goyousalukis

Looks great Seb! The play button acts like an audition button to test sounds. For the lead engine, it just plays a note continuously. For the bass engine, it starts the bass line playing. I've also noticed that when I send midi sync to it, the bass lines start with the synch. The default patch type for empty patches is the drum engine. If you hold down the shift button, you will see the second parameter E. If you push the button under it, it will change the patch type. I really recommend going step by step through this tutorial: http://ucapps.de/midibox_sid_manual_l.html I have noticed that my 6581's sound much better than the SwinSids. I like the quietness of the SwinSids, but the 6581's have more character. On mine, when I press right, it goes left, but I thought that was because I labelled it wrong! This forum post, along with some others in the SID threads have patches to try out. You can load them with the patch librarian inside MIDIOS Studio. If you haven't checked out the MBSeq, take a look at it. I have just finished mine, and it is amazing.

Hey guys, I was wondering what you all do to power your Seq? Right now I am using just the USB from the computer, and I have the jumper from PA9->5V. I currently have Wilba's front panel, with 2 LCDs, Midi IO, and I just added a DOUT for CV gates, clock, etc. When I measure the 5V on the STM324F, it is down to 4.45v.. Next up, I am addin an AOUT_NG. Is the USB Power from the computer enough? I guess the solution would be to provide wal-wart power via the USB Mini, remove the jumper, and then I could still connect the computer via the USB micro for MIOS Studio functions. Is that the way to go? Thanks, Justin

Thanks for all the tips guys - I dug out one of my DOUTs and wired it up. I hooked up a temp LED, and so far, I figured out how the clock and trigger events work. The only thing left is the CV Gates. I'm not sure how to get them firing, but I'm sure I will figure it out!

Thanks for your post flyweight. I have a bunch of old DOUTS from my old MB SEQ and MB SID that I have now converted to the new versions. So, the AOUT_NG generates control voltages(cv) that control the pitch of an oscillator, but I also need a DOUT in order to send a gate signal to control the length of the notes? Thanks for helping me understand this new to me stuff!

Thanks for the encouragement Elektruck! The CV synth world is completely new to me, but looks like fun. I was pretty sure it could be done, but I appreciate the verification. Regards, Justin

Hey guys, I have a dumb question: I am almost done with my MBSeqV4. It is up and running, but my first control panel arrived cracked, so I am waiting on the replacement. I've also just ordered an AOUT_NG board, so that I can send CV messages. I did this because I've also purchased my first eurorack synth module. Generally, I want to control the eurorack synth module with the MBSeq, but my question is: Can I use the MBSeq to convert midi from a midi keyboard and send it out to the eurorack synth? i.e. just use the MBSeq to convert midi to CV? Thanks for your help, Justin

Ha - I found the reason one SwinSid was quieter - I forgot the voltage selection jumper. I have mine set for 12V since I also have 6581's, but I forgot to install the 12V jumper, so I guess it was running on 9V, or maybe even 5V? Anyways, once I installed the jumper, they are both outputting at the same volume. It is always dumb stuff like this that gets me!

Albert, Do you mean the STM processor board or the Modular Addict STM32 board? That one seems to be in stock right now at MA. You can get the STM32F407G-DISC1 board from a variety of sources. When I checked Mouser, they were out of stock and it said they wouldn't get more for a while, so I bought off ebay. Of course when I checked Mouser a few days later, they were back in stock! Mouser is great, but finding the exact correct part can be a big challenge. For the IDC headers, I ended up just getting them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O9YEUFO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I was able to find the sockets and plugs there. They were cheaper also. I don't know if you have that option, but it is worth checking multiple sources when you get to the point of ordering parts. Justin

Albert, I think ModularAddict can ship international in case SLO's link doesn't work out. If you can't find a source, I would be willing to order from MA and then ship them to you from the US. At some point, I need to order more from them anyways. The big question is whether you can do what you want using the .NGC file, or whether you would need to write your own code and compile your own version of MidiboxNG. I would suspect the latter. There is a link to the source code at uCApps.de . As far as soldiering goes, that's the least challenging part. As long as you have a good iron with a small tip, these boards are very simple to solder. Justin

Albert, It would help if you post specifically what you need it to do, and the specific equipment you are trying to control. I just took a peek at some MPE info - it looks pretty neat, but also complicated. The way that it handles midi channels is interesting. I'd say that if you have some programming skills, you can probably do it. The good news is that you just need 3 main things to get started: MIDIbox Core STM32F4 PCB and MIDIbox MIDI I/O PCB from ModularAddict.com (IO board is sold out at the moment -I'd email to see when it will be back in stock). And a STM32F407G-DISC1 processor board. This will give you 2 Midi Ins and 2 Outs - you can add more later. The 2 pcbs are about $20USD and the same for the STM32. Then you need the parts to put on them, but it should be at or below $100USD for everything, so the investment isn't that high. If you do go that route and need a current parts list from Mouser/Jameco (in the US), let me know and I can help you out, since I just got everything a few weeks ago for my MBSeq. Hunting down the correct parts is part of the adventure! Hopefully one of the MidiBox gods will chime in with more specifics. Justin

Ok, I'll contact you once they arrive.

I just ordered PCBs from OSHPark - it cost the same to get 3 boards vs 1 ($10.30), so if anyone wants to buy one from me for $3.43+shipping, let me know.

