ginkosynthese grains as DIY soon available!

[a773]

Anyone got any they can share (that aren't already on the site)???

I wrote a clock multiplier/divider that I use all the time:

https://github.com/attejensen/grains/tr ... r/mult_div

[NiteEagle]

After a couple of tests, I found out that my Grains module does in fact work and produces sound correctly, but only when I connect an USB cable to the Arduino, no matter if the Eurorack ribbon cable is attached to the module or not, and no matter what code I upload to the Arduino. On the Arduino, the "PWR" LED glows very dimly, when the ribbon cable is attached. However, when the USB cable is attached to the Arduino, the "PWR" LED glows brightly, as it should do, and the module seems to respong correctly to input signals an knob movement by producing appropriate sounds.

My questions are:

• Did any of you experience such a behaviour with the Grains?
  Is there a circuit diagram available, which might help me to debug the module by trying to track the electricity flow?

I appreciate any help or suggestions.

Is the arduino oriented correctly? USB jack is up and closer to the jacks, opposite the euro power connector. I asked Jan what the right way was, because it wasn't obvious to me. That's why I'm asking.

I did some voltage readings on mine.

On the Arduino board.

VCC pin = 12V
5V pin = 5V
3.3V pn = 3.45V

On the voltage regulator on the main board.
Pin closest to the jacks 5V
Pin closest to the Arduino 12V

I hope this helps with some basic troubleshooting.

I checked the voltages on mine.

[Devon Dumpling]

Anyone got any they can share (that aren't already on the site)???

I wrote a clock multiplier/divider that I use all the time:

https://github.com/attejensen/grains/tr ... r/mult_div

Wow, that is excellent, thanks for sharing that. I need a "master" clock module and was thinking how I could build one. Looks like Grains could be the answer, hardware-wise!

I would ideally want P1 to set the master tempo (with a clock in J1 over-riding if it is present, though I don't have any other clock source yet), P2/J2 & P3/J3 for divider/multiplier. I think your code will be a great starting point - thanks again!

[Mrs_Audio_Boy]

Hi there, that sounds very odd. I personally did not experience this behaviour. Have you emailed the info@ginkosynthese.com? You should be able to get help from them. Or did you try Thonk? They are very friendly & helpful! Best of luck anyway!

Thanks for your suggestions! Yes, I contacted Thonk, but they couldn't offer any help and referred me to info@ginkosynthese.com. I contacted Ginkosynthese and Jan was very kind to give me a quick reply with some assistance. This is what I replied to him:

Hi Jan!
Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it! I checked my Grains V2.5 module again and would like to give you feedback. I attached screenshots which might help visualize the current situation:

• 1) The ribbon cable is plugged in the right direction, i.e. the cable's red stripe is aligned with the "RED" marking on the module (see attachment Powered_from_USB.jpg).
  2) All the diodes are soldered in the right direction (see attachment Diodes.jpg). Additionally, both the capacitors C4 and C6 are soldered in the right direction (see attachment Capacitors.jpg. Here, I detached the Arduino in order to better show the capacitors. Although the picture is blurred, one can identify the capacitors' direction, I think).
  3) The 78L05 regulator is soldered in the right direction (see attachment Diodes.jpg).

When powered from the modular, the Arduino receives power, but somewhat differently from when it is powered via USB:

• 1) When powered from the modular via the ribbon cable, the only LED that lights up is "POW"; also, this LED is glowing somewhat dimly (see attachment Powered_from_modular.jpg). As I mentioned before, the module doesn't produce any sound.
  2) When the USB cable is connected to the Arduino, the "POW" LED is glowing much brighter. Also, the "L" LED flashes eight times and then stays lit constantly (see attachment Powered_from_USB.jpg). As I mentioned before, the module produces sound as intended.

Could you give me some further hints, what I could check next?

Is the arduino oriented correctly? USB jack is up and closer to the jacks, opposite the euro power connector. I asked Jan what the right way was, because it wasn't obvious to me. That's why I'm asking.

