Softpot Ribbon Controller

[wetterberg]

[Scott Stites]

Sure, no prob. I don't think everything in this circuit will be needed by a CV address system - it's sort of Appendage-centric, but it'll probably get you pointed in the direction you want to go.

This is just a quick "Is this worth it?" validation - I wanted to see if the concept was worth the effort (I certainly think it is). So, stuff like how the 10V reference and range control are implemented are just expedient contrivances. Same thing goes with the CD4516 config - the hooks are there for clocking, direction, etc, but not installed. I just wanted to see if the addressing was a good thing to have.

I'm not crazy about the LM339 performance here. The hysteresis values were taken straight from the datasheet, but on the decision points between steps the 339 still can break into oscillation if you hit the exact point on the ribbon. I'll probably look at going in a different direction there (I went with LM339s because I have a bunch of 'em). Heck, maybe an LM3914 in bar-graph mode would work. In any event, the direction I'm headed is to incorporate this into a linked/synchronized 8X2/16X1 sequencer that I actually designed back before the Klee. May not be necessary, because Bill is a whiz with programmed parts.

6K9 is my value for my low level LEDs; it can be any value you like that drives an LED to the brightness of your hearts desire. The resistor string is made up of 10K resistors, BTW (I neglected to put that value on the schematic).

In any event, this is the exact circuit I used on the last two videos.

Cheerios,
Scott

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[TekniK]

the direction i saw with the option is that u can use the(or several) ribon controllers like a serge tkb where u can 'glide' between the zones like u can on a tkb.

I already imagine me to have 4 of these in front of me

an amazing good idea those zones per pitch implement

[Scott Stites]

According to some guy by the name of State Machine, his Appendage has gone MIDI (I'm sooo glad I named the thing "Appendage" ).

He sent the proto-group an email a couple of days ago:

[fonik]

boyz, you rock!
in the last weeks i sometimes thought of the appendage controller and the softpots i already have in my drawer.
and then is there still the awesome IKC sitting there and waiting to get built. as bill said, now everything starts to come together! i am very excited about this.
a fatar/IKC and an appendage controller in one cabinet! that will be awesome.

[State Machine]

Scott, thanks for posting this information and photos of which I will explain in a moment. Phase 1 is complete. Phase 2 is in the works and 90% of the software has been written and tested and the extra circuit board is being constructed with the remaining phases of the project are outlined below. I hope this will be a part of a line of new expansion boards that can interface to the Appendage Touch Ribbon Controller. The first photo from your post is the prototype shield that attaches to the main MCU board. This contains a limiting buffer amplifier, all interface connectors, and the recommended MIDI electrical interface by the MMA for MIDI INPUT and OUTPUT. The next photo down is the Appendage front panel, MIDi adapter & Appendage PC boards. The next photo down is a close up of the adapter board with shield stacked onto the MCU board. It also shows the interface cables attached. The last photo is some of my panel wiring and the adapter card next to this. As the prototype job gets larger, more and more things get mounted to the temporary plates on the rack assembly.

Appendage MIDI Adapter Specifications and project Phases (Rough Draft):

Project phases:
Phase 1: Build up MIDI Interface “shield” prototype board, interface to the Appendage. Initial firmware y will perform a simple CV to MIDI NOTE ON/OFF conversion.

Phase 2: Add MIDI continuous controllers (CC's) to my firmware and digitize the SLIDE, BEND, TFS. With a small modification I shall add [4] 2:1 analog switches, thus I will then have a total of 10 channels of analog signaling I can digitize with up to 10 bit resolution on each channel but right now my firmware divides full scale by 8 so that I can stuff 7 bit values into my MIDI data stream. Right now I use one CV from the Appendage, and a master VOLUME "CC#7". Adding the INIT ,SLIDE, BEND, TFS will account for using 6 channels with 4 left over for other MIDI controllers that I can route into my software synthesizers.

Phase 3: Add 24 PPQN sync, 1/8th, 1/16th, 1/32nd note clock outputs for analog sequencer synchronization to a MIDI clock stream thus synchronizing both computer and analog sequencer. All outputs shall be TTL/CMOS compatible, fully buffered via 74HC244 with series protective 100R resistor. Synchronization pulses will only be generated when a) the device is receiving MIDI TIMING CLOCK from another source and if the unit has received a MIDI START COMMAND. Clocks will turn off when the device receives a MIDI STOP command. There is, however, an MIDI START/STOP OVERIDE so that the device will generate synchronization when only the MIDI TIMING CLOCKS are being received.
NOTE: This phase of the software is nearly completed as testing commenced last evening.

