This project evolved from several different FX devices
which I had built for my Crumar Performer, back in the 80's. (On the picture,
it's on top of a Korg ES-50 Lambda.)
Originally they were stuffed into separate plastic boxes,
and then I decided to build a "processor-synthesizer" without its own VCOs.
I had modified my Crumar to put out eternally sustained
notes, until the next chord was pressed
(in retrospect, quite similar as the "Sustain II" on
Yamaha CS- synths ...) and so here, I had a cheap VCO bank....
The JH-1 Synth contained:
* Ringmodulator (single-3080
type; proud of this design, 'cause I didn't know of the similar EN or Serge
design back then!)
* State Variable VCF (as in elektor Formant)
(Three rectangular LEDs give a crude graphical output
of LP/BP/HP/NF response)
* Exponential VCA
* ADSR
* AR
* LFO with several waveshapes
* S/H
* Noise, Random
* Stereo Chorus / Flanger with CV control
* Pattern generator (Real time programmable shift register)
There was an attempt to make a "JH-2" Modular as well. It had a Doepfer Midi, two discrete VCOs with heated transistor arrays, and SSM-based VCF, VCA and Envelopes. The unit is still working, but I never built any exotic modules into it, and started the "JH-3" project instead.
(1) Dual VCO (CEM3340-based,
with thru-zero FM and various types of sync)
(2) Dual VC-ADSR (SSM2056-based)
(3) Variable-Slope 6-pole Phaser/Filter (based on two
Electronotes ideas)
(4) SEM-filter with envelope (Oberheim's design + SSM2056)
(5) Vintage SSM VCF & VCA (SSM2040 + SSM2020; VC-Resonance)
(6) Interpolating Scanner
(SSM2024-based crossfade over 8 VCAs)
(7) Audio Interface (2 Stereo input channels, 2 Stereo
output channels)
(8) Dual VCA/Panner/X-Fader (SSM2024-based. Linear Gain
controls, exponential Pan/X-fade controls)
(9) Ramp LFO Bank (5 Triangle LFO's + pseudo random)
(10) 2 x 8-Step Sequencer (very simple, with CD4017)
(11) Octave Filter Bank (EMS-clone)
(12) Quadrature (Sin/Cos) VCO/LFO
+ Komparator + Manual CV's
(13) Ringmodulator + Sample&Hold + 2 Mixers + VCA
+ Lag + Noise
(14) Manual Controls (A large joystick with X and Y output
voltage as well as a quad VCA switchable from 4->1 mixer to 1->4 signal
distributor, plus a manual switch 1p2t with zero position)
(15) Analogue Shift Register
+ 2-Stage Envelopes (x2) + Multiples (Influenced by similar Serge Modules)
(16) Morphing Programmer
(17) Resonant Envelope + VCA /
Overdrive / Inverter + Voltage Controlled Clock
Divider + VariLogic (switchable AND/NAND/OR/NOR/XOR/XNOR)
(18) Korg MS-20-Filter (HP+LP; with original Korg-35
IC's) + two mixers with 2 normal and 1 VCA input each
(19) Dual Saw VCO (SEM-design), Portamento
Each module is approx. 12cm x 20cm