electro-music.com   Dedicated to experimental electro-acoustic
and electronic music
 
    Front Page  |  Radio
 |  Media  |  Forum  |  Wiki  |  Links
Forum with support of Syndicator RSS
 FAQFAQ   CalendarCalendar   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   LinksLinks
 RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in  Chat RoomChat Room 
 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » Thomas Henry designs
Trigger-to-Switch Project
Post new topic   Reply to topic Moderators: Scott Stites
Page 1 of 1 [12 Posts]
View unread posts
View new posts in the last week
Mark the topic unread :: View previous topic :: View next topic
Author Message
Thomas Henry



Joined: Mar 25, 2007
Posts: 298
Location: Southern Minnesota
Audio files: 2

PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:09 pm    Post subject: Trigger-to-Switch Project
Subject description: A useful, one-nighter for the studio
Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hello all,

Here's a handy thing to have around the music studio. It accepts a standard +5V, 5 mS trigger input and controls an isolated switch (relay, actually).

Here's why I built mine. My home studio (basement, if you want to get picky) includes a Boss-600 digital recorder and an old microcomputer running a DOS version of Cakewalk. The recorder has no MIDI provisions, but it does have a switch input. With a momentary, NC footswitch one can engage the playback, record punch-in, and several other things in the effects section. But like I say, it's not MIDI, whereas that's what Cakewalk spits out.

So, Cakewalk drives my own ADV-MIDI circuit, and the MIDI Start output of that (which is a +5V trigger) drives this new Trigger-to-Switch circuit, which in turns drives the Boss-600 recorder. Voila! I can now engage the recorder under MIDI control synchronized to whatever I've "recorded" in Cakewalk. It's like opening up a who gob of new tracks. I've been using the hell out of it to do all sorts of multitracking things.

For various practical reasons, I didn't want to employ CMOS switches or transistors. My main goal was to make sure the Boss-600 would be safe, and also didn't want to hack into my ADV-MIDI. So the circuit uses a simple relay and was built as a battery-powered standalone. This ensures that on the Boss side of things, it really is nothing more than a passive circuit (i.e., a switch only).

A note about the battery. There is no power switch. The unit only draws measurable current when engaged (at 5 mS, several times a week...let's see...). The rest of the time it sits idle. Current drain, then, is really no more than if the battery were sitting in the blister pack at the grocery store.

The relay is available from All Electronics, and everything else is common. I built the whole thing in a little project box (also from All). By the way, notice how the output jack is isolated. I used 1/4" jacks which had plastic shanks to keep the grounds from connecting via the front panel.

And, hey, I know this isn't sexy and I haven't invented relativity here. As you'll see, it's nothing more than a straightforward application of relays. I'm not claiming to have done anything extraordinary, so no snide comments about me being arrogant...I'm simply posting the stuff in case you'd like to use it, too.

Attached is the schem, PCB artwork, parts placement guide and photo.

You might wonder why I did a PCB for such a simple circuit. Well, when creating the PCB for the GM Voice at about the same time, I had a couple extra square inches left over on the PnP Blue layout, so I just snuck it in.

And where can you use the circuit, you might ask? Basically, anywhere a momentary NC switch is needed. This includes recorders, sustain pedals on keyboards, effects devices and probably more.

That's pretty much it. If there's any questions, post them here.

Thomas Henry


Trigger-to-Switch.jpg
 Description:
Photo of my completed unit.
 Filesize:  13.21 KB
 Viewed:  16867 Time(s)

Trigger-to-Switch.jpg



Trigger-to-Switch.zip
 Description:
Zip file, containing schematic, PCB artwork and parts placement guide.

Download
 Filename:  Trigger-to-Switch.zip
 Filesize:  50.06 KB
 Downloaded:  720 Time(s)

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
crashlander42



Joined: Oct 21, 2006
Posts: 292
Location: Orlando, FL (US)

PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Seems like a useful thing, but for some reason at the mere mention of the DOS version of cakewalk I started thrashing and foaming at the mouth like an epileptic in seizure. Must be some traumatic memory I'm repressing from my youth. Laughing
_________________
When they plug me in the lights go down in Hong Kong.

http://www.myspace.com/isaciongun
http://www.youtube.com/user/Crashlander42
My DIY stuff Flickr
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Thomas Henry



Joined: Mar 25, 2007
Posts: 298
Location: Southern Minnesota
Audio files: 2

PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Oh, yeah, before I bid adieu and close up shop, I should mention that this project isn't just for MIDI things. An analog synth keyboard can fire it, as can a sequencer, the SuperController (either the old one or the new-fangled one in the 21st Century), and who knows what else.

So keep your options open!

Thomas Henry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Usine Karate



Joined: Jun 09, 2007
Posts: 64
Location: Hackney Wick

PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Thomas,

This looks pretty cool, I was wondering (not knowing a jot about relays!,
and being based in the UK) if this would work?
http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Relays+%26+Solenoids&tier3=PCB+Relays&tier4=Microminiature+2A+DPDT+relay&moduleno=65078

hopefully so, although it does look alot more expensive!

Thanks

Usine
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Thomas Henry



Joined: Mar 25, 2007
Posts: 298
Location: Southern Minnesota
Audio files: 2

PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi there.

Well, I'm pretty new to relays myself. But some nice people here on EM pointed me toward the relevant data I needed to come up with a reliable circuit.

You'll note on the schematic I have listed the characteristics of the relay (5V/130 ohms), and the currents through the coil and transistor (0.45 mA/45 ma). These are the figures you should watch when ordering a relay. I didn't see anything listed on the link you provided. But I feel certain you'll be able to find a cheap replacement elsewhere. This really is a garden variety part; there's nothing really special about it.

Good luck shopping!

Thomas Henry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Usine Karate



Joined: Jun 09, 2007
Posts: 64
Location: Hackney Wick

PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Thanks Thomas,

I think that one is 250 ohms, which is different to the specs you note. I have since found one matching from Banzai effects.

Thank you again for your help.

Usine
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
funkyfarm



Joined: Jan 21, 2007
Posts: 583
Location: France
Audio files: 3

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

This could be cool to control multiFX.

for example, DeltaLabs Effectron has a bypass input socket of this kind.
(this is what I call "dry loop")

through, I didn't understand if the switch stays closed during a Gate ON, or if the RC network at input descreases the incoming gate length...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
a.b.o.z.



Joined: Feb 07, 2007
Posts: 351
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Audio files: 7
G2 patch files: 4

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

wow this is so cool. great for Boss DD-5 tap tempo.
What if trigger level is 10V?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
STremclad



Joined: Jul 01, 2009
Posts: 32
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:07 am    Post subject: Highlyliquid midi to trig to switch Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Fantastic, this'll resolve my sync issues with my Roland CR-5000! By ajusting it's tempo as close as possible I''ll be using this to restart the CR every 8 bars or so.

I was trying to design similar circuit when I found this thread.

Thanks Thomas!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
STremclad



Joined: Jul 01, 2009
Posts: 32
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Well, I completed the circuit... Works fine. As for the CR-5000, well, it's more manageable with the start and stop input, the restart ain't as reliable when switched. This being said, I'd thought this type of relay would be ''quieter'', you can really hear the thing switch on and off, the click is pretty annoying, even with the headphones on... I'll need to find another way to get the CR in line (if anyone has a suggestion on this subject please let me know, I'd like to get around the Din Sync and use a 5V trig instead). Still happy I built this, a tape recorder should find it's way to my studio soon, this built will come in handy.

Thank's and Happy New Year!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Thomas_Henry



Joined: Jul 24, 2009
Posts: 170
Location: N. Mankato, MN
Audio files: 3

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi,

On my unit, the relay is very quiet. Without phones on, if I really listen I can just barely hear the contacts click on. As shown in the picture, mine is in an enclosure which probably muffles the sound somewhat. In any event, the click-clack is so soft that it would never pick up acoustically through a microphone. (The neighbor's barking dog is another matter.).

Glad you liked the project. This really was the key piece of apparatus in my home studio, simple as the project is. By the way, I'm still on the same battery!

Thomas Henry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
STremclad



Joined: Jul 01, 2009
Posts: 32
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Thomas,

Thank you for replying to my humble self!

I guess I was looking for trouble when fitting the board into an aluminium enclosure. I also used a different relay (a Songle SRC-05VDC-SH)... I'm sure I have a tube of epoxy somewhere, or some mineral wool... That will certainly solve my this issue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic Moderators: Scott Stites
Page 1 of 1 [12 Posts]
View unread posts
View new posts in the last week
Mark the topic unread :: View previous topic :: View next topic
 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » Thomas Henry designs
Jump to:  

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Forum with support of Syndicator RSS
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Copyright © 2003 through 2009 by electro-music.com - Conditions Of Use