Analogue Solutions Telemark User manual

analogue solutions Semblance/Telemark e&oe (c) 5-3-09 1
user manual
Semblance
Telemark
(Semblance Modular)

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Contents
SPECIFICATION...........................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................6
APPLICATIONS............................................................................6
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................7
INITIAL TUNING...........................................................................8
CIRCUITS IN DETAILS.................................................................8
VCO1.............................................................................................9
VCO2...........................................................................................10
SYNC...........................................................................................11
NOISE GENERATOR .................................................................12
MIXER.........................................................................................12
VCF .............................................................................................13
Filtering External Sound Sources............................................15
ENVELOPE GENERATORS.......................................................16
EG1 ASR.....................................................................................16
EG2 ASR.........................................................................................
VCA.................................................................................................
LFO .................................................................................................
MIDI to CV CONVERTER...............................................................
EG2 ASR.....................................................................................17
VCA.............................................................................................17
LFO / Sample and Hold.............................................................18
REAR PANEL.............................................................................20
REAR PANEL DETAILS.............................................................21
REAR PANEL AUDIO CONNECTIONS.....................................22
NO SIGNAL? ..............................................................................23
QUICK METHOD FOR ZERO MODULATION ...........................23
EXPANSION ...............................................................................23
INTERNAL CALIBRATION OF VCOs........................................23
MIDI CONNECTIONS .................................................................25
LED Description.........................................................................25
Program Mode ...........................................................................25
To Set MIDI Receive Channel...................................................26
Telemark.....................................................................................27

analogue solutions Semblance/Telemark e&oe (c) 5-3-09 3

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SPECIFICATION
Brief Overview:
Semblance is a self contained TRUE analogue synthesiser. The voice circuitry is
entirely analogue, using all discrete and op-amp components. There is no voice DSP
happening!
Semblance has a similar sound and specification to the classic Oberheim SEM, but
withmanyimprovementssuchasMIDI,Noise,moremodulation.Notehowever,Semblance
is not intended to be and is not a clone of the SEM. If you want a true SEM sound, buy a
SEM!
VCO1
Fine Tune, Tune, PW Mod, FM, manual PW, Mod Source controls, Saw out, Pulse
out, Sync
VCO2
Fine Tune, Tune, PW Mod, FM, manual PW, Mod Source controls, Saw out, Pulse
out, Sync
VCF
Low pass filter, High pass filter, Band pass filter, Notch filter, variable Notch filter.
Cut-off, Resonance, Modulation Amount, Mod Source, MIDI Mod
Mixer
Audio source mixer
VCA
Mode switch, Output volume
EG1
ASR envelope with trigger LED
EG2
ASR envelope with trigger LED
LFO
Speed, Output Mode (Square, Triangle, Gate, External CV)
Noise Generator
White noise
Sample and Hold
For random modulation effects

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MIDI to CV Converter
16 bit high resolution with auxiliary controller CV2 output
Many modulation possibilities.
Rotary controls:
24
Rotary switches:
6
Push button:
2
LEDs:
4
Jack sockets (6.35mm, mono);
3
MIDI Sockets;
2
Rugged steel contruction
Dimensions:
Height: 110mm Width: 242mm. Depth: 275mm
Weight:
2.3Kg
Power:
Uses 15VAC, 500mA mains adaptor, 2.1mm DC type barrel plug
(draws approx. 40mA)
Accessories:
Manual, Mains adaptor (230v)

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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on buying the Semblance synthesiser. Semblance is part of the Ana-
logue Solutions range of analogue music equipment. Semblance is a precision electronic
musical instrument. It combines all the often needed music electronic circuitry to make a
music synthesiser in one compact module.
Nocompromise has beenmade with theconstruction of Semblance.Cheaper options
in parts have not been used;
Full rugged steel case - no plastic mouldings
Good quality smooth potentiometers, fully sealed against dust
Good quality knobs with spun aluminium caps
High grade double sided circuit board
All power and signal input/outputs have EM filters to remove external noise and im-
prove immunity
High Quality DAC - 16bit! (others use 12 or even 8 bit)
Very stable MIDI to CV conversion
Very stable analogue oscillators
Expensive blue
Hand built by humans
Lasting quality and appeal with a life far longer than any software plug-in or DSP
synth
APPLICATIONS
MONOSYNTHESISER
Semblance is for use any time you need analogue sound effects, fat basses, scream-
ing leads, beeps, tones, zaps, and all the other crazy sounds associated with analogue
synthesis. Use in place of your boring digital synths and DSP soft synths.
EFFECTS PROCESSOR
Semblance has an audio input socket, so you can feed external sounds into the on-
board analogue filters for analogue processing.

