µNet
This project tries to combine the advantages of an analogue modular system with those of prorammable (digital) synthesizers (keyboards): to combine the infinite sound features and signal ways of a modular system by free connectivity of all module outputs with all module inputs (patches) with the possibility of reproduction of sounds and patches by saving patches and pot or switch positions in a keyboard or digital synthesizer.Advantage and disadvantage of a modular system is the impossibilty of reproducing a sound exactly. Even drawing patches and pot positions in module patch plans does not help in exact sound reproduction, because even slightest changes in pot positions (and there are a lot of pots!) may cause heavy sound changes. The advantage of this behaviour of course is the need for creativity in each sound creation and the fact that no boring repetition of sounds occurs.
Digital systems on the other hand are mostly fix in signal ways and don't have the look and feel of the wall of knobs, but you can save sounds and patches in presets.
A system which wants to combine features of both instrument types must have the ability of electronic creation of signal ways and patches in combination with the usage of direction sensors and programmable resistors instead of pots.
On first of August 2008 I started the construction of the µNet project, a modular system of µcontroller controlled modules containing digital and analogue components, mastered by a master controller, for instance DCOs with analogue wave shaping, digital controlled analogue filters and so on.
The system is also controlled by digital (MIDI-) signals and analogue control voltages. All module parameters / pot positions / switches and the patches can be saved in presets.
The current project status is documented in diary form like my Formant MSS2000 - documentation. Questions and remarks are welcome.
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Status 10.03.2011:
| 01.08.2008: | Power supply completed.
Start of µNet - project!!!! |  |
| 15.08.2009: | Keyboard Unit comleted. |  |
| 10.03.2011: | Master Control Unit completed. | 
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Please send questions or remarks to:
Carsten Toensmann
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