Phase 4: A USB bridge chip exists (FTDI 232) on the “Arduino 2009” MCU board so I can implement OSC (Open Sound Control) over USB so that the Appendage can control parameters in Reaktor and MAX/MSP sound design environments.

Phase 5: Integrate all circuitry onto a single circuit card that will connect to the 20 pin AUXILIARY connector of the Appendage PC board.

NOTE: It is recommended that all those who develop expansion boards for the Appendage utilize the 20 pin AUX connector.
CONTROLS and INPUTS:

NOTE: All MIDI CC messages are ONLY sent out when values are changed (Slider or potentiometer is moved or turned), however, upon power on, the unit will read all the values of the sliders and potentiometers and send their initial values to the MIDI OUTPUT . In addition, the unit will detect if a SNAPSHOT button has been activated and upon receiving this, the unit will read all the values of the sliders and potentiometers and send their initial values to the MIDI OUTPUT.

Sliders & Potentiometers

1) "MIX" with patch over (0-10v) Note: Hard Limited to -0.3V (NOTE NUMER ON/OFF)
Input type (TRS, NC, JACK)

2) “INIT" with patch over (0-10v) Note: Hard Limited to -0.3V (CC#20)
Input type (TRS, NC, JACK)

3) "SLIDE" with patch over (0-10v) Note: Hard Limited to -0.3V (CC#21)
Input type (TRS, NC, JACK)

4) "TFS" with patch over (0-10v) Note: Hard Limited to -0.3V (CC#22)
Input type (TRS, NC, JACK)

5) "BEND" with patch over (0-10V) Note: Hard Limited to -0.3V (CC#23)
Input type (TRS, NC, JACK)

6) MIDI MASTER VOLUME KNOB (0-5v) (CC#7)
Input type (10K Linear Potentiometer)

7) GENERAL PURPOSE ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER MESSAGE (0-5v) (CC#24)
Input type (SLIDER POTENTIOMENTER, 60MM, LINEAR, 10K)

8) GENERAL PURPOSE ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER MESSAGE (0-5v) (CC#25)
Input type (SLIDER POTENTIOMENTER, 60MM, LINEAR, 10K)

9) GENERAL PURPOSE ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER MESSAGE (0-5v) (CC#26)
Input type (SLIDER POTENTIOMENTER, 60MM, LINEAR, 10K)

10) SLIDER 4 GENERAL PURPOSE ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER MESSAGE (0-5v) (CC#27)
Input type (SLIDER POTENTIOMENTER, 60MM, LINEAR, 10K)

Pushbuttons & Switches:

SNAPSHOT (PUSHBUTTON, N.O., MOMENTARY) - Upon receiving this, the unit will read all the values of the sliders and potentiometers and send their initial values to the MIDI OUTPUT.

NOTE OFF INHIBIT [NOTE LATCH or SUSTAIN] (SPST ON-OFF SWITCH) – When activated, all NOTE OFF MIDI messages are suppressed thus allowing the receiving device, preferably polyphonic, to continue playing a sustained notes even after the ribbon is released. As each note is latched, the controller will remember each note off suppressed, and from what MIDI channel. Upon disabling this feature, all notes that were suppressed will then have a NOTE OFF command sent to turn just those notes OFF.

ALL NOTES OFF (PUSHBUTTON, N.O., MOMENTARY)- This is a panic button in case any stuck notes are experienced. When activated, all notes being played by the receiving device will be turned OFF.

START OVRD (SPST ON-OFF SWITCH) - Synchronization pulses will only be generated when a) the device is receiving MIDI TIMING CLOCK from another source and if the unit has received a MIDI START COMMAND. Clocks will turn off when the device receives a MIDI STOP command. There is, however, an MIDI START/STOP OVERIDE so that the device will generate synchronization when only the MIDI TIMING CLOCKS are being received.

