John_W._Couvillon

Trevor, sorry to see you go. Your posts have been informative and useful. Good luck in School. Johnc

Screaming_Rabbit - is there an english version of the Pollin catalog? Johnc

TK, For the Record, with Jim Henry's help, I have a 32 x 32 matrix working. The code is the QBAS code with modifications Jim worked out over time. I have it working a three manual keyboard soon to include the pedal, stops, pistons, etc. I concocted a setup of one din4x and one dout4x and it sits up under the keyboard. The core is a new (8bit)with the new mios and bootloader. It has only one problem, about .5sec latency on all three keyboards. Not excessive, but its there. Strangely, in comparing your example code to the modified QBAS, I don't see anything referring to debouce timer in the QBAS, which is confusing, as there is no bounce at all. I looked in the sm_fast.inc code but didn't find it. Could it be someplace else? Contrary to my previous email, I have in my possession the new LPC-17 processor, and am hoping that SMASHTV comes up with the pcb kits soon. It should be very easy to change over to the new setup by unplugging the din/douts from the old and into the new. Johnc

Hi Tim, hooray!! for smashtv! Will you have complete kits, everything included? I am going to hold up my project and wait for you. Do you have any idea at all when we can start placing orders? johnc

TK, I responded to the bulk order post this morning, but I suspect that I was too late. Is that the case? Do you plan to do another batch? johnc

TK, Thanks for the response. I think that it would be great to incorporate the 32x32 matrix capability into the ver.3 of midio128. I am not current with the MBHP_core_LPC17, other then it is a much more powerful core, with much more of a future then the old 18F452 core that I am using. Will there be a ver.3 that will run with the older cores, such that I should hold up for a while on my project, and forget about adapting the QBAS 32x32 app? If not, then I am too far along to start over with the new core. Jim henry and elepharo had success with getting the 32x32 app working (miditzer forum), so my plan is to continue along the same path they followed. However,in support of those looking to apply the diode matrix to midifying keyboards, I encourage you to continue with whatever your plan for Ver.3 of midio128 as regards the 32x32 matrix. I did repair the links to the pictures of my project, so have a look. Thanks again, Johnc

Back to the matrix subject. For other midibox users: Following the thread mentioned by jim henry in his post above, The pictures below show my progress in setting up the hardware for a 32x32 matrix to encode three keyboards plus pedal. The DINX4 and core(18f452) are new. The DOUTX4 is one previously as a pipe magnet driver and had the ULN2803 chips. Those have been removed and jumper switches installed to bridge from chip to connectors. The PCB at the bottom of the assembly routes the DOUT outputs to connectors. Since the output connections were soldered to the pins, I didn't want to try to de-solder fearing heat damage. My link My link My link Voltage checks have been completed, as well as continuity check for bad solder joints, so all is ready to install the ic's and fire it up. The plan is to use the QBAS 32x32 app, or some modification of same developed by Jim Henry (thread on miditzer forum). The assembly will fit under the keyboard along with the core. Johnc

Anyone, I am looking for a 0 ohm shorting bridge to use on a DOUT card in place of the ULN2803 driver chip. Would appreciate help finding same if anyone knows a source. Thanks, Johnc

TK, anybody The output pin on DOUT is connected through a diode and key contact to the input pin on the DIN. What value pull up resistor should be on the DIN PIN? Is a pull up resistor needed on the Dout output pin? Will the voltage drop to ground on the DOUT pin be lower if a ULN2803 driver chip is used at 5vdc inbetween the shift register and the output pin similar to the setup for driving magnets? Thanks, johnc

I have 3 18F452 pics that are over 5 years old running mios and midio128. Can I over write the older versions with current, or is there an update to being them current. Thanks, Johnc

Jim Henry, Is the download reference you included earlier, before TK mad his adjustments, current with all suggestions from TK, If not, please arttach a new reference. I have a three manual keyboard stack with keyboards configured almost exactly like the units that TK included in an earlier post. Each has 8 points for col's/8 points for rows. Can the matrix be expanded to an 8 x 32 so as to use one core, rather then 3 with the 8x8 matrix? If this has been done, could out point me to the thread. The switch matrix thread has spread out over so many posts, that it is difficult to find the most recent data. Thanks, Johnc

