(1774,2,'2012-12-16 20:22:15','2012-12-17 01:22:15','<strong>Casio SA Keyboard Modification.</strong>\n\nI got an email from Jeff Stonestreet the other day with an attached schematic.\n\"Attached is a schematic I created for the Casio SA-7 keyboard. I am working on a microprocessor-controlled sound generator and plan on using the SA-7 for parts. I got frustrated trying to figure out how the thing was wired, so I finally spent about a week carefully mapping every circuit board trace.\nMaybe the schematic will save others the same frustration!\"\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/schematic.JPG\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_schematic.JPG\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"283\" /></a>\n<strong>Thanks Jeff!</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/SA-X.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_SA-X.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"256\" /></a>\n\nThis is an engineered modification which works on most of the Casio SA series ( SA-1, SA-5, SA-7, SA-8 etc). There will be an Amplifier chip ( No AN8053 ) common across the SA series and a mask programmed CPU which will be made by OKI and have the part No M6387-xx where xx is the variant for the specific keyboard it is installed in, in the case of the SA-5 it is M6387-16. The different variant number accommodates different key / button layouts of the keyboard it is fitted into, the PCM sounds however remain the same. There are 5 interesting modifications that can be easily fitted:\n\n<strong>1) Pitch Shifting</strong>\n<strong>2) Power Crash\n3) 5th\'s Switch\n4) Glitch Randomizer\n5) Filter/ Feedback Adjustment </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/inside5.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_inside5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"201\" /></a>\n\n1) Pitch shifting. The CPU runs at a fixed speed of 22Mhz which it needs to create the internal sounds out of its Rom and to run the main program that scans the keyboard / buttons and plays the sounds. It has to run at a precise fixed speed as a lot of the internal processes are calculated by dividing the clock signal internally. It is not possible to just remove the Casio\'s crystal and swap it with another, as the original crystal has 3 legs, and most others have 2. In order for the crystal to oscillate it needs two capacitors, these are built into the original crystal and come out on the 3rd pin in the middle. To successfully swap the crystal we need to add two 22pf ( very tiny ) capacitors to a new crystal and complete the oscillator circuit. I have got it to run as low as 6Mhz but at this speed it executes it\'s system program slower also, so there is a tiny delay after switch on before the keyboard responds.. this is normal! It is also possible (although I have not tried) to increase the clock speed and put a 30Mhz crystal in, which would increase the pitch of the keyboard.. it may even go higher, just like overclocking your PC!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/inside4.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_inside4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n2) Power Crash. The CPU needs a stable regulated voltage to run normally. If a variable resistor is put in series with the supply to the keyboard (removing the DC in Jack off the PCB and using the solder pads works very well) it will reduce the available voltage the CPU can use, and there is a threshold where the CPU does not have enough power to run correctly, but it has enough to not stop, this causes random sounds.. glitches in playback etc. Different results are achieved if the speaker is removed or not as the speaker requires a lot of power to run, the CPU does not glitch out as much with it in circuit, it just gets quieter when the power is reduced. A good value potentiometer is 500 ohm, which maybe hard to get but can be made with a 1K pot with a 1K resistor in parallel, giving a 500 ohm potentiometer\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/inside2.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_inside2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n3) 5th\'s Switch. When you play a key, activating this mod will play a second note at the same time, either a 5th up or down depending on the position of the toggle (centre off toggle switch needed). This mod simply fools the CPU into thinking an extra key is pressed. All the keys are wired in a sort of X Y matrix that the CPU scans the X and the Y lines to see if a key or button is pressed. By shorting out an extra line, when the key is pressed the CPU sees 2 key presses and plays 2 notes. The switch is wired to short out either 1 line up or 1 line down of the line that scans the keyboard. It may not work on all the SA series as the CPU is configured to scan different button arrangements on different models, these pins may connect to buttons rather than keys on a different model.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/inside1.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_inside1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n4) Glitch randomiser. This causes a random effect on the CPU dependant on how the knob is set, and what the keyboard is doing at the time. I previously mentioned that the CPU constantly scans all the keys and buttons.. This mod takes the final amplified audio signal out of pin 5 of the amplifier chip and injects it back into the scanning matrix via a 1Meg pot. Instead of the CPU seeing a definite signal (such as when a key is pressed) it doesn\'t know what to do when it finds a much amplified audio signal where it is expecting a scan signal, and it locks the CPU up. If the keyboard is idle and not making any sound, then turning the knob has no effect as there is no audio signal there to inject back into the CPU.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/inside3.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/Casio SA/_inside3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n5) Filter / Feedback pot. This works exactly the same way as sticking a live microphone in front of an amplifier speaker and you get howl or the Larssen effect ( usually heard at drunken speeches - or after dinner events ). The modification takes the audio output frm the amplifier which is quite large, and injects it back to the CPU output that is connected to the input of the amplifier chip, which then amplifies it further, feeds it back and amplifies it more.. the amplifier chip cannot cope and goes into self oscillation which is heard when the knob is wound right up. The Potentiometer used is a 1K pot, but a trimmer is also fitted in the 1 leg, so with the pot turned right down there is still some resistance between the input and output of the amplifier, otherwise it would feedback all the time. When setting up, adjust the trimmer so that oscillation starts approximately 1/3 of turning the main 1K potentiometer. When the amplifier is in self oscillation / howling, it draws a relatively large amount of power, which causes the power glitch mod to not work properly, it is better to put a switch between the 1K potentiometer and the wire to pin 5 of the amplifier chip, so the feedback loop can be broken\n\nThere are further potential modifications, such as Rheed\'s body contacts and instability pot.. these both work on the Crystal oscillator circuit, and cause the CPU to miss a clock pulse causing a crash in the internal program. The same effect can be achieved by switching the clock speed, as the time it takes for the switch to disconnect one crystal and connect the other by moving the lever, may only be a fraction of a second for us, the CPU has missed literally thousands of clock pulses and doesn\'t know where it is in it\'s program. Very occasionally I have managed to play a note, flip the switch and it continues to play but dropped in pitch 99% of the time it will crash the CPU.. the most spectacular results occur if you have the power reduction pot right on the threshold, where the SA is fighting to make sense of what is going on, and then you change the crystal.. utter mayhem :)\n\nP.Parry Aka OCEANUS 15/1/08','Casio SA keyboards',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','149-autosave','','','2012-12-16 20:22:15','2012-12-17 01:22:15','',149,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/12/16/149-autosave/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (1775,2,'2012-01-18 15:07:42','2012-01-18 20:07:42','<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Interfacing/ArduinoInterfacing2.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Interfacing/ArduinoInterfacing2-282x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"ArduinoInterfacing\" width=\"390\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-858\" /></a>\r\nHere are 3 ways of interfacing the Arduino with various electronics, especially bent circuits and analog audio circuits. The circuits are actually pretty non-specific and can be used for interfacing with pretty much any micro controller, but we\'ll just talk about the Arduino to keep it simple. \r\nThe circuits above allow the Arduino to control physical electronics in three ways: \r\n-digitally controlled variable resistor\r\n-digital switch\r\n-variable voltage (using a digital to analog convertor).\r\nI\'ll talk about each one in detail below.\r\n<hr>\r\n<h3>VARIABLE RESISTOR</h3>\r\nA simple, brute force way of using one of the PWM (pulse width modulation) outputs of the Arduino to create variable effects in other circuits.\r\n<h1>HOW IT WORKS:</h1>\r\nThis simple circuit uses PWM to modulate the brightness of an LED. The LED is mechanically connected to an LDR which is a light sensitive resistor. As the brightness of the LED modulates, the resistance of the LDR changes as well. Read at the bottom of the page for more info on PWM.<p>\r\n<h1>HOW TO BUILD:</h1>\r\n<strong>Making a vactrol</strong>\r\nFor this circuit you first need to make a <em>vactrol</em>. There\'s lots of tutorials for how to do this online if you want more info. \r\n-Connect an LED to a light dependent resistor face to face. I found that high brightness LEDs are TOO bright. Average red LEDs will work fine.  You\'ll also need a 220ohm current limiting resistor in there to keep the LED from getting too bright and burning out. \r\n-The LED is polarized and the LDR is NOT. Mark the negative leg of the LED with a marker or piece of tape.\r\n-Make sure the face of the LED and the LDR are touching and wrap a piece of electrical tape or heat shrink tubing around them, something that will ensure that no light gets in. \r\n*If you want to be organized about it you can bend all of the legs in the same direction and solder them to a piece of perf board. This is a good way to do it if you want to make several vactrols for one system. Make sure the material you use to connect and insulate the LED/LDR is secure and wont let ANY light in. \r\n<p>\r\nNow you can connect the vactrol to your system.\r\n<strong>Connecting the vactrol to the Arduino. </strong>\r\n-Connect the negative leg of the LED to the ground terminal of the Arduino.\r\n-Connect the positive leg of the LED to one of the PWM output pins of the Arduino.\r\n-Assigning a number value to the chosen output terminal will set the pulse width of a square wave at that terminal.\r\n<p>\r\n<strong>Connecting the vactrol to your circuit. </strong>\r\nFirst you have to find a feature that you want to alter and CAN be alter by varying a resistance in your circuit. A good example of this is pitch. Most audio circuits have a pitch resistor. Altering the value of this resistor changes the pitch. For more info on this check out my <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/circuit-bending-tutorial/pitch-adjustment/\">pitch adjustment tutorial</a>(If you follow that tutorial you will be using the vactrol in the \"attenuator method\").\r\n-Find a resistor in your circuit that you want to control with the vactrol. \r\n-Remove that resistor. You may want to install a switch that lets you switch between vactrol control and a preset resistance.\r\n-Connect the two legs from the LDR in your vactrol to the two points on your board where the original resistor used to be. \r\n-Done. \r\n<p>\r\nI strongly recommend installing a limiting resistor, especially if you are controlling pitch. Lowering the resistor too much can fry the circuit. a limiter resistor will guarantee that even if the LDR resistor drops to zero there will still be some resistance in the circuit. \r\nI\'ve illustrated a few other configurations below which I have found useful in tuning in the Vactrol resistance range.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Interfacing/VactrolWiring.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Interfacing/VactrolWiring-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"VactrolWiring\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-863\" /></a>\r\n<strong>A NOTE ON LDRs</strong>\r\nLDRs come in many different ranges of resistance. I\'ve found that the most common is around 100ohms - 500k. This range is from bright light to complete darkness. Make sure the LDR in your vactrol is completely insulated from environmental light. ANY light that gets in, even in a dim room, can drastically alter the range of the LDR.\r\n It is important that you use the LDR to replace a resistor of a similar value. For instance replacing a 1k resistor with a 500k LDR wont do much. It is possible to place a resistor in parallel with the LDR to tighten its range but this can drastically change its resistance curve. \r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n<h3>DIGITAL SWITCH</h3>\r\n<hr>\r\n<h3>DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTOR</h3>\r\nThis design is pretty crude. It\'s somewhat noisy and vulnerable to loading effects from low load resistance. There are lots of other schematics online which mostly use op amps instead of transistors. I wanted something cheap and small so went with this design. It\'s clean enough for what I\'m doing works fine if you are using it to drive an op amp input like most CV inputs of an analog synth. I\'ve found that signal noise can be decreased by changing the .1uF cap to a .2uF. I\'m sure it . \r\n<hr>\r\n<h3>PWM - PULSE WIDTH MODULATION </h3>\r\nPWM is a way of creating a varying signal using a digital output. Digital outs either generate 5 volts or 0 volts. That\'s 2 states. If you want to generate a varying signal you have to get clever. That\'s where PWM comes in. The Arduino has several PWM output pins. These output a high frequency square wave and the duty cycle of the wave is variable. Duty cycle is the ratio of time the wave is high vs low. Lets say 1 cycle of the wave is 100 micro seconds. A 50% duty cycle means the wave will be high for 50mS and low for 50mS. a 20% duty cycle will be high 80mS and low 20mS. ','Interfacing with the Arduino',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','856-revision-12','','','2012-01-18 15:07:42','2012-01-18 20:07:42','',856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/01/18/856-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(1779,2,'2012-10-21 15:27:13','2012-10-21 20:27:13','<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<h1>For more info go to the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone page</a>.</h1>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1229\" title=\"doublefinished.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better-934x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"510\" /></a>\r\n<h1>Send all questions and comments to <strong>novaworldorders@gmail.com</strong></h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<h1>\"How long will it take to get my order?\"</h1>\r\nPlease be aware that orders CAN take up to two weeks to fill. We\'re a small team and The NovaDrone is brand new so there may be some delays while we get this wacky machine up and running. We ship all orders USPS priority mail. Shipping in the US commonly takes 3 days. International shipping commonly takes 2 weeks but can take up to 3 if it gets stuck in customs.\r\n<hr />\r\n<h1>Double VS Single</h1>\r\nThe NovaDrone is available as a PCB, a kit and as an assembled unit.\r\nEach of these options is available as a single or double unit. The double unit is essentially two NovaDrones on a single <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\">illustrated PCB</a>. The double unit shares a single power input and single audio output. The audio signals can be separated by using both audio jacks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>THE ADVENTURE KIT</h1>\r\nThe <strong>adventure kit</strong> is a collection of electrical components which work especially well with the adventure board (the circuit bending breadboard at the bottom of the PCB). This kit will allow you to explore a wide range of novice to advanced bends and hacks ranging from light controlled pitch to distortion and filter circuits.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>POWER SUPPLY</h1>\r\nWe have power supplies for sale at the bottom of the page. They are switching supplies which means they will work anywhere in the world provided you have a physical adapter for the plug.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>V1.3 jumper wires</h1>\r\nThere are four *little* jumpers that have been added to the V1.3 PCBs. This is not a flaw or mistake in the board. These jumpers are board <em>enhancements</em> that have been added to unlock a small but cool feature.\r\n\r\nThese jumpers are there to invert the phase of the RED and GREEN pulse width comparators. This actually has no noticeable effect on the <em>regular</em> operation of the NovaDrone. So why are they there you ask? Designing the NovaDrone has been an exciting experience and we are regularly finding new hacks and features. One of the more recent ones we found is that interesting pitch modulation effects can be created by placing capacitors between the PWM outs and other points on the adventure board. Unfortunately this feature only works when the pulse width modulation comparator is configured a certain way (tri 2 into the inverting terminal of the comparator, tri 1 into the non-inverting terminal). Even more unfortunately, the 3 comparators in the NovaDrone are configured the OPPOSITE way. We deliberated over manually modifying the boards to configure them the \"right\" way for a long time. The pitch mod feature isn\'t necessary and many people probably wont end up finding or using it, but we think its really fun. In the end we decided it was too cool to not include and we rewired all the boards for many many hours :).\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1210\" title=\"singlePCB.lone\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$25\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"3ZUVEXX8TR62L\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1226\" title=\"doublePCB.lone.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better-300x296.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$50\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"N4JUSEQEVFL3E\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB + PARTS KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1209\" title=\"single.Kit\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$100\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"MBSMUQGSTPSJY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1207\" title=\"Double.kit2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"8872KHAVYGKA4\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ASSEMBLED AND TESTED</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1208\" title=\"single.finished\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"ENH4N62AJD684\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1206\" title=\"double.finished\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$400\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"UPZ5M5ERQDFML\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3>****ACCESSORIES****</h3>\r\nPLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING!\r\nAccessory orders MUST be combined with PCB, kit, or assembled unit orders. You can NOT order just a power supply or adventure kit on its own.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ADVENTURE KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1242\" title=\"adventurekit.together\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n$15\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"SPCF3HAAGGL6S\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>POWER SUPPLY</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1213\" title=\"power.supply\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n$10\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"JWDE4S5F34MDY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />','Store',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1112-revision-v1','','','2012-10-21 15:27:13','2012-10-21 20:27:13','',1112,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/10/21/1112-revision-85/',0,'revision','',0),(1781,2,'2012-12-27 12:16:15','2012-12-27 17:16:15','<img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/housing/_blackpic2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"311\" />\n<h2>LINKS\n-<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/for-sale-2/\">Order form</a>\n-<a href=\"http://www.ghostwizard.com\">Drone Lab builders Forum</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-housing/\">Housing info and artwork</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-schematic/\">Schematic</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-pcb-artwork/\">Board artwork</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-parts/\">Materials list</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-assembly/\">Assembly instructions</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-operation/\">How to use your Drone Lab</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-add-ons/\">Mods and upgrades</a>\n-<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-sound-and-video/\">Sound and video samples</a></h2>\nQuestions welcome at support[at]ghostwizard[dot]com\n<h2>ORDER YOUR DRONE LAB <a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/for-sale-2/\">HERE</a>.</h2>\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/kit/DroneKit.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/kit/_DroneKit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" /></a>\n<h2>What is the Drone Lab?</h2>\nThe Drone Lab is a 4 voice analog drone synth, rhythm generator and FX processor. It is capable of generating rich, textured soundscapes, hypnotic drones and complex rhythmic sequences. It features a series of filter and distortions circuits as well as an audio input jack. This allows it to be used as an effects processor for external audio signals.\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"344\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/kNJYZxuOmwM&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed width=\"425\" height=\"344\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/kNJYZxuOmwM&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" /></object>\n<h2>Drone Add-Ons</h2>\nThe Drone Lab was designed to invite modification and expansion. A series of <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/drone-lab-add-ons/\">add-on</a> modules are in the works. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!\n<h2>Building a Drone Lab</h2>\nThe Drone Lab is being sold as a kit as well as in finished form.\nDetailed build instructions will be posted here soon.\nYou\'re welcome to buy the PCB and parts from us or build it all from scratch.\nThe Drone Lab plans are completely open source and available below. We encourage others to use and adapt the plans as they like.\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/KitLayoutLabels.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/_KitLayoutLabels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"515\" /></a>\n\n<hr />\n\n<h2>What is a DRONE?</h2>\nA drone is created by slightly de-tuning 2 oscillators. This creates a rhythmic phase canceling effect as the output waves line up and diverge. The density of the drone can be increased by adding more oscillators tuned by harmonic steps above or below the other oscillators.\nThe Drone Lab is engineered to allow for the creation of dense, pulsing drones. A series of filters and a distortion circuit have been built in to add more depth and variation to the drone.\n\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"344\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/S42-CRPbmyw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed width=\"425\" height=\"344\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/S42-CRPbmyw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" /></object>\n\n<strong>TREMOLO (volume modulation):</strong>\nIn order to create movement in the drone we developed a complex, interlinked tremolo system with independent controls for each of the four oscillators. Each oscillator has a tremolo on/off switch, an inversion switch and a pulse divider adjustment. Each of the four tremolos are controlled by one master clock. The divider adjustment creates sub divisions of that clock. The sub division output is then used as a volume control signal for the oscillator.\n\nIn the drawing below you can see the master clock rate and how that rate has been divided. The length of the division is set using the \"division\" knob. The illustration also shows how the pulse can be inverted using the \"invert\" switch.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/tremolo.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/_tremolo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" /></a>\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"344\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/GZ3PJfBbRIM&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed width=\"425\" height=\"344\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/GZ3PJfBbRIM&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" /></object>\n\n<hr />\n\n<h2>INTERFACING:</h2>\n<strong>TREMOLO CLOCK.</strong> The master clock is totally modular, meaning it can control the clocks in other Drone Labs or be controlled BY other Drone Labs. This means <strong>any</strong> number of Drone Labs can be linked together to make extremely complex rhythmic sequences.\nIt can also be synced with other gear like modular synthesizers, drum triggers or old drum machines with a trigger output.\n\n<strong>AUDIO INPUT.</strong> Any audio signal can be added to a drone and run through the distortion and filters. The input goes through a preamp, so un-amplified signals like a guitar or microphone can be used.\n\n<hr />\n\n<h2>FEATURES:</h2>\nThe Drone Lab V2 is based on the architecture of the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/drone-lab/\">V1</a>with a number of substantial improvements.\n\n-Interfacing added. Audio input jack and tremolo clock syncing\n-Fine tune pitch control added for each oscillator\n-Improved fuzz stage\n-Improved and expanded divider/tremolo feature\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Oscillator bank.</strong>\nDe-tune and fade the volume of four oscillators to create rich drones.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Audio input</strong>\nAdd external signals into your drone or use the Lab\'s filters and distortion as an FX processor.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Low pass filter</strong>\nModify the tone of the oscillator bank and input signal before it goes into the distortion.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Distortion</strong>\nAdding distortion brings out the phasing rhythm between two or more tones.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Band pass filters</strong>\nTwo slightly resonant band pass filters can be adjusted to drastically alter the tonal character of your sound. Achieve wah-wah and phaser sounds as well as creating classic analog synth filter effects.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Tremolo bank</strong>\nAdd movement to drones and create interlinked pulses and complex sequences. Sync the master tremolo clock to a limitless number of other drone labs to create a rhythmically linked drone orchestra. Alternate clock sources may be used such as modular synth clocks, drum machines, piezo triggers and simple DIY clocks such as the 555 timer.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Battery or wall power</strong>\nThe Drone Lab draws very little power and will work for days straight on a single battery. In the event the you don\'t have a battery it can also be powered using a standard 9 VDC wall wort power supply.\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>Add your own circuits!</strong>\nIt may be small, but a proto area has been added to the board to allow for simple circuit addition. We\'ve got oodles of ideas that we\'ll post as the project goes on. Hopefully others will contribute their ideas and designs as well.\n\n<strong>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong>\n<h2>LISTEN TO THE DRONE LAB!</h2>\nHere\'s a sample of the Drone Lab doing it\'s droney thing.\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/droning.mp3\">Droning</a>\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"27\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/droning.mp3\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"never\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"best\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"window\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"playerMode=embedded\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"27\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/droning.mp3\" allowscriptaccess=\"never\" quality=\"best\" wmode=\"window\" flashvars=\"playerMode=embedded\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" /></object>\n0:00 fade in single tone.