PROGUE - Analog mono synth - AUDIO DEMO

[JanneI]

Hello, my SDIY friends!

My latest project has advanced to "a working proto" -phase, so I thought I'd share some pictures of it. It's basically a mixture of Moog Rogue and Prodigy with some extra features, all in a single 4-layer 230mm x 130mm PCB with (mostly) SMD components. And since it's SMD, I haven't decided in which form this project could be available for builders, but maybe most of us are already moved to the SMD side of things?

Anyways, the next step is to do a small number of modifications to the proto PCB and add a couple of features. I will post some audio demos when I get time to do them properly.

Cheers!

Update 080820:

PROGUE-1.jpg

PROGUE-2.jpg

PROGUE-3.jpg

PROGUE-4.jpg

PROGUE-5.jpg

[KSS]

Well done! Look forward to the updates.

[tioJim]

Nice!

I did a repair on a Moog Rogue. I couldn't believe how simple the board was. Really liked the sound of it as well.

[Isaiah]

This look interesting!

There are some elements that are perhaps more easily identifiable as Rogue or Prodigy features from the front panel,
but it’d be good if you could detail where each functional block of your synth originated from.

Is “Beat” a linear detune control for one of the VCOs?

[search64]

I would have no problem with the SMD but then again if the SMD parts came presoldered for the right price I’d be game as well.

[JanneI]

So, here are some details of PROGUE. It's heavily Rogue based with modifications and add-ons.

Oscillators are from the Rogue, with add-ons like independent waveform switches, PW pot, PWM with a dedicated triangle LFO, Fine-tune for OSC2 (Beat), and the option to use Gate signal as a sync source for the oscillators (ie. for those in-phase bass sounds!). AS3046 is available now and so are those 100ohm PTC's in 0603 SMD. The PCB has both 0603 pads and THT pins for mounting it on top of the 3046 with wires.

Since Rogue has only one envelope, the whole gate/envelope section is from Prodigy, adjusted for +5V Gate signals. Also, the LFO can auto-trigger the envelopes as in Rogue.

VCF-VCA is pretty similar on both synths, but Rogue has a op-amp mixer with hard-clipping that IMHO doesn't really sound that good. So, values were modified in order to sound more similar to Prodigy. A passive HPF filter (ie. Juno series) was added to cut the low end when needed.

Phones amp is TPA152 -based solution.

All trimmers are accessible from the panel holes so calibration needs no unmounting.

For this proto-model, I simply added a header for the Roman Sowa's Midi Implant, which outputs are wired through those back panel jack switches. A dedicated midi section is in works. The enclosure is just a Hammond 1441 and the panel is obviously a PCB board, so a custom enclosure would be a nice addition for this project as well. From the design viewpoint, I wanted to keep this thing as easy+cheap to build as possible and leave these things for the DIYer to decide.

If you have questions, fire away! I try to get some demos recorded next week.

-Janne

[Spliffgroen]

Nice project! I read some interesting design decisions made. well done JanneI.

I would be interested in a keyboard player kind of view. With no experience in smd, pre soldered would be a pre for me personally.

Maybe its also a keyboard version? with pitch and mod wheel if that lay in your interests?

Goodjob! looking forward to the audio demo

[JanneI]

Maybe its also a keyboard version? with pitch and mod wheel if that lay in your interests?

Thanks! The Keyboard version would be lovely, but at the same time, it would require a quality enclosure (like Devin's "WestonPRO2021" Pro-1 clone project) and at the moment I'm not the one that can properly accomplish that. Maybe this could be done as a collaborative effort some day?

[KSS]

and so are those 100ohm PTC's in 0603 SMD.
If you have questions, fire away!

Hi Janne, Did not find these in a quick search. Do you have a part number or link?

Nice to hear some of your design choices. Looking forward to following this project as it develops. Agree a KBd version could come ater,. After this version has been builder field tested.

[JanneI]

Hi Janne, Did not find these in a quick search. Do you have a part number or link?

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... -ND/527076

[KSS]

Ah, ok. Thank you.
Thought you'd found some still in production.

[SphericalSound]

Such a love letter to the Rogue. Any idea on price ballparks?

[Spliffgroen]

Maybe its also a keyboard version? with pitch and mod wheel if that lay in your interests?

Thanks! The Keyboard version would be lovely, but at the same time, it would require a quality enclosure (like Devin's "WestonPRO2021" Pro-1 clone project) and at the moment I'm not the one that can properly accomplish that. Maybe this could be done as a collaborative effort some day?

Nice, yes maybe its a step ahead. But when the sounds en build come tru nicely is something i see a lot of use in. As in collaboration, I may can help with that for later, and sure a lot of other people will.

[JanneI]

Such a love letter to the Rogue. Any idea on price ballparks?

Not yet, but there isn't anything expensive NOS parts, etc, so it should be decent in price to build. I'm also thinking about doing a small run of "SMD pre-soldered" version, so people with no SMD experience can join too. Through-hole PCB is not something that I'm planning, because there are no added benefits besides "the beginner builder's point of view".

However, I might offer a chance for a few SMD experienced builders to get in to "alpha team of testers" and build this for themselves relative cheaply once the initial testing is completely done. Send me a message if this is something that you'd be interested in.

[devinw1]

Oh Sweet!! I Was JUST thinking of messaging you yesterday to see how this was going. Looks awesome, nice job!

Please, consider me as a test builder!

[kbithecrowing]

This looks cool! Where is the external audio input in the signal path? Would be great if there was an input gain pot was in the signal path for feedback sounds, or even a separate headphone output level; though it seems the panel is pretty full.

[diophantine]

Looks neat! Depending on price, I'd be interested in a PCB with SMT parts pre-soldered.

The panel + enclosure looks way nicer than what I'd expect for a PCB panel + Hammond enclosure. So, while a custom one would be awesome, I'd also be totally happy with what you're doing now.

[rosch]

I'd volunteer to test-build

[ashleym]

This is a great looking synth based on a brilliant fun synth. You can’t fail with these ingredients!!

[Bjarne]

+1

Looks neat! Depending on price, I'd be interested in a PCB with SMT parts pre-soldered.

The panel + enclosure looks way nicer than what I'd expect for a PCB panel + Hammond enclosure. So, while a custom one would be awesome, I'd also be totally happy with what you're doing now.

[southphillysynths]

+1

Looks neat! Depending on price, I'd be interested in a PCB with SMT parts pre-soldered.

The panel + enclosure looks way nicer than what I'd expect for a PCB panel + Hammond enclosure. So, while a custom one would be awesome, I'd also be totally happy with what you're doing now.

all this, would be more interested in pre soldered SMT

[jaidee]

I'm interested in a PCB, preferably with pre-soldered SMD

[Paradigm X]

+1 pre soldered smt awesome project.

[mlw123]

Im in for self source with pcb and case!! mint design excellent work thanks for the share
ps is that midi in on the rear? oh yes it is im well in for this

[Purveyor2]

I’d been down as an early builder.