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Universal Audio Modulator Interface - XENOSONIC

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LAN_403

HV Enthusiast

Mon Mar 10 2008, 03:24PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Just a quick annoucement (as opposed to answering them individually) since i've been getting frequent emails about this.
In April we will be officially releasing our entry level Musical Modulator Interface board including the full design.
This is a predecessor to our professional based advanced MIDI interface card and is geared for the amateur community.

This design will allow any single voice analog source (keyboard, guitar, microphone, etc...) to interface with any pulsed high voltage system (DRSSTC, SSTC, VTTC, etc...) producing a pulse modulated tesla coil.

Based on simple analog-to-digital modulation design based on all discrete components and designed for low-cost.

Schematics, parts lists, instructions, and full instructional details will also be released for anyone wishing to build their own.

There is currently a lot of "perceived" secrecy at this time when it comes to these musical interfaces. We are looking to end that once and for all by making the entire design open source.

Dan

Austin

Mon Mar 10 2008, 04:57PM

Registered Member #1169 Joined: Wed Dec 12 2007, 09:16AM
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 251

I can barely wait! Heh I was of those pesky people e-mailing you sorry :(

Wirenut

Mon Mar 10 2008, 11:54PM

Registered Member #141 Joined: Sat Feb 11 2006, 01:14PM
Location: Southern California
Posts: 96

There is currently a lot of "perceived" secrecy at this time when it comes to these musical interfaces. We are looking to end that once and for all by making the entire design open source.

That's awesome!

HV Enthusiast

Tue Mar 11 2008, 11:58AM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Thanks. Yeah, its a pretty stupid simple driver. Uses simples zero crossing detector to detect audio frequency. The zero crossings are then fed into a digital circuit which consists of a digital PWM driver. An envelope detector then is then sampled via an 8-bit A/D converter and used to control the digital PWM to set pulsewidth. Also a 2nd order low pass filter is utilized to decrease pulsewidth vs. frequency as a "cheap and dirty" duty cycle limit so you don't blow your coil on those loud high notes!!!!

And being dirty and cheap, it doesn't have lots of bells or whistles. Just two pots which control maximum pulsewidth, and gain on the envelope detector.

Austin

Tue Mar 11 2008, 07:44PM

Registered Member #1169 Joined: Wed Dec 12 2007, 09:16AM
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 251

mmmm sexy!

Dr. H.

Tue Mar 11 2008, 07:59PM

Registered Member #931 Joined: Mon Jul 30 2007, 05:25PM
Location: Bulgaria
Posts: 486

looking forward to it

HV Enthusiast

Mon Mar 17 2008, 02:17AM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Just a quick announcement. The new product, named the XENOSONIC II, will be released in mid April.
We finished design of our custom front panels, and they will be sold along side the boards for that extra professional touch.

FEATURES:
- Input: Universal Audio (Guitar, Keyboard, Acoustical Intruments, Theremin, etc...)
- Output: Pulsed SSTCs including DRSSTC, VTTC, Triggered Spark Gap Tesla Coils
- 10-Step (20 LED) dual VU meter for stunning visual effect (blue LEDs recommended)
- VU Meter for Input Signal monitoring
- VU Meter for Envelope Signal monitoring
- Input Low Pass filter
- Active Duty Cycle Foldback (adjusts duty cycle at high frequencies to limit power to coil)
- Independent Output Duty Cycle Clamp - Prevents high frequency (or noise) inputs from damaging coil
- High voltage circuitry for noise immunity (no 5V logic)
- Onboard Fiber Optic interface circuit (only used if needed otherwise BNC output)

CONTROLS:
- On/Off Switch
- Adjustable Gain for Envelope Detector
- Adjustable Max. Pulsewidth
- VU Meter Select Switch (Selectable between Signal Input and Envelope output)

This is the amateur version of a much more advanced product we are developing. We will be looking for BETA testers for the new professonal version, so if you are interested, please contact me via PM. Note, i won't be able to respond to everyone's request - you will only get a response if you are selected as one of the few BETA testers.

TRIVIA: If you can guess what sci-fi font i used for the front panel, you'll get a free cookie!

Austin

Mon Mar 17 2008, 06:22AM

Registered Member #1169 Joined: Wed Dec 12 2007, 09:16AM
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 251

PM SENT! /flex

HV Enthusiast

Mon Mar 17 2008, 12:08PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Here is a schematic block diagram.
Again, this is a no frills interface, so its very simple and straight to the point, although the VU meter makes it look really cool!!! Especially with blue LEDs!!!

The fiber optic interface blok shown is not something that is typically used, but the circuitry is on the board if it ever needs to be used and populated.

Dan

]xenosonic_blockdiagram2.pdf[/file]

Will

Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:40AM

Registered Member #57 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:28AM
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 27

The XENO part of XENOSONIC II is straight form the "Alien" series. The creature was referred to as a Xenomorph.

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