\n0:05 second tone added.\n0:11 light distortion added.\n0:14 Low pass filter turned up.\n0:19 Band pass filter turned up.\n0:27 Third tone added.\n1:05 Fourth tone added.\n\nHere\'s a sample made using the tremolo feature.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/tremolodrone.mp3\">Tremolo drone</a>\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"27\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/tremolodrone.mp3\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"never\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"best\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"window\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"playerMode=embedded\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"27\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/tremolodrone.mp3\" allowscriptaccess=\"never\" quality=\"best\" wmode=\"window\" flashvars=\"playerMode=embedded\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" /></object>\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/Dronestortion.mp3\">Distorted drone</a>\nI don\'t usually post samples of my gear going through other effects, but I have to show off how great the Drone Lab sounds with distortion. This sample was made by sending the Lab through a distortion/feedback circuit I\'m working on specially for future versions of the Drone Lab. It\'s a little unruly for a lot of sounds but works wonders on steady drones.\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"27\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/Dronestortion.mp3\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"never\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"best\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"window\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"playerMode=embedded\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"27\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/sounds/drone-lab-v2/Dronestortion.mp3\" allowscriptaccess=\"never\" quality=\"best\" wmode=\"window\" flashvars=\"playerMode=embedded\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" /></object>\n\nHere is a video of 3 of the first Drone Lab prototypes going at once. This video really shows how well they work together.\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"344\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/tpvMZHiOkGw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed width=\"425\" height=\"344\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/tpvMZHiOkGw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" /></object>\n\n<hr />\n\n<strong>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong>\n<h2>PROTOTYPING:</h2>\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/transfer.jpg\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/_transfer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"265\" height=\"400\" /></a>\nTo test our board design we burned our own two sided board. Totally crazy. Somehow it actually worked!\nIt was an absurd amount of work and I hope to never have to do this again!\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/prototyping.JPG\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/_prototyping.JPG\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"265\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/Droneboard2.JPG\"><img title=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/droner/V2/_Droneboard2.JPG\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" /></a>','Drone Lab V2',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','293-autosave','','','2012-12-27 12:16:15','2012-12-27 17:16:15','',293,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/12/27/293-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1848,2,'2012-12-18 16:54:19','2012-12-18 21:54:19','<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<h1>For more info go to the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone page</a>.</h1>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1229\" title=\"doublefinished.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better-934x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"510\" /></a>\r\n<h1>Send all questions and comments to <strong>novaworldorders@gmail.com</strong></h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>\"How long will it take to get my order?\"</h1>\r\nBetween <strong>December 2012 and February 2013</strong> operations at casperelectronics will be temporarily slowed down while we move our headquarters to Brooklyn NY(!). We are still taking and shipping orders but processing time is likely to take twice as long as usual. Meaning orders <em>may</em> take as long as 1 month to fill.\r\n\r\nWe ship all orders USPS priority mail. Shipping in the US commonly takes 3 days. International shipping commonly takes 2 weeks but can take up to 3 if it gets stuck in customs.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>Double VS Single</h1>\r\nThe NovaDrone is available as a PCB, a kit and as an assembled unit.\r\nEach of these options is available as a single or double unit. The double unit is essentially two NovaDrones on a single <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\">illustrated PCB</a>. The double unit shares a single power input and single audio output. The audio signals can be separated by using both audio jacks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>THE ADVENTURE KIT</h1>\r\nThe <strong>adventure kit</strong> is a collection of electrical components which work especially well with the adventure board (the circuit bending breadboard at the bottom of the PCB). This kit will allow you to explore a wide range of novice to advanced bends and hacks ranging from light controlled pitch to distortion and filter circuits.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>POWER SUPPLY</h1>\r\nWe have power supplies for sale at the bottom of the page. They are switching supplies which means they will work anywhere in the world provided you have a physical adapter for the plug.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>V1.3 jumper wires</h1>\r\nThere are four *little* jumpers that have been added to the V1.3 PCBs. This is not a flaw or mistake in the board. These jumpers are board <em>enhancements</em> that have been added to unlock a small but cool feature.\r\n\r\nThese jumpers are there to invert the phase of the RED and GREEN pulse width comparators. This actually has no noticeable effect on the <em>regular</em> operation of the NovaDrone. So why are they there you ask? Designing the NovaDrone has been an exciting experience and we are regularly finding new hacks and features. One of the more recent ones we found is that interesting pitch modulation effects can be created by placing capacitors between the PWM outs and other points on the adventure board. Unfortunately this feature only works when the pulse width modulation comparator is configured a certain way (tri 2 into the inverting terminal of the comparator, tri 1 into the non-inverting terminal). Even more unfortunately, the 3 comparators in the NovaDrone are configured the OPPOSITE way. We deliberated over manually modifying the boards to configure them the \"right\" way for a long time. The pitch mod feature isn\'t necessary and many people probably wont end up finding or using it, but we think its really fun. In the end we decided it was too cool to not include and we rewired all the boards for many many hours :).\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1210\" title=\"singlePCB.lone\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$25\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"3ZUVEXX8TR62L\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1226\" title=\"doublePCB.lone.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better-300x296.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$50\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"N4JUSEQEVFL3E\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB + PARTS KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1209\" title=\"single.Kit\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$100\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"MBSMUQGSTPSJY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1207\" title=\"Double.kit2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"8872KHAVYGKA4\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ASSEMBLED AND TESTED</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1208\" title=\"single.finished\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"ENH4N62AJD684\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1206\" title=\"double.finished\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$400\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"UPZ5M5ERQDFML\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3>****ACCESSORIES****</h3>\r\nPLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING!\r\nAccessory orders MUST be combined with PCB, kit, or assembled unit orders. You can NOT order just a power supply or adventure kit on its own.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ADVENTURE KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1242\" title=\"adventurekit.together\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n$15\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"SPCF3HAAGGL6S\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>POWER SUPPLY</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1213\" title=\"power.supply\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n$10\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"JWDE4S5F34MDY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" />\r\n<img src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />','Store',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1112-revision-v1','','','2012-12-18 16:54:19','2012-12-18 21:54:19','',1112,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/12/18/1112-revision-86/',0,'revision','',0),(1787,2,'2011-07-20 00:24:25','2011-07-20 05:24:25','<p> Studio visit and interview with <a href=\"rhizome.org\">Rhizome.org</a><a href=\"http://rhizome.org/editorial/2011/jun/27/homebrew-electronics-studio-visit-pete-edwards-cas/\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/Rhizome.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n<hr/>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/06/20/news/doc4c1bb6f79585c636945695.txt\">Troy Record: Five Questions with Peter Edwards</a><br>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/06/20/news/doc4c1bb6f79585c636945695.txt\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://images.townnews.com/troyrecord.com/content/articles/2010/06/20/news/doc4c1bb6f79585c636945695.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"210\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" />\r\n</a><p><hr/><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"250\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/wDC-iKcQktY&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/wDC-iKcQktY&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"400\" height=\"250\"></embed></object><p><hr/><p>\r\n\r\n<embed src=\"http://www.troyrecord.com/shared-content/flowplayer/FlowPlayer.swf?config=%7Bembedded%3Atrue%2CbaseURL%3A%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etroyrecord%2Ecom%2Fshared%2Dcontent%2Fflowplayer%27%2CplayList%3A%5B%7BcontrolEnabled%3Atrue%2Ctype%3A%27jpg%27%2Curl%3A%27%2Fshared%2Dcontent%2Fnewsys%2Fcommon%2Fvideo%5Fpreview%2Ephp%3Fvideo%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etroyrecord%2Ecom%2F%2Fcontent%2Farticles%2F2009%2F09%2F09%2Fnews%2Fdoc4aa703e67f5bd1595931181%2Eflv%27%2CoverlayId%3A%27play%27%7D%2C%7BcontrolEnabled%3Atrue%2Ctype%3A%27flv%27%2Curl%3A%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etroyrecord%2Ecom%2F%2Fcontent%2Farticles%2F2009%2F09%2F09%2Fnews%2Fdoc4aa703e67f5bd1595931181%2Eflv%27%7D%5D%2CmenuItems%3A%5Btrue%2Ctrue%2Ctrue%2Ctrue%2Ctrue%2Ctrue%2Cfalse%5D%2CautoBuffering%3Afalse%2CautoPlay%3Afalse%2CautoRewind%3Atrue%2CuseNativeFullScreen%3Atrue%2CshowPlayListButtons%3Afalse%2CshowLoopButton%3Afalse%2Cloop%3Afalse%7D\" width=\"432\" height=\"265\" scale=\"noscale\" bgcolor=\"111111\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowScriptAccess=\"always\" allowNetworking=\"all\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"></embed>\r\nPrint interview and video for the <a href=\"http://www.troyrecord.com\">Troy Record </a>Read the article <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/the-record-interview/\">here</a>. Video above.\r\n<p><hr/><p>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.metroland.net\">MetroLand</a> ran a lengthy article on Casperelectronics and Casper Land. \r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/metroland-interview/\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/press/metroland.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" /></a><br> Read it <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/metroland-interview/\">HERE</a>.<p><hr/><p>\r\n<a href=\"http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2009/07/17/casperland\">Interview for Albany-centric blog AllOverAlbany.com</a>. Released in conjunction with the opening of casper electronics gallery and show space <a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/casperland/\">Casper Land</a>.\r\n<img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/casperland/_3663810411_6c74eae6c1_b.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" /><p><hr/><p>\r\nInterview on NPR\'s <a href=\"http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/\">Brian Lehrer show</a>.<br>\r\n\r\n<embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3247397568-audio-player.swf?audioUrl=http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/themes/casper/media/interview/WNYC 48.mp3\" width=\"400\" height=\"27\" allowscriptaccess=\"never\" quality=\"best\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" wmode=\"window\" flashvars=\"playerMode=embedded\" /><p>\r\nInterview for Current TV.<br>\r\nProduced by <a href=\"http://vimeo.com/twoplayer\">2 Player Productions</a> for a documentary series called <a href=\"http://vimeo.com/2023838\">NEW YORK electriCITY</a><br>\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"225\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2023838&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2023838&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\"></embed></object><br />.\r\n<p><hr/><p>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/spacer.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"20\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" />\r\nSwedish public access special Showroom<br>\r\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/vJyYjK6uE2E&rel=1\"></param><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/vJyYjK6uE2E&rel=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"></embed></object><p><hr/><p>\r\n\r\nInterview at the <a href=\"http://newyork.timeout.com/\">Time Out New York</a> offices for <a href=\"http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/thevolume/2009/04/bent-festival-starts-today/\">The Volume</a> to promote the 2009 <a href=\"http://www.bentfestival.org/\">Bent Festival</a>.\r\n<script src=\"http://www.ooyala.com/player.js?width=480&height=360&embedCode=53cmFoOsIsHf5CDK4v3ywm3GQe5r_4_f\"></script><p><hr/><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/spacer.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"20\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TechTV\">Tech TV</a> show <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Screen_Savers\">Screen Savers</a><br>\r\n<object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CgjIbYuntEA&rel=1\"></param><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CgjIbYuntEA&rel=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"></embed></object><p><hr/><p>\r\n','Press & Interviews',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','212-revision-5','','','2011-07-20 00:24:25','2011-07-20 05:24:25','',212,'http://casperelectronics.com/2011/07/20/212-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1806,2,'2012-11-13 18:08:30','2012-11-13 23:08:30','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nThroughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 3. Sound and Light</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mix\">audio mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#led\">LED driver</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>◊ 1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape◊</strong></strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Figure 1. A triangle wave oscillator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThe heart of the NovaDrone is a bank of six independent oscillators.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nAn oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. This can be a pattern of light, movement, electricity, even life cycles of organisms. The <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscillation\">wikipedia entry</a> gives dozens of examples of different kinds of oscillation.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<address> </address><address><em><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span></em></address>What we are most interested in is the oscillation (or modulating amplitude) of electricity. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating electrical current.\r\nWhen this is applied to a speaker, the current activates a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker away from or towards a fixed magnet. This action vibrates the air in front of the speaker which in turn vibrates the air in front of that and so on until those vibrations hit our ear drums and are perceived as sound. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation.\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nFigure 1 shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle. The waveforms in fig 2 are Sine, ramp, triangle and square.Sine, triangle and square are symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw and pulse waves.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"> Figure 2. Waveshapes </span></p>\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><strong>Review</strong></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<div></div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊1.2 Phase◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\n\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nLet’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts which means the green wave sweeps from +2.5 to -2.5 and is 5 Vpk-pk.\r\n\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is <em>relative to the difference in phase</em> of the two source waves.\r\n\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is <strong>phase controlled amplitude modulation</strong> and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊ 2.1 The circuit ◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators are simple and robust. Each oscillator is built around 2 <strong>op amps</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1302 alignnone\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 5. LFO Figure 6. Audio oscillator</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nEach channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a> They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\r\nOscillator 1 and 2 combine to make a square wave oscillator with a frequency controlled by oscillator 1 and pulse width modulation controlled by oscillator 2.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Feedback loops</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Comparator</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 8.</span>\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"sec3\"></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"mix\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Section 3. SOUND &amp; LIGHT</span></span></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Audio Mixer</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is c\r\n\r\n<a name=\"led\"></a>\r\n\r\nalculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>LED drivers</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about\r\n.\r\n\r\n</div>','Theory',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1369-revision-v1','','','2012-11-13 18:08:30','2012-11-13 23:08:30','',1369,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/13/1369-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(1791,2,'2013-01-22 19:39:57','2013-01-23 00:39:57','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>\r\n><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\"><strong>Refunct installation unveiling</strong></a>. \r\n\r\nTuesday January 29th. 9pm.\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>\r\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">Sound and light music performance</a></strong>!\r\n\r\n Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>\r\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">Analog sound and light synth workshop</a></strong> (full!).\r\n\r\n Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','publish','open','closed','','transmediale-dates','','','2013-01-22 19:43:43','2013-01-23 00:43:43','',0,'http://casperelectronics.com/?p=1791',0,'post','',0),(1793,2,'2013-01-22 19:38:53','2013-01-23 00:38:53','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\n<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\">installation</a> unveiling Tuesday January 29th. 9pm\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\n\n>Sound and light<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">performance</a>! Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\n\n\n>Analog sound and light synth <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">workshop</a> (full!) Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\n\n\nHere\'s my personal page with all links to all the info above.all in one place \n\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision','','','2013-01-22 19:38:53','2013-01-23 00:38:53','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1794,2,'2013-01-22 19:39:07','2013-01-23 00:39:07','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\">installation</a> unveiling Tuesday January 29th. 9pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n\r\n>Sound and light<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">performance</a>! Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n\r\n>Analog sound and light synth <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">workshop</a> (full!) Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision-2','','','2013-01-22 19:39:07','2013-01-23 00:39:07','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1795,2,'2013-01-22 19:39:11','2013-01-23 00:39:11','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\">installation</a> unveiling Tuesday January 29th. 9pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n\r\n>Sound and light<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">performance</a>! Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n\r\n>Analog sound and light synth <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">workshop</a> (full!) Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision-3','','','2013-01-22 19:39:11','2013-01-23 00:39:11','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1796,2,'2013-01-22 19:42:55','2013-01-23 00:42:55','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\n><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\"><strong>Refunct installation unveiling</strong></a>. \n\nTuesday January 29th. 9pm.\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\n\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">Sound and light music performance</a></strong>!\n\n Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\n\n\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">Analog sound and light synth workshop</a></strong> (full!).\n\n Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\n\n\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\n\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-autosave','','','2013-01-22 19:42:55','2013-01-23 00:42:55','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1797,2,'2013-01-22 19:39:57','2013-01-23 00:39:57','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\">Refunct installation</a> unveiling Tuesday January 29th. 9pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n\r\n>Sound and light<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">performance</a>! Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n\r\n>Analog sound and light synth <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">workshop</a> (full!) Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision-4','','','2013-01-22 19:39:57','2013-01-23 00:39:57','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1798,2,'2013-01-22 19:41:27','2013-01-23 00:41:27','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\"><strong>Refunct installation</a> unveiling</strong>. Tuesday January 29th. 9pm.\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n\r\n><strong>Sound and light<a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">music performance</a></strong>! Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n\r\n><strong>Analog sound and light synth <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">workshop</a></strong> (full!). Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision-5','','','2013-01-22 19:41:27','2013-01-23 00:41:27','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1799,2,'2013-01-22 19:43:00','2013-01-23 00:43:00','I\'m doing a bunch of stuff at the <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/bwpwap\">Transmediale</a> fest in Berlin next week. Here\'s all the info:\r\n><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/refunct-media-presentation\"><strong>Refunct installation unveiling</strong></a>. \r\n\r\nTuesday January 29th. 9pm.\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K1 show space\r\n\r\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/casperelectronics\">Sound and light music performance</a></strong>!\r\n\r\n Wednesday January 30th. 7:30pm\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">Haus der Kulturen der Welt</a> CAFE stage.\r\n\r\n\r\n><strong><a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/analog-sound-and-light-synth-building-workshop\">Analog sound and light synth workshop</a></strong> (full!).\r\n\r\n Friday, February 1st. 11am sharp!\r\n<a href=\"https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&fb=1&hq=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&hnear=Haus+der+Kulturen+der+Welt&cid=0,0,5133052966469237353&ei=WRz_UL-LHvGX0QWWr4DgDA&ved=0CKkBEPwSMAE\">HWK</a> K2 workspace\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s my <a href=\"http://www.transmediale.de/content/peter-edwards\">personal page</a> with all links to all the info above.\r\n\r\n','Transmediale dates',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1791-revision-6','','','2013-01-22 19:43:00','2013-01-23 00:43:00','',1791,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/22/1791-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1801,2,'2012-10-18 15:21:33','2012-10-18 20:21:33','Come say hi and play with some synthesizers this saturday (october 20th) at the <a href=\"http://mf050.nl/\">Groningen Maker Fair</a>!\r\nI\'ll be demo-ing the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> and will have a few kits for sale. \r\nI\'m sharing a table with <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/benjolin/\">Benjolin</a> inventor Rob Hordijk. He\'s bringing an epic modular system to try out. yay!','Groningen Maker Faire ',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1598-revision-3','','','2012-10-18 15:21:33','2012-10-18 20:21:33','',1598,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/10/18/1598-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1802,2,'2013-01-26 18:39:27','2013-01-26 23:39:27','I\'m giving a <a href=\"http://www.data.ie/events/data-55-0/\">talk in Dublin</a> on February 9th (click the <a href=\"http://www.data.ie/events/data-55-0/\">link</a> for details). Talking about the new work I\'ve been making as part of my masters study at The Royal Conservatory in Den Haag. I\'ll be sharing the stage with some amazing artists so if your in the area and are into tech-y art you should come check it out! \r\n<img src=\"http://www.data.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/data5511.png\" alt=\"\" />','Data talk in Dublin',0,'','publish','open','closed','','data-talk-in-dublin','','','2013-01-26 18:40:44','2013-01-26 23:40:44','',0,'http://casperelectronics.com/?p=1802',0,'post','',2),(1803,2,'2013-01-26 18:38:53','2013-01-26 23:38:53','I\'m giving a <a href=\"http://www.data.ie/events/data-55-0/\">talk in Dublin</a> on February 9th click the link for details. Talking about the new work I\'ve been doing as part of my masters study at The Royal Conservatory in Den Haag. I\'ll be sharing the stage with some amazing artists so if your in the area and are into tech-y art you should come check it out! ','Data talk in Dublin',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1802-revision','','','2013-01-26 18:38:53','2013-01-26 23:38:53','',1802,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/26/1802-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1804,2,'2013-01-26 18:39:27','2013-01-26 23:39:27','I\'m giving a <a href=\"http://www.data.ie/events/data-55-0/\">talk in Dublin</a> on February 9th click the link for details. Talking about the new work I\'ve been doing as part of my masters study at The Royal Conservatory in Den Haag. I\'ll be sharing the stage with some amazing artists so if your in the area and are into tech-y art you should come check it out! \r\n<img src=\"http://www.data.