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Hi, Digital IN Module: "For instance, the MIDIbox64 allows to connect up to 40 buttons = 5 ICs = 1 DINX3 and 1 DINX2 module, the MIDIO128 supports 128 inputs = 16 ICs = 4 DINX4 modules." Is there any ready-made PCB for DIN module with 5 ICs? We need 40 buttons for MIDBOX 64.

Hi, I saw that wires for pots should limited in length. What about wiring between LTC and CORE module? I have an old mouse cable with PS/2 male connector on one side and want to use it as a link between LTC and CORE module (4 wires). Is this OK?

That would be great, thanks

>...sometimes it's helpful to work with the LCD-Display - >or do you never need any bank (24256 eeprom) >information? - or the state (values) of the MB64 >Pots/MB64-Sequencer? Hm... we actually need midibox just for DJing purposes, but it can be useful for other friends who are working with Reason. I don't know actually what are the all features of MIDIBox 64, so I can't tell...:-/ if we need it. Definately we are not going to build banksticks.

>In that case you have 36 free assignable buttons (+4 >predefined buttons) provided by the DIN modules (hope >my thoughts are correct - i only realised a MB64 with just >32 buttons...) But you REALISED it! ;) I am still far away from that point... :-/ >...furthermore you have 64 potential "AIN-buttons" through 2x AINx4 >http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_ainx4_64pots.pdf Ok, if we get this right, means that MIDIBox 64 can work with 40+ buttons, but through additional AIN modules... I hope it works like this. Thanks for answers lemonhead, I really need any help I can get

I did some price checking and this LCD 16x2 is going to cost us around 27 Euros. If I decide not to make MIDIBOX with LCD and use firmware with default enabled COM option, what will happen to 4 menu buttons? Are they going to be useless?

Sorry to be boring, but I am a total newbie :-/ >Another usefull MidiBox button feature is the "Toggle >Mode": when a button is configured for toggle mode >This table contains all available Special Functions and parameters: http://www.ucapps.de/midibox/midibox64_sfb_table.txt Ok, I got it. It might be useful. But is this modification for analog input module -> buttons still limiting MIDIbox64 to 40 buttons? Can I have 40 buttons via DIN and additional 10 through AIN?

Aha, ok - thanks. I am not sure about that how many EXACTLY pots we need, but I'm sure we'll use this modification. Can you tell me exactly what are these special functions? We want to build Midibox64 to control Native Instruments Traktor... any special things about buttons for traktor?

Hello, is it possible to have more than 40 buttons in MIDIBOX64? I read on DIN module page that 4 ICs can give only 32 digital inputs and firmware of MIDIbox 64 gives maximum 40 inputs (with 5 ICs)...? We need something like a 'special case' midibox - 32 knobs and more than 32 buttons. Can somebody help? thanx

Hi, I don't think we are going to switch modules very often, since we would like to use it with laptop and the same goes for desktop computer. The problem is that I don't know if we are going to build it with LCD; if it is cheap, we'll build it with LCD and use normal firmware. Are there any problems with COM port driver? Anyone tested it? >In this case, you have to connect a 10k pull-up >resistor between J14 and +5V and can select the to- >COM option by using a jumper to ground. :-/ Please, no other options, as I've said, I am total newbie to all of this, it is already a hard task for me >You will get it next week (I'm not at home and >currently have no access to my source files). If we decide to use LCD, there will be no need for this. Anyway, Thorsten - thanks a lot.

