Modular Benjolin
This is my take on Rob Hordijk’s amazing Benjolin synthesizer. In Early 2010 I started working with Brendan Gaffney of BurnHeart Synthesis. One of the big projects we’ve been working on is adapting the Benjolin into a fully modular system.
Here’s three modular Benjolins blippin away
Here’s a video showing the first prototype of the current modular Benjolin design. You can also see modular benjolin version 1 in the top left corner of the screen.
Makin’ it modular:
It was important to us in adapting the Benjolin to make sure it retained all of the original functionality that Rob designed into it. We also wanted to greatly extend its capacity to interface with other gear, especially other Benjolins. So, while it is completely modular we decided to include the normalized features of the original, like “rungle amount” for the oscillators and filter and put in switches on the rungle section to switch between the original setting or external inputs.
Here’s a list of all the features, old and new.
FEATURES: (** indicates original feature. All others features have been added to the modular version)
(2) VCOs
—Coarse tune adjustment**
—Fine tune adjustment
—Rate indication LED
—Rungle amount adjustment**
—– square and triangle output jacks**
—– 2 frequency CV inputs w/ adjustments
(1) VCF
—Cutoff adjustment**
—Resonance adjustment**
—Rungle amount adjustment**
—Internal mix level adjustment
—–2 cuttoff CV inputs w/ adjustments
—–2 audio inputs w/ adjustments
(1) Rungler
—–Clock input jack w/ clock select switch
—–XOR input jack w/ OSC/loop select switch (see Rungle mods below for more details)
—–3 bit output jacks w/ state indication LEDs
—–Rungle output jack **
—–XOR output jack **
(2) AR envelope generators
—Attack rate adjustment
—Decay rate adjustment
—State indication LED
—–Gate input jack
—–Envelope output jack
SCHEMATICS:
Click the schematics below for more info
RUNGLE MODS
CV AND AUDIO INPUTS
AR ENVELOPE GENERATOR
REVISED SCHEMATIC
Mr James said:
August 4th, 2011 at 2:02pm #
THIS IS AMAZING!
That’s one F**k of a job you’ve done there, if you don’t mind me saying!
So Rhythmic, such original sounds and the fact that its all CV sync-able,is just the cherry on top.
Thanks for putting these schematics up, the different circuits look like they’ll be useful for many projects. The CV section alone, is vastly usable. Brilliant!
Is there anything in the pipeline in the way of a kit for sale for this Beauty?! It would make XMas!
Giancarlo Sica said:
August 20th, 2011 at 4:25pm #
Hi there…
How do you do? I trust as well!
Great idea the Modular Benjolin!
Do you have any plans to realize a PCB (and/or a kit) for this excellent project as you did for the Drone Lab?
Please let me know!
Best regards, G.
casper said:
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:22pm #
I am in the very beginning stages of making a mighty benjolin PCB with Rob himself. I’m crossing my fingers that it will all come together in a timely fashion.
casper said:
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:32pm #
@Mr James.
All of the brilliance in this piece is from Rob Hordijk. He’s a clever man. There are plans for a kit but not by christmas.
jean bender said:
February 14th, 2012 at 1:25pm #
Hi Peter !!
Thanks for your work… still amazing…
As on electro music forum, i don’t understand one part of the schematic : what is J2 / HDR16… Lots of 100k resistances there.. but i don”t understand how to wire it to the other parts…
Thanks for helping me troubleshooting that !
cheers !
casper said:
February 16th, 2012 at 9:18pm #
Hi Jean!!
Ahh. J2/HDR16. Thats where all the magic is! Those are all of the outputs of the discrete wave forms that make up the benjolin. You can use these to patch into other gear as control signals or audio signals or patch them into the VCO&VCF CV inputs. This is the key to unleashing the monster.
(I’m finally working with rob on a new upgraded bejolin PCB and kit. This one includes an echo! I’m hoping to have it done and in my store by this summer. Wish me luck!)
jean bender said:
February 17th, 2012 at 6:51am #
Yes ! Thanks Peter !
So, i understand well, i can use there jacks… It’s only outputs ?
Hope you’ll make it real… I’ve personnaly found some ics, so i think i’ll breadboard mine soon.. But i’ll be happy to get you kit, and… why not invite you & Rob in france for a workshop ??
We keep in touch !
cheers
casper said:
March 4th, 2012 at 10:27pm #
Jean:
They are only outputs. There are inputs elsewhere on the board. The VCOs and the VCF all have voltage inputs. You can use the outputs from HDR16 to control them or you can use another benjolin. Two benjolins together is a great combination!
Jean Bender said:
March 8th, 2012 at 10:18pm #
Hi Peter ! I was wondering what was the “ag” or A ground ? How is it built ? Is it a really important thing ?
I don’t really see the difference btw gnd & agnd, since all the schematic seems to need AGND….
thanks !
Matt Hill said:
April 30th, 2012 at 12:07pm #
Wait what? Kit? i would sell my internal organs for such a kit. What wonderful news! would you be able to give us an estimate on a release date?
casper said:
May 1st, 2012 at 2:31am #
@ Matt.
I’m working on it. Hoping to get a prototype PCB designed and built by the end of the summer.
Matt Hill said:
May 4th, 2012 at 12:02pm #
Apologies, i should have read the above comments more thoroughly. The benjolin really stands out from the other synths IMHO and for those of us who cant get to a workshop this is brilliant news. I wish you all the best with it.