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/data5511.png\" alt=\"\" />','Data talk in Dublin',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1802-revision-2','','','2013-01-26 18:39:27','2013-01-26 23:39:27','',1802,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/01/26/1802-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1808,2,'2012-10-02 15:35:13','2012-10-02 20:35:13','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2><hr>\r\nUser\'s Manual coming soon!\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1251\" /></a>','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-3','','','2012-10-02 15:35:13','2012-10-02 20:35:13','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/10/02/1379-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1809,2,'2013-02-23 14:13:52','2013-02-23 19:13:52','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <b>NovaDrone Technical Guide</b>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-1251 alignleft\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Power</li>\r\n	<li>Stacking.</li>\r\n	<li>General use.</li>\r\n	<li>Controls.</li>\r\n	<li>Syncing</li>\r\n	<li>Inputs&amp;Outputs</li>\r\n	<li>The adventure board.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-4','','','2013-02-23 14:13:52','2013-02-23 19:13:52','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1810,2,'2013-02-23 14:15:42','2013-02-23 19:15:42','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <b>NovaDrone Technical Guide</b>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-1251 alignleft\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Power</li>\r\n	<li>Stacking.</li>\r\n	<li>General use.</li>\r\n	<li>Controls.</li>\r\n	<li>Syncing</li>\r\n	<li>Inputs&amp;Outputs</li>\r\n	<li>The adventure board.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-5','','','2013-02-23 14:15:42','2013-02-23 19:15:42','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1811,2,'2013-02-23 14:23:23','2013-02-23 19:23:23','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <b>NovaDrone Technical Guide</b>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-1251 alignleft\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#use\">General use</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul><a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-6','','','2013-02-23 14:23:23','2013-02-23 19:23:23','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1812,2,'2013-02-23 14:27:39','2013-02-23 19:27:39','','BoardIllustrationSTACKING',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','boardillustrationstacking','','','2013-02-23 14:27:39','2013-02-23 19:27:39','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1813,2,'2013-02-23 14:25:16','2013-02-23 19:25:16','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <b>NovaDrone Technical Guide</b>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-1251 alignleft\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n<ol><a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#use\">General use</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-7','','','2013-02-23 14:25:16','2013-02-23 19:25:16','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1835,2,'2013-02-25 07:34:32','2013-02-25 12:34:32','','V1 3 2',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','v1-3-2','','','2013-02-25 07:34:32','2013-02-25 12:34:32','',1028,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/v1.3.2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1836,2,'2013-02-23 15:20:35','2013-02-23 20:20:35','The NovaDrone was designed (and continues to evolve) in collaboration with experimental musician and epic visionary G. Lucas Crane aka <a href=\"http://nonhorse.com/\">Nonhorse</a> and with support from <a href=\"http://perte-de-signal.org/\">Perte De Signal</a> in Montreal. \r\nI\'d like to send a big <strong>thanks</strong> to <a href=\"http://www.darsha.org/\">Darsha</a> and Robin at PDS for all their help. And I\'ll be hi-fiving Lucas for the rest of my life for all the amazing work he\'s done so far. \r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1229\" title=\"doublefinished.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better-273x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"253\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlefinished.better2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1231\" title=\"singlefinished.better2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlefinished.better2-191x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"191\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n<h1>Please send all questions to Novaworldorders@gmail.com.</h1>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/kpwnVEOsOrA?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"460\" height=\"235\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1226\" title=\"doublePCB.lone.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"436\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<h1>What is it?</h1>\r\nThe Nova Drone is an open source, analog experimental sound and light synth.\r\nIt it can be used to create effects ranging from slowly fading drones to chaotic harmonic sequences. It also functions as a complex visual pattern generator when combined with a digital/phone video camera. See the video below for an example of the color patterns generated by holding a camera up to the LED.\r\n<iframe width=\"460\" height=\"235\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/8V4F9szooI8?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/i0o9QEYpCIs?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThe Nova Drones offers 12 potentiometers, 10 switches, 6 oscillators, 9 oscillator sync inputs, 6 frequency modulation inputs and an epic 15 voltage outputs as well as 3 high current outputs for controlling external LEDs. All of the ins and outs have been routed to a prototyping breadboard at the bottom of the unit which allows for liberal experimentation and development of custom circuits. The prototyping area is especially useful for syncing the oscillators of 2 or more Nova Drones together.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDt0-l2eH4?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>The NovaDrone Stacks!</h2>\r\nPlug 2 or more NovaDrones together to share power and audio and get super drones.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/stackin.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1250\" title=\"boardIllustrationPLAIN\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/stackin-300x186.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" /></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1-300x6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"6\" /></a>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lO6QA9Tyn3E?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>HARDWARE</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1251\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-176x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 3 channels of sound and light. <strong>Each channel</strong> has the following features:\r\n<strong>ADJUSTABLE CONTROLS</strong>\r\n-volume\r\n-TONE pitch coarse tune 24Hz to 750Hz\r\n-TONE pitch fine tune\r\n-LFO rate .008 Hz (around 1 cycle every 2 minutes) to 750Hz\r\n<strong>SWITCHES</strong>\r\n-sync 1\r\n-sync 2\r\n<strong>INPUTS</strong>\r\n- ext sync 3\r\n-PITCH modulation\r\n-LFO rate modulation\r\n<strong>OUTPUTS</strong>\r\n-TONE square wave\r\n-TONE triangle wave\r\n-LFO square wave\r\n-LFO triangle wave\r\n-PWM square wave\r\n-High current LED out for off board LEDs.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>SCHEMATIC:</strong>\r\nV1.2 fixed virtual ground error\r\n5/1/2012\r\nV1.3 fixed signal path errors\r\n5/16/2012\r\nV1.3.2 added feedback cap to audio mixer. Added tremolo dip\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/V1.3.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/V1.3-460x612.jpg\" alt=\"V1 3\" width=\"460\" height=\"612\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1814\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<strong>Links:</strong>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Store</span></a></span></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/users-manual/\">User\'s Manual</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/assembly-manual/\">Assembly Manual</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">Circuit Theory</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/parts/\">Parts List</a></h2>\r\n<hr/>\r\n<h3><strong>Version 1.2</strong></h3>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/V1.2/IMG_2655.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1129\" title=\"IMG_2655\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/V1.2/IMG_2655-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/QHB4rVwSh8Y?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"280\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/d5PooXdGQzU?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"255\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3><strong>PROTOTYPING:</strong></h3>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/XYliYHHihzU?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"400\" height=\"275\"></iframe>','Nova Drone',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1028-revision-63','','','2013-02-23 15:20:35','2013-02-23 20:20:35','',1028,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1028-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(1815,2,'2012-11-09 07:50:44','2012-11-09 12:50:44','The NovaDrone was designed (and continues to evolve) in collaboration with experimental musician and epic visionary G. Lucas Crane aka <a href=\"http://nonhorse.com/\">Nonhorse</a> and with support from <a href=\"http://perte-de-signal.org/\">Perte De Signal</a> in Montreal. \r\nI\'d like to send a big <strong>thanks</strong> to <a href=\"http://www.darsha.org/\">Darsha</a> and Robin at PDS for all their help. And I\'ll be hi-fiving Lucas for the rest of my life for all the amazing work he\'s done so far. \r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1229\" title=\"doublefinished.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better-273x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"253\" height=\"300\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlefinished.better2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1231\" title=\"singlefinished.better2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlefinished.better2-191x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"191\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n<h1>Please send all questions to Novaworldorders@gmail.com.</h1>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/kpwnVEOsOrA?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"460\" height=\"235\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1226\" title=\"doublePCB.lone.better\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"436\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<h1>What is it?</h1>\r\nThe Nova Drone is an open source, analog experimental sound and light synth.\r\nIt it can be used to create effects ranging from slowly fading drones to chaotic harmonic sequences. It also functions as a complex visual pattern generator when combined with a digital/phone video camera. See the video below for an example of the color patterns generated by holding a camera up to the LED.\r\n<iframe width=\"460\" height=\"235\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/8V4F9szooI8?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/i0o9QEYpCIs?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThe Nova Drones offers 12 potentiometers, 10 switches, 6 oscillators, 9 oscillator sync inputs, 6 frequency modulation inputs and an epic 15 voltage outputs as well as 3 high current outputs for controlling external LEDs. All of the ins and outs have been routed to a prototyping breadboard at the bottom of the unit which allows for liberal experimentation and development of custom circuits. The prototyping area is especially useful for syncing the oscillators of 2 or more Nova Drones together.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDt0-l2eH4?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>The NovaDrone Stacks!</h2>\r\nPlug 2 or more NovaDrones together to share power and audio and get super drones.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/stackin.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1250\" title=\"boardIllustrationPLAIN\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/stackin-300x186.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" /></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1-300x6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"6\" /></a>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lO6QA9Tyn3E?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>HARDWARE</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1251\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-176x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 3 channels of sound and light. <strong>Each channel</strong> has the following features:\r\n<strong>ADJUSTABLE CONTROLS</strong>\r\n-volume\r\n-TONE pitch coarse tune 24Hz to 750Hz\r\n-TONE pitch fine tune\r\n-LFO rate .008 Hz (around 1 cycle every 2 minutes) to 750Hz\r\n<strong>SWITCHES</strong>\r\n-sync 1\r\n-sync 2\r\n<strong>INPUTS</strong>\r\n- ext sync 3\r\n-PITCH modulation\r\n-LFO rate modulation\r\n<strong>OUTPUTS</strong>\r\n-TONE square wave\r\n-TONE triangle wave\r\n-LFO square wave\r\n-LFO triangle wave\r\n-PWM square wave\r\n-High current LED out for off board LEDs.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>SCHEMATIC:</strong>\r\nV1.2 fixed virtual ground error\r\n5/1/2012\r\nV1.3 fixed signal path errors\r\n5/16/2012\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/HomePage/NovaDroneV1.3_schematic.png\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1046\" title=\"NovaDroneV1.3_schematic\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/HomePage/NovaDroneV1.3_schematic-225x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<strong>Links:</strong>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Store</span></a></span></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/users-manual/\">User\'s Manual</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/assembly-manual/\">Assembly Manual</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">Circuit Theory</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/parts/\">Parts List</a></h2>\r\n<hr/>\r\n<h3><strong>Version 1.2</strong></h3>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/V1.2/IMG_2655.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1129\" title=\"IMG_2655\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/V1.2/IMG_2655-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/QHB4rVwSh8Y?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"280\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/d5PooXdGQzU?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"450\" height=\"255\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3><strong>PROTOTYPING:</strong></h3>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/XYliYHHihzU?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"400\" height=\"275\"></iframe>','Nova Drone',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1028-revision-62','','','2012-11-09 07:50:44','2012-11-09 12:50:44','',1028,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/09/1028-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(1816,2,'2013-02-23 15:39:44','2013-02-23 20:39:44','','CONTROLS',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','controls','','','2013-02-23 15:39:44','2013-02-23 20:39:44','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1817,2,'2013-02-23 14:28:14','2013-02-23 19:28:14','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <b>NovaDrone Technical Guide</b>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-1251 alignleft\" title=\"boardIllustrationCONTROLS\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/boardIllustrationCONTROLS-602x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"824\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#use\">General use</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n<hr />','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-8','','','2013-02-23 14:28:14','2013-02-23 19:28:14','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1818,2,'2013-02-23 15:40:55','2013-02-23 20:40:55','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#use\">General use</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-9','','','2013-02-23 15:40:55','2013-02-23 20:40:55','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1819,2,'2013-02-23 15:56:56','2013-02-23 20:56:56','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#use\">General use</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"use\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">General Use</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-10','','','2013-02-23 15:56:56','2013-02-23 20:56:56','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(1821,2,'2013-02-23 16:21:38','2013-02-23 21:21:38','','CONTROLS',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','controls-2','','','2013-02-23 16:21:38','2013-02-23 21:21:38','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1822,2,'2013-02-23 16:10:01','2013-02-23 21:10:01','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Controls</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-LFO mode (LFO rate range switch)\r\n-SYNC mode 1 and 2\r\n-VOLUME\r\n-COARSE PITCH\r\n-FINE PITCH\r\n-LFO RATE\r\n\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-11','','','2013-02-23 16:10:01','2013-02-23 21:10:01','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(1824,2,'2013-02-23 16:50:03','2013-02-23 21:50:03','','CONTROLS',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','controls-3','','','2013-02-23 16:50:03','2013-02-23 21:50:03','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1825,2,'2013-02-23 16:23:29','2013-02-23 21:23:29','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Controls</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sync</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-12','','','2013-02-23 16:23:29','2013-02-23 21:23:29','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(1826,2,'2013-02-23 17:17:11','2013-02-23 22:17:11','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Controls</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sync</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inputs and Outputs</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      <strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-13','','','2013-02-23 17:17:11','2013-02-23 22:17:11','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(1827,2,'2013-02-23 17:20:36','2013-02-23 22:20:36','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Controls</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sync</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inputs and Outputs</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      <strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      <strong>SYNC INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-14','','','2013-02-23 17:20:36','2013-02-23 22:20:36','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(1828,2,'2013-02-23 17:21:12','2013-02-23 22:21:12','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Power</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stacking</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Controls</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sync</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inputs and Outputs</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      ............<strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<strong>SYNC INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-15','','','2013-02-23 17:21:12','2013-02-23 22:21:12','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(1831,2,'2013-02-23 17:53:35','2013-02-23 22:53:35','','CONTROLS',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','controls-4','','','2013-02-23 17:53:35','2013-02-23 22:53:35','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1829,2,'2013-02-23 17:46:46','2013-02-23 22:46:46','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2></b></li></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2></b></li></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2></b></li></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      ............<strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<strong>SYNC INPUTS</strong> <a name=\"adventure\"></a>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inputs and Outputs</span></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-16','','','2013-02-23 17:46:46','2013-02-23 22:46:46','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(1830,2,'2013-02-23 17:48:26','2013-02-23 22:48:26','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      ............<strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<strong>SYNC INPUTS</strong> <a name=\"adventure\"></a>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-17','','','2013-02-23 17:48:26','2013-02-23 22:48:26','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(1832,2,'2013-02-23 17:50:36','2013-02-23 22:50:36','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<strong>SQUARE WAVE SYNC:</strong>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<strong>COMPOUND SYNCING:</strong>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<strong>OUTPUTS:</strong>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<strong>INPUTS:</strong>\r\n      ............<strong>MOD INPUTS</strong>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<strong>SYNC INPUTS</strong> <a name=\"adventure\"></a>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2></b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-18','','','2013-02-23 17:50:36','2013-02-23 22:50:36','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(1833,2,'2013-02-23 18:10:25','2013-02-23 23:10:25','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<li>SQUARE WAVE SYNC</li>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<li>COMPOUND SYNCING</li>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<li>OUTPUTS</li>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<li>INPUTS</li>\r\n      ............<li>MOD INPUTS</li>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<li>SYNC INPUTS</strong> <a name=\"adventure\"></li>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE-460x250.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1831\" /></a>\r\nThe Adventure Board is a bread board which is connected to the Signal I/O header. All of the output wave forms and 3 sync inputs are connected to the adventure board and are available for cross modulation and tweaking.  \r\nA bread board is a simple piece of hardware used for rapid circuit prototyping. In the image above you can see several columns of connection points. Each column is surrounded by a grey box. This indicates points which are connected together. Each point in each column is connected by a shared bus. The horizontal space across the middle of the board separates the top bunch of columns from the bottom. \r\n<p>\r\nNOW WHAT? The pink section (see the above drawing) is where all the outputs and sync inputs are available for patching. Try connecting electrical components like LEDs and capacitors between these points. We have found especially interesting effects by plugging a large polarized capacitor between the PWM output of one voice and the SQ1 of the same voice. \r\nNo harm will come to the NovaDrone by interconnecting points on your adventure board. Connecting external signals from other synths may lead to unexpected behavior and may damage something, but that\'s half the fun. AND if something does break it will be one of the OP AMP chips which are cheap and easy to replace. SO rather than making a design which is closed off but likely to never break, I have opted for a design which invites hacking and is exceedingly easy to repair. Simply pop the questionable op amp out of the socket and put in a new one. Be adventurous! Try new stuff, connect other circuits and see what happens. \r\n<li>SUGGESTIONS</li> \r\n-Plug LOTS of LEDs between points in the pink zone (see above image) of the adventure board.\r\n-Plug capacitors between points in the pink zone of the adventure board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to the MOD Input headers in the middle of the circuit board. \r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to a potentiometer placed elsewhere on the board. Connect the output of the pot back into another point in the pink zone. \r\n\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-19','','','2013-02-23 18:10:25','2013-02-23 23:10:25','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(1837,2,'2013-02-25 07:37:56','2013-02-25 12:37:56','','NovaDroneSingleBackplate',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','novadronesinglebackplate','','','2013-02-25 07:37:56','2013-02-25 12:37:56','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneSingleBackplate.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(1838,2,'2013-02-25 07:39:00','2013-02-25 12:39:00','','NovaDroneBack Plate Doublev2',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','novadroneback-plate-doublev2','','','2013-02-25 07:39:00','2013-02-25 12:39:00','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneBack-Plate-doublev2.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(1839,2,'2013-02-25 07:19:22','2013-02-25 12:19:22','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nAlmost all parts can be bought at <a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/\">mouser.com</a>. Unfortunately mouser does not carry the female headers and the LEDs. The headers can be found at <a href=\"http://www.digikey.com\">Digikey</a> at the provided links below and the LED can be found at <a href=\"http://www.sparkfun.com/\">SparkFun</a>. I also provide the part number of an alternate, less cool LED from mouser below.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>The parts list below is the product of hours of work pouring over data sheets and testing parts. Ordering parts is time consuming and stressful work. This is why I offer a parts <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\">kit for sale</a>. If you order a parts kit you are guaranteed to get the right parts.\r\nThat said, I <em>enthusiastically</em> encourage <strong>you</strong> to source your own parts! In theory it will save you money and its a good process to get familiar with if you plan to build more electronics.</h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nI offer you the following list of parts as a guide but claim no responsibility for what happens if you should actually use it (although I can bet that it will most likely result in you getting the correct parts to build a NovaDrone).\r\n-If one of the parts below is out of stock they will likely suggest a similar one. Look at the data sheets to see what the difference is. In most cases it will be something like the obsolete one is rated to work at colder temperatures or something. In this case it makes no difference.\r\n-I welcome your questions <a href=\"novaworldordersgmail-com\">(really)</a> but encourage you to do research on your own before contacting me. 99% of the questions I get about this part or that are answered by looking at the data sheet.\r\n-Take time to look over the data sheets for parts you are buying.\r\n-Is the part you have selected a surface mount or through hole?\r\n-Is it military grade when all you need is cheap-o low quality?