kokoon

oops that wasn't optocoupler. anyhow, everything is right on place. i also tried to switch the optocoupler with a new one but it still doesn't work. maybe the BC337 is turned 180deg but i can't find out what brand it is (two different datasheets of that transistor say the oposite direction) but could that affect anything? i mean - it's for lcd right?

assuming all the measuring tests showed okay results - is it still possible that the octocoupler is broken? i'm not completely sure how the opto should be turned - i assumed that the pin under the + sign (roughly "under") is the "+" one. hmm. i'll check it again when i get back home.

which of the core components must be oriented the right way (polarity)? the resistors not, right?

anyone?

this is just sick :P :'( :-[ :P :'( :-[ :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

hello it's me again. i've bought a wall-wart and the measurements were okay. hooray. then i proceeded to testing the midi. it doesn't work. the problem is that i don't get any sysex on power-up. i had the PICs programmed by some guy (i asked on some forum if anyone would do me a favor) - so i know they're programmed, he did it in front of me. i followed the midi troubleshooting: * If you are not sure that the bootstrap loader has been burned successfully, use the verify function of IC-Prog - don't have a programmer * ensure that you've stuffed a 10 MHz crystal (parallel cut) to your PIC18F core module - OK. is the direction important? * Are all 5 jumpers connected to the programming port? - OK * Check it visually for bad solderings or missed junctions - OK (i guess) * Check Vdd of the power supply like shown here: mbhp_core_extract_measuring_vdd.gif - OK * Check the ground of the power supply like shown here: mbhp_core_extract_measuring_gnd.gif - OK * Check the polarity of your MIDI plugs: mbhp_core_extract_midi_plugs.gif - OK (i think - i soldered it on the connectors the way it's in the gif * Check the polarity of the protection diode D1: mbhp_core_extract_midi_d1.gif - OK (i guess - the black stripe is to the midi-out side * Check the resistor values at the MIDI Out Port: R8 and R7=220 Ohm (resistor code: red-red-brown) - OK * Connect a LED to your MIDI Out port and check if it flickers: mbhp_core_extract_out_led.gif - NO FLICKER!!! * Just to ensure: this diagram shows a crosslink between the core module and your PC: mbhp_core_midi_crosslink.gif - OK * If you notice a lot of request messages like shown in this snapshot, then there is a short circuit between the Rx and Tx pin of the PIC. Check the tracks which are routed from the MIDI-Link port J11 to the Rx/Tx pins for direct connections (see the layout and schematic), you could scratch with a screw driver between the tracks to ensure that they are not connected together. - NO SIGNAL!!! * Somebody noticed in the forum, that the MIDI Out of his core module didn't work because of an "incompatibility issue" with the bench supply he used and the switching PSU of his PC. The solution was to disconnect the middle pin of J12 (ground line of MIDI Out port) - tried, no change. now - i know my midi on the computer is okay, i've used it many times. the interface is roland's MCB-10. it's an ancient one but it looks really solid and bullet-proof. it's worked with all the midi devices i've had so far. and if i connect a led to the MB midi-out it doesn't flicker so i guess it's okay to assume the problem is on the core module. what should i try now? i'm building a MBSID and i'm really anxious to try out the first thing i've soldered in my life (this MB core)... heeeeeeeeellppppppppp ;)

in the faq it says FM is not possible. not sure if that answers your question exactly but...

hmm i use the sponge all the time... maybe that's what's eaten the whole tip... also - my tip is removed/replaced by unscrewing it. it doesn not have a locking screw on side. regarding the sponge - how wet should it be? what does you "occasionally" mean exactly? what should i use to remove the solder i don't need on it? i'm using the wet sponge now... where is that pdf?

my soldering iron is a 25W cheap Weller. i got two tips with it. one is sharpened diagonally (the one on photos) and the other is like a small sharped pencil. the second one is far less precise... i think :) current state of my tip:

thanks guys i think i'll improve my soldering quite some more by the time i'm finished with a complete mbsid+cs ;D i didn't know i should head the pcb's copper in the joint area. the first 10 joints were made totally wrong - i put the solder on the tip and then spent like 3 minutes per solder to get it on the joint :D :D :D the rest was made by heating the pin and then putting the solder on. it may be my imagination but i think that method is less and less efficient. the solder keeps climbing up the pin and gathers on the tip. i bought what i think now a very inappropriate soldering iron and i think the tip has gone worse quite a bit. i'll put up some pics of my soldering iron's tip.

these are the photos 8) moebius: hmm probably you're right, i had +5 and ground. nice to know that the rectifier takes care of the polarity. illogik: yes i only have the core module at the moment.

wow so many responses!!! firstly - i do have another core pcb but i wanted to build two complete synths. i was thinking about sacrifying this one for the learning purpuses but i'd be really glad if i could make it work somehow. and if i'll go practicing soldering i'll try to ruin something else, not the only remaining core module :) maybe DIN or DOUT. anyway - i think the first problem was that i was using 5V supply instead of 9V. i'll try to get a 9V psu somewhere. as for the soldering - i'll put on photos of both sides. maybe i did some trivial mistake :) .

so. i've lurked for quite some time and then i've decided to make a move. mbsid and mbseq are 2 things i CAN'T live without. for start i ordered two mbsid+cs kits from joerg. since i've never soldered in my life i needed to buy all the tools and accesories. :D shortly - i've put together a core module. since it was my first effort of this kind it looks really bad, all the joints look really ugly. among other things i've managed to break 1 pcb line by heating it too much but i hope i've solved that with 1 extra bridge at the end. when i finished i wanted to check if anything works. i've connected C64 PSU's +5/-5V to J1 on the core (by the way - which pin should go where?), set the jumpers on J3 and started measuring on the control points. PIC 1 -> PIC 12 : 3.8V PIC 11 -> PIC 12 : 3.8V PIC 32 -> PIC 31 : nothing BUT PIC 29 -> PIC 30 : 3.8V (or -3.8V ... i don't remember) 6N138 8 -> 6N138 5 : -3.8V after that i accidentally made a short circuit on the psu and i can't get anything to work since then. i opened it and apparently the 1.6A fuse went down. but still there's no output from it whatsoever (no 5V nor 9V)... can anyone point me to anywhere ... should i post some photos of my core? i could do that if anyone wants to look at it... what should i do with the psu? i'm really determined on finishing this whole thing. i've gotten much better at soldering and i know i'll be able to finish it. can you guys help me?

hello. first, let me express my excitement over this project, i just received my mbSID kits i ordered from Joerg's midishop. i'll start assembling this week, i just need to buy some more parts/accesories/tools/meters whatnot. but what i meant to ask was a general midibox question: did anyone ever thought about graphical/physical interface similar to those in Elektron machines? for example the monomachine (see picture - http://www.monomachine.com/ ) basically there is a horizontally oriented graphical display with representations of the 8 (4x2) knobs which are positioned to the right of the display. with changing pages the drawn knobs on the lcd change descriptions accordingly and the knobs are encoders so the absolute position of every control is presented only graphically on the lcd. take a look at the elektron showrooms. from what i read i understand that graphical lcds are very operation-expensive and that the dedicated core would be needed for such thing. but other than that - are there any more obstacles/difficulties? how hard would it be to put together a developer's hardware (the configuration described above - 1 lcd and 8 encoders (and maybe a few buttons for navigating the menus) to start experimenting/programming? anyone else interested in this? anyone else maybe already working on anything similar?

awesome man!!! you don't know how much i want to make this! when will you fix the rest of the links? (PCBs don't work)

could you post any pics of your soundlab synth? i'm VERY interested.