Page History:
| Date | Autor | change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.Jan.2018 | LED-man | 1.1 BOM added, glitch issue, page design changes | |
| 20.April 2018 | LED-man | github link added, firmware link, pcb version added | |
| 09.May 2018 | LED-man | Firmware Versions updated, REV2.0 pcb page added | |
| 18.May 2018 | LED-man | Firmware 1.2.4 with patches added | |
| 25.July 2018 | LED-man | alfa3340 info, patcheditor links, firmware 1.2.5 | |
| 29. Aug 2018 | LED-man | power wiring page created on subpage | |
| 25. Oct 2018 | LED-man | update Firmware Versions, Stereo Output Mod |
Table of Contents
Deckard's Dream Synthesizer
Hi all, this is the place to find the latest building documents for Black Corporation's Deckard's Dream polyphonic synthesizer.
Currently, this project is at rev 1.0, PCB's are currently being released to builders. (18.Oct. 2017) and are being constructed.
A new PCB version rev. 2.1 was released end of 2018, this page is only for rev.1.x
the REV.2.0 guide is here DDRM rev.2 guide
Product Info:
the Deckard's Dream product is available as Build to order and DIY KIT Version, both released in 2017.
Its also known or coined as the "DDRM".
The difference in the DIY KIT and assembled (Build to order) are:
- the component format, the DIY KIT is mostly THT, the build to order synth is mostly in SMT.
- The case size is not as deep for the build to order as it is for the DIY.
Note: Although the DIY has most of the SMT devices pre-installed onto the PCBs, there are over 675 SMT decoupling capacitors (0805) and one small (SOIC8) power switch device that MUST be installed by the builder, in addition to the through hole components
Examples of Presets and voices: https://soundcloud.com/deckardsdream
Technical Specs: (click to expand)
Current identified Errors/Omissions/Errata:
| Date | Location | Identified issue | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2017 | PCB: Motherboard rev 1.0 | Steve Sommers - Capacitor C188 designation is duplicated. C186 is missing.  | From Roman:
|
| Oct 21, 2017 | PCB: Voice card Rev 1.0 | Resistors R40, R45, R151 and R146 have space on the circuit boards, but there is nothing specified in the BOM | These are not used and were left in place for possible filter modifications. Leave the components spaces empty (do not put anything there). |
| Nov 11, 2017 | PSU Board Rev 1.0 | DACs not initializing on some boards. Note: Updated in BOM 1.0.8 | PSU Board Changes per Roman: Change C12 to 1uf 6.3V or higher Change C13 - 330uf 6.3V or higher 8MM DIA /3.5 LS C13 increased delays the boot of +3.3v digital rail, c12 reduced makes 5v analog rail boot faster, Without change sometimes they don’t start, since digital 3.3v comes to DAC before 5v |
| Dec 23, 2017 | All boards | Roman suggests that both power consumption, and heat reduction can be obtained by substituting all TL072/TL074 OPAmps with the lower current TL062/TL064. Roman also states that the pre-built units contained the TL062/TL064s | This was first suggested as a substitution for the voice cards only with TL072/TL074s being used on all other boards. However, Roman has since updated the BOM to use TL062/TL064s throughout. (REV1.0.9) |
Jan 15, 2018 | All Voiceboards | waveform glitch not the same like CS-80 | To apply the "glitch fix", you will need to solder two 1.0 Meg resistors per voice board, one for each oscillator. They can be easily added to the back side of the circuit board, so all existing components can remain unchanged. click to enlarge |
Bugtracker
further bugs, issues, problems are reported here (here are user reported issues due to soldering failures or other issues reported too)
https://github.com/ffont/ddrm-issues/issues
Deckard's Dream Home and Store: http://www.deckardsdream.com
Current BOM 1.10 from 08.Jan.2017 (still valid in04/2019)
Shared Mouser Basket: https://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=9ba27b85b3 (not approved - check for SMT caps)
Ultravox reply: "The cart doesn't include items that the BOM says are sourced from eBay, Small Bear, synthcube, etc."
About partsourcing: check the price for the next price break ( 3 resistors are more expensive than 10)
for EU users: order from www.TME.eu standard parts, its cheaper as mouser
Alfa 3340
According to Alfa, i spread the good new: After some common work last week with them on DD and AS3340, We can officially announce that Deckard is happy with theses chips 
Here are the values to update :
- FM input (initial current - solve the corrupted calibration) : R6/R112 to 390k
- 12V adaptation (supply current to internal 3340 Zener) : R39/R145 to 560r
- PWM Comparator output (minimize pwm control on frequency) : R22/R128 to 51k
please note, this parts are not present in the BOM and guides !
Official Build Guide: http://www.deckardsdream.com/build
Voice Card Assembly Document. This was created by Lysandre Follet, and has been tested as correct by a couple builders.
some users reported that the board doesn´t fit in the case - the mainboard pcb is too big..
on the mainboard is on top and bottom a small 3-4mm pcb stripe, that need´s to be removed.
