Four years ago I wrote “except the LFO section, because it’s strictly analogue”, but this did not really let me rest. So I started designing a new LFO board with some special features that can be controlled by the new processor board that is currently in development.
While the processor board design is near completion, a first prototype of the Advanced LFO has just entered the programming phase. Here’s a peek for those who are following the project for some time now. It’s alive!
The later Elka Synthex models had a small MIDI interface built in, consisting of not more than a serial interface device (Motorola 6850), some glue logic and the obligatory photocoupler. The original boards are quite rare, and therefore rebuilds showed up over the years.
I’ve also designed a small board, using SMD components where possible for the ease of assembly and availability of components. Since the firmware used is still the unmodified original, the modern MIDI board suffers from the same problems as the original does – more messages than note on/off would probably screw up the small CPU of the Synthex.
Enough requests provided, a replacement CPU board allowing to MIDIfy the whole synthex (except the LFO section, because it’s strictly analogue) would be a possibe future products. So come on guys…
Oh sure, you want some tech stuff. Here it is, small enough to hide below the 24 wire strip cable:
