The circuit is based on the pirate decoder from Radio Plans magazine, 1984. This decoder permitted to watch TV shows from a quite famous French TV channel without paying, with the help of some specific ICs and some reflexion. It was based on two video delay line, a sync signal extractor and also a delayed/nondelayed line detection circuit.The original encryption working by delaying lines of the picture pseudo-randomly (with fixed delay times), Radio plan circuit was checking if the line was delayed or not, and with the 2 onboard delays, realign the lines of the picture to make it viewable. A Wikipediapage about this encryption is available (in French).
Discret11 keeps the delays, and also a quite similar sync extraction circuit as the one from the above schematic,however, the goal is to encrypt instead of decrypt, so the line detecting circuitry isn’t used. It’s replaced by frequency dividers, which divide the line frequency in subdivision, so the delayed picture appear every 2, 4, 8 lines, selectable using two rotary switches. The occurency of delayed lines can be set to random (with a circuit based on Random Gate from Yves Usson/Yusynth), in an attempt to reproduce the original encryption (a pseudo-random sequence of a length of 6 frames). The delay times, fixed on the base circuit, can be modified using potentiometers, which will delay the whole line but will also affect color the line (as the phase of the chrominance signal is delayed with the rest of the signal). A wipe between original, non delayed, signal and the delayed signal has been added. Two potentiometers adds glitch effects, with a switch to turn them off.
The project is now available assembled through the webshop.
Rampes is now available! Demo video is up on YouTube (link in bio)
Rampes (pronounced /ʁɑ̃p/, french for ramps) is a video ramp generator and sync extractor, supporting the following formats 288p50/240p59.94/576i50/480i59.94/576p50/480p59.94/720p50/720p59.94/720p60 1080i50/1080i59.94/1080i60/1080p23.98/1080p24/1080p25/1080p29.97/1080p30
The format is detected and selected automatically.
In video, a ramp is a signal which produces a gradient that goes from minimum to maximum during the line interval (horizontal ramp) or the frame interval (vertical ramp). By mirroring and further processing them, it is possible to generate 2D shapes. Rampes also features horizontal, vertical and Odd/Even sync outputs, which allows to sync other video modules, as well as audio modules.
On its left side, Rampes features (top to bottom):
- Horizontal and vertical ramps with their inversions - Mirrored horizontal and vertical ramps and their inversions
On its right side, Rampes features (top to bottom):
- Horizontal, vertical and Odd/Even sync - Diamond, Rectangle, Cross, Star and Ellipse shapes
Rampes requires a sync signal over RCA to operate, coming either from a sync generator module, or an external video signal (Composite or Y from Component). The module is powered through standard Eurorack connector or DC barrel.
(This is an extract of the last newsletter, part 3/3) Stable update
The second revision of Stable has been built and tested, improving the noise level greatly by the use of active attenuverters, better power decoupling and moving the design on two boards instead of one, in order to help with the board layout. Active attenuverter also allows for a better nulling of the CV modulation when the attenuverter is centered, particularly useful since the Contrast, Brightness, Hue and Saturation CV inputs are normaled together. Hard to give an ETA yet, as there is still some things to fix, asking to revise both boards, then the firmware is mostly done, recently added support for all HD formats supported by VU007B, meaning Stable can be used as a Luma processor (no hue or saturation control, unfortunately) and stabilizer with HD Component. Though, hope to have it ready during the summer. Wait and see I guess?
Video showing what Stable can achieve on it’s own, without any other modules involved. Messing with the contrast, brightness, hue and saturation parameters until 0:25, then using the pre-processor jack output (unprocessed video input) into the CV inputs until 0:44, and the last part is using post-processor output as modulation, creating some nice feedback effects typical of Composite video glitch. Recorded with BM Analog to SDI + Video Assist in Composite PAL/576i50.
holographic_thought_process explaining his DISCRET11 to draincain and I, was way too awesome. #discret11 #crt #glitchartistcollective #holographicthroughprocess #longuestgacartistname #bluex80 #exhibition #paris #france #art #glitch #glitched #analog #analogglitch #sheglitchr #draincain
(This is an extract of the last newsletter, part 2/3)
Cadrans update
Now that the work on Rampes is done, time to work on the next revision of Cadrans. Been modifying the current revision for the past week or so, fine tuned a couple things, will be spending a few more days on it to exhaust what I can do with the current revision of the boards. Once done, schematic and board files will be revised, and finger crossed, those will be the production revisions!
Video demonstrating the crossfading feature of Cadrans, one RGB feed is made with Rampes shapes into Seuils input and CV input, the other feed is a stock video decoded with Entrée and processed through Isohélie for posterization. Both are faded using Cadrans, using one of Seuils logic outputs as a CV first, giving a keying related to the shapes, and then using Y output from Entrée into LZX Keychain to generate a key based on the external video. Recorded with BM Analog to SDI + Video Assist in Component 720p60.
(This is an extract of the last newsletter, part 1/3)
1) Full restock = 15% off everything
Syntonie being a one man army, and with an ever growing product catalog, it’s not always easy to keep everything in stock, so this is a rare enough occurence worth celebrating! To do so, everything listed on the website is on sale with 15% off, starting today, March 7th, until March 22nd 23:59 GMT+1. So if something you wanted was out of stock, now is the time!
Video is made with Entrée displaying the key mask with the logo and text, Rampes generates the shapes processed through Solaire, and a slow modulation from Animate is going to Solaire as well. Taking Solaire outputs into Cadrans inputs, with the key mask as CV on all three Cadrans channels. Cadrans outputs going to VU007B RGB inputs. Recorded with BM Analog to SDI + Video Assist in Component 720p60.
2) Rampes update
Happy to announce that Rampes is now ready for production! Most of the parts are in stock and the rest is on its way, so expecting to have it in stock in about a month. Beside fixing some issues, the latest revision also modified the sync outputs to be 5V amplitude rather than 1V, which makes the interfacing with audio Eurorack modules easier, while keeping it compatible with video modules that takes front panel sync. It has been tested with various audio modules, and it works well, may ask for some logic frequency divider, as the hsync might be a bit fast for some modules, since its ranging from 15kHz to 45kHz. Had a lot of fun using a sequencer clocked by vsync to modulate video on frame time base. Another newsletter will be send out once Rampes is ready to ship.
Video is made by sending various outputs of Rampes into Cadrans, and rectifying the outputs of Cadrans with Solaire. Another Solaire is used to mix and rectify shapes from Rampes and a slow modulation from Animate, outputs of the second Solaire used as modulation on Cadrans. First Solaire outputs going to VU007B RGB inputs. Recorded with BM Analog to SDI + Video Assist in Component 720p60.
TRQ (along with #avemod and #discret11) is available through @frogtownshop alongside a lot of cool stuff related to art and/or tech #syntonie #videoart #analogvideo #visualart
Original Discret11 encryption was also encrypting audio, which have been emulated digitally in those videos. By means of amplitude modulation, the audio spectrum was transposed to 12.8kHz and reversed, resulting in an unintelligible (and pretty annoying) sound, while keeping the same dynamic characteristics.
Pre-orders for CBV001 modules and standalone units are now open! Expected shipping date: early February for modules, end of February for standalone units.
Footage processed in NTSC, stabilized using Stable and captured with BM Analog to SDI + Video Assist.
(This in an extract of the last newsletter, part 2/2)
Work in progress
Now that the work on the updated sync generator is done, it can be used for other projects.
1) Here is one of the implementation, Stable, it is a video processor amplifier and stabilizer for glitch.
The proc amp part allows to control contrast, brightness, hue and saturation of a Composite video signal, or only contrast and brightness on a SD/HD Y signal from Component (the chroma filter can be bypassed to avoid unwanted filtering). All parameters of the proc-amp are controllable with an external voltage, which allows for nice internal feedback/glitch like effect when using the post proc output.
The processor part extract sync from the video signal, so it can be used to reinsert a clean sync in the stabilizer part. Basic usage is to input the clean video signal into the processor part, then process it using a glitch device like CBV001, glitch output going into the stabilizer. This will ensure a stable signal in all instances, making glitch easier to capture/display.
A first revision has been tested, and beside a couple fixes, it is really promising. Then, it is far from being ready for release, so no precise ETA yet.
2) Another use of the updated sync generator board is a multiformat ramp generator, Rampes.
It generates horizontal and vertical ramps, mirrored horizontal and vertical ramps, with inversion of each.
It also generates (or rather extract) horizontal, vertical and odd/even sync pulses, in order to sync modules with a front panel sync input. Those pulses are currently 1V, however making them 5V should help with audio modules compatiblity, without impacting compatibility with 1V standard modules.
Finally, it generates five 2D shapes made from combinations of mirrored ramps.
Boards for the 3rd revision are on their way, mostly fine tuning the circuit, no ETA on this one either, though I expect to have it ready before Stable.
3) If you want to know more about the upcoming stuff, or chat about video synthesis/glitch art, feel free to join the Discord server (link in bio)
Just received russian video chips for the Discret11! I had already tested the К174УП1, which is an equivalent of the TBA970 (video amp) but I have to test the K174XA11, which should be equivalent to TDA2593 (sync extractor), the leads looks rusted though, hope they work! #chips #circuitbending #analogglitch #syntonie #discret11 #DIY
(This in an extract of the last newsletter, part 1/2)
New year, new resolutions
Wish you a happy new year! Thanks for the continuous support during 2023, it has been an intense year, with the release of six new modules: Isohélie, Animate, Animate EXP, Seuils, Solaire and Entrée.
1) New resolutions for 2024 are 720p59.94/1080p29.97/1080i59.94/1080p23.98/1080p24. In other words, the updated sync generator board for VU007B is now available for purchase to upgrade your unit, and it is now included with assembled modules, DIY kits and PCB sets (note that there is only a couple DIY kits in stock still, and those won’t be restocked). Here is a quick summary of the features :
– Additional formats supported: 720p59.94 / 1080i59.94 / 1080p29.97 / 1080p23.98 / 1080p24 – Genlock to an external video signal improved: faster lock time and reduced jitter – Format autodetection feature: detects the format of the external video signal when present and set itself to the right format, overriding the front panel switches.
2) If you fancy upgrading your modules a bit more, VU007B aluminum front panels and VU003B aluminum front panels are now available to order separately.
3) CBV001 is now available as a SMD PCB set, this will make the build and part sourcing easier, as well as helping in keeping the same stock of PCB for assembled units and DIY option.
Been trying to replicate Discret11 encryption used in the mid 80s by Canal+ to crypt their broadcast. Starts to look good and random enough! #glitch #glitchart #glitchartistcollective #discret11 #encryption #crt