TK.

The error must be between the programming port J3 and the PIC power lines. You could follow the tracks based on the schematic, this will be easier: http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_core.pdf Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi DiGiMac, the Doepfer support forum can be found here: http://server3.ezboard.com/bdoepfermusicelektronic Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Alex, since the SID firmware is very busy with all the 16 and 32 bit additions, multiplications and divisions, which are necessary to emulate the LFOs/Pitch/Envelope generators, only one SID can be controlled by one core module. Every CORE/SID module combination can be assigned to another MIDI channel, so up to 16 SIDs can be controlled over one MIDI cable ;-) If you want to control them with a MIDIbox64, you can get use of a BankStick which allows you to store 16 setups (e.g. for 16 channels) seperately. However, with the upcoming control surface the SID can be controlled much easier and of course I will provide a function which allows to access other SID modules from one console (I will try it with the MIDIbox-Link...) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Ian, currently, neither the LCD, nor buttons or pots are supported by the SID firmware. Of course, you see some messages on the display and the buttons seem to trigger some functions, but these are for my private use (debugging functions) and therefore not documented... In the last posting there was a mistake: the correct connection from core to SID goes from Core:J10 to SID:J2 - both are 8-pin headers (not all pins are used), so you cannot make anything wrong. :) If you don't use the original MBHP modules, don't forget to add pull-ups on Pin RA4 and RD1, otherwise the firmware could crash. Best Regards, Thorsten. P.S.: J7 delivers the 1MHz clock if no oscillator is available - see http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp_sid.html

Dem muss ich widersprechen - Lochraster eignet sich zumindest fuer Potis hervorragend. Siehe auch: http://monopole.ph.qmw.ac.uk/~thomas/synthdiy/TBbox1.htm und: http://www.midibox.org/midibox16e_photos/10.html Noch ein Tip zu den Kabeln: am besten lassen sich die von mir empfohlenen Flachbandkabel verloeten, Litze ist meist zu dick, und Klingeldraht wird sehr schnell bruechig. Gruss,        Thorsten.

Great!  :D Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Nick, you could replace the 1k resistor (R4) before the lumincance pot by another one. This resistor limits the current through the backlight. Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Ian, Coool! In Germany it is currently very difficult to purchase a SID at Ebay ;-) Best Regards, Thorsten. Regards Ian

Ein ReDesign fuer spezielle Stecker/Buchsen ist nicht so einfach - meistens habe ich darauf geachtet, die Platinen und vor allem den Platzbedarf fuer die Leiterbahnen so klein wie moeglich zu halten - der Rest hatte dann niedrige Prioritaet. :-/ Gruss,        Thorsten.

Hi Christoffer, under http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp_prg.html you will find a test program for the SID module which starts with a chort at power-on. On this way you can ensure that the Core module can access the SID and that the Audio Out is working. Thereafter you can use the same program to test the MIDI-In (a saw sound should be played on Note events). If this works, you can continue with the original MIDIbox SID firmware Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Kayzer, did you plug the 5 jumpers into the programming port J3? Otherwise the power pins of the PIC are not supplied. Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hallo Sven, wem die MIDI-Learn Funktion zu umstaendlich ist, der kann die MIDIbox auch via SysEx konfigurieren. Dazu erstellt man entweder ein midibox64.ini file, und generiert daraus mit dem mk_syx script ein .syx file, das dann wiederum via MIDI zur Box gesendet wird - oder man verwendet Serge's MIDIbox Editor, der eher etwas fuer Leute ist, die den Umgang mit einem Texteditor scheuen. ;-) Obwohl die Konfiguration mit MIDI Learn wirklich recht flott geht (es gibt schliesslich Unterfunktionen, die es erlauben, einen empfangenen Controller wert automatisch auf die gesamte Pot-Reihe zu legen, wobei dann entweder automatisch der CC-Wert oder der Kanal inkrementiert wird), waere eine alternative Moeglichkeit zum direkten Einstellen des Events vielleicht wirklich nicht schlecht. Bisher habe ich das vermieden, um Speicher zu sparen (jedes Submenue kostet mich mindestens 100 Bytes...) - aber mit Deiner Idee, die Werte einfach per Pot oder Tastaturfeld einzustellen, koennte das auch mit weniger Aufwand klappen. Mal schauen Hier mal ein Use-Model - so verwende ich die MIDIbox64 in Verbindung mit Reaktor: ich stecke meinen "Generic" Bankstick rein, bei dem jedem Pot und Button ein eindeutiger CC Parameter zugeordnet ist (siehe mk_syx/samples/midibox64_generic.ini), und bei dem jede Bank auf einem anderen MIDI-Kanal sendet, und verwende dann nicht etwa die MIDI-Learn Funktion von der MIDIbox, sondern die von Reaktor. Ich aktiviere MIDI-Learn fuer ein Pot/Fader/Button mit der rechten Maustaste, beruehre mal kurz das entsprechenden Bedienelement der MIDIbox, und schon hat Reaktor gelernt, womit ich den Parameter bedienen moechte. Das klappt superschnell und voellig problemlos :) Ja, man kann jedem Regler/Button voellig unabhaengig voneinander Werte ueberweisen :) Und ich werde bei den naechsten Firmware-Versionen auf die Kompatibilitaet achten - es muss nichts weggeworfen werden ;-) Gruss,        Thorsten.