Build Tips
prepare BOM and Parts:
modify the BOM, change it to single sheets (tabs) instead in one list or you can easily scroll in the long list to the wrong board (like motherboard instead control board)
when you have received the parts, prepare different boxes (resistors, capacitors, ICs, hardware)
sort the bags to values like 1R-9,99K 1K-9.99K 10K-100K and so on.. same for capacitors.
start on the boards with the most used values like 499R
this speed up your build
measure one part from each bag and label the bag like "T" for tested.
check the BOM for the quantity for the board and count each value, drop it in a small box or put the secure on your desk before you install.
OLED Display:
make sure your OLED folow this pinout VCC-GND-SCL-SDA, very often shows the shop the correct pinout but deliver another type.
AND short the pins on the display side (where the Frontpanel is) to prevent shorts to the Frontpanel.
if you cant source the correct display (pin) use restore legs and bend they - use cable shrink tube to protect this for shorts
Troubleshooting
a lot of users reported problems with slider calibration or display failures, auto tune.
the most issues are from a faulty ARM chip, this can easily happen by:
wrong component values on motherboard and Controlboard, shorted 3.3V power.
a short connection from 3.3V to ground or (12V/5V/-12V) is enough to kill a function in your ARM Chip.
Q: what can you do in case of failure ??
A: read and understand the schematics and double check the BOM against your parts (there are few different values between BOM and Schematic) the latest BOM (see above) is correct not the schematics !
good to know
some users plugged the powersupply in a voicecard slot and earn a damaged ARM processor.
to minimize this risk, few solutions:
put a tape on the voicecard slots 2-8
or use a cable tie to shorten/bind the powercable between powersupply and breakoutboard as short as possible (you can´t attach the powersupply furthermore in a voicecard slot)
when you have trouble with your voicecards like a whistle on upper or lower card or wrong VCF...
the calibration process is not perfect, swap this "faulty" voicecard with another card and run the calibration for the single voicecard not for all.
if everything wents wrong: insert only one voicecard in Slot1, run calibration (not the tune function). when everything is fine, add the second card to slot 2 and run again calibration - on slot 2, insert card 3 and so on..
Firmware and Bootloader
check the download location: http://www.deckardsdream.com/downloads/ for updates, i prefer to wait few weeks before you install a newer version, or check the closed facebook group for comments.
official Firmware and Guide:
Firmware installation procedure/guide: Software Loading Procedure R0.9.3.docx
http://www.deckardsdream.com/downloads/DD-1.2.3.zip (updated factory presets file and an extra presets bank by Michael Rosner (comes as a BANK2))
latest Firmware 1.30April2019 and stable:
DD-FIRMWARE-REV1.3.0.zip this also contains the latest Bootloader !
latest 3.0 Bootloader:
DD-BOOTLOADER-REV3.0.hex.zip (unzip the file)
Menu Structure:
DD-MENU-STRUCTURE-REV1.0 (1).pdf
MIDI Chart (MIDI Control Change Message Mapping for the DDRM) http://www.deckardsdream.com/downloads/DD-MIDI-CHART-REV1.0.pdf
Modification
subpage:
Patch Editor
Deckard's Dream Patch Editor is now available.
Demo (free) version allows opening bank, patch, and voice files and viewing the slider settings for each patch. You can also control DD remotely via MIDI. It has built-in keyboard control (using your computer keyboard) and a CS-80 style ribbon controller. Full version can save files also and randomize the patches.
Download link (Windows only):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=139IcCANbdjOIYvS6aVu7oSoUculzzEK2
User Manual (PDF):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xMHwV3TBTWAK5WPEw8NV0F6aiztP5ZnF
latest DDRM Editor (for free)
http://spektroaudio.com/deckards-dream-editor
Max for Live (for both Mac and Windows), macOS Standalone app and Audio Unit MIDI FX plugin.
"wo last things before I leave:
1 - While the 1.0 has been working well for me, software for me is always a work in progress. If you find any proper bugs or issues, please email me via the Contact form on the website or leave a comment on this post. I'll keep an eye on it.
2 - The AU version was built using a free Juce license so you'll see a nice splash image for Juce in the corner. I'll fix this once start working more with AU / VST plugins and get a proper license."
Knowledge and other links
Build: Deckards Dream General Build Thread
Discussion: DIY CS-80 imminent...(Deckard's Dream)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deckardsdream/
Usage:
to get the full power of your DDRM use a polyphone Midi Keyboard with poly aftertouch.
the DDRM can analyze the "new" MPE protocol over Midi.
just try a Roli Seaboard or a Linnstrument
more MPE devices are listed here: http://www.rogerlinndesign.com/other-mpe-controllers.html
Parts Resources:
Synthcube complete parts kits: http://synthcube.com/cart/ddrm-deckard-s-dream-kit
Thonk Group Buys for CEM3340: https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/curtis-cem3340-ic-vco-chip/
Metal Case: DIY Hub http://siddarthianinnovations.bigcartel.com/product/deckards-dream-pre-order-front-panel-and-rack-case
Wooden Case: Ross Lammond (UK) http://www.lamonddesign.co.uk/index/
a very helpful Tool for the SMD Soldering: (and sponsoring for this website hosting)
(link here )
Wooden Case: Ross Lammond (UK) http://www.lamonddesign.co.uk/index/ → not anymore available, if you want one, contact me