I've been doing some digging, and Altitude added an 8 channel internal mixer to his: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/20576-addon-mb6582-mixer/#comment-179126

Great - I have two SwinSIDS and two 6581's. I haven't had the chance to really A-B test the difference yet, and I don't have the most discriminating ears anyways. The first thing that jumps out is of course the noise level. In comparison, the SwinSIDs are very quiet. The 6581's have a ton of background noise, especially if the patch has a wavetable going. I have some audio level issues also. I made a mistake at first and put a .1uf CAP where the 100nf goes. It is cramped in there, but I got the cap out and replaced it. For whatever reason, my right SID is over twice as loud as my left(both SwinSIDs at the moment). I need to take the time to debug the audio amp and make sure I didn't make any mistakes. For the feedback pots, I had the idea to install 4 single and 4 dual-gang pots in pairs, with a DPDT switch. Then I could have the option of controlling the feedback for a stereo pair of SIDs, or flip the switch and have a separate pot for each audio output.

Cool - making progress. I can't help with the extra PICs yet. I only have one stuffed so far. To get some patches loaded, open up MIOS Studio, then go to the librarian. If you go to: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/15119-midibox-sid-v2-patches/ The first post has some of TK's bassline patches. You can use the librarian to send a patch to the core. If you have the play button hooked up (above the LCD window), it will start the patch playing. Do you have the memory chips stuffed? If you do, you should have gotten the formatting messages for each chip the first time you turned it on after putting in the chip.

Also, I think the config values are in the hex file. I just programmed the pic with the hex without changing the config at all.

Ok, if it says MIOS8 detected, do you have an LCD connected? It should say MIOS, and then Ready. Yes, that is the hex file for wilba's front panel. If it says ready, then you can send the MBSid hex file. You can also send the test tone hex file. For that one, you take out the SID and jumper between pins 8 and 28, and the pic sends a 1khz signal to your audio amp circuit. I found it helpful for troubleshooting. Here's what the LCD should look like if MIOS is up and running.

Hey guys, is there any more info about hooking up the pots besides this: I've been through all the pages several times, but haven't found anything. I seem to remember reading they are 500K pots, but I don't know where I read it. If they are dual gang, I assume there would be 4. Can I substitute 8 - one for each SID? I plan to add them on the top of my custom case, along the back edge. Thanks, Justin

Sorry, I wasn't quite correct:

Hi Seb, J11 controls which PIC is connected to the MIDI In/Out. That way if you have multiple PICs stuffed, you can upload MIOS and the SID firmware to each. I think only one jumper should be set at a time. If you only have one PIC, then it should bridge the two pins labelled 1. Looking from the top of the board with the midi jacks to the rear, the port on the left is the Midi Out and the port on the right with the optocoupler is the MIDI in. If you are in MIOS studio and you power on the pic with the bootstrap on it, you should see a sysex message pop up in the left window. Also it will tell you in the info window that the bootstrap is up and running. Then you load MIOS and hit start. You can reload MIOS or other hex like the MBSid as often as you want. You only need to program the bootstrap once. One tip - if you are using the MB6582 control surface, look for the HEX that is for that version. I had the plain MBSid loaded at first, and it wasn't reading the knobs/buttons correctly. Here's where I am. I just got some sound out of it this weekend. This is just one of TK's Bass patches. The sequencer is really cool. These are two SwinSID nanos.

Thanks everyone - it seems like most would like to have the angled panel for usage, but it is good to have the flat version when needed. I will be making my case out of wood, so an idea I just had would be to make it rectangular, and then put a couple rare earth magnets in the end panels. Then I could make some matching end panels with a sloped shape. The magnets would hold the end panels on and place the sequencer in an angled position.

Hi Guys, I have my MBSeq board almost done and I have the core done and loaded, so it is time to think about a case! I am either going to get a front panel laser cut, or I am going to CNC my own out of Baltic birch plywood like I did for the MBSid I am also assembling. My question goes out to those of you who have used your MBSeq's for a while. Would you prefer a sloped (angled) panel face, or a flat face? It seems like the majority built are rectangular boxes, but I am leaning toward some sort of enclosure with a sloped front. What are your thoughts? Thanks, Justin

Have you gone through this thread: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/20376-one-mb-6582-one-power-supply-a-tutorial/ ? I think I am going to go that route. I like using the old C64 brick, but who knows how long it will last. I got a bunch of parts yesterday, and have everything done on my base board except the power section and the current limiting resistors for the LEDs.

So far, I have the control surface built. There are some pics here: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/20731-waiting-for-parts/ I originally built a stereo Version 1 sid, with two SID modules and two cores. It only had an LCD and 4 buttons. Now I am upgrading to V2 with the complete control surface. I'm a little further on the case, but don't have pics yet. I have about half the bottom board soldered, but I am waiting on parts. I have 2 6581's and just got 2 swinSID Nano's. I haven't hooked them up yet. I thought I had an 8550 somewhere, but can't find it. You don't need encoders with push buttons. I know there is a mod for the MBSeq where when you push the endocer, it speeds up how fast the values change, but it is not required. My encoders do not have buttons. I have a PicKit2, so I could program your PICs for you, but you would have to mail them to the US :( Good luck!

Thanks guys!