Jak Plugg Open Source – uTest (module tester) – pcb & FR4 panel

Github/bom

Eurorack version of the Mutable Instruments module tester.

This eurorack module has the functionality of the mutable instruments module tester, but with out the power supply for your module under test.

Firmware

Fuses: EFUSE = 0xfd ; HFUSE = 0xd4 ; LFUSE = 0xff

Pre-compiled .hex file.

Source code. Build with make -f module_tester/makefile bootstrap.

Calibration

Set the CV output to “2 Oct arpeggio” with a period of 2s or 5s. It cycles between a 1V output and a 3V output. Adjusts the two trimmer to accurately get these voltages. Note that the MCP4822’s linearity is not fantastic – so don’t be surprised to get 1V and 1.997V or 2.003V when you change the CV output to “1 Oct arpeggio”. The chance is, the analog circuitry on the other end is much less precise than that anyway!

Features

The tester provides 4 channels of signal generation: clock, gate, CV (LFO or stepped notes), and audio. The tester provides 2 channels of signal analysis: audio signal frequency measurement (with display in Hz, Note units, or intervals), and gate/clock timing measurement.

Modifying settings

Each of the 4 signal generation and 2 signal analysis functions is materialized by an output or input jack, a LED, and a button. To modify the settings of a generator/analyzer, press the button under its I/O jack. The LED indicates which generator/analyzer is being configured. The display shows a list of parameters. Turn the encoder to scroll through the list. Click the encoder to modify an option. Notice that the ‘>’ arrow is now displayed in front of the value. Turn the encoder to modify the value. Click the encoder to confirm. For example, to modify the frequency of the audio signal generator to A3, press the AUDIO OUT button. The display shows:

>shape      sine
 freq.        C5

Turn the encoder to select “freq.”:

 shape      sine
>freq.        C5

Click the encoder to modify the value:

 shape      sine
 freq.      > C5

…

 shape      sine
 freq.      > A3

Click the encoder to confirm.

 shape      sine
>freq.        A3

Settings reference

Clock signal generator

• Tempo is the tempo of the clock, in beats per minute.
• Resolution is the number of clock ticks per beat. For example, a tempo of 120 beats per minute with 8 ticks per beat corresponds to a clock frequency of 960 ticks per minute (16 Hz).
• Pulse is the duration or duty cycle of a clock pulse.
• MIDI allows the clock rate to be controlled by an external computer or sequencer.

Gate signal generator

• Period is the period of the signal.
• Pulse is the duration or duty cycle of a gate pulse.
• MIDI allows the gate signal to be generated from an external keyboard. In gate mode, the signal is high whenever a key is pressed on the keyboard. In trigger mode, a pulse is emitted every time a key is pressed – irrespectively of the duration of the note.

Control Voltage generator

• Mode controls the output waveform: triangle, square, ramp up, ramp down, sine, 1 octave arpeggio (alternates between 1V and 2V), 2 octave arpeggio (alternates between 1V and 3V), chromatic scale (goes from 1V to 2V by 1/12V increments).
• Period controls the period of the generated signal or sequence.
• Range controls the amplitude and polarity of the signal: bipolar signals with a 2V, 4V or 10V amplitude; unipolar signals with a 1V, 2V or 5V amplitude. This setting is ignored when one of the arpeggio/scale modes are selected.
• MIDI allows the voltage produced by this generator to be controlled by a MIDI message from an external keyboard.

Audio generator

• Shape selects one of 4 waveforms: saw, square, triangle, sine wave.
• Frequency selects the signal frequency. A few fixed frequencies are available, the remaining values are musical notes.
• Envel. allows an external signal to “shape” the tone produced by this generator. In gate mode, the signal is on whenever the signal at the Gate In input is high. In trigger mode, the signal has a decreasing envelope, which is retriggered on raising edges of the Gate In signal.
• MIDI allows the audio generator to be played from a keyboard.

Audio input

The encoder selects between 3 units:

• Frequency (Hz)
• Note and detuning (MIDI standard + cents)
• Interval. In this mode, the musical interval between the current stable note and the previously played note is measured. This interval is expressed in cents. 1 octave = 1200 cents.

Gate input

The first line displays either the period, frequency, and tempo of the incoming signal. The second line displays either the duty cycle, or the duration of the positive edge of the signal. Note that the Gate Input LED blinks with the input signal.

Code (AVR projects): GPL3.0.

Hardware: cc-by-sa-3.0

By: Emilie Gillet (emilie.o.gillet@gmail.com)