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nQty Value-------------MouserPart#--------------------Parts\r\n<h1>HARDWARE</h1>\r\n(1) 1/4\" audio jack---568-NYS216/2------------------J1\r\n(1) power jack 2.5mm ID 5.5mm OD--------KLDX-0202-B -------J3\r\n(4) IC sockets--------517-4814-3004-CP-------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n(10) SP3T switch-------611-OS103011MS8QP1-------01_1, 01_2, 01_3, 02_1, 02_3, 03_1, 03_2, LFO1, LFO2, LFO3\r\n(1) 20 Spun metal sockets---310-99-120-41-001000 (break off 6 sections of 2)\r\n(1) 3P male LINK header----640453-3\r\n(2) 9P male I/O header----640453-9\r\n(1) 3P female link header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC031LGBN-RC/S5439-ND/775897\">PPTC031LGBN-RC</a>---- <strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 18P female I/O header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC181LGBN/S4353-ND/696253\">PPTC181LGBN</a>----<strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 400 point breadboard--TW-E40-510 <em>or</em> BB400T\r\n<h1>SEMICONDUCTORS</h1>\r\n(1) 1N4001-----------512-1N4001---------------------D1\r\n(6) 2N3904-----------512-2N3904TA------------------Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6\r\n(1) LM7809-----------V_REG_78XX-TO-220 ---------IC5\r\n(4) TL074P------------595-TL074CN-------------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n<h1>RESISTORS</h1>\r\n(3) 100-----------------291-100-RC--------------------R43, R44, R45\r\n(6) 4.7K----------------291-4.7K-RC--------------------R4, R8, R13, R16, R18, R28\r\n(6) 8.2K----------------291-8.2KRC---------------------R5, R9, R14, R19, R24, R29\r\n(13) 10K----------------291-10KRC----------------------R1, R6, R7, R10, R11, R15, R20, R22, R23, R25, R30, R37, R46\r\n(6) 100K---------------291-100KRC--------------------R32, R34, R35, R36, R38, R39\r\n(9) 330K---------------291-330KRC--------------------R17, R21, R26, R27, R31, R33, R40, R41, R42\r\n(6) 510K---------------291-510KRC--------------------R2, R3, R12, R48, R50, R52\r\n<h1>CAPACITORS</h1>\r\n(1) 470pF---------------<span><span>D471K20Y5PH6UJ5R</span></span>------C28\r\n\r\n(19) .1uF----------------871-B32529C104K189------C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C11, C15, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27\r\n(5) 22uF----------------647-USA1V220MDD----------C4, C9, C10, C12, C16\r\n(3) 100uF--------------667-ECE-A1CKA101----------C13, C14, C17\r\n<h1>POTENTIOMETERS</h1>\r\n(3) 10K-----------------317-2090F-10K---------------BP1, RP1, RP2\r\n(6) 100K---------------317-2090F-100K--------------BP, BV, GP, GV, RP, RV\r\n(3) 500K---------------317-2090F-500K--------------BR, GR, RR\r\n<h1>OTHER PARTS</h1>\r\n(1) 10mm RGB LED COMMON CATHODE--<a href=\"https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11120\">COM-11120</a>\r\n<strong>From Sparkfun.com</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kingbright/WP154A4SUREPBGVGAW/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMs4quMj8r4lmkUFMJA%252bBDHqHJk5VjhmPho%3d\">This LED from mouser</a> should work too but its not tested so buy at your own risk. The worst case scenario is that the color order may be off. AND itsonly 5mm, not the super rad 10mm you can get from SparkFun.','Parts',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1338-revision-33','','','2013-02-25 07:19:22','2013-02-25 12:19:22','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1338-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(1840,2,'2013-02-25 08:06:10','2013-02-25 13:06:10','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nAlmost all parts can be bought at <a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/\">mouser.com</a>. Unfortunately mouser does not carry the female headers and the LEDs. The headers can be found at <a href=\"http://www.digikey.com\">Digikey</a> at the provided links below and the LED can be found at <a href=\"http://www.sparkfun.com/\">SparkFun</a>. I also provide the part number of an alternate, less cool LED from mouser below.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>The parts list below is the product of hours of work pouring over data sheets and testing parts. Ordering parts is time consuming and stressful work. This is why I offer a parts <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\">kit for sale</a>. If you order a parts kit you are guaranteed to get the right parts.\r\nThat said, I <em>enthusiastically</em> encourage <strong>you</strong> to source your own parts! In theory it will save you money and its a good process to get familiar with if you plan to build more electronics.</h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nI offer you the following list of parts as a guide but claim no responsibility for what happens if you should actually use it (although I can bet that it will most likely result in you getting the correct parts to build a NovaDrone).\r\n-If one of the parts below is out of stock they will likely suggest a similar one. Look at the data sheets to see what the difference is. In most cases it will be something like the obsolete one is rated to work at colder temperatures or something. In this case it makes no difference.\r\n-I welcome your questions <a href=\"novaworldordersgmail-com\">(really)</a> but encourage you to do research on your own before contacting me. 99% of the questions I get about this part or that are answered by looking at the data sheet.\r\n-Take time to look over the data sheets for parts you are buying.\r\n-Is the part you have selected a surface mount or through hole?\r\n-Is it military grade when all you need is cheap-o low quality?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nQty Value-------------MouserPart#--------------------Parts\r\n<h1>HARDWARE</h1>\r\n(1) 1/4\" audio jack---568-NYS216/2------------------J1\r\n(1) power jack 2.5mm ID 5.5mm OD--------KLDX-0202-B -------J3\r\n(4) IC sockets--------517-4814-3004-CP-------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n(10) SP3T switch-------611-OS103011MS8QP1-------01_1, 01_2, 01_3, 02_1, 02_3, 03_1, 03_2, LFO1, LFO2, LFO3\r\n(1) 20 Spun metal sockets---310-99-120-41-001000 (break off 6 sections of 2)\r\n(1) 3P male LINK header----640453-3\r\n(2) 9P male I/O header----640453-9\r\n(1) 3P female link header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC031LGBN-RC/S5439-ND/775897\">PPTC031LGBN-RC</a>---- <strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 18P female I/O header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC181LGBN/S4353-ND/696253\">PPTC181LGBN</a>----<strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 400 point breadboard--TW-E40-510 <em>or</em> BB400T\r\n<h1>SEMICONDUCTORS</h1>\r\n(1) 1N4001-----------512-1N4001---------------------D1\r\n(6) 2N3904-----------512-2N3904TA------------------Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6\r\n(1) LM7809-----------V_REG_78XX-TO-220 ---------IC5\r\n(4) TL074P------------595-TL074CN-------------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n<h1>RESISTORS</h1>\r\n(3) 100-----------------291-100-RC--------------------R43, R44, R45\r\n(6) 4.7K----------------291-4.7K-RC--------------------R4, R8, R13, R16, R18, R28\r\n(6) 8.2K----------------291-8.2KRC---------------------R5, R9, R14, R19, R24, R29\r\n(13) 10K----------------291-10KRC----------------------R1, R6, R7, R10, R11, R15, R20, R22, R23, R25, R30, R37, R46\r\n(6) 100K---------------291-100KRC--------------------R32, R34, R35, R36, R38, R39\r\n(9) 330K---------------291-330KRC--------------------R17, R21, R26, R27, R31, R33, R40, R41, R42\r\n(6) 510K---------------291-510KRC--------------------R2, R3, R12, R48, R50, R52\r\n<h1>CAPACITORS</h1>\r\n(1) 470pF---------------<span><span>D471K20Y5PH6UJ5R</span></span>------C28\r\n\r\n(19) .1uF----------------871-B32529C104K189------C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C11, C15, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27\r\n(5) 22uF----------------647-USA1V220MDD----------C4, C9, C10, C12, C16\r\n(3) 100uF--------------667-ECE-A1CKA101----------C13, C14, C17\r\n<h1>POTENTIOMETERS</h1>\r\n(3) 10K-----------------317-2090F-10K---------------BP1, RP1, RP2\r\n(6) 100K---------------317-2090F-100K--------------BP, BV, GP, GV, RP, RV\r\n(3) 500K---------------317-2090F-500K--------------BR, GR, RR\r\n<h1>OTHER PARTS</h1>\r\n(1) 10mm RGB LED COMMON CATHODE--<a href=\"https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11120\">COM-11120</a>\r\n<strong>From Sparkfun.com</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kingbright/WP154A4SUREPBGVGAW/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMs4quMj8r4lmkUFMJA%252bBDHqHJk5VjhmPho%3d\">This LED from mouser</a> should work too but its not tested so buy at your own risk. The worst case scenario is that the color order may be off. AND itsonly 5mm, not the super rad 10mm you can get from SparkFun.\r\n<h1><strong>BACK PLATE AND HARDWARE</strong></h1>\r\nHere are the back plates as a PDFs. You should be able to use the images to laser cut your own back plate.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneSingleBackplate.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate single</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneBack-Plate-doublev2.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate double</a>\r\n<h2>Hardware:</h2>\r\nBelow is a list of the hardware used to mount the circuit board to the back plate. I have included part numbers for <a href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com\">McMaster-Carr</a>. Unfortunately they only sell the listed hardware in bags of 100. You could get away with using any kind of generic hardware. If you have a hard time finding the nylon spacers and feet you could get away with replacing them with 4 or 5 hex nuts (part # 90480A005)\r\n<table id=\"RenderableTbl_634973726439443907HKWJ\" width=\"8\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-mcm-prodgrps=\"1\"></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n(2) 3/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Round head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90276A113</a>\r\n\r\n(2) 1/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Flat head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90275A106</a>\r\n\r\n(4) Nylon 6/6, 4-40 thread acorn nut, 9/32\" height. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90003A005</a>\r\n\r\n(2) Nylon spacer. 1/4\" OD, 3/8\" length, #4 screw size. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">94639A202</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Parts',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1338-revision-34','','','2013-02-25 08:06:10','2013-02-25 13:06:10','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1338-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(1841,2,'2013-02-25 10:54:39','2013-02-25 15:54:39','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nAlmost all parts can be bought at <a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/\">mouser.com</a>. Unfortunately mouser does not carry the female headers and the LEDs. The headers can be found at <a href=\"http://www.digikey.com\">Digikey</a> at the provided links below and the LED can be found at <a href=\"http://www.sparkfun.com/\">SparkFun</a>. I also provide the part number of an alternate, less cool LED from mouser below.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>The parts list below is the product of hours of work pouring over data sheets and testing parts. Ordering parts is time consuming and stressful work. This is why I offer a parts <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\">kit for sale</a>. If you order a parts kit you are guaranteed to get the right parts.\r\nThat said, I <em>enthusiastically</em> encourage <strong>you</strong> to source your own parts! In theory it will save you money and its a good process to get familiar with if you plan to build more electronics.</h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nI offer you the following list of parts as a guide but claim no responsibility for what happens if you should actually use it (although I can bet that it will most likely result in you getting the correct parts to build a NovaDrone).\r\n-If one of the parts below is out of stock they will likely suggest a similar one. Look at the data sheets to see what the difference is. In most cases it will be something like the obsolete one is rated to work at colder temperatures or something. In this case it makes no difference.\r\n-I welcome your questions <a href=\"novaworldordersgmail-com\">(really)</a> but encourage you to do research on your own before contacting me. 99% of the questions I get about this part or that are answered by looking at the data sheet.\r\n-Take time to look over the data sheets for parts you are buying.\r\n-Is the part you have selected a surface mount or through hole?\r\n-Is it military grade when all you need is cheap-o low quality?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nQty Value-------------MouserPart#--------------------Parts\r\n<h1>HARDWARE</h1>\r\n(1) 1/4\" audio jack---568-NYS216/2------------------J1\r\n(1) power jack 2.5mm ID 5.5mm OD--------KLDX-0202-B -------J3\r\n(4) IC sockets--------517-4814-3004-CP-------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n(10) SP3T switch-------611-OS103011MS8QP1-------01_1, 01_2, 01_3, 02_1, 02_3, 03_1, 03_2, LFO1, LFO2, LFO3\r\n(1) 20 Spun metal sockets---310-99-120-41-001000 (break off 6 sections of 2)\r\n(1) 3P male LINK header----640453-3\r\n(2) 9P male I/O header----640453-9\r\n(1) 3P female link header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC031LGBN-RC/S5439-ND/775897\">PPTC031LGBN-RC</a>---- <strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 18P female I/O header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC181LGBN/S4353-ND/696253\">PPTC181LGBN</a>----<strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 400 point breadboard--TW-E40-510 <em>or</em> BB400T\r\n<h1>SEMICONDUCTORS</h1>\r\n(1) 1N4001-----------512-1N4001---------------------D1\r\n(6) 2N3904-----------512-2N3904TA------------------Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6\r\n(1) LM7809-----------V_REG_78XX-TO-220 ---------IC5\r\n(4) TL074P------------595-TL074CN-------------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n<h1>RESISTORS</h1>\r\n(3) 100-----------------291-100-RC--------------------R43, R44, R45\r\n(6) 4.7K----------------291-4.7K-RC--------------------R4, R8, R13, R16, R18, R28\r\n(6) 8.2K----------------291-8.2KRC---------------------R5, R9, R14, R19, R24, R29\r\n(13) 10K----------------291-10KRC----------------------R1, R6, R7, R10, R11, R15, R20, R22, R23, R25, R30, R37, R46\r\n(6) 100K---------------291-100KRC--------------------R32, R34, R35, R36, R38, R39\r\n(9) 330K---------------291-330KRC--------------------R17, R21, R26, R27, R31, R33, R40, R41, R42\r\n(6) 510K---------------291-510KRC--------------------R2, R3, R12, R48, R50, R52\r\n<h1>CAPACITORS</h1>\r\n(1) 470pF---------------<span><span>D471K20Y5PH6UJ5R</span></span>------C28\r\n\r\n(19) .1uF----------------871-B32529C104K189------C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C11, C15, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27\r\n(5) 22uF----------------647-USA1V220MDD----------C4, C9, C10, C12, C16\r\n(3) 100uF--------------667-ECE-A1CKA101----------C13, C14, C17\r\n<h1>POTENTIOMETERS</h1>\r\n(3) 10K-----------------317-2090F-10K---------------BP1, RP1, RP2\r\n(6) 100K---------------317-2090F-100K--------------BP, BV, GP, GV, RP, RV\r\n(3) 500K---------------317-2090F-500K--------------BR, GR, RR\r\n<h1>OTHER PARTS</h1>\r\n(1) 10mm RGB LED COMMON CATHODE--<a href=\"https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11120\">COM-11120</a>\r\n<strong>From Sparkfun.com</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kingbright/WP154A4SUREPBGVGAW/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMs4quMj8r4lmkUFMJA%252bBDHqHJk5VjhmPho%3d\">This LED from mouser</a> should work too but its not tested so buy at your own risk. The worst case scenario is that the color order may be off. AND itsonly 5mm, not the super rad 10mm you can get from SparkFun.\r\n<h1><strong>BACK PLATE AND HARDWARE</strong></h1>\r\nHere are the back plates as a PDFs. You should be able to use the images to laser cut your own back plate.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneSingleBackplate.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate single</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneBack-Plate-doublev2.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate double</a>\r\n<h2>Hardware:</h2>\r\nBelow is a list of the hardware used to mount the circuit board to the back plate. I have included part numbers for <a href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com\">McMaster-Carr</a>. Unfortunately they only sell the listed hardware in bags of 100. You could get away with using any kind of generic hardware. If you have a hard time finding the nylon spacers and feet you could get away with replacing them with 4 or 5 hex nuts (part # 90480A005)\r\n<table id=\"RenderableTbl_634973726439443907HKWJ\" width=\"8\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-mcm-prodgrps=\"1\"></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n(2) 3/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Round head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90276A113</a>\r\n\r\n(2) 1/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Flat head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90275A106</a>\r\n\r\n(4) Nylon 6/6, 4-40 thread acorn nut, 9/32\" height. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90003A005</a>\r\n\r\n(2) Nylon spacer. 1/4\" OD, 3/8\" length, #4 screw size. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">94639A202</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Parts',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1338-revision-35','','','2013-02-25 10:54:39','2013-02-25 15:54:39','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1338-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(1842,2,'2013-02-25 10:56:31','2013-02-25 15:56:31','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nAlmost all parts can be bought at <a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/\">mouser.com</a>. Unfortunately mouser does not carry the female headers and the LEDs. The headers can be found at <a href=\"http://www.digikey.com\">Digikey</a> at the provided links below and the LED can be found at <a href=\"http://www.sparkfun.com/\">SparkFun</a>. I also provide the part number of an alternate, less cool LED from mouser below.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>The parts list below is the product of hours of work pouring over data sheets and testing parts. Ordering parts is time consuming and stressful work. This is why I offer a parts <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/novadrone-sales-page/\">kit for sale</a>. If you order a parts kit you are guaranteed to get the right parts.\r\nThat said, I <em>enthusiastically</em> encourage <strong>you</strong> to source your own parts! In theory it will save you money and its a good process to get familiar with if you plan to build more electronics.</h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nI offer you the following list of parts as a guide but claim no responsibility for what happens if you should actually use it (although I can bet that it will most likely result in you getting the correct parts to build a NovaDrone).\r\n-If one of the parts below is out of stock they will likely suggest a similar one. Look at the data sheets to see what the difference is. In most cases it will be something like the obsolete one is rated to work at colder temperatures or something. In this case it makes no difference.\r\n-I welcome your questions <a href=\"novaworldordersgmail-com\">(really)</a> but encourage you to do research on your own before contacting me. 99% of the questions I get about this part or that are answered by looking at the data sheet.\r\n-Take time to look over the data sheets for parts you are buying.\r\n-Is the part you have selected a surface mount or through hole?\r\n-Is it military grade when all you need is cheap-o low quality?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nQty Value-------------MouserPart#--------------------Parts\r\n<h2>HARDWARE</h2>\r\n(1) 1/4\" audio jack---568-NYS216/2------------------J1\r\n(1) power jack 2.5mm ID 5.5mm OD--------KLDX-0202-B -------J3\r\n(4) IC sockets--------517-4814-3004-CP-------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n(10) SP3T switch-------611-OS103011MS8QP1-------01_1, 01_2, 01_3, 02_1, 02_3, 03_1, 03_2, LFO1, LFO2, LFO3\r\n(1) 20 Spun metal sockets---310-99-120-41-001000 (break off 6 sections of 2)\r\n(1) 3P male LINK header----640453-3\r\n(2) 9P male I/O header----640453-9\r\n(1) 3P female link header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC031LGBN-RC/S5439-ND/775897\">PPTC031LGBN-RC</a>---- <strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 18P female I/O header----<a href=\"http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PPTC181LGBN/S4353-ND/696253\">PPTC181LGBN</a>----<strong>from Digikey.com</strong>\r\n(1) 400 point breadboard--TW-E40-510 <em>or</em> BB400T\r\n<h2>SEMICONDUCTORS</h2>\r\n(1) 1N4001-----------512-1N4001---------------------D1\r\n(6) 2N3904-----------512-2N3904TA------------------Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6\r\n(1) LM7809-----------V_REG_78XX-TO-220 ---------IC5\r\n(4) TL074P------------595-TL074CN-------------------IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4\r\n<h2>RESISTORS</h2>\r\n(3) 100-----------------291-100-RC--------------------R43, R44, R45\r\n(6) 4.7K----------------291-4.7K-RC--------------------R4, R8, R13, R16, R18, R28\r\n(6) 8.2K----------------291-8.2KRC---------------------R5, R9, R14, R19, R24, R29\r\n(13) 10K----------------291-10KRC----------------------R1, R6, R7, R10, R11, R15, R20, R22, R23, R25, R30, R37, R46\r\n(6) 100K---------------291-100KRC--------------------R32, R34, R35, R36, R38, R39\r\n(9) 330K---------------291-330KRC--------------------R17, R21, R26, R27, R31, R33, R40, R41, R42\r\n(6) 510K---------------291-510KRC--------------------R2, R3, R12, R48, R50, R52\r\n<h2>CAPACITORS</h2>\r\n(1) 470pF---------------<span><span>D471K20Y5PH6UJ5R</span></span>------C28\r\n\r\n(19) .1uF----------------871-B32529C104K189------C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C11, C15, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27\r\n(5) 22uF----------------647-USA1V220MDD----------C4, C9, C10, C12, C16\r\n(3) 100uF--------------667-ECE-A1CKA101----------C13, C14, C17\r\n<h2>POTENTIOMETERS</h2>\r\n(3) 10K-----------------317-2090F-10K---------------BP1, RP1, RP2\r\n(6) 100K---------------317-2090F-100K--------------BP, BV, GP, GV, RP, RV\r\n(3) 500K---------------317-2090F-500K--------------BR, GR, RR\r\n<h2>OTHER PARTS</h2>\r\n(1) 10mm RGB LED COMMON CATHODE--<a href=\"https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11120\">COM-11120</a>\r\n<strong>From Sparkfun.com</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kingbright/WP154A4SUREPBGVGAW/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMs4quMj8r4lmkUFMJA%252bBDHqHJk5VjhmPho%3d\">This LED from mouser</a> should work too but its not tested so buy at your own risk. The worst case scenario is that the color order may be off. AND itsonly 5mm, not the super rad 10mm you can get from SparkFun.\r\n<h2><strong>BACK PLATE AND HARDWARE</strong></h2>\r\nHere are the back plates as a PDFs. You should be able to use the images to laser cut your own back plate.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneSingleBackplate.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate single</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDroneBack-Plate-doublev2.pdf\">NovaDrone back plate double</a>\r\n<h1>Hardware:</h1>\r\nBelow is a list of the hardware used to mount the circuit board to the back plate. I have included part numbers for <a href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com\">McMaster-Carr</a>. Unfortunately they only sell the listed hardware in bags of 100. You could get away with using any kind of generic hardware. If you have a hard time finding the nylon spacers and feet you could get away with replacing them with 4 or 5 hex nuts (part # 90480A005)\r\n<table id=\"RenderableTbl_634973726439443907HKWJ\" width=\"8\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td data-mcm-prodgrps=\"1\"></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n(2) 3/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Round head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90276A113</a>\r\n\r\n(2) 1/4\" 4-40 thread machine screw. Flat head - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90275A106</a>\r\n\r\n(4) Nylon 6/6, 4-40 thread acorn nut, 9/32\" height. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">90003A005</a>\r\n\r\n(2) Nylon spacer. 1/4\" OD, 3/8\" length, #4 screw size. - <a title=\"Add product to current order\" href=\"http://www.mcmaster.com/OrdHist/OrdHist.aspx?reloaddefltresults=true#\" target=\"ResultsIFrame\">94639A202</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Parts',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1338-revision-36','','','2013-02-25 10:56:31','2013-02-25 15:56:31','',1338,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1338-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(1843,2,'2013-02-23 18:14:36','2013-02-23 23:14:36','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display. \r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz). \r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<li>SQUARE WAVE SYNC</li>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice. \r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO. \r\n<li>COMPOUND SYNCING</li>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit. \r\n<li>OUTPUTS</li>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you here when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect. \r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total. \r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board. \r\n These wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.  \r\n<li>INPUTS</li>\r\n      ............<li>MOD INPUTS</li>\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply pug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor. \r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point. \r\n      ...........<li>SYNC INPUTS</strong> <a name=\"adventure\"></li>\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator. \r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE-460x250.jpg\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" width=\"460\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1831\" /></a>\r\nThe Adventure Board is a bread board which is connected to the Signal I/O header. All of the output wave forms and 3 sync inputs are connected to the adventure board and are available for cross modulation and tweaking.  \r\nA bread board is a simple piece of hardware used for rapid circuit prototyping. In the image above you can see several columns of connection points. Each column is surrounded by a grey box. This indicates points which are connected together. Each point in each column is connected by a shared bus. The horizontal space across the middle of the board separates the top bunch of columns from the bottom. \r\n<p>\r\nNOW WHAT? The pink section (see the above drawing) is where all the outputs and sync inputs are available for patching. Try connecting electrical components like LEDs and capacitors between these points. We have found especially interesting effects by plugging a large polarized capacitor between the PWM output of one voice and the SQ1 of the same voice. <p>\r\n<strong>No harm will come to the NovaDrone by interconnecting points on your adventure board.</strong> Connecting external signals from other synths may lead to unexpected behavior and may damage something, but that\'s half the fun. AND if something does break it will be one of the OP AMP chips which are cheap and easy to replace. SO rather than making a design which is closed off but likely to never break, I have opted for a design which invites hacking and is exceedingly easy to repair. Simply pop the questionable op amp out of the socket and put in a new one. Be adventurous! Try new stuff, connect other circuits and see what happens. \r\n<li>SUGGESTIONS</li> <a name=\"tutorials\"></a>\r\n-Plug LOTS of LEDs between points in the pink zone (see above image) of the adventure board.\r\n-Plug capacitors between points in the pink zone of the adventure board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to the MOD Input headers in the middle of the circuit board. \r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to a potentiometer placed elsewhere on the board. Connect the output of the pot back into another point in the pink zone. \r\n<hr />\r\n<ul>\r\n	<b><h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>TUTORIALS</strong></span></h2></b>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis section is under construction (as of February 24, 2013). I will soon post a series of illustrations which walk you through the process of generating drones and exploring the Adventure Board.\r\n\r\n','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-20','','','2013-02-23 18:14:36','2013-02-23 23:14:36','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/23/1379-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(1845,2,'2013-02-25 11:08:38','2013-02-25 16:08:38','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display.\r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz).\r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>SQUARE WAVE SYNC</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice.\r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>COMPOUND SYNCING</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>OUTPUTS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you hear when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect.\r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total.\r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board.\r\nThese wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>INPUTS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n............MOD INPUTS\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply plug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor.\r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point.\r\n...........SYNC INPUTS<a name=\"adventure\"></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1831\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE-460x250.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\nThe Adventure Board is a bread board which is connected to the Signal I/O header. All of the output wave forms and 3 sync inputs are connected to the adventure board and are available for cross modulation and tweaking.