Hi, If LCD is not an expensive option, then we'll definately add one and have a option to turn on/off COM data transfer for MIDIbox. On the other side, we are not going to make a interface for a gameport, so we surely know it will work only with COM. So I'm wandering what to burn by default into PIC? Thorsten, please send me the firmware if you read this. Since I know very little about electronics, all modules will be made by a proffessional guy. Soldering pots, power supply, LCD, etc. will be done by me, so pardon my dumb questions about whole hardware platform. :-/

Hi, thanks for the replies. There was misundertanding: I sure want DIN (digital inputs), but I don't want standard MIDI input/output female connectors. Since LCD is needed to switch to COM port, I am sure I am going to make the box wirth a LCD. If I understand right, it should be soldered to a CORE module, without any additional PCBs, right? Power supply: I am not sure if player gives 500mA, but I will check it and see if it is OK. I need a stable voltage (If I undersood Thorsten's pages right) so I can do this with an extra 7805? Banksticks: Since I will be using NI Traktor, all settings can be saved in software itself as an option. I don't need banksticks then... thanks everyone

Hi, Our goal is to make MIDIbox 64. Controller will be used for DJing purposes, so we won't need DIN connectors and LCD. Here are the Questions: 1. If I want to use COM port (for laptop usage), do I need LCD display since it is possible only to select COM port through menus? 2. Why are there sockets for every IC on every module? I understand that PIC of the core module can be reprogrammed, but why do we need other sockets? 3. Power supply - is it 5V only for the CORE module? All other modules are using this supply? Can we use the old rectifier from the old Sony CD player with voltage stabilizer? (it gives 5V DC) 4. Bank sticks - are these required only for different modes of sending data? Since we want to use pure, simple linear data of pots. thanks for ANY replies...

Hi Hastings, thanx fort your reply; unfortunately it was the only one. So my other questions will be posted in a new thread.

Hi Everyone, First I must say that Thorsten's site and this whole community is reason why I love the Internet. You guys rule! Keep up the great work! My friend and I are going to make a MIDIBOX; Since I am a total newbie to electronics, PCB & PIC programming is going to be done by an expert, but pots/buttons/LCD soldering, power and a case design is to be done by me & my friend. We want to make a midi controller which purpose is going to be the control for a DJ software from Native Instruments, "Traktor". I've read somewhere in the old forum that someone (Thorsten maybe?) tested MIDIBox with it, and it worked fine. So, generally, we'll need MIDIbox for DJing purposes - therefore I have to ask you about some design concepts regarding this (it will be also nice to use it with reason, but not primary goal). First we wanted to avoid costs of LCD display and just generally use MIDIbox as a controller for Traktor (it has a MIDI-learn option), but then I am not sure MIDIbox will work properly with Reason (without bank switching). 1. We don't need MIDI in/out DIN female connectors. Since we don't own any keyboards, we'll need just a connection to PC. I assume we can omitt this part of the schematics and add a interface to gameport. Since it is a DJ console, is it possible to make it to a serial port (reason: laptop)? (I think I saw schema on Thorsten's site, but I don't know how to combine this with original PCB). Is it possible to exclude LEDs also? Motor extension is sure something we don't need. 2. We need around 20 pots/faders and 20+ buttons. What is the difference between MIDIbox 16E and MIDIbox 64 in terms of cost/complexity? Is it possible to attach more than 8 buttons to MIDIbox 16E? (16 pots will maybe be enough, but 8 buttons is not). Is it possible to build MIDIbox 64 with less than 64 faders/buttons? 3. Power supply: I've read that we need stable +5V power supply for the MIDIbox, but somewhere 7V is mentioned. We have a old sony CD player which has a nice case and its own power supply which gives 5V DC. Can we use it? 4. MIDIbox16E/MIDIbox 64 : I understand schematics for MIDIbox 16E, but MIDIbox 64 is based on this MIDIbox hardware platform, and I don't get the 'big picture'. What should we build first? All existing modules shown on page 'The MIDIbox Hardware Platform'? Can someone help us with modifications I mentioned (1)? Does anyone have experience with a similar MIDIbox specification I described? (no MIDIs/LEDs,etc.) Is there any walkthrough for building MIDIbox 64 based on MIDIbox Hardware Platform? Any comments/help/corrections will be helpful. Again: you guys rule.