTISSS2 (with IN from L1 CVO) -> L1 Tube VCA Sequencing: 4Seq, Flip Flop Chaos, Numberwang, Bools (XOR), 1050. Other: 2xLFO, Sloth(s), Chopper, Squid Axon, VCAs
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Things to come: CEM3340 VCO

I generally prefer to use generic components for new designs, but couldn't resist making a module for the newly re-released CEM3340 VCO IC.
This is very much based on the Aries AR-338 PMS VCO, which features phase modulated sync and a pan-pulse output. The AR-338 used a SSM2030, so it was not too hard to modify the sub-sections to suit the CEM3340. As you can see, for such a feature rich VCO, there are not all that many components.




 The back of the panel.

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Things to come: Rimples

A ring modulator with a phase locked loop to do the modulating! The PLL can be set to lock tightly, loosely or not at all with the incoming signal. What could go wrong?



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Things to come: 8bit Cipher (Eurorack vers.)

It was going to happen sooner or later. This is the 8bit Cipher from the NLC 4U CMOS panel with an added strobe control, serial data output and built-in loop circuit. It is based on the Buchla 208 Random but includes 8 stage outputs, 4 CV outputs, the loop output and serial out.
If a patch-cable is plugged into strobe the outputs only change when the incoming signal is high, so it acts like a digital sample & hold.




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Things to come: 335 CV Switch

This module is functionally based on one section of the Aries 335 Quad Switch, although the actual circuit is different.
It is 1 into 4 or 4 into 1 bi-directional, the routing is controlled by CV and the 4 pots.

If no CV is used the pots can be used to simply turn each stage on or off, so no need for toggle switches. If using CV, the pots add weight to the channels, so each one is more or less likely to be on or off. Each pot affects more than one channel, so the relationships are more complex than simple comparators.
LEDs indicate which channels are active.




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Shipping costs

Recently Australia Post revamped their costs and service, simply put prices have gone up.

I am sorry but international shipping for assembled modules is now US$20 per order (1 module or 10 in the order, it stays at US$20).
It does mean that all parcels will now have tracking & signed delivery, previously Auspost didn't offer tracking.


Regular airmail for DIY PCBs & panels stays at US$5
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bong0



The bong0 is a twin-T based drum module with a LED acting as a nonlinear resistor to give it some interesting characteristics.
The trigger input acts as a normal input to get your drum sound. The input marked ‘in’ can also be used, or you can jam a CV in there, or a gate or audio. You can just use the ‘in’ input without anything into the trigger.

Bong0 can also be used for basslines, drones and as a crude but useful VCO. It has about 20 passive components which are 0805 smd and 1 thru-hole TL072, meaning it is a good circuit for learning to solder smd parts and delivers way more fun than such a simple module should. This video features 2 bong0s, along with a BadumTisss snare module and 2 Doofs (which are kept relatively quiet)







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BaDumTisss


BadumTisss is a snare/hi-hat module.

The core sound of the circuit comes from the ring mod. Usually it will process the noise source and the VCO, but feel free to plug in the output from another VCO and get some nice sounds. You can use CV to modulate the VCO frequency (NOT 1/oct) and control the decay time.










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32:1

Only had a short play with this so far but already am finding it a very interesting module and suspect I want to have 2 of them. Send signals from one VCO to the clock and input, split the waveform up into 2 -32 sections (use reset to select how many), send some or all of these sections off to various VCFs, waveshapes, VCAs, etc. Then use a 2nd 32:1 to put all the sections back together....or forget the FX and just put the sections back together in a different order to create a new waveshape.
What is it? a 1:32 or 32:1 mux. It can split one input signal into 32 outputs or switch 32 inputs into 1 output. Use the reset to get lower counts and the direction control to add a dash of complexity to your mux. If nothing is patched into the in/out jack, it works as a 32 stage counter.

Update: please note there is a small glitch with out 1 which gives an extra trigger on count 17. For most duties it is not noticable, tho it is when the module is used as a gate/trigger generator. In this case maybe do not use out 1 and enjoy the other 31 outs instead, or use out 1 and enjoy a bonus extra trigger pulse. The false trigger is caused by a slight delay when switching the Enable function on/off on the DG508 ICs.

Anyway, it looks like this:






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