\r\nA bread board is a simple piece of hardware used for rapid circuit prototyping. In the image above you can see several columns of connection points. Each column is surrounded by a grey box. This indicates points which are connected together. Each point in each column is connected by a shared bus. The horizontal space across the middle of the board separates the top bunch of columns from the bottom.\r\n\r\nNOW WHAT? The pink section (see the above drawing) is where all the outputs and sync inputs are available for patching. Try connecting electrical components like LEDs and capacitors between these points. We have found especially interesting effects by plugging a large polarized capacitor between the PWM output of one voice and the SQ1 of the same voice.\r\n\r\n<strong>No harm will come to the NovaDrone by interconnecting points on your adventure board.</strong> Connecting external signals from other synths may lead to unexpected behavior and may damage something, but that\'s half the fun. AND if something does break it will be one of the OP AMP chips which are cheap and easy to replace. SO rather than making a design which is closed off but likely to never break, I have opted for a design which invites hacking and is exceedingly easy to repair. Simply pop the questionable op amp out of the socket and put in a new one. Be adventurous! Try new stuff, connect other circuits and see what happens.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>SUGGESTIONS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a name=\"tutorials\"></a>\r\n-Plug LOTS of LEDs between points in the pink zone (see above image) of the adventure board.\r\n-Plug capacitors between points in the pink zone of the adventure board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to the MOD Input headers in the middle of the circuit board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to a potentiometer placed elsewhere on the board. Connect the output of the pot back into another point in the pink zone.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>TUTORIALS</strong></span></h2>\r\nThis section is under construction (as of February 24, 2013). I will soon post a series of illustrations which walk you through the process of generating drones and exploring the Adventure Board.','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-22','','','2013-02-25 11:08:38','2013-02-25 16:08:38','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1379-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(1844,2,'2013-02-25 11:07:46','2013-02-25 16:07:46','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nIn this document I will explain the basic operation of the NovaDrone.\r\n\r\nThis guide is intended to serve as a list of suggestions and inspiration. I encourage users to explore and find new ways to use the NovaDrone.  I also encourage those interested in how the NovaDrone works to read through the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/theory/\">NovaDrone theory page</a>.\r\nIf you want to get right to it you can jump ahead to the illustrated <a href=\"#tutorials\">tutorial section</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b>Table of contents</b>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"power\"></a>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#power\">Power</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#stacking\">Stacking</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#controls\">Controls</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#syncing\">Syncing</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#IO\">Inputs&amp;Outputs</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#adventure\">The adventure board</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#tutorials\">Tutorials</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>POWER</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone requires a power adapter in order to operate.\r\n\r\nA suitable power adapter is sold in the Casperelectronics store.\r\n\r\nYou are welcome to source your own power supply as long as it matches the parameters listed below:\r\n\r\n<b>12-24 Volts DC. </b>\r\n\r\n<b>300mA (or more).</b>\r\n\r\n<b>negative ring, positive tip.</b>\r\n\r\n<b>inner dimension of 2.5mm. </b>\r\n<a name=\"stacking\"></a>\r\n\r\nThe power input is diode protected so plugging in a supply of the wrong polarity will have no negative effect (it just won’t work). The power input is also regulated which means that any voltage between 10 and 30 volts DC will be regulated down to a smooth 9 volts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>STACKING</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone has two <b>link ports</b>, an <i>input</i> on the right and an <i>output</i> on the left. This allows multiple units to be plugged together. Linked units share power and a common audio bus. This means that all of the units operate on one power supply plugged into the <b>left most power jack</b> and all audio is bussed to the <b>left most audio output jack</b>.\r\n\r\nThe audio chain can be broken by plugging a guitar cable into any one of the output jacks in the chain as shown in fig. 1.\r\n<a name=\"controls\"></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1812\" alt=\"BoardIllustrationSTACKING\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/boardIllustrationSTACKING-460x96.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"96\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONTROLS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1816\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/CONTROLS-460x1020.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"1020\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone has three voices labeled RED, GREEN and BLUE. These voices combine to create a single audio output and light display.\r\nEach voice has the following controls:\r\n-<strong>LFO mode</strong>. Set the range of the LFO from very slow (once per 2-3 minutes) to very fast (30Hz).\r\n-<strong>SYNC mode 1 and 2</strong>. Create harmonic links between oscillators.\r\n-<strong>VOLUME</strong>. Control the audio amplitude and LED brightness.<a name=\"sync\"></a>\r\n-<strong>COARSE PITCH</strong>. Control the pitch of the audio oscillator.\r\n-<strong>FINE PITCH</strong>. Make fine adjustments to the pitch.\r\n-<strong>LFO RATE</strong>. Control the rate of the LFO which modulates the pulse width of the audio oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SYNC</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1821\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/SYNC-460x147.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"147\" /></a>\r\nEach channel has two sync switches. These are used to harmonically link two voices together. This can be used to create dense harmonic drones and other strange and noisy effects.\r\nEach switch has three settings. RED sync switch 1 (the left most switch) is labeled PWG/SQG/OFF. This means <strong>P</strong>ulse <strong>W</strong>idth <strong>G</strong>reen/ <strong>SQ</strong>uare wave <strong>G</strong>reen / off (no syncing).\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>SQUARE WAVE SYNC</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEach voice has a few different outputs. You can read about these below in the <a href=\"#IO\">inputs and outputs</a> section. The SYNC feature uses two of the waveforms from each voice, the audio oscillator square wave and the PWM wave.\r\nWhen Red Sync 1 is set to SQG (middle position) that means that the RED voice is synced to the GREEN audio oscillator square wave. Give it a try. Make sure all other SYNC switches are OFF first. Adjusting the pitch of the RED oscillator will result in harmonic jumps relative to the pitch of the GREEN voice.\r\nYou can set up interesting relationships between the voices by making <strong>SYNC loops</strong>. For instance SYNC the RED voice to SQG, the GREEN voice to SQB and the BLUE voice to SQR.\r\n<strong>PULSE WIDTH SYNC:</strong>\r\nThe next setting on RED SYNC 1 is PWG. This setting is similar to the SQG setting but the pitch will modulate across a harmonic scale at a rate determined by the GREEN LFO.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>COMPOUND SYNCING</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"IO\"></a>\r\nEach voice has two switches. Therefore it is possible to sync to multiple oscillators. The effects of compound syncing is often discordant but interesting effects can be achieved, especially when combined with <a href=\"adventure\">adventure board</a> hacks and tweaks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INPUT AND OUTPUTS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1824\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/IO-460x325.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" /></a>\r\nThe NovaDrone offers 15 outputs and 15 input points which can be used to access and manipulate the various features of the circuit.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>OUTPUTS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEach voice of the NovaDrone is made up of two triangle/square wave oscillators. What you hear when you turn up the volume of one voice is actually a third wave form created by combining the two oscillators. This is a PWM (pulse width modulation) wave form. The pitch of this wave is controlled by the audio oscillator, the pulse width is controlled by the LFO. The effect is an audio wave with a phaser/tremolo effect.\r\nThat makes 5 outputs per voice, 15 outputs total.\r\nAll of these wave forms are available at the Signal I/O Header at the bottom of the board.\r\nThese wave forms can be used as control voltages for other analog gear, can be sent to a mixer as discreet audio signals and can be used with the adventure board to generate strange cross mod effects. I often use them as utility oscillators when I am developing new circuits and need a stock oscillator to play with.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>INPUTS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n............\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>MOD INPUTS</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEach of the six oscillators has a mod input header. This header allows you to control the pitch of the oscillator by varying the resistance between the two points of each header. Light sensitive resistors (LDR) work especially well as a source of changing resistance. Simply plug an LDR into one of the mod headers and change the pitch by waving your hand over the sensor.\r\nIt is also possible to control the pitch by applying a voltage to the top point of each header. The modulation curve is non-linear and will give you some strange but effective results as you apply a varying voltage to the modulation point.\r\n...........\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>SYNC INPUTS<a name=\"adventure\"></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEach voice has a sync input jack available on the Signal I/O Header. These work like the sync switch and are especially useful for syncing across multiple NovaDrones. When an external oscillator is plugged into the RED sync input jack, the RED voice will sync to the external oscillator.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ADVENTURE BOARD</strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1831\" alt=\"CONTROLS\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ADVENTURE-460x250.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"250\" /></a>\r\nThe Adventure Board is a bread board which is connected to the Signal I/O header. All of the output wave forms and 3 sync inputs are connected to the adventure board and are available for cross modulation and tweaking.\r\nA bread board is a simple piece of hardware used for rapid circuit prototyping. In the image above you can see several columns of connection points. Each column is surrounded by a grey box. This indicates points which are connected together. Each point in each column is connected by a shared bus. The horizontal space across the middle of the board separates the top bunch of columns from the bottom.\r\n\r\nNOW WHAT? The pink section (see the above drawing) is where all the outputs and sync inputs are available for patching. Try connecting electrical components like LEDs and capacitors between these points. We have found especially interesting effects by plugging a large polarized capacitor between the PWM output of one voice and the SQ1 of the same voice.\r\n\r\n<strong>No harm will come to the NovaDrone by interconnecting points on your adventure board.</strong> Connecting external signals from other synths may lead to unexpected behavior and may damage something, but that\'s half the fun. AND if something does break it will be one of the OP AMP chips which are cheap and easy to replace. SO rather than making a design which is closed off but likely to never break, I have opted for a design which invites hacking and is exceedingly easy to repair. Simply pop the questionable op amp out of the socket and put in a new one. Be adventurous! Try new stuff, connect other circuits and see what happens.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h1>SUGGESTIONS</h1>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a name=\"tutorials\"></a>\r\n-Plug LOTS of LEDs between points in the pink zone (see above image) of the adventure board.\r\n-Plug capacitors between points in the pink zone of the adventure board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to the MOD Input headers in the middle of the circuit board.\r\n-Connect points from the pink zone to a potentiometer placed elsewhere on the board. Connect the output of the pot back into another point in the pink zone.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<b><b> </b></b>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>TUTORIALS</strong></span></h2>\r\nThis section is under construction (as of February 24, 2013). I will soon post a series of illustrations which walk you through the process of generating drones and exploring the Adventure Board.','User\'s Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1379-revision-21','','','2013-02-25 11:07:46','2013-02-25 16:07:46','',1379,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/02/25/1379-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(1849,2,'2013-03-26 14:58:52','2013-03-26 19:58:52','<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<h1>For more info go to the <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone page</a>.</h1>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1229\" title=\"doublefinished.better\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublefinished.better-934x1024.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"510\" /></a>\r\n<h1>Send all questions and comments to <strong>novaworldorders@gmail.com</strong></h1>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>\"How long will it take to get my order?\"</h1>\r\nBetween <strong>December 2012 and March 2013</strong> operations at casperelectronics will be temporarily slowed down while we move our headquarters to Brooklyn NY(!). We are still taking and shipping orders but processing time is likely to take twice as long as usual. Meaning orders <em>may</em> take as long as 1 month to fill.\r\n\r\nWe ship all orders USPS priority mail. Shipping in the US commonly takes 3 days. International shipping commonly takes 2 weeks but can take up to 3 if it gets stuck in customs.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>Double VS Single</h1>\r\nThe NovaDrone is available as a PCB, a kit and as an assembled unit.\r\nEach of these options is available as a single or double unit. The double unit is essentially two NovaDrones on a single <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\">illustrated PCB</a>. The double unit shares a single power input and single audio output. The audio signals can be separated by using both audio jacks.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>THE ADVENTURE KIT</h1>\r\nThe <strong>adventure kit</strong> is a collection of electrical components which work especially well with the adventure board (the circuit bending breadboard at the bottom of the PCB). This kit will allow you to explore a wide range of novice to advanced bends and hacks ranging from light controlled pitch to distortion and filter circuits.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>POWER SUPPLY</h1>\r\nWe have power supplies for sale at the bottom of the page. They are switching supplies which means they will work anywhere in the world provided you have a physical adapter for the plug.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h1>V1.3 jumper wires</h1>\r\nThere are four *little* jumpers that have been added to the V1.3 PCBs. This is not a flaw or mistake in the board. These jumpers are board <em>enhancements</em> that have been added to unlock a small but cool feature.\r\n\r\nThese jumpers are there to invert the phase of the RED and GREEN pulse width comparators. This actually has no noticeable effect on the <em>regular</em> operation of the NovaDrone. So why are they there you ask? Designing the NovaDrone has been an exciting experience and we are regularly finding new hacks and features. One of the more recent ones we found is that interesting pitch modulation effects can be created by placing capacitors between the PWM outs and other points on the adventure board. Unfortunately this feature only works when the pulse width modulation comparator is configured a certain way (tri 2 into the inverting terminal of the comparator, tri 1 into the non-inverting terminal). Even more unfortunately, the 3 comparators in the NovaDrone are configured the OPPOSITE way. We deliberated over manually modifying the boards to configure them the \"right\" way for a long time. The pitch mod feature isn\'t necessary and many people probably wont end up finding or using it, but we think its really fun. In the end we decided it was too cool to not include and we rewired all the boards for many many hours :).\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1210\" title=\"singlePCB.lone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/singlePCB.lone_-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$25\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"3ZUVEXX8TR62L\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1226\" title=\"doublePCB.lone.better\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/doublePCB.lone_.better-300x296.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$50\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"N4JUSEQEVFL3E\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>PCB + PARTS KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1209\" title=\"single.Kit\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.Kit_-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$100\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"MBSMUQGSTPSJY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1207\" title=\"Double.kit2\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/Double.kit2_-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"8872KHAVYGKA4\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ASSEMBLED AND TESTED</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1208\" title=\"single.finished\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/single.finished-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>single</h1>\r\n$200\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"ENH4N62AJD684\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1206\" title=\"double.finished\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/double.finished-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<h1>double</h1>\r\n$400\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"UPZ5M5ERQDFML\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3>****ACCESSORIES****</h3>\r\nPLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING!\r\nAccessory orders MUST be combined with PCB, kit, or assembled unit orders. You can NOT order just a power supply or adventure kit on its own.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>ADVENTURE KIT</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1242\" title=\"adventurekit.together\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/adventurekit.together-300x280.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n$15\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"SPCF3HAAGGL6S\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2>POWER SUPPLY</h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1213\" title=\"power.supply\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/store/power.supply-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n$10\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"paypal\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"JWDE4S5F34MDY\" />\r\n<input type=\"image\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\" name=\"submit\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif\" />\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" /></form><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />','Store',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1112-revision-v1','','','2013-03-26 14:58:52','2013-03-26 19:58:52','',1112,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/03/26/1112-revision-87/',0,'revision','',0),(1852,2,'2012-09-11 17:49:50','2012-09-11 22:49:50','<iframe width=\"450\" height=\"340\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/7hPoJuBUqH4?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<iframe width=\"450\" height=\"340\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDt0-l2eH4?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"fromAbove\" width=\"450\" height=\"350\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-608\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<object height=\"225\" width=\"100%\"> <param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\"></param> <param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess=\"always\" height=\"225\" src=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"100%\"></embed> </object>  <span><a href=\"http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics\">Latest tracks by casperelectronics</a></span> \r\n<iframe width=\"450\" height=\"355\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GXekCqPi_bU?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<iframe width=\"450\" height=\"380\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/KduRVpgk1lA?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\">New album </a>on line! Free listen to and download.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/albumCover.jpg\" width=\"288\" height=\"288\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" /></a><p><p>\r\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<p>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/IMG_0415.JPG\"><img src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/_IMG_0415.JPG\" align=left width=\"200\" height=\"300\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"  /></a>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/spacer.jpg\" align=left width=\"50\" height=\"300\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" />\r\n<img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/_2541517169_9e2b56984c.jpg\" width=\"180\" height=\"135\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve always enjoyed the contrast of noise to melody, chaos to structure. I feel that these components highlight the strengths of the other and that the beauty of harmony is even greater when emerging from the din of discordant noise.<BR CLEAR=ALL><p>','Music',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','444-revision-22','','','2012-09-11 17:49:50','2012-09-11 22:49:50','',444,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/09/11/444-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(1854,2,'2013-04-10 10:04:22','2013-04-10 15:04:22','<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/7hPoJuBUqH4?rel=0\" height=\"340\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDt0-l2eH4?rel=0\" height=\"340\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<iframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/kHMf14CHWHI\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-608\" title=\"fromAbove\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"350\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<object width=\"100%\" height=\"225\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\" /><embed width=\"100%\" height=\"225\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" /></object> <span><a href=\"http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics\">Latest tracks by casperelectronics</a></span>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GXekCqPi_bU?rel=0\" height=\"355\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/KduRVpgk1lA?rel=0\" height=\"380\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\">New album </a>on line! Free listen to and download.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\"><img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/albumCover.jpg\" width=\"288\" height=\"288\" /></a>\r\n\r\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/IMG_0415.JPG\"><img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/_IMG_0415.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/spacer.jpg\" width=\"50\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" />\r\n<img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/_2541517169_9e2b56984c.jpg\" width=\"180\" height=\"135\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve always enjoyed the contrast of noise to melody, chaos to structure. I feel that these components highlight the strengths of the other and that the beauty of harmony is even greater when emerging from the din of discordant noise.','Music',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','444-revision-24','','','2013-04-10 10:04:22','2013-04-10 15:04:22','',444,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/10/444-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(1853,2,'2013-04-10 10:03:37','2013-04-10 15:03:37','<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/7hPoJuBUqH4?rel=0\" height=\"340\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDt0-l2eH4?rel=0\" height=\"340\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-608\" title=\"fromAbove\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"350\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<object width=\"100%\" height=\"225\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\" /><embed width=\"100%\" height=\"225\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F1767281\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" /></object> <span><a href=\"http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics\">Latest tracks by casperelectronics</a></span>\r\n\r\n&lt;iframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/kHMf14CHWHI\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GXekCqPi_bU?rel=0\" height=\"355\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/KduRVpgk1lA?rel=0\" height=\"380\" width=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\">New album </a>on line! Free listen to and download.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/aboard-a-ship-of-fingers-and-nails/\"><img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/albumCover.jpg\" width=\"288\" height=\"288\" /></a>\r\n\r\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/IMG_0415.JPG\"><img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.casperelectronics.com/images/_IMG_0415.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/spacer.jpg\" width=\"50\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" />\r\n<img title=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/images/graphics/_2541517169_9e2b56984c.jpg\" width=\"180\" height=\"135\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve always enjoyed the contrast of noise to melody, chaos to structure. I feel that these components highlight the strengths of the other and that the beauty of harmony is even greater when emerging from the din of discordant noise.<br clear=\"ALL\" />','Music',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','444-revision-23','','','2013-04-10 10:03:37','2013-04-10 15:03:37','',444,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/10/444-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(1856,2,'2013-04-27 16:55:19','2013-04-27 21:55:19','More info with links to event pages coming soon.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14: </strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25: </strong></span><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/events/120364978162141/\">Lecture/performance</a> for <a href=\"http://extrapool.nl/programs/667-vr-24-mei-geek-slam\">Geek Slam </a>at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<strong>\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">May 31-June 2:</span></strong> Installation for <a href=\"http://artsinbushwick.org/\">Bushwick Open Studios</a>. NovaDrone SuperZone at the <a href=\"www.silentbarn.org\">Silent Barn</a> with NovaBro <a href=\"http://nonhorse.com/\">Nonhorse</a>\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 2nd(tba):</strong></span> <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> workshop at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the <a href=\"http://www.harvestworks.org/jun-5-meridian7-peter-edwards-denman-maroney-hans-tammen-phillip-stearns/\">New York Electronic Arts Festival</a> in Manhattan NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">June 28:</span></strong> Performance at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY. More info coming.