808-style pattern sequencer

zipzap · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject: 808-style pattern sequencer

Hi together
I´m planing a big sequencer for an drumbox. 8 Rows of 2-16 steps.
Instead of wiring (and buying) 128 switches there should be some other approach.
First of all i´m thinking of 16 step buttons with status leds and 8 buttons to select the row. how would you do this?
I could imagine a flipflop for each step that can be turned high or low with the button. Then the flipflop out can be anded with the sequencer.
the buttons are connected to the row that is selected, via some more circuitry, maybe also and gates.
So i need 128 flipflops, 128 and gates and lots of gates or switches for the row selection. lots of pins to solder. Not very smart, right? All i know bout is cmos...

A PIC job?
Or something else? 8 Pics?

And here are some more things on the wishlist:
Save patterns
select patterns, eg by a second sequencer that is running at 1/16th speed
have 4 direct pattern select buttons - good for live - throw in a fill/break/etc
Accent - like on the old roland machines

what do you think? anyone done this already? (i can´t programm Embarassed

)
cheers

modularkomplex · Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 11 Location: germany

Hi,

have a look on the Midibox SEQ. You can strip the surface down to your needs. But its definately worth to build in the complete version.

Mike

zipzap · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

i know that, it´s great!
But i´m talking about plain logic trigger outs, not midi.

Was just thinking: If you go the cmos way, how about shift registers?
Cascade 2 8 step registers for 16 steps. Parralel-Load them with 16 buttons - clock it - connect drum to serial out.
However:
you would see no status leds - unless parallel out registers are used. That would make the status led move with each steps - different, but maybe cool. maybe a 4035 - 4 for each row
It´s not possible to programm the thing while it´s running, right?
Don´t know much about shift registers. ;aybe there is one that has a pin to disable parallel loading - then it would be possible to connect the step buttons to all rows in parallel. All the rows, except the one that is selected, will ignore the buttons.

zipzap · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject:

Still, the midibox seems great for this... big project though

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

you want an 808? here's an 808!!

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

- http://eight-oh-eight.org/phpbb2/forums.html

the first kits for this 808-clone are being shipped this week. it's basically a clone of the analog section and includes the original rare components.

the sequencer, mb808, is a MIDIbox derivative featuring both midi & 12 gates outs will also be available separately here:

http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=mb808

midgetfidget · Joined: Aug 22, 2006 Posts: 84 Location: melbourne, aus

Sneakthief, are you getting one of the first kits too?

I can't wait to get building.

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

i'm on the waiting list but not on the first round.

bdu · Joined: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

goodrevdoc · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

Isn't the sequencer for that just a slightly altered midiboxseq? I imagine if one could obtain the specific PIC, it could be made on the regular midibox boards, no?
-justin

bdu · Joined: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

no you guys have totally misunderstood - mb808 is *also* going to be released as a sequencer for the MIDIbox platform, so all you really need is the "core" module and maybe a "digital-out" board for the gate outputs.

the 808-clone is just a regular MIDIbox that happens to be hard-wired to 808 voices.

bdu · Joined: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

yeah, what he said Wink

2 Digital-In boards? I didn't realize there were more than 32 switches.

bdu · Joined: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

goodrevdoc · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that's what i meant. Ive already got some boards I etched from Here, I was just gonna tack on all of the sequencer stuff when I got around to it. This mb808 sounds perfect!
-justin

Peake · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

I've found this thread rather late- has anything happened since? The MIDIbox site doesn't seem to have much info.

Most importantly, does it have the feel of the 808? The 808 appears to push and pull different instruments away from the regular clock, giving it a really nice feel.

Thanks for any information on this incredibly good idea.

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

1. yes, the project is still active. in fact, Thorsten Klose (the developer of the midibox platform) has now taken control of the firmware development:

http://www.ucapps.de/midibox_808.html

check out the forum to find out more:
http://eight-oh-eight.org/phpbb2/

2. re. timing of a real 808: that's a bit of a nebulous question, no?

just listen for yourself to the mb-808 demos:
http://www.eight-oh-eight.org/

3. there are a couple of diy-ers who'll be custom-manufacturing cases for this project:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Peake · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks sneakthief!

Edit: Sominabiche! A group-buy thingie and I've missed the first run. Preft!

Regarding timing: The handclap sounds too tight.

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 569 Location: Berlin

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

it also has swing control Smile

Peake · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject:

I shall gladly do these things-- when the next chance comes around. Crying or Very sad