New file hosting for Synovatron Downloadable Documents

The latest Synovatron documents can be downloaded from these links following difficulties some people had with the Google Docs links.

CV Tools Build Info Rev 3

The build info gives you a good idea of what is entailed in building the kit. Further build info (schematics and items list) is available when you place an order for the kit.

CV Tools User Manual Rev 1.5

ASM2DB Adaptor Fitting Instructions Rev 1

DIY Prototyping Kit Data Pack Rev 3

Please contact me if you have any problems downloading files.

CV Tools Australian Distributor Announcement

I am very pleased to announce that Rhythm Active will be distributing Synovatron products in Australia and should have an initial stock of CV Tools and ASys/Doepfer adaptors by the end of October.


CV Tools Modules and kits are starting to get some nice feedback - here's a taste:-

" I love the fact that with only the minimum of knowledge about the module I am totally comfortable with no panel legend or graphics, that appeals to me immensely, very elegant design......The LEDs make it really easy to tell what's going on and also centre the pots really accurately which is always a bit tricky with attenuverters"

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32286&start=20 


This neat little version was put together from a kit using a specially requested blank panel.

"Just got mine and have been messing around with it.  Definitely an all around winner. The ability to see the signal go positive or negative via the leds works great for sussing out what is going on, and the fact that this cascades down to the other leds really is helpful. And having the slew at the end really propells it to the top."

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40818&start=all&postdays=0&postorder=asc
 

CV Tools arrives in the USA

Finally after many trials and tribulations a batch of CV Tools Modules has arrived at Analogue Haven in Santa Monica USA.

Watch this space for a distributer in Australia too.

Having sold all of the first batch of CV Tools I'm now hastily preparing the next batch of 50 of which 10-20 will be allocated as kits. 

Some may also remember my DioDe module, well that took a back seat to lots of things, but am actively completing the design and will announce some news soon.

Cheap DIY front panels from UK DIY store!!!

Tone's Top Tip for July

Whilst wandering around my local Homebase DIY store I noticed a rack of metal and plastic extrusions. In there was a range of 2mm thick aluminium clear anodised strip in 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm and 30mm widths i.e. approximately 2HP, 3HP, 4HP, 5HP and 6HP respectively (note that the online links wrongly refer to it as flat tube and not all widths are listed online). The strips are 1m long and cost between £4.50 and £8.00 each. They have a similar finish to Doepfer front panels but with a slight vertical graining. Here's a pic of 6HP and 4HP strips.

If you are OK at cutting and drilling they are a cheap solution to narrow DIY panels. Good dimension info here. I guess they are available in most large DIY stores so it's worth having a look next time you are there.

CV Tools US Distributor Announcement

I am very pleased to announce that Analogue Haven will be distributing CV Tools Modules (not kits) in the United States. I am aiming to get a sizable stock to AH by mid-July. (Sorry 2 months late but they are there now: Edit)

Any enquiries for kits or specials (e.g. plain front panel, faster/slower slew rate, less/more gain etc., please e-mail me.

CV Tools Module Front Panel Update

Following on from my last post about customer feedback I have now changed the front panel subtly from a graphic overlay to a standard screen-printed clear-anodised panel. I think my customers were right (aren't they always!); it looks better, more professional and in keeping with all the other lovely modules out there. 

All kits and modules ordered from now on will have this type of panel fitted. Current stock at Post Modular will be retrofitted with the new panels by next week. I will keep a few unprinted panels back for those who prefer a plain metal panel (two sold so far). Anybody wishing to convert their CV Tools Module to the new panel please contact me and I will arrange a low cost swap out (either you can buy a new panel and swap over yourself, or return to me to do the swap; if I get the old panel back then I'll knock something off the price - details yet to be finalised).

First review comments and user's video for the CV Tools Module

Over half of the first batch of CV Tools have been sold, many in kit form. Here is some feedback from a few kit builders and module users:-

"Finished the CV Tools module. It works as advertised ;) No warts!

I must compliment you on your kit. The packing and organisation of components are as good as I've ever seen. Documentation is on the money for newbies ... All in all, I'm extremely satisfied ..." Steven H (VICMOD)

"An excellent simple tool. Great for cascading polyrhythms. Really easy to use and very surprising differences depending on where you tap the signal." Stephen R (VICMOD)

"...I was really impressed with the documentation and the way everything (in the kit) was bagged/labelled...CV Tools seems like a real Swiss Army Knife. I can already think of countless ways I'll be using it with my Oberheim SEM ... and humble modular." Alex M

"Tinkerbell lives!  Tonight I patched a triangle wave LFO into channel 3 of CV Tools and took the slew output into a quantizer (A156) set up to run minor arpeggios.  I can control the range of the arpeggiaic ascend/descend and even build in rhythm just using pots 3 & 4 - then out to two VCO's tuned apart. Out through a digital delay and reverb in ProTools and  . . . instant magic - fairy dust!  What fun . . " George B

Also check out this thread on Muff's entitled Some thoughts on the Synovatron CV Tools
 

Just to keep things balanced some people have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the front panel, some about the font and some about the fact that the graphics is on a matt laminated laser printed vinyl overlay. The beauty of the overlay is that multiple colours, shades and fading effects can be easily implemented, the down-side (for me) is they are expensive and difficult to fit accurately. 

The solution is that the second batch of CV Tools will have a standard screen printed front panel (something like TipTop Audio quality). I will be offering either a very low cost swappout or a low-cost retro-purchase to existing users who would prefer a more conventional graphic - I prefer happy customers over a few extra £. Hopefully you'll come back for more!

Here is the current overlay panel next to the artwork that will be taken to the screen printers (where there is grey it will be the brushed anodised aluminium showing through so it will look a bit better). Any comments, likes and dislikes gratefully received - I will give the artwork to the screen printer in just over a week's time.