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29:</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a>. More info coming.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','publish','open','closed','','may-and-june','','\nhttp://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/','2013-05-17 18:41:59','2013-05-17 23:41:59','',0,'http://casperelectronics.com/?p=1856',0,'post','',0),(1857,2,'2013-04-27 16:54:35','2013-04-27 21:54:35','<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14:</strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25:</strong></span>Lecture/performance at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 31(tba):</strong></span> NovaDrone workshop at NovaDrone headquarters the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the New York Electronic Arts Festival.More info coming.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29 (tba):</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1856-revision','','','2013-04-27 16:54:35','2013-04-27 21:54:35','',1856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/27/1856-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1858,2,'2013-05-17 18:28:22','2013-05-17 23:28:22','More info with links to event pages coming soon.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14: </strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25: </strong></span><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/events/120364978162141/\">Lecture/performance</a> for <a href=\"http://extrapool.nl/programs/667-vr-24-mei-geek-slam\">Geek Slam </a>at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\n<strong>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">May 31-June 2:</span></strong> Installation for <a href=\"http://artsinbushwick.org/\">Bushwick Open Studios</a>. NovaDrone SuperZone at the <a href=\"www.silentbarn.org\">Silent Barn</a> with NovaBro <a href=\"http://nonhorse.com/\">Nonhorse</a>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 2nd(tba):</strong></span> <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> workshop at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the <a href=\"http://www.harvestworks.org/jun-5-meridian7-peter-edwards-denman-maroney-hans-tammen-phillip-stearns/\">New York Electronic Arts Festival</a> in Manhattan NY.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">June 28:</span></strong> Performance at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY. More info coming.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29:</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a>. More info coming.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1856-autosave','','','2013-05-17 18:28:22','2013-05-17 23:28:22','',1856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/27/1856-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1859,2,'2013-04-27 16:55:19','2013-04-27 21:55:19','<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14:</strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25:</strong></span>Lecture/performance at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 31(tba):</strong></span> <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> workshop at NovaDrone headquarters the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the New York Electronic Arts Festival in Manhattan NY. More info coming.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29 (tba):</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1856-revision-2','','','2013-04-27 16:55:19','2013-04-27 21:55:19','',1856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/27/1856-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1860,2,'2013-04-27 16:56:46','2013-04-27 21:56:46','More info with links to event pages coming soon.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14:</strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25:</strong></span>Lecture/performance at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 31(tba):</strong></span> <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> workshop at NovaDrone headquarters the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the New York Electronic Arts Festival in Manhattan NY. More info coming.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29 (tba):</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1856-revision-3','','','2013-04-27 16:56:46','2013-04-27 21:56:46','',1856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/27/1856-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1861,2,'2013-05-10 15:41:11','2013-05-10 20:41:11','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\n\n<hr />\n\nOn this page you will find the Assembly Manual PDF along with some comments as the document is updated. Feel free to post questions below.\n<h1><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/NovaDroneV1.3.1Assembly.pdf\">View the Assembly Manual</a></h1>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>PLEASE READ!!&gt;&gt;&gt;</strong></span></h2>\n<strong>-What is the 470pF cap for?</strong>\n\nwe have added a 470pf cap to the kit. It is not in the assembly manual but it IS marked on the board. It goes in the middle of the upper half of the board next to a vertical block of .1uF caps. This is to keep high frequency oscillation from occurring in the output mixer.\n\n<strong>-How do I read the value of the potentiometer?</strong>\n\nAs of March 2013 we are using a different distributor for potentiometers. The new pots have a blue body and are higher quality than old green bodied ones. Unfortunately they are a little harder to read. The value of the potentiometer is printed on the bottom using the following code.\n\n10k = B103\n\n100k = B104\n\n500k = B504\n\nThis is actually a very common way of marking components. The first letter indicates the taper of the pot. In this case it is a \"B\" which means the pot is linear taper. The 1st two digits stand for the value of the pot. The 3rd digit is the number of zeros which follow the first 2 digits. For instance \"103\" means \"10\" followed by 3 zeros, which is \"10,000\". This pot is 10,000 ohms.\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1395\" title=\"IMG_2793\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"306\" /></a>','Assembly Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1374-autosave','','','2013-05-10 15:41:11','2013-05-10 20:41:11','',1374,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/28/1374-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1862,2,'2012-10-02 15:47:33','2012-10-02 20:47:33','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2><hr>\r\nOn this page you will find the Assembly Manual PDF along with some comments as the document is updated. Feel free to post questions below.\r\n<h1><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/NovaDroneV1.3.1Assembly.pdf\">View the Assembly Manual</a></h1>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\"><img src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"IMG_2793\" width=\"460\" height=\"306\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1395\" /></a>','Assembly Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1374-revision-7','','','2012-10-02 15:47:33','2012-10-02 20:47:33','',1374,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/10/02/1374-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1863,2,'2013-04-28 14:49:54','2013-04-28 19:49:54','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nOn this page you will find the Assembly Manual PDF along with some comments as the document is updated. Feel free to post questions below.\r\n<h1><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/NovaDroneV1.3.1Assembly.pdf\">View the Assembly Manual</a></h1>\r\nPLEASE READ! As of March 2013 we are using a different distributor for potentiometers. The new pots have a blue body and are higher quality than old green bodied ones. Unfortunately they are a little harder to read. The value of the potentiometer is printed on the bottom using the following code.\r\n\r\n10k = B103\r\n\r\n100k = B104\r\n\r\n500k = B504\r\n\r\nThis is actually a very common way of marking components. The first letter indicates the taper of the pot. In this case it is a \"B\" which means the pot is linear taper. The 1st two digits stand for the value of the pot. The 3rd digit is the number of zeros which follow the first 2 digits. For instance \"103\" means \"10\" followed by 3 zeros, which is \"10,000\". This pot is 10,000 ohms.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1395\" title=\"IMG_2793\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/NovaDrone/IMG_2793.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"306\" /></a>','Assembly Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1374-revision-8','','','2013-04-28 14:49:54','2013-04-28 19:49:54','',1374,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/28/1374-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1864,2,'2013-04-27 16:57:29','2013-04-27 21:57:29','More info with links to event pages coming soon.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May1-14: </strong></span>Collaborative instrument building residency at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with artist <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May11-12:</strong></span> Two day circuit bending and instrument building <a href=\"http://steim.org/event/intensive-circuitbending-workshop-sotu/\">workshop</a> at <a href=\"http://www.ot301.nl/page=site.home\">OT301</a> in Amsterdam, NL as part of the <a href=\"http://www.sotufestival.com/\">SOTU festival</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 18:</strong></span> Performance at <a href=\"http://steim.org/\">STEIM</a> with an amazing group of artists. <a href=\"http://phillipstearns.wordpress.com/\">Phil Stearns</a>, <a href=\"http://rosa-menkman.blogspot.nl/\">Rosa Menkman</a>, <a href=\"http://gieskes.nl/\">Gijs Gieskes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.karlklomp.nl/\">Karl Klomp</a>, and.....more?\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 25: </strong></span>Lecture/performance at <a href=\"http://www.extrapool.nl/\">Extrapool</a> in Nijmegen, Netherlands.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 27-June 5:</strong> </span>Mural Painting at the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>May 31(tba):</strong></span> <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\">NovaDrone</a> workshop at NovaDrone headquarters the <a href=\"http://www.silentbarn.org/\">Silent Barn</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 5:</strong></span> Performance at the New York Electronic Arts Festival in Manhattan NY. More info coming.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 11:</strong></span> <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/#casparhttp://\">lecture/performance</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cafefixe.com/\">Cafe Fixe</a> in Boston for the <a href=\"http://www.nonevent.org/\">NonEvent </a>dinner and music series.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 12-26:</strong></span> Research and recording at the <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/\">MIT Media Lab</a> with <a href=\"http://www.media.mit.edu/people/joep\">Joe Paradiso</a> and his record setting <a href=\"http://web.media.mit.edu/~joep/synth.html\">modular synthesizer</a>.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>June 29 (tba):</strong></span> Circuit Bending workshop at <a href=\"http://www.fluxfactory.org/\">Flux Factory</a> in Brooklyn NY.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>July 5th:</strong></span> Taking a plane back to Holland!','May and June',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1856-revision-4','','','2013-04-27 16:57:29','2013-04-27 21:57:29','',1856,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/04/27/1856-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1866,2,'2013-05-07 05:47:17','2013-05-07 10:47:17','Hey! Do you want a masters degree in electronic instrument making?\r\n\r\nApply to the <a href=\"http://steim.org/education/masters-program/\">Instruments&amp;Interfaces</a> program at STEIM. I\'m here for another year and am excited to work with other inspired builders.\r\nDon\'t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the program! Application deadline is June 1st. Info <a href=\"http://steim.org/2013/05/application-deadline-extended-for-steim-ma/\">HERE</a>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3475784319_6ef0a1df33.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"302\" />','Instruments & Interfaces masters program',0,'','publish','open','closed','','instruments-interfaces-masters-program','','','2013-05-07 05:47:17','2013-05-07 10:47:17','',0,'http://casperelectronics.com/?p=1866',0,'post','',1),(1867,2,'2013-05-07 05:45:33','2013-05-07 10:45:33','Hey! Do you want a masters degree in electronic instrument making?\n\nApply to the <a href=\"http://steim.org/education/masters-program/\">Instruments&amp;Interfaces</a> program at STEIM. I\'m here for another year and am excited to work with other inspired builders.\nDon\'t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the program! Application deadline is June 1st. Info <a href=\"http://steim.org/2013/05/application-deadline-extended-for-steim-ma/\">HERE</a>','Instruments & Interfaces masters program',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1866-revision','','','2013-05-07 05:45:33','2013-05-07 10:45:33','',1866,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/05/07/1866-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1875,2,'2013-05-25 14:29:07','2013-05-25 19:29:07','<h2><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/nova-drone/\"> Back to the NovaDrone HOME page</a></h2>\r\nThroughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 3. Sound and Light</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mix\">audio mixer</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#led\">LED driver</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>◊ 1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape◊</strong></strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Figure 1. A triangle wave oscillator\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThe heart of the NovaDrone is a bank of six independent oscillators.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nAn oscillation is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. This can be a pattern of light, movement, electricity, even life cycles of organisms. The <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscillation\">wikipedia entry</a> gives dozens of examples of different kinds of oscillation.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<address> </address><address><em><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span></em></address>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><address><strong>The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.</strong></address></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat we are most interested in is the oscillation (or modulating amplitude) of electricity. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating electrical current.\r\nWhen this is applied to a speaker, the current activates a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker away from or towards a fixed magnet. This action vibrates the air in front of the speaker which in turn vibrates the air in front of that and so on until those vibrations hit our ear drums and are perceived as sound. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation.\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nFigure 1 shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle. The waveforms in fig 2 are Sine, ramp, triangle and square.Sine, triangle and square are symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw and pulse waves.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"> Figure 2. Waveshapes </span></p>\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><strong>Review</strong></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<div></div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊1.2 Phase◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\n\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nLet’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts which means the green wave sweeps from +2.5 to -2.5 and is 5 Vpk-pk.\r\n\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is <em>relative to the difference in phase</em> of the two source waves.\r\n\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is <strong>phase controlled amplitude modulation</strong> and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊ 2.1 The circuit ◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators are simple and robust. Each oscillator is built around 2 <strong>op amps</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1302 alignnone\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 5. LFO Figure 6. Audio oscillator</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nEach channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a> They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies.\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\r\nOscillator 1 and 2 combine to make a square wave oscillator with a frequency controlled by oscillator 1 and pulse width modulation controlled by oscillator 2.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Feedback loops</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Comparator</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 8.</span>\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"sec3\"></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"mix\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Section 3. SOUND &amp; LIGHT</span></span></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Audio Mixer</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is c\r\n\r\n<a name=\"led\"></a>\r\n\r\nalculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>LED drivers</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about\r\n.\r\n\r\n</div>','Theory',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1369-revision-v1','','','2013-05-25 14:29:07','2013-05-25 19:29:07','',1369,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/05/25/1369-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(1877,2,'2013-06-15 01:05:59','2013-06-15 06:05:59','Here\'s what Ive been up to lately.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1878\" alt=\"Synths\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths-460x979.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"979\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','makin synths',0,'','publish','open','closed','','1877','','','2013-06-15 01:08:06','2013-06-15 06:08:06','',0,'http://casperelectronics.com/?p=1877',0,'post','',2),(1878,2,'2013-06-15 01:04:32','2013-06-15 06:04:32','','Synths',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','synths','','','2013-06-15 01:04:32','2013-06-15 06:04:32','',1877,'http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1879,2,'2013-06-15 01:05:26','2013-06-15 06:05:26','&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1878\" alt=\"Synths\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths-460x979.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"979\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;','',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1877-revision','','','2013-06-15 01:05:26','2013-06-15 06:05:26','',1877,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/06/15/1877-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1880,2,'2013-06-15 01:08:03','2013-06-15 06:08:03','Here\'s what Ive been up to lately.\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1878\" alt=\"Synths\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths-460x979.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"979\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;','makin synths',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1877-autosave','','','2013-06-15 01:08:03','2013-06-15 06:08:03','',1877,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/06/15/1877-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1881,2,'2013-06-15 01:05:59','2013-06-15 06:05:59','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1878\" alt=\"Synths\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/synths-460x979.jpg\" width=\"460\" height=\"979\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1877-revision-2','','','2013-06-15 01:05:59','2013-06-15 06:05:59','',1877,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/06/15/1877-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1885,2,'2013-07-23 17:05:42','2013-07-23 22:05:42','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>PETER EDWARDS</strong>\r\n\r\nhttp://www.casperelectronics.com\r\n\r\npete@casperelectronics.com\r\n\r\n53 3rd St. Troy NY 12180\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Education</strong>\r\n\r\n- Instruments and Interfaces Masters Program, The Royal Conservatory of the Hague / STEIM Amsterdam, Netherlands: 2012 to Present.\r\n\r\n- Rhode Island School of Design. RI: 1996 to 2000 B.F.A., Sculpture\r\n\r\n- Hudson Valley Community College. Troy, NY: 2010 to 2011\r\nelectrical engineering and computer sciences. Non matriculated.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Exhibitions</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Solo Shows</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-Commissioned installation \"DroneScape\" for Clock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n-Flux Factory Gallery, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Commissioned installation for Tang Museum, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n- West Hall Gallery, Rensellaer Polytechnic Institue, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- Lost Horse Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n<em>2006</em>\r\n\r\n- Seton gallery, University of New Haven, CT\r\n\r\n<strong>Group Shows</strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-Ja Natuurlijk. Gemeente Museum, Den Haag, The Netherlands\r\n\r\n-ReFunct. Transmediale, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n- Commission for show Resonant Frequencies, Georgia Southern Statesboro, GA\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n- Commission for show Dwell, Contemporary Artists Center, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- 319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn NY\r\n\r\n- Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Marketplace Gallery, Albany NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- ABC No Rio, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- Governors island, New York, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2006</em>\r\n\r\n- Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, Manchester, CT\r\n\r\n- Art Space, New Haven CT\r\n\r\n- Green Gallery, YALE University, New Haven, CT\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Residencies</strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA\r\n\r\n<em>2012 </em>\r\n\r\n-Clock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n-Perte de Signal, Rustine Labs, Montreal, Canada\r\n\r\n-Free103point9 Wave Farm, Acra, NY\r\n\r\n-Experimental Performing Arts Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011 </em>\r\n\r\n-STEIM, Amsterdam, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visiting Artist Lectures and Workshops</strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-Transmediale Festival, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n-Sotu Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Control Voltage Festival, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n-The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n-Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n-Hordijk Studios, The Hague, Netherlands\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-State-X New Forms Festival, The Hague, Netherlands\r\n\r\n- Mapping Festival, Geneva, Switzerland\r\n\r\n- Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n- STEIM, Amsterdam, Netherlands\r\n\r\n- V&amp;A Museum, London, UK\r\n\r\n- 319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n- Mal Au Pixel festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- PiNG festival, Nantes, France\r\n\r\n- Goucher College, Baltimore, MD\r\n\r\n- Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Hampshire College, Amherst, MA\r\n\r\n- Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n- OFFF arts festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, New York, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2009 </em>\r\n\r\n- NYU, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Piksel Festival, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- Long Beach University, Long Beach, CA\r\n\r\n- Electro-Music Festival, Bloomingdale, NJ\r\n\r\n- MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA\r\n\r\n<em>2008 </em>\r\n\r\n- BENT festival, NY\r\n\r\n- Hasbro Toys, Pawtucket, RI\r\n\r\n- PotluckCon, New Orleans, LA\r\n\r\n- Nauticon, Cleveland, OH\r\n\r\n- BENT festival, LA and NY\r\n\r\n<em>2007 </em>\r\n\r\n- The Piksel Festival, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- BENT Festival, Eyebeam, NY\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Performances</strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-Aviary Gallery, Jamaica Planes, MA\r\n\r\n-Cafe Fixe, Brookline, MA\r\n\r\n-WZBC radio, Newton, MA\r\n\r\n-The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n-Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n-New York Electronic Arts Festival, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n-ExtraPool, Nijmegen, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Steim, Amsterdam, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Transmediale Festival, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-State-X New Forms Festival, The Hague, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-EMPAC Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-Upstate Artists Guild, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n-STEIM, Amsterdam, Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Clock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n-319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n-Hackposium hacker festival, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n- Mal Au Pixel Festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- PiNG festival, Nantes, France\r\n\r\n-Devotion Gallery, New York, NY\r\n\r\n-Littlefield, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010 </em>\r\n\r\n- OFFF Festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Brigade Neurale, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Grrrnd Zero, Leon, France\r\n\r\n- Hundebiss Records, Milan, Italy\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Valentines, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n- The Troy Bike Rescue, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-West Hall Gallery, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-The Spotty Dog, Hudson, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2009 </em>\r\n\r\n- Performa Festival, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Monkeytown, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- Bennington College, North Bennington, VT\r\n\r\n- Bergen Kunsthall, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- Casper Land, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, The Tank, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- 3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Load of Fun Theater, Baltimore, MD\r\n\r\n- Big Rock Candy Mountain, Philladelphia, PA\r\n\r\n- Weird Diner, Bloomfield, CT\r\n\r\n- Building 16, Providence, RI\r\n\r\n- The Elevens, North Hampton, MA\r\n\r\n- Hampshire College, Amherst, MA\r\n\r\n- Market Hotel, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- CMJ music festival, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Lost Horse Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n- Kling And Bang, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- The Tank, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- Grand Performances, Los Angeles, CA\r\n\r\n-Vanishing Point, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Scrap Cycle, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Monkey Town, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Professional Experience</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>-Hampshire College</strong>\r\n\r\nAmherst, MA: 2005 to 2007\r\n\r\nAdjunct Assistant Professor of Design\r\n\r\nPlanned, designed and implemented creative electronics program.\r\n\r\n<strong>-Make Magazine</strong>\r\n\r\nNorth Sebastopol, CA: 2009 to present\r\n\r\nWriter.\r\n\r\n<strong>-Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center </strong>\r\n\r\nManhattan, NY: 2008 to Present\r\n\r\nTeacher\r\n\r\n<strong>-Casperelectronics </strong>\r\n\r\nTroy, NY: 2000 to Present\r\n\r\nSole Proprietor, Designer\r\n\r\nMusical instrument design and production.