Dream Machine manuals

Links to instruction manuals (where found) for each of the modules used in the various temporary instrument setups.

Allen Strange Dream Machine patch

Dream Machine patch
TipTop uZeus
Doepfer A149 SoU
TipTop X8000 Sequencer
Doepfer A140 ADSR
Doepfer A132-3 Dual VCA
Doepfer A180 Multiple
Malekko Wiard Anti-Oscillator
Doepfer A147 VCLFO
Doepfer A148 Dual S&H
Doepfer A175 Dual Inverter
Doepfer A180 Multiple
Doepfer A109 Signal Processor
Doepfer A110 VCO
Pittsburgh Outs

Noise

first noise

The Wart from Farnell arrived next day (Weds). The uZeus from Postmodular was sent on Thurs, using the Post Office's 'guaranteed by 1 the next day' service, and arrived at 7am on Saturday (the PO's web site explains that, during the Olympics, next day becomes the day after).

uZeus

I found that the celebrated case builder Ross Lamond stocks TipTop power leads and also ships quickly - that arrived on Friday. So on Saturday morning all the essential kit was here (Rhythm Active shipped the Pittsburgh Outs on Saturday).

foam replacement

The uZeus is an impressive piece of kit - the engraved statement watch out hot surface is true: the faceplate is a radiator. I set up the framework outside the case and it burbled happily on TipTop power through a Logitech X-140 while I replaced the foam with a wooden framework.

complete

I set up the Doepfer Dream Machine subset and then the full Strange Dream Machine and I am still fiddling with the latter. There is space for a second VCO until the Outs arrives, so I will add that today.


Snaps to follow and then noises.

Dream Machine

One of the prerequisites for the project is that The Case should be large enough to contain a Dream Machine. This was defined in the best book available on (modular) synthesis, Allen Strange's Electronic Music Systems, Techniques and Controls. Diagram right.
The components are:

• Two random voltage sources - Doepfer's SoU provides two, 12+4HP
• Sequencer - my smaller is the Analogue Solutions, about 18HP
• VCLFO A-147 8HP
• S/H A-148 4HP
• VCO the Anti-Oscillator is 14HP
• Inverter A-A175 4HP
• Two VCAs - there's one on the A109 Signal processor, I need another: a Doepfer A-132 dual VCA is 4HP
• ADSR A-142 8HP

And the likely permanent modules:

• Signal Processor A-109 20HP
• uZeus 4HP
• Outs 6HP

Total Dream = 76ish

Standards = 30
total = 106

So that's far too much for the 67HP case. Think again. [next day] Silly me, I have two lots of 67HP so carry on.


67*2 = 134 - 106 = 28 free for some sound processing or a second VCO to provide some other notes. The Metasonix R-54 is around 22HP, still leaving 6HP, but not with storage. What is the narrowest VCO?

On power, the uZeus comes with two power leads for 5+5=10 modules and allows another lead for 15 in total.