#generalmusic — Public Fediverse posts

I finished proofreading the blog post on my webpage: http://davbucci.chez-alice.fr/index.php?argument=elettronica/gem_s2/gem_s2.inc I hope you'll enjoy! #Turbokit #GEM #Generalmusic #S2 #S3 #electronics #diy #synthdiy

By the way, I managed to have the Ramdisk working reliably. Look at that whopping 2048KB free! #turbokit #GEM #S2 #Generalmusic

I wrote a (lengthy) article for my blog about the #GEM #S2 #Turbokit. I still have to proofread it, so it is still a little rough around the edges, but if you want to give a peek here it is: http://davbucci.chez-alice.fr/index.php?argument=elettronica/gem_s2/gem_s2.inc #music #homepage #blog #generalmusic #electronics #DIYelectronics #diy #diysynth

Big win! I installed the #Turbokit on the #GEM #S2 and after some fiddling IT WORKS! I waited this moment since 1996 🥰 The #PCB was correct and the components were perfect, but it took a while to fix all the bad solder joints. Gosh, those 0402x8 resistor networks are SMALL and it took a while to learn to solder them properly (hot air and flux are your friends). Now, I only have to install the NiMh battery in a safe way. #electronics #sinthdiy #diy #music #Generalmusic #S3

I received a few days ago the 4-layer board I designed for the #Generalmusic #S2 #Turbokit replica. It looks very nice, let’s hope it works 🙂 I will assemble it in the next few weeks, then I will try to install it on my keyboard.

In the meanwhile, I sent the order both for the components that remain to be sourced and the PCB. Now, I just have to wait. #Turbokit #Generalmusic

Btw I received today this book that has been written by one of the members of the group who developed the #Generalmusic #S2. It is very interesting and full of details and interesting anecdotes about this Italian #synth. M. Colò, R. Gerbi “GEM S2, Quello che non sai… raccontato dai protagonisti”. It does not cost much and it id really interesting.

I corrected some errors and I think I reached what I think it will be the v1.0 design of the #PCB. I hope it will work! #Generalmusic #Turbokit #electronics #DIY #Synth

I'm not very experienced with the routing of a 4-layer PCB but it is fun. The different copper layers are starting to look nice! #Turbokit #Generalmusic #Electronics #Diy

I created a GitHub project for the #Turbokit replica for the #Generalmusic #S2. It is not a project for the faint of heart, however, at it will require to modify the original boards of the #synth. It is still pretty much an ongoing project: https://github.com/DarwinNE/GEM_turbokit #openhardware #electronics #diy

I resumed working on the #Turbokit replica for the #Generalmusic #S2. I tweaked a little the 4-layer PCB and got a quote from a well-known company: the estimated cost is US $81.87 for 5 PCB's. 2-layer boards would have been less expensive, but the circuit was too complex and I couldn't route it. #electronics #diy #synth

📚 Black in Blues by: Imani Perry

Throughout history, the concept of Blackness has been remarkably intertwined with another color: blue. In daily life, it is evoked in countless ways. Blue skies and blue water offer hope for that which lies beyond the current conditions. But blue is also the color of deep melancholy and hea...

https://bookblabla.com/book/black-in-blues

@bookstodon

#books #reading #libraries #history #american #subjectsthemes #generalmusic #genresstyles

I assembled back the #Generalmusic #S2 with the Gotek disk emulator in place the result is very good and I love it. I now have a few hundred disk images to test 😅

Yesterday I could successfully test a Gotek USB drive in place of the original disk drive. It is still slow, but much more practical than using 3.5 inch disks, that tend to be unreliable when formatted at 1.6MB. #Generalmusic #GEM #S2 Now I only have to install it in a more definitive way.

I could remove some really stuck screws, lift the keybed and expose the whole sound and digital board. The battery is still charged after 33 years 😳 #Generalmusic #Gem #S2

After a few iterations, I could slightly shrink the #Turbokit card. Now it should fit. Or at least I hope so, there are a few capacitors below the upper part of the board that can create problems. I may try to print a test on paper to see how it would fit on the real thing. #DIYelectronics #Generalmusic #S2

In the last few weeks I did a first tentative design for the Turbokit replica to be installed in my #Generalmusic S2 keyboard. I had to adjust the position of a few connectors as I originally planned them under the keybed and there is no place there. This second iteration is much better, but still does not work because it interferes with the connector on the right. #S2 #Turbokit. #DIYelectronics #Elka

I could put again my hands on my GEM S2. As you know since I’ve posted about it several times in the last few months, I love it as it’s a digital synthesiser from 1992, but has some amazing resonant filters and it REALLY shines with analog pads. The poy aftertouch works well and the Fatar keybed is great. #synth #generalmusic #s2 #SYNTHEX #90smusic #PolyAftertouch

I received the order and the first impression is very good. Everything was properly packaged in antistatic bags. The most difficult to source chip seems OK, but we will know only when installed in the keyboard. It would be amazing to build a #Turbokit replica for my #Generalmusic #S2. It is a massively underrated synth from 1992, a project started by #Elka!

I tried to pour some copper for the GND and +5V rails and tweaked some details. #Kicad works very well and is easy to use 😍 #DIYelectronics #Generalmusic #Synth

I would like to source the original schematics from #Generalmusic, though. There are a few things that I found strange and would like to check.

Here's another review of the #Generalmusic #S2/S3 synths. The article puts forward the flexibility of the sound design and the nice analog-esque sound. https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/diamond-life/9477

I could make the #Generalmusic #S2 encoder wheel work again with some contact cleaner. I played it for a few days and it is a truly stunning digital #synth. I remember I loved it and it is still the case. I will probably use it more creatively in my #music in the next few months.

I had the occasion to use again my old #Generalmusic #S2 digital #synth. I got it second hand in 1996. It was quite capable for the MIDI routing and as a master keyboard. Presets sound very 1990’s. Those I liked the most today are the #SYNTHEX ones, that emulate the legendary #ELKA synth. I discovered today that both synths were designed in the exact same place, at #Recanati in the Marche region of Italy. In fact ELKA was acquired by Generalmusic in 1989, that then produced my S2 in 1992.

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obtained a generalmusic WX expander, an actually working one

the optional video board is present

for those who don't know, the video board has its own m68k (mc68302, same as the main cpu), a phillips SCC66470 (CD-i Video and Systems Controller!) and speaks MIDI sysex down a uart.

yes, it's a MIDI sysex GPU, the only one I'm aware of!

I've had rom dumps for a while, now I have the hardware I should continue reversing them, heh. would be nice if i could pwn the GPU.

#synth #generalmusic