Ja, die Meta-Events muessen quasi "einkompiliert" werden, dazu benoetigt man den Sourcecode der Firmware (den gibt es auf Anfrage) und die PIC Entwicklungsentwicklung von Microchip (die kann man sich kostenlos auf der Microchip Homepage downloaden). Beispiele findet man dann im "meta.inc" file, und auf Wunsch helfe ich auch, wenn exotische Events erzeugt werden sollen. Das hoert sich zwar umstaendlich an, ist aber trotzdem sehr schnell zu realisieren, und im Gegensatz zu Controllern, die irgendein "MIDI Event Definitionsformat" anbieten, stehen einem hierbei wirklich alle Moeglichkeiten offen. Ein programmiertes Meta Event sieht z.B so aus: ;; --------------------------------------------------------------------------        ;; This is a subroutine which sends a SysEx stream for AN1x synthesizer        ;; IN: parameter address in working register W        ;;     pot/button value in MIDI_SEND META_Send_AN1x_SysEx        movwf   TMP3            ; temporary store parameter value from working register W into TMP3        movlw   0xf0            ; send 0xf0        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0x43            ; send 0x43        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0x10            ; send 0x10        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0x5c            ; send 0x5c        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0x10            ; send 0x10        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0x10            ; send 0x10        call    META_SendByte        movf    TMP3, W         ; send parameter value, stored in TMP3        call    META_SendByte        movf    MIDI_SEND, W    ; send pot/button value, stored in MIDI_SEND        call    META_SendByte        movlw   0xf7            ; send 0xf7        call    META_SendByte        return Und mit folgenden Definitionen im midibox64.ini File: [POTS]    # Pot Row 1    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 31 vv F7 (AN1x: high pass filter)    1   =  F0 00 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 33 vv F7 (AN1x: cutoff frequency)    2   =  F0 01 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 34 vv F7 (AN1x: resonance)    3   =  F0 02 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 29 vv F7 (AN1x: volume VCO1)    4   =  F0 03 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 2A vv F7 (AN1x: volume VCO2)    5   =  F0 04 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 2C vv F7 (AN1x: volume noise)    6   =  F0 05 [00-7F]    # META event: send a SysEx string: F0 43 10 5C 10 10 3E vv F7 (AN1x: feedback)    7   =  F0 06 [00-7F] erreicht man, dass diese Routine angesprungen wird, und die entspr. Parameter uebergeben werden (Fx nn vv) Was man mit Meta Events z.B noch so alles senden kann: mehrere Events gleichzeitig Events mit Werten, die mit mehreren Pots eingestellt werden RPN/NRPN 14-complement low/high nibble checksummen Buttons mit Wechselbeziehungen (z.B Mute/Solo Buttons) usw... Vielleicht sollte ich aus den Meta-Events ebenfalls ein "PlugIn" machen, das sich via MIDI uploaden laesst :) Gruss,        Thorsten.

Ich habe leider auch noch keine wirklich empfehlenswerten Stecker fuer die Stiftleisten gefunden. Zur Not tun es aber die "Buchsenleisten" von Reichelt: Gruss,        Thorsten.

