Trautonium 2Mar13

The case arrived today. It's in reasonable condition. It looks as though the modules should fit, although the lid sits snugly over the main compartment and so the control surface will have to be recessed to close the lid over the knobs and patch leads will be right out.

I have transferred the Doepfer Trautonium module suggestions (shown here) to Modular Grid. A few changes - I removed the bus access and replaced the two separate VCAs with the dual unit. The Frequency Shifter, though it would be fun to have in the suitcase, will probably not fit with a depth of 105.

I'll make a start on the plywood inserts for the case. I will almost certainly go for aluminium rails rather than wood (the offcuts from Case 4 are just about the right size) and  intend to upgrade Case 2 and Case 3 to aluminium at some point. Wooden rails are easy to make, but not satisfactory when the intention is to move modules around.

I'll order the modules and alumongery from Schneiders as soon as the liberated funds arrive.

There are some terrific Ttm performances on YouTube by Oskar Sala: here's one and the rest are in the menu. There seems to be a lot of delay/echo used in the performance: perhaps that's another requirement for the Case.

Case #4 11th Jan

1. Case 4

2. new handle

The racks are on the way from Schneiders.
1. Case 4
2. With a new handle from Buster Cases
3. Doepfer power rails in
4. Double plywood sides in to support the rack ears.

3. power rails

4. sides

C#4 progress

I have made a start on the woodwork.
The Trogotronic has arrived. It is a Thing of Beauty. And nice instructions: I'll post a copy. The box states THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS, which is far more encouraging than Eric Barbour's Your music still sucks on the box of the Metasonix R54 (I have the  Mark I, but that page is no longer on their site). I expect the two modules will look very pretty glowing side-by-side.
Anyway, due to pick up the power supply from Maplin tomorrow.
I'll try it in the Happy Endings while Case #4 is under construction.

The Schneiders order is waiting for a delivery and should ship in early January.

And GAK are waiting for more Oranges.

I'm getting a new room in which to deploy the wurble-bleeps, probably on the Rietveld desk.

Case 4 prosecution

The fourth case is large, deep and rather primitive, again from a camera fair.
I have ordered aluminium rails from Schneiders and will start the build in the New Year.
I'm getting a Doepfer Spring Reverb for Christmas and this should fit nicely in the lid.
I also took the opportunity to order Strakal Brulu germanium fuzz module (that page can take a long time to load).

I have finished the video course and so will post a video of the boxes ignoring one another one day.

I still need a delay or two and some VC mixers cheaper than the Cwejman.

I have also had to buy a Trogotronic 676. They have somehow managed to bottle Keith Emerson attacking his Hammond with kitchen knives (ref. Karelia Suite, Five Bridges, I saw it in Cardiff when still at school several decades past). There is no finer sound. Starts at 6:14 here.
The module takes a separate power supply - that's an admirable attribute. I'll install it in Case #4, add a separate XLR power input which I'll paint red.

Two new red modules in one day. It must be Christmas.

Happy Endings

The kit arrived today from SchneidersBuero. It took me three attempts to get the rails the right way round (I imagine that not many would find two incorrect ways to assemble it, but so it goes). Once understood it is nicely done. The initial load will be all the random note generators to play in contrast with the SoU in the Dream Machine, Wogglebug, Noisering and Heisenberg. Instruction manuals to follow.
I also plan to build a Mondrianesque wooden surround.

Outs

Outs

Happy Endings

Remarkably, the Pittsburgh Outs arrived from Australia on Tuesday - 7 days from order.
Thanks to Rhythm Active.
I have ordered Schneidersbuero's house version of the TipTop Happy Endings. I wonder if that will be quicker than the PO from RA.


Some lovely designs from goike here. But don't forget Ross.

Power

I tried Schneiders for the uZeus but couldn't get their ordering system to work. That could be a good thing as, while awaiting a reply to a query, David at Postmodular replied with confirmation of stock so I will pursue that. Neither seem to have a Pittsburgh Outs at the moment.

On the Case, let's pause for a moment to acknowledge that the case insert, having removed the padding is reminiscent of the great Mondrian  and move on.

Taking out the interstices confirmed that my dad, bless the old bugger, built things to last and that's where I got that inclination. Now ready to build the framework, allowing for the possibility of a storage space if that works with a Dream Machine in place. I visited the splendid and nearby Modern Screws for some suitable product - they only had countersunk, rather than the panhead I need, but they will do for now (£1.56 for a box). I also called into B&Q (just round the corner) for some wood, but can probably take it back and use offcuts already in stock - but better safe than sorry as I hope to begin the wood build (except for the possible storage compartment) tomorrow.