Motivation
This is my take on a multi phase waveform animator as described in EN#87 pg.3 ff by Bernie Hutchins. This module takes a single sawtooth waveform and then uses nine phase shifters to provide shifts from 0° to 360°. These shifts are controlled each by an independent oscillator which operates on a frequency of about 0.01Hz to 1.0Hz. The nine shifted waveforms are then mixed back together, along with original, to a composite sound. The volume of all phase shifted waveforms and the original are controlled with potentiometers. So you can dial in any amount of animation you like. You can choose from a variety of frequencies for the phase shifters. The method used here is described in EN#40 by Ralph Burhans. Ralph found that if you space frequencies at the fifth root of 2.1, you get no harmonic overlap over a 10 octave range. This is important because we don't want to produce patterns which will repeat and be detected by our ears to keep the sound animated. As you can see in the screenshots you can use this module for other waveforms as well.
Specs and features
- Nine independent phase shifters
- Volume control for all phase shifted waveforms
- Takes a lot more then only sawtooth inputs
- Runs on +/-15V and +/-12V
- Power consumption around 35mA each rail
Implementation
Schematic
Multi Phase Waveform Animator schematic: Control board
Multi Phase Waveform Animator schematic: Main board 1
Multi Phase Waveform Animator schematic: Main board 2
Description:
You can find a detailed description of the multi phase waveform animator in EN#87 pg.3 ff by Bernie Hutchins.
Sound snippet: Plain saw input
Multi Phase Waveform Animator screenshot: Sawtooth waveforms
Sound snippet: Plain triangle input
Multi Phase Waveform Animator screenshot: Triangle waveforms
Sound snippet: Plain sine input
Multi Phase Waveform Animator screenshot: Sine waveforms
Top
Calibration
- None
Building hints
- Select the LFO frequencies to your liking according to the list in the downloads
Special parts
- None
Download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator control board documentation downloadMulti Phase Waveform Animator control board Gerber files download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator main board 01 documentation download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator main board 01 Gerber files download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator main board 02 documentation download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator main board 02 Gerber files download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator main board feedback resistors list download
Multi Phase Waveform Animator *.fpd file
Multi Phase Waveform Animator: Front view
Multi Phase Waveform Animator: Populated control PCB
Multi Phase Waveform Animator: Populated main PCB 01
Multi Phase Waveform Animator: Populated main PCB 02
Multi Phase Waveform Animator: Back view