[Danno Gee Ray]

Is the Appendage PCB available for purchase by the general public?

Or, is it still only available to the "New Rube Golberg Club"?

[State Machine]

Hi Dan !!

The PC board will be distributed by sMs Audio Electronics, that be me ... The first round of boards will be by pre-order and the announcement for purchase will be a separate thread. As usual, I will take PCB orders for a predetermined amount of time, place the order, then ship when they arrive.

It's a large board, 8.5" x 4" and will cost about $40.00

Click on the attachment to view the assembly of the final production PC board.

If folks are interested, I may source parts kits but would have to get some feedback here to see if it's worth the go.

Also, All my schematics and source code for the MIDI adapter I and Scott have been writing about will be open source and free to download ....

Bill

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[Adam-V]

Bill, you are the man!

I'd be keen to see a parts kit for this. I have trouble finding the time to build any projects these days let alone finding time to source components. I've still got 4 Klees, 4 UD-1s and 6SN-Vs to build amongst many other projects.

Cheers,
Adam-V

[Danno Gee Ray]

Hi Bill,

Most awesome news!

I was just running out of saliva from my Pavlov's Dog imitation....You guys ideate...I salivate. LOL

Damn nice work there all of you. Hope you didn't mind the tongue in cheek remark about the "New Rube Goldberg Club"...I began to feel like the neghbor down the street from the Hot Rod guy, listening to his Big Block with Blower purring away, wishing I had one o' those.

When it comes out, I'm in.

Again, most excellent work by you all!

[Scott Stites]

We kept the number of pulleys down to a bare minimum.

Bill - is a sequined cape included in that potential parts package?

BTW, dang - can't remember his handle on e-m, but Joe the Walking Stick guy can make a nice ribbon assembly that will be compatible with the Appendage. Hope he chimes in. His site is:

http://members.cox.net/ribboncontrollers/

Cheerios,
Scott

[State Machine]

Dan - Not offended at all man !!! It was funny !!

Scott --- A cape sequined with "Stites Appendage" across the back !!!

Adam V -- OK< your getting me closer to a decision . AND, I just recieved anothr mail saying they really wanted a kit to ...

Alos, if those who may be interested in adding the MIDI stuff I have been talking about, this is the display that is compatible with it ....

http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-32751.html

Thanks guys ....
Bill

[mark_olson]

[State Machine]

Oh the pressure, the pressure .... I am caving into the pressure

Looks like I will have to work up a kit and pricing. I really think the softpots will need to come with the kit but may come standard with the 500mm units. It may also include the isolated TRS jack and pin strip that the softpot attaches to.

OK, lemme' think about this.

The kits will probably be on a pre-order basis like the PCB BUT I am fairly quick, and my reputation is not bad either ... wink wink ..., to deliver once I get all my stock in.

OK
Thanks .....

Anymore peer pressure by the way ????

[Danno Gee Ray]

Yeah...OK...More pressure...I have a crystal ball, peer into this!

..."You will do the kits....you will do the kits"....

How's that for peer pressure?

[aetherpulse]

I would love a kit!

[RKHobbs]

Piling on the pressure...
I'll pre-order a PCB and a parts kit. Sequined cape in red please.
Rob

[diablojoy]

there are 2 versions of ribbons available, the soft pot and another called
hot pot . which one to use ? there are some distinct differences,
soft pot 500 mm
100 - 10k
poly base
$25 each roughly

hot pot 500 mm
100 - 20k
fibreglass base
$30 each roughly
supposedly has a better feel
has any one tried the hot pot ?
will it work as well considering the differing resistance [less accuracy over given distance]
thinking of buying at least 4 of these
p.s. state machine have you checked out midibox gm5 module as a way of providing usb to midi connectivity it is a very good solution that is already up and running.

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8681

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9092

[adambee7]

i'd grab two of these. Really good work guys.

[slo]

I'd get a parts kit too, saves a lot of hassle. I think the kit should be 2 choices, with or without the softpot, 'cause some of us have the ribbon already, just waiting for the day we can put the cape back on.

George

[Randaleem]

[Randaleem]

[robotfunk]

Interested in PCB + Kit here

[machine.cuisine]

I'd do a PCB and KIT for sure.

[Sound]

sMs Electroncs Kits for ever!

One here.