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>-Arts Center of the Capital Region </strong>\r\n\r\nTroy, NY: 2009-2010\r\n\r\nTeacher\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Press</strong>\r\n\r\n-Radio interview, NPR, The Brian Lehrer Show\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>-<a href=\"http://current.com/groups/on-current-tv/89634334_speak-spell-music.htm\">TV interview, Current TV</a></em>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJyYjK6uE2E\">Television interview, Swedish Public Television, ShowRoom</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://rhizome.org/editorial/2011/jun/27/homebrew-electronics-studio-visit-pete-edwards-cas/\">Studio visit and interview for Rhizome.org</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://vimeo.com/9034653\">Video interview and demo, Scion Magazine</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://metroland.net/back_issues/vol32_no35/listen_here.html\">Print interview, Metro Land, Troy NY</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/09/09/news/doc4aa703e67f5bd159593118.txt\">Print interview, The Record, Albany NY</a>\r\n\r\n-Print interview, Amusement Magazine, France\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.mottodistribution.com/shop/rafskinna-3-reflections.html\">Video interview and performance, Rafskinna Magazine, Iceland</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgjIbYuntEA\">Television interview, TechTV’s Screen Savers</a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<p class=\"style1\" align=\"left\"><strong>\r\npete[at]casperelectronics[dot]com</strong></p>','CV',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','148-revision-v1','','','2013-07-23 17:05:42','2013-07-23 22:05:42','',148,'http://casperelectronics.com/2013/07/23/148-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(1884,2,'2012-12-16 21:12:31','2012-12-17 02:12:31','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>PETER EDWARDS</strong>\r\n\r\nhttp://www.casperelectronics.com\r\n\r\npete@casperelectronics.com\r\n\r\n53 3rd St. Troy NY 12180\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Education</span></strong>\r\n\r\n- Instruments and Interfaces Masters Program, The Royal Conservatory of the Hague / STEIM Amsterdam, Netherlands: 2012 to Present.\r\n\r\n- Rhode Island School of Design. RI: 1996 to 2000 B.F.A., Sculpture\r\n\r\n- Hudson Valley Community College. Troy, NY: 2010 to 2011\r\nelectrical engineering and computer sciences. Non matriculated.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Exhibitions</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Solo Shows</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-Commissioned installation \"DroneScape\" for Clock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n-Flux Factory Gallery, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Commissioned installation for Tang Museum, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n- West Hall Gallery, Rensellaer Polytechnic Institue, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- Lost Horse Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n<em>2006</em>\r\n\r\n- Seton gallery, University of New Haven, CT\r\n\r\n<strong>Group Shows</strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-ReFunct. Transmediale, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n- Commission for show Resonant Frequencies, Georgia Southern Statesboro, GA\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n- Commission for show Dwell, Contemporary Artists Center, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- 319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn NY\r\n\r\n- Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Marketplace Gallery, Albany NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- ABC No Rio, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- Governors island, New York, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2006</em>\r\n\r\n- Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, Manchester, CT\r\n\r\n- Art Space, New Haven CT\r\n\r\n- Green Gallery, YALE University, New Haven, CT\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Residencies</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<em>2012 </em>\r\n\r\nClock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\nPerte de Signal, Rustine Labs, Montreal, Canada\r\n\r\nFree103point9 Wave Farm, Acra, NY\r\n\r\nExperimental Performing Arts Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011 </em>\r\n\r\nSteim, Amsterdam, The Netherlands\r\n\r\nFlux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grants and awards</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<em>2011 </em>\r\n\r\n- SOS Grant, NYFA\r\n\r\n- NYFA funded commision for \"Dwell\" at the Contemporary Artists Center, Troy NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010 </em>\r\n\r\n- SOS Grant, NYFA\r\n\r\n<em>2009 </em>\r\n\r\n- SOS Grant, NYFA\r\n\r\n- NYFA funding for solo show \"White Light\", via West Hall Gallery, Troy NY\r\n\r\n<em>2007 </em>\r\n\r\n- Best of city wide open studios award recipient, New Haven CT\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Visiting Artist Lectures and Workshops</span></strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\nTransmediale Festival, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-State-X New Forms Festival, The Hague, The Netherlands\r\n\r\n- Mapping Festival, Geneva, Switzerland\r\n\r\n- Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n- STEIM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands\r\n\r\n- V&amp;A Museum, London, UK\r\n\r\n- 319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n- Mal Au Pixel festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- PiNG festival, Nantes, France\r\n\r\n- Goucher College, Baltimore, MD\r\n\r\n- Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010</em>\r\n\r\n- Hampshire College, Amherst, MA\r\n\r\n- Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY\r\n\r\n- OFFF arts festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, New York, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2009 </em>\r\n\r\n- NYU, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Piksel Festival, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- Long Beach University, Long Beach, CA\r\n\r\n- Electro-Music Festival, Bloomingdale, NJ\r\n\r\n- MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA\r\n\r\n<em>2008 </em>\r\n\r\n- BENT festival, NY\r\n\r\n- Hasbro Toys, Pawtucket, RI\r\n\r\n- PotluckCon, New Orleans, LA\r\n\r\n- Nauticon, Cleveland, OH\r\n\r\n- BENT festival, LA and NY\r\n\r\n<em>2007 </em>\r\n\r\n- The Piksel Festival, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- BENT Festival, Eyebeam, NY\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Performances</span></strong>\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n-Transmediale Festival, Berlin, Germany\r\n\r\n<em>2012</em>\r\n\r\n-State-X New Forms Festival, The Hague, The Netherlands\r\n\r\n-EMPAC Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-Upstate Artists Guild, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2011</em>\r\n\r\n-STEIM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands\r\n\r\n-Clock Tower Gallery, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n-319 Scholes Gallery, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n-Hackposium hacker festival, Long Island City, NY\r\n\r\n- Mal Au Pixel Festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- PiNG festival, Nantes, France\r\n\r\n-Devotion Gallery, New York, NY\r\n\r\n-Littlefield, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2010 </em>\r\n\r\n- OFFF Festival, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Brigade Neurale, Paris, France\r\n\r\n- Grrrnd Zero, Leon, France\r\n\r\n- Hundebiss Records, Milan, Italy\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Valentines, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n- The Troy Bike Rescue, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-West Hall Gallery, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n-The Spotty Dog, Hudson, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2009 </em>\r\n\r\n- Performa Festival, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- Monkeytown, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- Bennington College, North Bennington, VT\r\n\r\n- Bergen Kunsthall, Bergen, Norway\r\n\r\n- Casper Land, Troy, NY\r\n\r\n- Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, Albany, NY\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, The Tank, Manhattan, NY\r\n\r\n- 3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Load of Fun Theater, Baltimore, MD\r\n\r\n- Big Rock Candy Mountain, Philladelphia, PA\r\n\r\n- Weird Diner, Bloomfield, CT\r\n\r\n- Building 16, Providence, RI\r\n\r\n- The Elevens, North Hampton, MA\r\n\r\n- Hampshire College, Amherst, MA\r\n\r\n- Market Hotel, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n<em>2008</em>\r\n\r\n- CMJ music festival, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Lost Horse Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n- Kling And Bang, Reykjavik, Iceland\r\n\r\n- Bent Festival, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- The Tank, New York, NY\r\n\r\n- Grand Performances, Los Angeles, CA\r\n\r\n-Vanishing Point, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Scrap Cycle, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Monkey Town, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n- Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Professional Experience</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>-Hampshire College</strong>\r\n\r\nAmherst, MA: 2005 to 2007\r\n\r\nAdjunct Assistant Professor of Design\r\n\r\nPlanned, designed and implemented creative electronics program.\r\n\r\n<strong>-Make Magazine</strong>\r\n\r\nNorth Sebastopol, CA: 2009 to present\r\n\r\nWriter.\r\n\r\n<strong>-Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center </strong>\r\n\r\nManhattan, NY: 2008 to Present\r\n\r\nTeacher\r\n\r\n<strong>-Casperelectronics </strong>\r\n\r\nTroy, NY: 2000 to Present <strong></strong>\r\n\r\nSole Proprietor, Designer\r\n\r\nMusical instrument design and production.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>-Arts Center of the Capital Region </strong>\r\n\r\nTroy, NY: 2009-2010\r\n\r\nTeacher\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Press</span></strong>\r\n\r\n-Radio interview, NPR, The Brian Lehrer Show\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>-<a href=\"http://current.com/groups/on-current-tv/89634334_speak-spell-music.htm\">TV interview, Current TV</a></em>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJyYjK6uE2E\">Television interview, Swedish Public Television, ShowRoom</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://rhizome.org/editorial/2011/jun/27/homebrew-electronics-studio-visit-pete-edwards-cas/\">Studio visit and interview for Rhizome.org</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://vimeo.com/9034653\">Video interview and demo, Scion Magazine</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://metroland.net/back_issues/vol32_no35/listen_here.html\">Print interview, Metro Land, Troy NY</a>\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/09/09/news/doc4aa703e67f5bd159593118.txt\">Print interview, The Record, Albany NY</a>\r\n\r\n-Print interview, Amusement Magazine, France\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.mottodistribution.com/shop/rafskinna-3-reflections.html\">Video interview and performance, Rafskinna Magazine, Iceland</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n-<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgjIbYuntEA\">Television interview, TechTV’s Screen Savers</a>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n<p class=\"style1\" align=\"left\"><strong>\r\npete[at]casperelectronics[dot]com</strong></p>','CV',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','148-revision-v1','','','2012-12-16 21:12:31','2012-12-17 02:12:31','',148,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/12/16/148-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(1704,2,'2012-11-04 19:35:03','2012-11-05 00:35:03','Throughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 3. Sound and Light</span></a></strong></span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mix\">audio mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#led\">LED driver</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>◊ 1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape◊</strong></strong></span></h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Figure 1. A triangle wave oscillator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThe heart of the NovaDrone is a bank of six independent oscillators.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nAn oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. This can be a pattern of light, movement, electricity, even life cycles of organisms. The <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscillation\">wikipedia entry</a> gives dozens of examples of different kinds of oscillation.\r\n\r\nWhat we are most interested in is the modulation (changing amplitude) of electricity. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating electrical current.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<address> </address><address><em><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span></em></address>When this is applied to a speaker, the current activates a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker away from or towards a fixed magnet. This action vibrates the air in front of the speaker which in turn vibrates the air in front of that and so on until that vibrations hit our ear drums and are perceived as sound. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation.\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nFigure 1 shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle. The waveforms in fig 2 are: Sine, ramp, triangle and square.Sine, triangle and square are the most common and are all symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw and pulse waves.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"> Figure 2. Waveshapes  </span></p>\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><strong>Review</strong></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<div></div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊1.2 Phase◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators. Let’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts.\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is relative to the difference in phase of the two source waves.\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is phase controlled amplitude modulation and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nThis phenomenon of phase controlled amplitude is something many musicians use without even realizing it. This is the vary trick one uses when tuning a guitar. You tune one string to the other until the “beatingâ€ effect slows and eventually disappears.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></span></h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊ 2.1 The circuit ◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators is clean, simple and robust. They are generated using a remarkable device called an <strong>op amp</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1302 alignnone\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 5. LFO                                    Figure 6. Audio oscillator</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nEach channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a> They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3> <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Feedback loops</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)◊</strong></span></h2>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Comparator</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 8.</span>\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"sec3\"></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<a name=\"mix\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Section 3. SOUND &amp; LIGHT</span></span></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Audio Mixer</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is c\r\n\r\n<a name=\"led\"></a>\r\n\r\nalculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>LED drivers</strong></span></h3>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about\r\n.\r\n\r\n</div>','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','publish','open','closed','casper','novadrone-tech-manual','','','2012-11-06 19:37:48','2012-11-07 00:37:48','',1649,'http://casperelectronics.com/?page_id=1704',0,'page','',0),(1705,2,'2012-11-04 19:34:13','2012-11-05 00:34:13','','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1704-revision','','','2012-11-04 19:34:13','2012-11-05 00:34:13','',1704,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/04/1704-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1707,2,'2012-11-04 19:36:56','2012-11-05 00:36:56','Throughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sectio</span></strong></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">n 3. Drivers and Mixers </span>*incomplete*</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#led\"> LED driver</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mixer\">Signal mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER <strong></strong></strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape</strong></strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Ampandfreq\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>The NovaDrone is basically a bunch of oscillators so it’s important to understand what an <strong>oscillator</strong> is. An oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating voltage. When this is applied to a speaker, the voltage charges a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker back and forth. This action pushes air which travels to our ears and is perceived as sound as our ear drums are excited into vibration. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation. Most electronic oscillators (including those used in the NovaDrone) are precise and easily controllable. <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span>\r\n\r\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones. The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nThe image to the left shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle.\r\nThe waveforms in fig 2 are: Sine, ramp, triangle and square.\r\nSine, triangle and square are the most common and are all symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw, and pulse waves.\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which <span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 2. Waveshapes</span>\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Review</strong></span></p>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz\r\n<strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)\r\n<strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1.2 Phase</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators. Let’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts.\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is relative to the difference in phase of the two source waves.\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is phase controlled amplitude modulation and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nThis phenomenon of phase controlled amplitude is something many musicians use without even realizing it. This is the vary trick one uses when tuning a guitar. You tune one string to the other until the “beatingâ€ effect slows and eventually disappears.\r\n<h3><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2.1 The circuit</span> </strong></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators is clean, simple and robust. They are generated using a remarkable device called an <strong>op amp</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a>­­Each channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and <a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a>fig. 6. They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Feedback loops</strong></span></p>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"170\" /></a>configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</span></strong>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></p>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)</strong></span></p>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Comparator</span></strong></p>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Mixer</span></strong></p>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is calculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">LED drivers</span></strong></p>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about.','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1704-revision-3','','','2012-11-04 19:36:56','2012-11-05 00:36:56','',1704,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/04/1704-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1706,2,'2012-11-04 19:35:03','2012-11-05 00:35:03','Throughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sectio</span></strong></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">n 3. Drivers and Mixers </span>*incomplete*</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#led\"> LED driver</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mixer\">Signal mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER <strong></strong></strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape</strong></strong></span></p></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Ampandfreq\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>The NovaDrone is basically a bunch of oscillators so it’s important to understand what an <strong>oscillator</strong> is. An oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating voltage. When this is applied to a speaker, the voltage charges a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker back and forth. This action pushes air which travels to our ears and is perceived as sound as our ear drums are excited into vibration. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation. Most electronic  oscillators (including those used in the NovaDrone) are precise and easily controllable. <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a> <span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span> There are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones. The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></p>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nThe image to the left shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></p>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span></p>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle.\r\nThe waveforms in fig 2 are: Sine, ramp, triangle and square.\r\nSine, triangle and square are the most common and are all symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw, and pulse waves.\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which                                       <span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 2. Waveshapes</span>\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Review</strong></span></p>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz\r\n<strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)\r\n<strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1.2 Phase</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak)  and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators. Let’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts.\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is relative to the difference in phase of the two source waves.\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is phase controlled amplitude modulation and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nThis phenomenon of phase controlled amplitude is something many musicians use without even realizing it. This is the vary trick one uses when tuning a guitar. You tune one string to the other until the “beatingâ€ effect slows and eventually disappears.\r\n<h3><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2.1 The circuit</span> </strong></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators is clean, simple and robust. They are generated using a remarkable device called an <strong>op amp</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a>­­Each channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and <a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a>fig. 6. They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single   adjustment knob.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Feedback loops</strong></span></p>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"170\" /></a>configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1)      Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2)      Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3)      When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4)      Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5)      When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6)      etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</span></strong>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates  when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a  4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit   board. This controls the        frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></p>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)</strong></span></p>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Comparator</span></strong></p>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases.  This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Mixer</span></strong></p>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is calculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">LED drivers</span></strong></p>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about.','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1704-revision-2','','','2012-11-04 19:35:03','2012-11-05 00:35:03','',1704,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/04/1704-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1708,2,'2012-11-04 19:37:43','2012-11-05 00:37:43','Throughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\r\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sectio</span></strong></a><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">n 3. Drivers and Mixers </span>*incomplete*</strong></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#led\"> LED driver</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"#mixer\">Signal mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER <strong></strong></strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape</strong></strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Ampandfreq\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>The NovaDrone is basically a bunch of oscillators so it’s important to understand what an <strong>oscillator</strong> is. An oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating voltage. When this is applied to a speaker, the voltage charges a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker back and forth. This action pushes air which travels to our ears and is perceived as sound as our ear drums are excited into vibration. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation. Most electronic oscillators (including those used in the NovaDrone) are precise and easily controllable. <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span>\r\n\r\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones. The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\r\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\r\nThe image to the left shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\r\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\r\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle.\r\nThe waveforms in fig 2 are: Sine, ramp, triangle and square.\r\nSine, triangle and square are the most common and are all symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw, and pulse waves.\r\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which <span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 2. Waveshapes</span>\r\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\r\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Review</strong></span></p>\r\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\r\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\r\n<strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz\r\n<strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)\r\n<strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1.2 Phase</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\r\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\r\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\r\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\r\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators. Let’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\r\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts.\r\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is relative to the difference in phase of the two source waves.\r\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\r\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\r\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is phase controlled amplitude modulation and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\r\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\r\nThis phenomenon of phase controlled amplitude is something many musicians use without even realizing it. This is the vary trick one uses when tuning a guitar. You tune one string to the other until the “beatingâ€ effect slows and eventually disappears.