Muff's Modules & More

solitaryzen · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: Tuning problem

I just realised today that there is something weird going on with my frac system. I've already done a few gigs using the Blacet HexZone for sequencing along with Binary Zone thru Miniwave quantizer, and tuned the oscillators to play nicely in tune with other stuff that I had running on the laptop. I just got my SH-101 back from repair and today connected it to the modular to have a play. Right away I noticed that the cv pitch being sent from the SH-101 was way out, and initially thought that the SH-101 hadn't been calibrated properly. I then tuned the 101 separately to a steady C note from the laptop, connected back to the modular and it was still out (I was playing a sequence in C on the HexZone). I then connected the HexZone cv out to the SH-101, and sure enough, instead of a C note coming from the SH-101 I was actually getting a C#. Changing the note on the HexZone to a B got the SH-101 almost perfectly in tune (to C).

So, it seems my Hex Zone is sending notes that are almost exactly a semitone higher than what the module is telling me. I bought the Hex Zone brand new and assembled by Blacet... Any ideas about what might be going on here?? Is it more likely a problem with the Hex Zone (maybe it just needs calibrating, but strange that it's exactly a semitone out), or perhaps a general voltage problem in my system (I don't have any test equipment and I'm hopeless at fixing these sorts of things).

algorhythm · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject:

That is odd. If you've tested with another oscillator then it must be pumping out the wrong voltage. There's one calibration point, I believe... but if you don't have a multimeter or don't feel comfortable messing with it... I guess you could e-mail Mr. Blacet and ask? My guess is a slight adjustment might be in order...

e-grad · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:08 am Post subject:

First of all I'm still a bit sleepy. However I guess what you're describing is perfectly normal.

I sleepy guess: The HexZone does not give out a C# unless the VCO is tuned to the correct 'fundamental frequency'[1].

Since the HexZone won't give out notes but stepped voltages the fundamental frequency of the VCO has to be tuned in reference to the HexZone.

I'm not aware of an agreement on a certain fundamental frequency that allows a given VCO to play in tune with any 1/V-standard sequencer. However if there's an agreement on such a freq. I'm wrong of course.

[1] Not sure whether this is correct term.

Babaluma · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:52 am Post subject:

i was gonna say the same as e-grad. you have to tune your vco to the desired fundamental first, then the hex zone will "play" it properly.

solitaryzen · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I did tune it to the Hex Zone C originally and all was fine. It was just when I wanted to then play the same oscillator from a controller keyboard that I got into the problem. I just found it strange that it was pretty much an exact semitone difference. Since I have enough oscillators in my system it's no problem to have oscillators dedicated to play with the Hex Zone in a given patch, then I could just use another oscillator(s) to use for my lead/melody lines from the controller keyboard.

The Blacet manual does mention that trim pot on the board, but it doesn't specify just what it is calibrating. I assume it would be the pitch the module is sending out... Would be nice to have the Hex Zone in line with my other gear as far as pitch goes. I'd rather not go messing with that trim pot though until I'm certain what it is doing.

algorhythm · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I don't have a Hex Zone so I can't comment further. Is there some sort of 'factory reset' for the firmware in the menu? Have you tried any other VCOs? Have you sent an e-mail to Blacet to see if he has a suggestion? Best of luck, I'm sure you'll get it sorted out.

e-grad · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:46 am Post subject: