Hardware MIDI CLOCK to gate/pulse converter

jojjelito · Joined: Jun 27, 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

I'd be in for a couple of PCBs at any rate. My modular gizmo would benefit from this useful addition Cool

Dave Kendall · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject:

Hi all.

Can't get the camera to talk to the computer properly, so have recorded a quick audio demo. In this example, The M2C is being used to gate an audio signal via a VCA.
The stage 2 divider toggles are being switched in and out live while the beat is running. A daughter board to allow gate control of the toggle action would seem a logical first add-on I reckon....

It's a rough demo, and simple, but gives an idea of how easy it is to set up rhythms and patterns with the toggles.

More later (when I can get the video done, which looks like it may be a while.....)

cheers,
Dave

M2C DEMO 1.mp3

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diablojoy · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 6:36 pm Post subject:

absolutely orsm and exactly what i hoped it would be like
I think the sync daughter board i have been working on should be able to sync fonik's PWM master clock to this which would be outstanding
I will need to make some output multiples i think Wink

Cynosure · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

That demo was great. Thanks for posting it.

What's the eta for the printed boards? No rush since I'm still working on other projects, but I'd like to know when you think they will be ready.

tommi · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 2:05 am Post subject:

Great demo! Short but effective. It's even clearer that this module will opens up the road for new special patterns!

brother303 · Joined: Nov 02, 2010 Posts: 139 Location: ruhr-area/germany

Hi,

WANT!

Dave Kendall · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:01 am Post subject:

Hi guys.

Mathias is the boss where PC boards are concerned. I think we need to get around 30 or more pre-orders to make it viable, and get the price down to something reasonable. I reckon we have around 10 or so folks who want one so far.....

cheers,
Dave

brother303 · Joined: Nov 02, 2010 Posts: 139 Location: ruhr-area/germany

Hi,

rosch · Joined: Oct 03, 2009 Posts: 164 Location: germany

ok, i better say 2 instead of the previously 1 board.
would be cool to see this happening.

JoeMorris · Joined: Apr 26, 2009 Posts: 161 Location: Brighton

I would def take one.

bigbluewave · Joined: Apr 20, 2009 Posts: 14 Location: UK

Yes, yes, yes!
I'm up for one of those board for sure!!!
Aaaagh, so many great designs to build already and now another belter...
Top stuff guys, a great collaboration indeed it seems.

Cheers,
Ben
www.bigbluewave.co.uk

emdot_ambient · Joined: Nov 22, 2009 Posts: 667 Location: Frederick, MD

Oh, yeah! As I read through I thought a simple build would be all I need for syncing sequencers to MIDI...now I know a full build is essential.

Definitely in for this one (or two)! Wink

diablojoy · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject:

definitely up for one however
dave just to bring up the question
would 2 or more of these be usefull really in the context of a single modular even a really large modular ?
I was thinking to have a form of buffered multi's on the output to increase the number of outputs to what i would need,
is there an additional benefit to multiple modules that i haven't figured out yet ?

I will need a reasonably good arguement in favour, so i can justify the expense to my wife Laughing

Cynosure · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject:

2 would be good to divide the rate differently for different devices. You can put me down for 2 now that I think of it. I might only build one right away, but I'm sure I will need the second in the future as I create more lunetta type devices and sequencers.

fonik · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 11:21 pm Post subject:

now there is some momentum here?
i think we will have to start a list...

diablojoy · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 12:39 am Post subject:

fonik · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 12:44 am Post subject:

diablojoy · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:33 am Post subject:

bigbluewave · Joined: Apr 20, 2009 Posts: 14 Location: UK

Erhm,
MIDI is based on a current loop, so you would need to buffer this rather than just split it. The spec of MIDI is also very particular about grounding and to avoid earth loops and hum, hence being an opto isolated current loop.
I'm sure it wouldn't be too tricky to come up with a little distribution circuit if you wanted to send the same clock to several boards, maybe it could be after the MIDI decode, like a master/slave scenario?

Cheers,
Ben

fonik · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 4:31 am Post subject:

Dave Kendall · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 4:59 am Post subject:

Hi guys.

If you wanted to distribute MIDI CLOCKS to more than one M2C, a 1-in 4-out MIDI thru box would be the easiest way. That way, The MIDI input only gets buffered and re-sent once.

Diablojoy - the best reason for having more than one M2C, would be that you have one in the rack to clock things with, and another on the test bench for developing new widgets with. Once you have got another set of dividers for instance, you can add them to the rack M2C as an expander module and keep experimenting..... Unplugging it each time an idea comes along would be a pain Wink

As far as outputs go, there is a header on the PCB that carries;
24PPQN CLK
START
STOP
CONTINUE
ACTIVE SENSING - and a couple of others. It can be used without affecting the basic operation of the board. The signals are all fast positive-going +5V signals, and are unbuffered. A CMOS out put has a large fan-out, so could drive quite a few more IC's directly, but as you suggested, it might be a good idea to buffer the signals. A 74HC244 or 74HC245, or their regular CMOS equivalents would probably be good for this.

The good folks on the [sdiy] list pointed me towards some info on DIN-SYNC. It seems a small amount of extra logic would be needed - a 4013 flip-flop or 4027 could perhaps be used to generate the RUN/STOP gates that DIN-SYNC needs.

If Matthias is up for it, should we go ahead with a PCB run?

BTW - Matthias - I'll order one too for the test bench to make new devices with - lots of ideas already Very Happy

cheers,
Dave

brother303 · Joined: Nov 02, 2010 Posts: 139 Location: ruhr-area/germany

Hi,

emdot_ambient · Joined: Nov 22, 2009 Posts: 667 Location: Frederick, MD

PCB run would indeed be orsome flower

jksuperstar · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject:

I would suggest another output, along with start/stop/etc, if it's possible to add:

System Message: Song Position Pointer = 0

0xF2 xD1 xD2

If D1 = 0x00 and D2 = 0x00, then the song pointer is set to the beginning. This is VERY useful in synchronizing multiple sequencers DURING PLAYBACK. Most Seq. ignore the START command once playback has begun. (START is also interpreted to reset the song pointer). This can then be used to reset sequencers, LFOs, OSCs, etc in the analog realm.

Maybe you can recognize Song Pos Pointer, and toggle Start again?

wmonk · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:38 pm Post subject:

Certainly one pcb for me. Excellent project guys! Smile

I've been waiting for this. Cool

I could provide part kits for those who want that, if you, Dave and Matthias, agree on that.

Cheers,
Woody