\r\n<h3><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2.1 The circuit</span> </strong></h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators is clean, simple and robust. They are generated using a remarkable device called an <strong>op amp</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a>­­Each channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and <a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a>fig. 6. They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\r\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\r\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Feedback loops</strong></span></p>\r\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are <a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"170\" /></a>configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\r\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\r\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\r\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\r\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\r\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\r\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\r\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\r\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\r\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\r\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</span></strong>\r\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\r\n\r\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\r\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\r\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\r\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\r\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\r\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\r\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\r\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\r\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\r\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\r\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\r\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\r\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></p>\r\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\r\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\r\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)</strong></span></p>\r\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\r\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\r\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\r\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Comparator</span></strong></p>\r\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\r\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\r\n\r\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\r\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\r\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Mixer</span></strong></p>\r\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is calculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">LED drivers</span></strong></p>\r\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\r\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about.','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1704-revision-4','','','2012-11-04 19:37:43','2012-11-05 00:37:43','',1704,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/04/1704-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1709,2,'2012-11-06 19:36:13','2012-11-07 00:36:13','Throughout this guide I will attempt to give you some insight into the circuit theory and scientific principles at play in the NovaDrone. That said I will be giving little more than an intro to each topic and strongly encourage you to do further reading on topics you find interesting.\n<ul>\n	<li>This is a beta version of the <strong>NovaDrone Technical Guide</strong>. I expect to make revisions over time and eagerly encourage readers to send me feedback, questions, suggestions and especially corrections. Comments should be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:pete@casperelectronics.com\"><strong>pete@casperelectronics.com</strong></a>.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<hr />\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</strong></span></h3>\n<a href=\"#sec1\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 1. Oscillator Primer</span></strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#1.1\"><strong>1.1 Frequency, amplitude &amp; wave shape</strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#frequency\">Frequency</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#amplitude\">Amplitude</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#waveshape\"> Wave shape</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#review\"> Review<strong></strong></a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n	<li><a href=\"#1.2\"><strong>1.2 Phase</strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#phase\"> Phase controlled amplitude modulation</a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<a href=\"#sec2\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 2. NovaDrone Oscillators</span></strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#2.1\"><strong>2.1 The Circuit</strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#feedbackloops\"> Feedback loops</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#schematic\"> Schematic</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#rctimeconstant\"> RC time constant</a></li>\n	<li><a href=\"#howitworks\"> How it works<strong></strong></a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n	<li><a href=\"#2.2\"><strong>2.2 Pulse Width Modulation</strong></a>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#comparator\">The comparator<strong></strong></a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<a name=\"sec1\"></a><a name=\"1.1\"></a><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"#sec3\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Section 3. Sound and Light</span></a></strong></span>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"#mixer\">audio mixer</a><strong></strong></li>\n<li><a href=\"#led\">LED driver</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<hr />\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 1. OSCILLATOR PRIMER</strong></span></h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>◊ 1.1 Frequency, amplitude and wave shape◊</strong></strong></span></h2>\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1636\" title=\"Figure 1. A triangle wave oscillator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/ampandfreq-200x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"242\" /></a>\n<div>\n\nThe heart of the NovaDrone is a bank of six independent oscillators.\n\n</div>\nAn oscillator is simply a pattern which repeats indefinitely. This can be a pattern of light, movement, electricity, even life cycles of organisms. The <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscillation\">wikipedia entry</a> gives dozens of examples of different kinds of oscillation.\n\nWhat we are most interested in is the modulation (changing amplitude) of electricity. All of the electrically produced sound we hear is a repeating pattern of fluctuating electrical current.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<address> </address><address><em><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 1. triangle oscillator</span></em></address>When this is applied to a speaker, the current activates a coil in the speaker which pushes the cone of the speaker away from or towards a fixed magnet. This action vibrates the air in front of the speaker which in turn vibrates the air in front of that and so on until that vibrations hit our ear drums and are perceived as sound. The sounds we hear around us are all incredibly complex patterns of air pressure modulation.\n<div>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The red line in fig 1 represents a voltage which goes up and down over a period of time. This is an oscillator.</strong></li>\n</ul>\nThere are three basic factors that make up all oscillators: <a name=\"frequency\"></a><strong>frequency</strong>, <strong>amplitude</strong> and <strong>wave shape</strong>. In musical terms we would call these <strong>pitch</strong>, <strong>volume</strong> and <strong>timbre</strong>. I will also talk a fair amount about <strong>phase </strong>which is relevant when working with multiple oscillators and plays an important role in creating drones.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Frequency</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nOne complete sweep up and down is called a <strong>cycle</strong>. The number of cycles per second is your <strong>Frequency</strong> or <strong>Pitch</strong>.<strong></strong>\n<strong>Frequency</strong> is commonly measured in <strong>Hertz</strong>, which is the number of cycles per second.\n<a name=\"amplitude\"></a><strong>Pitch</strong> is another term for frequency which is used <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">only</span> when referring to the frequency of an audio signal.\nFigure 1 shows a triangle wave with a cycle length of .5 seconds. The frequency of this wave would be determined by seeing how many cycles will occur in 1 second. In this case there are 2 complete cycles in 1 second. That means the wave has a frequency of 2 Hertz. This is well below the hearing range. Humans can hear oscillators between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Amplitude</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nAmplitude refers to the magnitude of voltage change across one cycle of an oscillation.\n<a name=\"waveshape\"></a>This in turn impacts the volume of the signal if it is sent to a speaker.\nThe image above shows a triangle wave with a positive peak of +5 volts and a negative peak of -5 volts. The amplitude is determined by figuring the absolute difference between these peaks. In this case that difference is 10 volts. This is commonly referred to as 10 Vpk-pk (10 volts peak to peak). There are many different ways to measure amplitude (pk-pk, RMS, Vp, etc…) but we’ll just be talking about Vpk-pk.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Wave shape</strong></span><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes.png\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Waveshapes\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/waveshapes-200x160.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"233\" /></a></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nThe wave shape is the pattern of amplitude modulation over the course of a cycle. The waveforms in fig 2 are: Sine, ramp, triangle and square.Sine, triangle and square are the most common and are all symmetrical waves. That means the positive and negative portions of each cycle are of the same duration. Many musical synthesizers offer other wave forms which are asymmetrical versions of these common waves such as ramp, saw and pulse waves.\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"> Figure 2. Waveshapes  </span></p>\nThe importance and impact of wave shape depends on its application. Many audio effects such as <strong>tremolo</strong> or <strong>phaser</strong> use low frequency oscillators (LFOs) to modulate certain parameters of the sound. It is commonly more desirable to use a sine or triangle wave for many of these effects such as the tremolo which\n<a name=\"review\"></a>fades the volume in and out. Using a square wave for this would create dramatic shifts in volume which can be unpleasant.\nMany natural sounds are synthesized using overlapping wave forms like those shown above. For instance a flute can be synthesized using several octaves of a sine wave. A horn on the other hand will use more square waves and maybe a triangle or saw wave. More advanced wave and synthesis theory sites the sine wave as the basis of all wave forms. It is shown how even square waves can be created by combining several sine waves.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><strong>Review</strong></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nThe basic components of an oscillator are:\n<h3><a name=\"1.2\"></a></h3>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Frequency</strong>. The number of oscillation cycles that occur in one second. Measured in Hz</li>\n	<li><strong>Amplitude</strong>. Magnitude of voltage sweep in one cycle of an oscillator. Measured in Volts or Vpk-pk (volts peak to peak)</li>\n	<li><strong>Wave shape</strong>. Sine, triangle, square</li>\n</ul>\n\n<hr />\n\n<div></div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊1.2 Phase◊</strong></span></h2>\nPhase is a bit more complicated than the other terms but plays an important role in audio circuitry and especially in making drones. Phase refers to a particular position in a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">single cycle</span> of a wave (such as the positive or negative peak) and is measured in degrees. It is most commonly used to describe the relationship between multiple waves.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1643\" title=\"Phasedegrees\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phasedegrees-460x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"236\" /></a>\n\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 3. Phase</span>\nFig. 3 shows two sine waves (red &amp; blue) of identical amplitude and frequency. The green oscillator is the mix or <em>average</em> of the red and blue oscillators.\nPhase is measured in degrees with 360 degrees being one complete cycle. 180 degrees is exactly ½ of a cycle.\nIn fig. 3 the phase of the blue oscillator is offset at 45 degree increments from the red oscillator from left to right. With each step you’ll notice that the waves get farther apart and that the amplitude of the green (average) oscillator decreases.\nThis may seem confusing at first but it’s really quite simple. The green oscillator is the average of the red and blue oscillators. Let’s say the red and blue oscillators sweep from -5 to +5VDC (10Vp-p). Now look at the right most illustration of the 2 waves out of phase by 180 degrees. When the blue wave is at its positive peak (90 degrees) of +5 volts, the red wave is at it’s negative peak (270 degrees) of -5 volts.\nWhat is the average of -5 and +5? Zero. They are always going to be the opposites of each other so the average will always be zero. Now look at the 90 degree image. When Blue is at +5 volts/90 degrees, red is at 0 volts/zero degrees. The average of +5 and zero is 2.5 volts.\nThe important thing to take away from the info above is that the amplitude of an oscillator created by mixing two similar oscillators is relative to the difference in phase of the two source waves.\nIn fig. 3 the oscillators have identical frequencies. This means that the phase relationship once established will remain the same and the resulting averaged amplitude of the two waves will also remain the same.\n<strong>Q: What will happen if the frequencies of your two waves are NOT identical? </strong>\nWe established above that the amplitude of the averaged waveform is relative to the phase difference of the two wave forms, therefore as the phase difference of two waves increases and decreases so too will the averaged waveforms’ amplitude. What we have here is phase controlled amplitude modulation and the rate of phase modulation is controlled by the frequency difference between your two oscillators.\nIn fig. 4 the blue oscillator has a frequency of 10 Hz, the red is 11Hz. That means that it takes the red wave 1/10<sup>th</sup> of a second longer to complete a cycle than the blue wave. You can see that with each cycle the red wave lags a little bit further behind the blue wave which increases the phase difference between the two. As a result, the amplitude of the averaged wave (green) decreases as the phase offset approaches 180 degrees and then increases as it continues past 180 to 360 degrees.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1644\" title=\"PhaseModulation\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phaseModulation-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a><a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1645\" title=\"Phase Modulation2\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/phase_modulation2-460x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"220\" /></a><a name=\"sec2\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 4. Phase controlled amplitude</span>\n<h3><a name=\"2.1\"></a></h3>\nThis phenomenon of phase controlled amplitude is something many musicians use without even realizing it. This is the vary trick one uses when tuning a guitar. You tune one string to the other until the “beatingâ€ effect slows and eventually disappears.\n\n<hr />\n\n&nbsp;\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SECTION 2. NOVADRONE OSCILLATORS</strong></span></h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊ 2.1 The circuit ◊</strong></span></h2>\nThe NovaDrone contains 6 oscillators. Each oscillator outputs a square wave and a triangle wave.\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a name=\"schematic\"></a></span>The circuit which generates the oscillators is clean, simple and robust. They are generated using a remarkable device called an <strong>op amp</strong>. If you are interested in building synthesizers and don’t know where to start, read up on <strong>op amps</strong>. They are the key elements of most oscillators, filters, envelope generators, mixers and amps.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Schematic</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC2rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC2rc-200x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" /></a><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"OSC1rc\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/OSC1rc-200x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"163\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1302 alignnone\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" />\n\n</div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 5. LFO                                    Figure 6. Audio oscillator</span></div>\n<div>\n\nEach channel of the NovaDrone (Red, green and blue) has 2 oscillators. These are shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6.\n\n<a name=\"feedbackloops\"></a> They are very similar to one another but have been calibrated for different purposes.\n<strong>Osc 1</strong> is an audio frequency oscillator. It has a coarse and fine tune adjustment and only operates at audible frequencies (20Hz-20kHz).\n<strong>Osc 2</strong> is calibrated as a low frequency oscillator (LFO) with cycles as long as 2 minutes. It has a range switch and a single adjustment knob.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3> <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Feedback loops</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nThe oscillator circuit is a feedback loop between two op amps that are configured as a <strong>schmitt trigger</strong> and an <strong>inverting integrator</strong>.\nBasically an <em>integrator</em> turns square waves into triangle waves.\nA <em>Schmitt trigger</em> is a kind of comparator that turns modulating signals (like triangle waves) into square waves.\nThe key elements of the relationship between these two circuits is that they form a loop (Schmitt &gt; integrator &gt;Schmitt&gt;integrator&gt; etc…) and that the integrator is also an <strong>inverter</strong>. This creates a continuous cycle of modulation:\n1) Schmitt output goes HI.\n2) Integrator inverts Schmitt signal and outputs slope going down (LOW).\n3) When slope is near zero volts, Schmitt trigger is thrown and its’ output goes LOW.\n4) Integrator inverts and generates upward slope (HI).\n5) When integrator slope reaches peak, Schmitt trigger is thrown and output goes HI.\n<a name=\"rctimeconstant\"></a>6) etc……\nThis is an overly simplified explanation but enough for our purposes. Do more research on these valuable circuits once you are familiar with some of the basics of op-amps.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>RC (resistor capacitor)time constant</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nIn both oscillators (fig. 5 and 6) the primary element which defines frequency is the <strong>RC time constant</strong>. This relationship is a core component of most oscillators and is worth reading up on.\n\nThe RC time constant is a period of time defined by the relationship between a resistor and a capacitor.\nThe equation for this is simply <strong>t =</strong> <strong>R*C</strong>. In the case of the oscillators above it would be <strong>t=R1*C1</strong>.\nUnfortunately calculating the frequency of an oscillator is more complicated than just calculating your RC constant.\nIn many oscillators (including this one) there is a schmitt trigger component which watches the rising or sinking voltage from the integrator. The Schmitt trigger activates when the slope reaches predefined upper and lower limits. In order to determine the frequency of an oscillator we need to know what our upper and lower limits are and then calculate how long it takes our wave (the output of the integrator) to travel from one limit to the other.\nThese limits are determined by the relationship of 2 resistors in the schmitt stage. In fig 5 and 6 these are R2 and R3.\nThe equation for determining the duration of one cycle is\n(1/4R1C1)*(R3/R4)\nIn Oscillator 2 <strong>R</strong><strong>1</strong> is a 500k potentiometer in series with a 4.7k resistor between pins 8 and 13 of the two op amps. <strong>C</strong><strong>1</strong> is one of the three capacitors between pins 13 and 14 of the rightmost op amp. One of these caps is selected using a three way switch on the NovaDrone circuit board. This controls the frequency range of the LFO.\nLet’s say the pot is all the way up (full resistance) and the middle cap has been selected. The equations for RC and subsequently the frequency is:\n<strong>R1=504,700 Ohms</strong>\n<a name=\"howitworks\"></a><strong>C1= .000022 Farads</strong>\n<strong>R2 = 8,300 Ohms</strong>\n<strong>R3 = 10,000 Ohms</strong>\n<strong>Frequency in Hz = (1 / 4*R</strong><strong>1C</strong><strong>1) * (R</strong><strong>3/R</strong><strong>2)</strong>\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>How it works</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nResistors limit the flow of current and capacitors store current. Current flows through the resistor and is stored in the capacitor. The resistor controls how much current flows into the capacitor per second. Therefore the size of capacitor and the amount of resistance will determine how long it takes to fill the capacitor. A common analogy is to think about current flow as water, the resistor as a spigot\n<h3><a name=\"2.2\"></a></h3>\nand the capacitor as a cup. The more you open the spigot (reduce resistance), the more water (electrical current) will flow and the faster the cup will fill (capacitor will charge). The oscillator circuit is configured in a special way which causes the capacitor to continuously charge and discharge. It is looking for two states from the cap, fully charged or fully discharged. When the cap reaches either of these states, the whole circuit reverses polarity and the capacitors charge status begins moving toward the opposite state. The amount of time it takes to charge and discharge is your cycle duration.\n\n<hr />\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>◊2.2 pulse width modulation (pwm)◊</strong></span></h2>\nPWM is exciting stuff….really! It is essentially a <strong>1 bit digital</strong> representation of an <strong>analog</strong> wave form.\nDigital wave forms only have 2 states, <strong>high</strong> and <strong>low</strong>. <strong>High</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the positive supply voltage. <strong>Low</strong> is a voltage <em>at</em> or very close to the negative supply voltage. It is basically just a square wave. Analog on the other hand is infinitely variable. Think about it like the difference between a light switch (digital) and a light dimmer (analog). PWM is a wave form that bridges the gap between these two formats. It can be used to make sound, control the brightness of an LED, control the speed of high torque motors and speak to microprocessors. It is also the language that a microprocessor will use to speak with the analog world.\nPulse Width (PW) refers to the relative durations of high and low voltage in a single <strong>cycle</strong> of a square wave.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1648\" title=\"Pulsewidth\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/pulsewidth-460x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"214\" /></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 7. Pulse width</span>\nFig. 7 shows three square wave oscillators of the same amplitude and frequency but with differing <strong>pulse width</strong>. The red oscillator has a 10% pulse width. That means the wave goes high for 10 % of the duration of one cycle. The green wave is 50% and the purple wave is 90%. What is important to note is that pulse width has nothing to do with frequency and only refers to the relationship between the high and low swing of the wave.\n\n<hr />\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Comparator</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\nThe job of a comparator is simple. Two signals are fed into the “+â€ and “-“ inputs (labeled 10 and 9 in fig. 8 respectively). If the voltage at the “+â€ input is <em>higher</em> than the “-“ input the output of the comparator goes <strong>high</strong>.<strong> </strong>If the “+â€ input drops below the “-“ input the output goes <strong>low</strong>.\nIn the NovaDrone t<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Comparator\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/comparator-200x76.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"76\" /></a>he triangle output of Osc 1 and Osc 2 combine through a simple comparator (fig. 8) to make a single square wave with a modulating pulse width. In this way, the comparator also functions as a pulse width modulation processor.\n\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1302\" title=\"spacer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/casper/spacer1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"10\" /></a>\n\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 8.</span>\n\nFig. 9 below shows how two triangle waves are transformed through the comparator into a square wave with a modulating pulse width.\nThe blue triangle wave in fig. 9 is oscillator 1. The red triangle is osc 2. The green line is the combined PWM output.\nAny time the blue line (osc 1) is above the red line (osc 2), the green line (pwm) goes high. As the red line rises the percentage of each cycle that the blue line is above the red line decreases. This changing percentage is what makes our modulating pulse width effect.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1647\" title=\"PWM3 Copy\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/PWM3-copy-460x202.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"202\" /></a>\n\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\n</span>\n\n<a name=\"sec3\"></a>\n\n<span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\n</span>\n\n<a name=\"mix\"></a><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">Figure 9. Pulse width modulation detail</span>\n\n<hr />\n\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Section 3. SOUND &amp; LIGHT</span></span></h3>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Mixer</strong></li>\n</ul>\nThe audio signals from each of the three channels of the NovaDrone are mixed using the circuit in fig. 10.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Mixer\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/mixer-200x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"135\" /></a>This mixer is nice and simple and uses just one <strong>op amp</strong> and a few other components. This circuit is configured as an inverting mixer with an amplitude controlled by the <strong>feedback resistor</strong> and <strong>input resistors</strong>. The amplitude is c\n\n<a name=\"led\"></a>\n\nalculated as RF/RI. In this case RF = 10,000 and RI = 100,000. That means the output signal is 1/10<sup>th</sup> the amplitude of the input signal.\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\n</span></strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>LED drivers</strong></span></h3>\n</li>\n</ul>\n(3) 2N3904 NPN transistors are used to make 3 LED drivers.\n<a href=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft\" title=\"LEDdriver\" src=\"http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/LEDdriver-200x108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" /></a>A driver is a simple but important circuit which isolates elements which use lots of current (like LEDs) from sensitive circuits (like the oscillators in the NovaDrone). Failure to use a driver can result in something called a <strong>loading effect</strong> which basically means that the device being driven will affect the behavior of the rest of the circuit in bad ways, like the pitch changing when the lights turn on. The LED in the NovaDrone uses a lot of current relative to the rest of the circuit (90mA vs around 30mA for the rest of the circuit) therefore a driver is necessary. The key component of a driver is the <strong>transistor</strong>. This is another topic worth reading a lot about\n.\n\n</div>','NovaDrone Tech Manual',0,'','inherit','open','closed','','1704-autosave','','','2012-11-06 19:36:13','2012-11-07 00:36:13','',1704,'http://casperelectronics.com/2012/11/04/1704-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),