Muff's Modules & More

earlykooka

Just received a Livewire AFG. No manual or installation notes. Can't seem to find anything much on Livewire site (or anywhere else for that matter) concerning the following :

Installatuon: it has two ribbon connectors, i'm guessing that these both might need to be connected to power ? but I haven't seen this before ( two power connectors on a single module) OK i'm a bit of a newbie, but still find it strange that there seems to be no mention of this anywhere at all ?) I would prefer confirmation of this before blowing something up ... especially since there is also talk of expansion modules that could conceivably be why the second ribbon ????

Manual: OK, I have already discovered that documentaion is often a bit minimal in the eurorack world, but the AFG apparently has waveform selection via jumpers, so some info aboiut what jumpers and what waveforms would be kind of useful. In addition the Oct 2008 Livewire online blurb refers to three expansion modules "in the works" but then goes on to list two, neither of which seems to actually exist ? I saw some talk of DIY flux capacitor jerryrigging, but once again with no manual or even construction notrs i'm a bit reluctant to start hacking ...

Anyone ?

mckenic · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:28 am Post subject:

I know exactly what you mean!

I would have plopped down for a brand new AFG long ago if I knew what was what with it! You kind have to take it on blind faith as it is...

VortexRanger · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:28 am Post subject:

reppiks · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:31 am Post subject:

- yes, both ribbon connectors need to be connected to the power, this will make it work and won't blow it up (assuming you connect -ve to -ve correctly)

- i can't remember the jumper options off the top of my head, though it does exist in a thread somewhere, but i have found that the default settings are the best so go with that for now, still plenty to explore with all those outs and antimatter mode!

- none of the 3 expansion modules have made it to production, but it seems possible that some of them may actually appear sometime, if and when they do you will certainly hear about it on this forum

- the lack of documentation for some Euro modules can be frustrating at first but always feel free to post questions on this forum as someone will have the answer you're looking for! and i have come to appreciate that half the fun of modulars is experimentation and figuring out stuff on your own

enjoy!

mckenic · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:41 am Post subject:

Oh I certainly agree that its half the fun! On the other hand, it can be a lot of scratch to lay down without a 100% clear idea of whats going on!

I certainly would be LOST without this place, without Navs blog and places like Trash_Audio and the tutorial vids on youtube/vimeo! I still need to refer to Trash's video on the Piston Honda all the time and have the Maths and Wogglebug manuals handy when patching smile

earlykooka · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:44 am Post subject:

Thanks people. I agree that an appetite for experimentaion is both necessary and desirable, but i'm not sure that experimenting with the power connections is where I want to start with a new module ;-).

I mean seriously, how hard would it be for Livewire to just write "plug in both ribbon connectors to power" either on the website or on the box that the module comes in ??

Anyxay, thanks again ...

polyroy · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:46 am Post subject:

I just got one and it rules, only thing i'm not sure about is what the matter/anti matter switches actually do. Obviously I can hear a difference in the sound, but a technical explanation would be nice.

mckenic · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:56 am Post subject:

There is a really cool youtube vid where the user puts the AFG thru an oscilloscope and toggles between matter/anti-matter... Lemme see if I can find it...

James' vids ROCK!

asterisk · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:57 am Post subject:

matter and antimatter switch just gives you variations on the waveform. usually seems like the antimatter version of the waveform is richer in harmonics.

id love to see/learn more about the jumpers.
and it'd be nice to get some expansion modules for the AFG.

its a really amazing VCO. i love mine.

rtopia · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject:

this should help explain the waveform options: Bobby Voso's Blog

there's another jumper (JP501) that will give you a "laboratory" sine wave. The trade off is lower amplitude as you increase frequency (which I barely notice).

LPHovercraft · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

rtopia · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject:

LPHovercraft · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:36 pm Post subject:

mckenic · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject:

Im new too but I believe Mike (?) was very ill for a time?

rtopia · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject:

sorry - that was bad form on my part.
I should've realized that "keeping it light" came across a little cryptic.

short version: Livewire's founder became ill during the launch of the AFG and development of new modules has been slow while he recovers.

At the moment we're focused on releasing the Chaos Computer, since it was closer to being finished than the AFG Companions (the Chaos Computer was supposed to be released before the AFG).

If anyone has any questions about the AFG or any Livewire modules - I'll be happy to answer here or: r at livewire-synthesizers.com

[r]

LPHovercraft · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:11 pm Post subject:

mckenic · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject:

Hey rtopia!

Didnt realize you were from Livewire thumbs up

Hope things are moving along well for all the team - keep cracking away and hurry with the new cool stuff please!

Microscopial · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject:

reppiks · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:07 pm Post subject:

rtopia, is there an eta for the Voltage Mechanic going into production? I've blocked out space in modularplanner for this, it's a must!
Cheers
(sorry for thread hijack)

automaton · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:15 pm Post subject:

Same here on the Voltage Mechanic as well as Chaos Computer. See my WTB. I have dibs! :)