You are right, the 3rd cap was missing in the orderlist  :-/ However, this cap isn't really necessary, it's just a lowpass for frequencies above 20 kHz - you will not "hear" any differences. With a 6.8nF it could happen that frequencies below 20 kHz are cutted -> so, let it open Let us know if everything works :) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Pat, the MIDIbox SID hasn't reached the functionality of the SIDstation yet, and I don't plan to clone this product. The synthesis results are hard to compare, since the LFO/ENV/Pitch generators have been programmed on a different way. So, I think that there are a lot of sounds which can only be realized with a MIDIbox SID, other sounds which can only be realized with a SIDstation. All features which I plan to implement can be found at http://www.ucapps.de/midibox_sid.html, these are functions from the SIDstation (or in fact functions which have been invented by the C64 hackers in the last 20 years), partly some new things like CV outs, which allow to control analog filters or Fx gear, and a user interface with a lot of pots & buttons :) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Thats the purpose of the "Display PlugIns": it will be possible to program an own display routine (doesn't matter if for LCD dotmatrix, graphic or LED displays...) and to transfer the code via MIDI into the flash memory of the MIDIbox. I will provide some examples, so that everybody should be able to change them for his needs Motto: create your personal MIDIbox Skin ;-) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hier mal die Knoepfe (und bei der Gelegenheit die Pots), die ich so benutze: MIDIbox Plus: Reichelt: | Pots 10 k                                    |     x | P6M-LIN 10K        |  0.53 | | Knobs for the Pots                           |     x | KNOPF 15 GR        |  0.64 | | Caps for the Pots                            |     x | DECKEL 15 GE       |  0.09 | MIDIbox64: Reichelt: | Pots 10 k                                    |     x | P6M-LIN 10K        |  0.53 | Conrad: | Softtouch Knobs                              |     x | 715883-88          |  0.89 | (die haben vor dem Teuro mal eine Mark gekostet!) MIDIbox16E: RS: | ALPS STEC16B36 encoder, 36/72 steps/revol.   |     x | 2651723            |  2.50 | Reichelt: | Knobs for the Pots                           |     x | KNOPF 15 SW        |  0.64 | | Caps for the Pots                            |     x | DECKEL 15 RT       |  0.09 | Wie man sieht, bieten Albs und Canford also durchaus gute Preise! Gruss,        Thorsten.

You can also check it without an AINX4 module - the MIDIbox64 will send 8 values at the same time due to the missing multiplexer, but for testing purposes this is ok - your schematic is correct. Best Regards, Thorsten.

For all who are interested: the MF module is up and running :D Schematics and PCB layout can be found on the MBHP MF page http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp_mf.html The first alpha firmware will be available as soon as I have more sparetime again. Here are some informations for the guys who want to upgrade their existing MIDIbox MF: in difference to the old design the motors are now supplied with 8V. So, you need a LM317 regulator to adjust the correct voltage. With higher or lower voltages the faders will not be moved correctly, since I calibrated the PWM generator for this voltage manually. In worst case (all motors are active), the current load is about 1A! With my current test program, the motorfaders are repositioned very exactly with a 8 bit resolution (planned:9 or 10 bit) in less than 0.5 seconds. There is only one imperfection: they are not moved with exactly the same speed. This is not a software problem, but a mechanical problem (I exchanged the faders to ensure this). I will try to implement some kind of automatic calibration which tries to find out the optimal PWM table values for each fader seperately - an interesting task ;-) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Sorry, this was an error in the part list (fortunately the schematic, the PCB and the Reichelt ordernumber was correct) - it should be a 100 Ohm resistor. Btw.: the resistor just only opens the possibility to reset the PIC without a power-off by applying Vss to MRST# for a short moment. It's for my personal use ;-) --- instead of buying a new resistor, you can just bypass it (take a bridge and clamp the MRST# pin directly to +5V) Best Regards, Thorsten.

I just uploaded the list of components: http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_mf_orderlist.txt yes, the MAX4427 could also work - Which H-Bridge is the cheaper one? Best Regards, Thorsten.

You forgot the picture :) A good idea! So you can reuse the knobs and faders when the firmware provides a control surface :) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Hi Pete, I plan to implement the ideas for the "next generation" step by step. Most ideas will be integrated into the MIDIbox64/MIDIbox16E/MIDIbox MF firmwares: Pot/Button-Groups with seperate banks, Button-Matrix like known from calculators, MIDIbox-Link which allows to build a network of up to 16 MIDIboxes without a MIDI chain, Display PlugIns which allow to customize the display output - and all upcoming ideas :) It seems that the MIDIbox projects will never be finished ;-) Best Regards, Thorsten.

Alright, it's on the ToDo list now. Btw.: the next MIDIbox64 version will not provide motorfaders anymore (due to the redesign, which comes with a seperate firmware) - this frees some memory for nice new features. Btw2: In one of the next releases, the sequencer part will be seperated - so I'm able to add functions which are currently under discussion (Pot/Button-Groups with seperate banks, Button-Matrix like known from calculators, MIDIbox-Link, Display PlugIns with customizable "skins"), and for the sequencer all the features which are listed under http://www.ucapps.de/midibox64.html :) Best Regards, Thorsten.