I did some voltage readings on mine.

On the Arduino board.

VCC pin = 12V
5V pin = 5V
3.3V pn = 3.45V

On the voltage regulator on the main board.
Pin closest to the jacks 5V
Pin closest to the Arduino 12V

I hope this helps with some basic troubleshooting.

I checked the voltages on mine.

Also, thank you very much for your help! The orientation of the Arduino is correct, as you may see in the attached images. I didn't use my voltmeter to check the voltages yet, but I surely will do that. Just a couple more questions on how to go about it, since my knowledge about electronics is somewhat limited:

• 1) The 5V pin on the Arduino is marked with "5V" and I assume the 3.3 V pin is marked with "3V3", is that right?
  2) Where is the VCC pin on the Arduino, I seem not to be able to identify it. Is it the pin marked with "VIN"?

Although it is possible that I am dealing with a technical malfunction, it's more likely that I made an error while assembling the module. So please feel free to point out any mistake that may be obvious to you but which I simply continue to miss.


Thanks in advance!

[monix]

Anyone got any they can share (that aren't already on the site)???

I wrote a clock multiplier/divider that I use all the time:

https://github.com/attejensen/grains/tr ... r/mult_div

Can you explain what each pot does and what each in/out is used for in your firmware? Thanks, interested in trying it out.

[a773]

yeah

pot 1 is mult
pot 2 is div
pot 3 is mode sel (ccw:div/mult by 1,2,4,8 etv, cw by primes, noon off)

jack 1 is mult (pot is max mult with jack in)
jack 2 as jack 1, but with div
jack 3 is clock in
jack 4 is clock out

hope that helps

[NiteEagle]

1) The 5V pin on the Arduino is marked with "5V" and I assume the 3.3 V pin is marked with "3V3", is that right?
2) Where is the VCC pin on the Arduino, I seem not to be able to identify it. Is it the pin marked with "VIN"?

Yes and yes.

[lombrose]

No more new codes around?

[Mrs_Audio_Boy]

I did some voltage readings on mine.

On the Arduino board.

VCC pin = 12V
5V pin = 5V
3.3V pn = 3.45V

On the voltage regulator on the main board.
Pin closest to the jacks 5V
Pin closest to the Arduino 12V

I hope this helps with some basic troubleshooting.

Thank you, this totally helped. After I checked the voltages as you suggested, I found the cause of the problem. In my DIY rack I have the Tiptop uZeus, its external power supply is faulty and provides insufficient power. I swapped the power supply and now the Grains module functions perfectly!

I didn't notice the power supply problem because my other modules are either passive (Thonk AT-AT-AT and Doepfer A-183-1) or didn't show any flaws (Din Sync Modseq, Doepfer A-180-3, Doepfer A-147).

I learned an important lesson and I thank everybody who helped me so far!

[Meandmybrain]

solved

Hi there,

since a few days I own a Grains and nearly everything is fine.
But:
My problem is that I can upload the different codes from the website without an error (according to the software) but the arduino doesn´t boot when using any v2 code from jgb; except waves v2. I have a Grains v2.5 and used arduino 1.8.1 for uploading.


Thanks.

[jschussler]

I'm dealing with the "jack 3" issue (Grains only produces frequencies above 3K unless you plug a cable into jack 3).

Does anybody have the latest info on how one might fix this? Reading the thread, I see several mentions of adding a resistor, but it's not clear to me that doing so fixes this particular issue, and exactly where the resistor goes.

Help?

[hautlle]

I get this same behavior with my Grains at various times. I've loaded my own samples into the Cereals code and the sound will cutoff at random points, usually when trying to go to very high pitches/short grains.

I've wondered if this is a shortcoming in the code/processing ability or if there is something wrong with my build? I've not seen the video you are referring to.

Anyone else that can chime in?