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read carefully before using:
• Only use the correct power adaptor - 230V (or 115V whatever your country
needs)
• Never handle the adaptor with wet hands
• Never excessivly bend the adaptor cable or get it trapped or place heavy objects
on it. If the adaptor cable becomes damaged, replace the adaptor.
• Ensure the unit is disconnected from the mains before moving or cleaning.
• Always disconnect the unit from the mains if there is lightning in your area.
• Ensure the unit is on a stable surface, and never place heavy objects on top of it.
• Never allow young children or animals to operate the unit or adaptor.
• Do not use excessive force when using the controls or inserting cables to the con-
nectors.
• Theunit should notbe operated in therain or nearwater and shouldnot be exposed
to moisture. If the unit is brought from a cold environment to a warm one, the unit should
be left to reach the ambient temperature.
• Keep Semblance away from heat sources, such as radiators, ovens, heaters etc.
• Never allow Semblance to get wet. Do not operate it near water, like pools, sinks,
bathrooms etc. Do not place beverages on or near it.
• Never open the case or attempt to make repairs. Refer any servicing to a qualified
service personnel.
Preventing damage to other connected devices;
Semblance has a very high dynamic range. It is capable of produce loud signals of
very high and sub-sonic frequencies that could blow inadequate speakers if played too
loud. It is recommended that input levels to external equipement (mixers, amp's etc.) is
kept low when first connected, and then sowly increased to a userable level.
Maintenance Instructions
Any cleaning of the Semblance case should be done with a clean lint-free cloth. DO
NOT USE SOLVENTS OR CLEANERS, as this will deteriorate the exterior appearance
of the equipment.
Mounting
Mounting does not mean 'place on the wall' or 'to make love to' in this instance. Place
Semblance soundly on any stable surface so he cannot fall off or over, causing it or your-
self injury.
POWER
Possible sources of US voltage mains adaptors (not tested);
www.radioshack.com
p/n 273-1631 or 273-1690

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INITIAL TUNING
Once the MIDI and audio connections have been made it may be neccessary to tune
in the VCOs to the rest of your music set-up. Allow a five minute warm up time.
First set up the controls of Semblance to make a simple sound. It is usually best to
leave the VCA at ON. Turn VCO2 to zero volume so you can only hear VCO1.
Play, say middle C on the keyboard. Using a digital keyboard as a reference, adjust
the course or fine tuning of VCO1 until it plays in tune with your reference.
Finally, turn up VCO2 so both VCOs can be heard. Using the tune controls of VCO2,
tune it to VCO1.
CIRCUITS IN DETAILS
Here follows details on all the sockets and controls, with brief simplified explanations
of what the circuits do. We have not gone into technical details on how and exactly what
each circuit does but tried to explain each control's function and effect.
Anyone who has used synthesisers before should be familiar with the terms used and
therefore be able to predict their behaviour and how they affect the sound. The best way
to learn how to use Semblance is to go straight ahead and play with it. Reading of this
manual may only be neccessary for finer operational detail.

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VCO1
The voltage controlled oscil-
lators (VCOs 1 and 2) produce the
rawaudiowaveform usuallyusedas
the initial source for sound creation.
Theyprovidecyclicaudiowaveforms
that can be pitched. VCOs usually
receive treatment from the VCF to
turn their basic tones into pleasant
sounds.
FINE TUNE
Controlsfinepitchadjustmentof
VCO1.UsethistotuneVCO1toyour
other instruments or VCO2.
TUNE
Controls the course pitch of
VCO1.Rangeisabout+/-2octaves.
Use this to tune VCO1 to your other
instrumentsor to shiftthe VCO pitch
up or down an octave compared to
the VCO2.
MODULATION
This controls the amount of
modulation to either pulse width or
pitch from the modulation source
selected by the SOURCE switch.
Turnthisknobclockwiseinincreasingamountstoapply pulse width modulation (PWM)
to the square wave. This will have the affect of thickening up the VCO sound. Extreme
settings of modulation may result in the sound cutting out.
Turn this knob anti-clockwise in increasing amounts to apply frequency modulation
(FM) to VCO1. Use this for vibrato and trill effects on the pitch.
In a central position, there will be no modulation to either PW or Frequency.

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MODULATION SOURCE rotary switch
This selects the modulation source for either PWM or FM and is routed to the control
above.
The source options are;
EG1 for pitch sweeps. Good for percussion sounds
EXT1 for sound effects and additional modulation
LFO for vibrato and trill effects
VCO2 Square wave for frequency modulation effects
Select the source that you want to use to modulate PWM/FM.
PULSE WIDTH
This control allows manual shaping of the pulse wave output. It alters the pulse width
(duty cycle) of the pulse wave. In a central position a square wave is produced (50% duty
cycle). Try this control and listen to how the tone of the waveform changes. When using
Pulse Width Modulation, it is best to set the Pulse Width control to centre, otherwise the
sound may cut-out.
VCO2
FINE TUNE
Controls fine pitch adjustment of VCO2. Use this to tune VCO2 to your other instru-
ments or VCO1.
TUNE
Controls the course pitch of VCO2. Range is about +/- 2 octaves. Use this to tune
VCO2 to your other instruments or to shift the VCO pitch up or down an octave compared
to the VCO1.
MODULATION
This controls the amount of modulation to either pulse width or pitch from the modula-
tion source selected by the SOURCE switch.
Turnthisknobclockwiseinincreasingamountstoapply pulse width modulation (PWM)