Jmayes, I read over the BLM threads, etc. and really don't understand what I am reading. I have no interest in led, or the switch box, just some specifics about using an 8x8x1 on each of my keyboards, or an 8x8x4 on all four. each of the keyboards has a full length pc board with diodes in place and 16 wires hanging out. Each keyboard is already setup in a matrix. the 16 wires are 8 on rows, 8 on columns. Probably 4 cores with DIN/DOUT, each running the 8x8 example from tk would work, but 1 core with DIN/DOUTs would also work. TK had some pictures posted with a similarly constructed KB and a small PC board for Dout/Din. That would work for me also, but thread seems to have run out.I will be happy to set up a working model of an 8x8x4 if code for same is available. johnc

Ok Mr.Ilmenator! Sorry about that. johnc

Forum, If you are a user of jOrgan virtual organ software as the front end relay for midification of a physical console, using MIDIBOX cores,DINS,DOUTS as encoders and decoders, you can now interface jOrgan (ver. 3.13, beta 7)with SAMS using midio128, core, 4 DOUTS with ULN drivers and the new SAMS Extension feature in jOrgan. The attached partial schematic shows the key hardware and interconnections. More information is available on www.jorgan.sf.net, and the jOrgan forum. johnc

Thanks TK, you made my day! Johnc

TK, Is it possible to use duplicate midi note numbers in the outputs if the channel numbers are different? Pin# Byte 1 byte 2 1 = 90 1 2 = 91 1 johnc

Sorry, can't get the pic to upload

Jmayes, Don't quite understand the following where you said: "The hookup is to scan the whole keyboard at once with 2 DINx4 boards rigged with pulldown resistors, then the bussbars are driven with a positive pulse." So it takes 2 DIN boards (64 inputs). Do the positive pulses come from DOUTS? How many? So it is an 8x32 matrix? My keyboards have pc boards attached with diodes, all pre wired in an 8x8 matrix - 16 wires each board 8 in and 8 out. How could thie interface with the core etc. See attached pic. Johnc

Jmayes, yes I downloaded it a few minutes ago. I have been able to get the SAMS console working in jOrgan ver.12.2, but will take a look at your solution as well. As for the scan matrix, I have a Savile 3 manual keyboard that is partially setup for matrixes, including diodes. I will need to cover the 3 manuals as well as pedal, pistons, stops, swell. Can the matrix driver be run under mios 8? I have 4 older cores with the 18F pic available running mios8. 8ms seems to be slow. Correct me if i am wrong, but TK's 8x8 is supposed to run in 1ms. Johnc

Jmayes, Great! I'm anxions to see what you have worked out. I presume that since it is midio 128, you still have use of the .ini file? johnc

Forum, Over the last several years, several members have embarked on projects to develop working matrices of different configurations, namely; TK, QBAS, jim Henry, Robin Fawell, and others. Would those listed plus anybody else please reply to this post with updates to include, code updates, links to webpages with results of tests or working setups, experiences, etc. TK - has anyone tested your last scan 8x8 matrix example as you requested some time ago. Robin - per out private emails, you have made progress many would appreciate. Personally, I am sitting on a three manual keyboard stack built by Savile organs that formally operated with a very early matrix design. each keyboard includes diodes and is partially matrixed. i know that midio 128 will do the job, but is that the most efficient way to go? Thanks to all! Johnc

Yes, it not only can be done, but I built a 5 rank pipe instrument using midibox devices for all encoding and decoding functions. jim henry is absolutely correct about jOrgan, it is a super relay replacement and can duplicate all functions normally found on a pipe organ, including combination action. Read back posts on the midification topic, especially back in 2005. Good luck Johnc

Jim Henry, I know that your post is old, but what ever happened to your work on the matrix project? Johnc

Robin, see photo attached Johnc