Little Boy Blue synth

[Indeterminacy]

Has this synth been ever been reverse engineered, copied or cloned?

Or can the basic operations/functions be deduced by someone more clever
than myself?

Also, is Jessica Rylan still mired in academia?

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[crochambeau]

Has this synth been ever been reverse engineered, copied or cloned?

I'm unaware of a clone existing, though it would not surprise me if there are various "inspired by" aspects in the builders universe.

Or can the basic operations/functions be deduced by someone more clever
than myself?

Possibly. I recall Nathan saying that they were discrete builds. In my own exploration of discrete builds based on analog computing topologies, I have certainly observed similar characteristics, artifacts, and behaviours on the small signal level. Of course, I say that as someone who has never actually sat down and spent time with any Flower Electronics creations, so it is quite possible (probable?) that I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.

Are you looking to forge your own example or play in this domain? If so, I'd suggest starting with a relatively straight forward angle: build something akin to the 555 based APC, but with discrete transistors (mapping the 555 such is well documented). Then explore manipulating all of the additional circuit nodes now available to you.

These are just musings from someone who has not messed with a LBB or taken a look at the guts.

[Indeterminacy]

I recall Nathan saying that they were discrete builds.

Are you looking to forge your own example or play in this domain?

Jessica herself states on IFRP.net they are discrete builds.
https://irfp.net/Machines.html

Operating tutorial:
https://flowerelectronics.com/docs/LBBT ... LowRes.pdf

I want something similar that is braindead simple to build
and operate. I'm looking ahead for a few unique gifts and
something along the lines of the LBB would be cash. I don't think
there are any super secret circuits or components deployed.


Speaking of Nathan, is he still doing service/repair work?

[crochambeau]

I've not really been in touch with Nathan since the collapse of Maniacs Only. ..and I've no idea if Jessica Rylan is still ensconced in academia. I'm largely out of touch with the east coast, haha.

Something along the lines of a LBB would indeed be a cool gift. I have no clue where they sit on the complexity scale, but I do know that I am among the worst of designers with respect to keeping inside the "braindead simple" criteria.

Honestly, given that they are discrete, I'd expect them to sit in the "complex, but using widely available parts" domain. Maybe some 4000 series "Lunetta" synthesis designs would be a good fit. A couple/few oscillators, cross modulation points and octave dividing sections with some passive tone networks that can be patched around.