Update : apr. 21st, 2017

Metalizer
En français
back to summary


Description
        
Initially I designed this circuit back in june 2010 for the commercial project I was involved in with the Arturia company.  Now it is one of most characteristic feature of the Arturia's MiniBrute and MicroBrute monosynths.

This circuit is basically a wavefolder that makes it possible to generate very complex harsh metallic although stiil harmonic sounds. The principle is to submit the initial signal through a series of non-linear circuits which break and fold back the signal into a very complex waveshape. Yet the signal keeps it's fundamental and remains stationary.

To give life to this the circuit incorporates an exponential VCA to control the signal input level. This control gives rise to a continuous palette of sounds. The basic non linear folding cells are inspired by Ken Stone's Simple Wave folder circuit .

Basically, the most interesting results are obtained by feeding the module with a triangular wave or a sinewave.

Here are some sonic snippets :

Schematics



Printed circuit boards and component layout
PCB design
Component layout





 Download the schematic as a PDF file
Download the PCB as a PDF file

WARNING ! The document is formatted to be printed directly on a mylar for photo-etching or a "press & peel" paper. Make sure that when the printed face of mylar is in contact with the copper side of the PCB, the lettering can be read normally.
Get the silkscreen as a PDF file

Components and building details
reference
 value
 number
IC1
 TL072
 1
IC2
 TL074
 1
Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4,Q6,Q8,10,Q12
 BC547C
 8
Q5,Q7,Q9,Q11
 BC557C
 4
R1,R2,R15
 10
 3
R4
 820
 1
R7
 1k
 1
R17
 1.5k
 1
R23,R29,R36,R42
 10k
 4
R5*,R6*,R8*,R9*
 15k  *1%
 4
R18
 18k
 &
R21,R22,R27,R28,R33,R34,R39,R40   
22k
 8
R19,R25,R31,R37   
27k
 4
R20,R26,R32,R38 68k
 4
R16
 100k
 1
R3,R24,R30,R35,R41,R43
 120k
 6
R10*,R11*,R14
 150k  *1%
 3
R12,R13,R44
 270k
 3
C4,C6,C8,C10       
27p
 4
C12,C13
 100n
 2
C3,C5,C7,C9 680n or 1µF NP
 4
C11
 10µF/25 1
C1,C2
 10µF/25 or 22µF/25V
 2
VR1,VR2,VR3
 POT 100K LIN
 3
 Note that there is no C1 !...
Wiring




Front panel
Download the silkscreen mask as a PDF file

Download the silkscreen mask as a  JPEG file



References
There are many different variant of wavefolder,  here are some valuable links:
Ken Stone's Simple Wave Folder  : http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgs52_folder.html

The DIY builders' gallery
Here are the photographs of the yusynth Wavefolder modules built by other synth geeks around the world.
Thank you  guys for sending me these nice photos.

Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website :  		Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website :

Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website :




Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website : 		 Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website : 		 Name :
Modular project :
Location :
Website : 
back to summary