I saw the video with the Cereals code which I thought sounded great, so installed that instead. And the results were pretty good, quite similar to the video!

However… with Cereals installed, when I turn the pitch (knob 3) beyond about 1 o’clock, the sound just suddenly cuts off (apart from what sounds like static crackles), which doesn’t happen in the video - at the very end (about 55s) knob 3 is turned right the way up and back down, and it seems OK. This happens wherever my other two knobs are.

So has anyone else had this problem? What could it be, apart from shoddy soldering work? I’m doubting my ability to build any more expensive kits at the moment! I’m thinking of re-soldering pot 3 (if I can get the knobs off).

[lombrose]

I get this same behavior with my Grains at various times. I've loaded my own samples into the Cereals code and the sound will cutoff at random points, usually when trying to go to very high pitches/short grains.

I've wondered if this is a shortcoming in the code/processing ability or if there is something wrong with my build? I've not seen the video you are referring to.

Anyone else that can chime in?

I saw the video with the Cereals code which I thought sounded great, so installed that instead. And the results were pretty good, quite similar to the video!

However… with Cereals installed, when I turn the pitch (knob 3) beyond about 1 o’clock, the sound just suddenly cuts off (apart from what sounds like static crackles), which doesn’t happen in the video - at the very end (about 55s) knob 3 is turned right the way up and back down, and it seems OK. This happens wherever my other two knobs are.

So has anyone else had this problem? What could it be, apart from shoddy soldering work? I’m doubting my ability to build any more expensive kits at the moment! I’m thinking of re-soldering pot 3 (if I can get the knobs off).

The same happened to me, after 1 o'clock it cuts off.

[lombrose]

what about this framen code?

[mqmq]

Hi ! Is the Wave v2 code tracking 1V/oct ? And if not how can i make track ?
Also is there a way to make the output hotter or do we have to go through a mixer for that ?
Cheers !

[Latzenpratz]

Hi!
Could it be possible to put 3 firmwares together and add an threeway switch to the board (for example grains/drums/clockdivider)?

[Staticcharge]

I'm dealing with the "jack 3" issue (Grains only produces frequencies above 3K unless you plug a cable into jack 3).

Does anybody have the latest info on how one might fix this? Reading the thread, I see several mentions of adding a resistor, but it's not clear to me that doing so fixes this particular issue, and exactly where the resistor goes.

Help?

I have the same result, didn't know it was an issue as the input for that pitch is coming from a Doepfer A-156 so didn't notice.
Quick question regarding the components you received in your kit that differ from the instructions. R8, was it a blue resistor or was it the same colour as the others? In the instructions it states it should be a blue one but sometimes the supplied components can differ due to revision ie v2 but in our case v2.5.
Also do you use the standard code?

EDIT: I read this in an earlier page: (Fixed the Input 3 issue. The jacks are switching jacks, so plugging in a cable breaks the connection between (if I remember correctly) the top and middle pins of the jack. The middle pin doesn't seem to serve any function other than causing problems, so I desoldered the jack, cut off the middle pin flush with the body of the jack, and soldered the other two pins back in place with the resistor across the legs. Works great now!)

[Staticcharge]

@Latzenpratz
I would think there is space for three FW types but it would have to be written in a different way (not clued up on audio based Ardo code, my experience comes from writing FW for drone flight controllers)
Also you would loose a jack for the trigger pulse input from the switching.
Don't quote me on that though, I built my Grains today and have only really started looking into it a little more.
From what I can see so far this is a handy bit of kit for the size of module. Maybe the Radio music module could be of more use for what your looking to do because it has the bank option...again don't quote me on that and I'm sure you'll find a thread on it.

