Pitch to voltage converter

Pitch to voltage converter: Front view
Pitch to voltage converter: Front view

This is the software driven replacement for my all hardware pitch to voltage converter from my Shakuhachi to Synth project. The software driven approach has the advantage of easily adaption for different frequency ranges. In my case it is the range of the Shakuhachi. To change the range just adapt the software. It is completely temperature independent. The needed input is a pulse train derived from your original signal. You can use my Signal to Trigger converter to provide the pulse train. An offset voltage is added to the V/Oct output to fit the needs of your VCO (Synthesizer).

Specs and features

  • Software driven pitch to voltage converter
  • 12bit resolution
  • V/Oct output
  • Offset CV Fine and coarse adjustment
  • Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V
  • Power consumption around 45mA positive rail, 15mA negative rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

Pitch to voltage converter: Microprocessor board
Pitch to voltage converter: Microprocessor board
Pitch to voltage converter: Control board
Pitch to voltage converter: Control board

The incoming pulse train is feed to the microprocessor. IC1 (301-F) prevents the microprocessor from negative inputs. Zener D2 prevents from overvoltage. The trigger starts an internal timer of the microprocessor in input capture interrupt mode. The ticks are counted and the count is then looked up in a table. The lookup table provides the values for the V/Oct conversion. The read value is the send to the DAC MCP4921 which is follwed by a low pass (IC1A, 301-B)). IC2A (301-F) adds the offset voltage and IC2B (301-F) corrects the phase.

Pitch to Voltage converter: Populated PCB's
Pitch to Voltage converter: Populated PCB’s
Pitch to Voltage converter: Side view
Pitch to Voltage converter: Side view

Compressor with optional pedal steering

Compressor: Font view
Compressor: Font view

This is the revised version of my Limiter/Compressor. First built for my Shakuhachi to Synth project to handle the great dynamic range of the Shakuhachi. Here I left out the limiter and added a make up amplifier. The structure used is derived from “Small Signal Audio Design”, second edition by Douglas Self p682ff. The audio signal did not flow through a VCA as in many other implementations. Instead the compression is done by subtracting the audio signal at the output summing node according to the control voltage derived from the audio signal. The compression rate and the make up gain is adjusted by hand or/and optionally with foot pedals. The foot pedals are an additional option particularly made for wind players. It works without this option in your setup as well.

Specs and features

  • Compression rate and gain adjustable by hand or/and foot pedals
  • Audio path not affected when no compression is used
  • Runs on +/-12V and +/-15V (with minor resistor value changes for best performance)
  • Power consumption below 20mA each rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

Compressor: Schematic
Compressor: Schematic

When the ratio is set to zero and the gain to one the input signal passes through the circuitry unaffected (IC2C, IC2A IC6OTA1, IC6OTA2, IC2D). When the compression rate is turned up a DC voltage is derived from the input signal wit a precision full wave rectifier and some filtering (IC1A, IC1B, IC1C, IC1D). This voltage is used to open the VCA in the side chain (IC3OTA1, IC3OTA2, IC2B). The signal from the side chain is then subtracted from the main signal (R13, IC2A). The now compressed signal is then potentially amplified (IC6OTA1, IC6OTA2)

Compressor: Populated PCB
Compressor: Populated PCB
Compressor: Back view
Compressor: Back view
Compressor: Front with pedal connector
Compressor: Front with pedal connector

Foot switch connector

Foot swithc connector: Front view
Foot swithc connector: Front view

As a Shakuhachi player I need my hands on the flute. So I use me feet to manipulate parameters and switches on the synthesizer. This module was originally build for my Shakuhachi to Synth project to provide the possibility to connect foot switches with the synthesizer and keep the patch intact when they are removed. The signal is not routed through the foot switch. Instead CMOS switches are used, turned on and off with the foot switch. So the signal stays within the synthesizer and the connection to the foot switch carries only DC. Removing the foot switch does not interrupt the signal flow in the synthesizer.

Specs and features

  • Four independent switches
  • Signal flow stays intact when foot switch removed
  • Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V
  • Power consumption below 10mA each rail

The documentation and the Gerber files for download can be found in my website.

Foot switch connector;: Schematic
Foot switch connector;: Schematic

The switch in the DG202 is hold in on position with a 100k resistor against the positive rail. With a foot switch attached you can pull down the hold voltage when you close the foot switch.

Foot switch connector: side view
Foot switch connector: side view
Foot switch connector: Back view
Foot switch connector: Back view