[Staticcharge]

This is an update one the issue a few are experiencing regarding the high frequencies from grains when jack 3 is empty. A few have written solutions like:
(Fixed the Input 3 issue. The jacks are switching jacks, so plugging in a cable breaks the connection between (if I remember correctly) the top and middle pins of the jack. The middle pin doesn't seem to serve any function other than causing problems, so I desoldered the jack, cut off the middle pin flush with the body of the jack, and soldered the other two pins back in place with the resistor across the legs. Works great now!)
As previously mentioned. This renders pot 3 useless unless there is a input present in jack 3.

The solution I found is as follows:

Leaving the jack pins as they are find the trace on the pcb that runs from it. With the pcb facing you this can be found on the right hand side.
This will need to be cut, personally I use a craft knife.

Plug your grains back into your system to check the output with jack 3 empty. With the trace cut the output should be lower in frequency. (Note now pot 3 does nothing)

Now your going to solder a 10K resistor from the middle pin of jack 3 to the top pin of jack 1. This would be it's normal route but we have just cut the trace.

the top pin of jack 1 can be found just above the #1 printed on the back of the pcb. The middle pin of jack 3 can be found, with the pcb facing you, in the bottom right corner second solder pad up.

I've included a photo, it's a bit shakey but it should be clear enough. the red ring indicates the cut trace.

After doing the mod you can install the module back in your system, now you'll find with the all knobs function when 1-3 jack sockets are empty and there is no high frequency coming from your output.

This mod worked for me but I am not saying it will work for everyone. If any other Wiggler has information that will help sort this issue, that appears to date back a few years, then I'm sure all the grains owners will be grateful for the input.

[Staticcharge]

However… with Cereals installed, when I turn the pitch (knob 3) beyond about 1 o’clock, the sound just suddenly cuts off (apart from what sounds like static crackles), which doesn’t happen in the video - at the very end (about 55s) knob 3 is turned right the way up and back down, and it seems OK. This happens wherever my other two knobs are.

Comparing the video with mine, what seems to be happening is the "range" of pot 3 on my module is "compressed" up to the one o'clock position. So the highest frequency from the module on the vid is fully clockwise, but on mine it is at 1 o'clock, after which there is nothing. It's like the pot is allowing too much voltage through, if that is possible.

Anyone got any idea?

It could be possible that the grains in the video is the v1 or a version that differs from the version you have. The knobs and jacks are in the same place on all versions so it could be a newer panel but a v1 board.
It seems from previous posts that the pot/socket 3 issue causes other issues with other firmware types. To me that would indicate a hardware issue more than an issue with nano modules or the firmware flash process.
I'll flash mine with different firmware and see if my mod effects them.


Update to follow:
Update.
All of the firmware types seem to respond well to the mod. The Cereals sketch seems to throw up errors when flashing the nano regarding a narrowing conversion error and from what i can see its a int and char related error.
Any help with this would be a great help as I really want to check all firmware types to see if the positive result is consistent.

[tsintsi]

not to necro a dead thread, but any new apps out there?

[ilionic]

Any tips running Mozzi on Grains?

[glennfin]

Hey folks.. I finished my build on this a while ago but just now got around to powering it up in my system. No sound output. Arduino is lit green, correct direction, etc... All I can find is an assembly manual on the GS website. Unless I'm blind (possible) I don't see a operation manual or even basic setup info.

1) how do I know if the arduino has been programmed?
2) If the arduino needs to be programmed, can it be done with a simple usb cable from a windows PC?

[Mostin77]

1) how do I know if the arduino has been programmed?
2) If the arduino needs to be programmed, can it be done with a simple usb cable from a windows PC?

1)mine wasn’t programmed. I was also confused by wether it was programmed or not.

2)yep, should work fine.

[glennfin]

Thanks for the reply. Alas, yet another kit with not enough information...
I'll see if I can setup the environment and flash the Arduino... after I figure out which version PCB I have.

1) how do I know if the arduino has been programmed?
2) If the arduino needs to be programmed, can it be done with a simple usb cable from a windows PC?

1)mine wasn’t programmed. I was also confused by wether it was programmed or not.

2)yep, should work fine.