*jOi~

On my midibox, I've tried using the FT232 as well. I originally had been using the to-COM interface, but wanted to run on newer computers with a self-powered device. I found hooking the Rx and Tx directly from the PIC into the USB chip worked fine, although I could not find a driver to accept the MB as a midi device. I was using Yamaha CBX driver with serial cable, but when selecting COM3 (the virtual serial port for FT232) it wouldnt be recognised. I use MAX/MSP for most MIDI tasks though, and using the serial object I could still receive all data from the port, and then unpack it into osc (but MIDI would be just as easy). If you have any questions about doing it that way, please ask.

In MAX you can simply address the LEDs as MIDI note-ons. That's how I ran my first prototype of only 8 LEDs. If you don't think the tables are neccessary than all the better! Argh.. you make it sound so easy, which makes it that much more frustrating that I'm just sitting here staring at the screen with no progress.. haha Oh well. thanks again for the help.

Thanks for the thoughts, and it's so wonderful to have people here so willing to help and teach. Essentially ive got 2 dout registers setup just like the midibox SID matrix except 8x8. The aim of the application is to create a 1bit digital display that can be controlled via MIDI messages. Im using MAX/MSP to control the output, but just need a way to discretely access each LED separately. Really it's just a quick reference of specific things, like output monitors for 8 different tracks, or for equalizer display, or spectrum analysis etc. Most importantly though I just need a way to address each LED, whether it be each row on a separate channel, or simply just 0-63 like you had mentioned earlier. Writing up the mios_table file is at least part of what I need to (if i understand correctly), but it's the handling of the matrix that I don't know enough about. If you have the time to write up a short sample for me to have a look at, that'd be fantastic just so i can get a little insight as to how to approach the code. Looking at the other example apps has been good, but they're all more complex than I think I need, and I can't help but get lost in all the code. Nonetheless, I will try to hack through a bit more tomorrow. Cheers, Trent

hey wilba, thanks for the help, but so much of that went over my head. ive been reading through the code and things are very slowly starting to make sense how they work, but i doubt i can do it by staring at the code for days. do you have any suggestions where would be the best place to start in getting a grasp of the assembler code? any sites or something where i might find some lessons? thanks for the help, and for the suggestions, i only hope i can understand them soon! :P nonetheless, i got the leds to turn on with the led digits sample program, so that was quite exciting... cheers trent

hey guys, ive just finished building my little LED matrix, for some fancy response from my computer. planning on making it display a few things from ableton live, as well as doing some fancy visuals from max/msp.. but nonetheless, i've hooked it all up similarly to the matrix from the SID (8x8 though), as the SID LED diagram shows. I'm now however struggling to cut down the code to what I actually need. I found the SID matrix test in the downloads section of ucapps, but I'm a little unsure of how to adapt it for 8x8 and not 7x8. im much more of an electronics person, than programmer... still trying to learn these things, but its just a little over my head atm. there is currently nothing else connected to the core, and I really want it to be refreshed as fast as possible - though right now, i'd be happy just to see my little LEDs light up. cheers for the suggestions guys, trent

Hi guys, Just curious if anyone could suggest where I might try to look for a clear or translucent plexi/acrylic rod in Australia. I've checked the big hardware stores, and electronics shops, but nothing seemed to be available. I'm sure I should be looking for a different kind of store more suited to this kind of thing. Also tried a couple hobby shops, but they didn't seem to have what I was after (and afterall, they mark up more than musical instruments! haha). At the moment, I'm about to attempt embedding LEDs into resin to make lit buttons, the stuff meant for insect displays.. haha... any tips would be much appreciated. cheers trent

Hey Thorsten, Thanks for the tip, and ironically i had just worked it out before i read the message. I'd love to get more into the firmware stuff though, because I'd love to start making some modifications, and eventually create a led/scan matrix which i understand there is no standard code for. oh well, thanks the hel, and ill get back to it - how i love university holidays :D Trent

Hi everyone, Got my midibox working with LEDs this evening, but after much scouring of the forum and ucapps, i havent been able to solve my issue. FYI: using WinXP with MB->RS232(serial) module, and programming in Max/MSP Problems: 1) whenever i press a button the corresponding LED lights up. granted this could be useful in some applications, but I would like to turn it off, and if i do want to activate it i will do that via software programming. 2) i have been unable to light the LEDs with noteout messages from Max, however before i turned off the softsynth i was getting chromatic piano notes (so max is sending data) - i think max may not be sending data to the PIC, even though I have selected the driver in preferences. Other than these issues it's been working fantasticaly - and all the parts for my 8x16 button and led matrix are on the way - providing an awesome visual method of controlling ableton live... Thanks for the help Trent

Hey everyone, I'm trying to implement a usb connection for the MB project, and am using the FT232R. I've read the small amount of info people have posted about it, and all signs say that it is possible to make it run in this context. I should have the module up and running in the next week or so, but after looking at the chip and noticing it will match whatever baudrate it is fed, i was thinking about increasing it. I've discussed this with a more senior designer and he thought it possible, as it isn't necessary to match either MIDI or serial baud as the PIC is connected directly to the FT232 chip with no necessity to change from the raw data. I do however have little experience in the coding realm and was curious if someone could educate me as to how i can select my own baudrate for the bootloader and not just choose between MIDI or Serial. I will first attempt at serial rate (i already programmed my PICs at this rate), but will then try to increase to try and lower the latency. Hopefully all will go to plan and I will be able to write up a new project for the MB community, as it still seems like a simpler USB module is needed. Hopefully this will solve the need for USB-MIDI interfaces for many people. Let me know what you think, and for any help/suggestions cheers Trent

hello out there, im really interested in putting a couple mb_usb interfaces together. biggest problem (other than SMD :)) is i can't find the chips in australia. i was wondering if someone could add 2 of each chip to a digikey (or other big supplier) order, and i'd re-emburse you and pay for shipping to australia. i've still got a bunch of the 50mm ALPS faders if you're after a trade too! and im happy to throw in shipping (even from OZ) if it sweetens the deal. PLEASE help me out here. Cheers, Trent

Hi! I'm happy to send just a single one your way, but will it really be worth your while? postage will be more than the fader itself... im happy to if thats ok with you though. Trent

moxi seemed to have quite a bit of success - i was investigating last night. I think the problem was a large setup cost ~60Euros and the process being quite time consuming. If you were to make a mould that could make 4 or even 8 it would save a lot of time. There are some great pictures of buttons that he created in the post "fabrication de boutons" in the french board. I too would love something similar, and I'm cracking open my friends korg electribe to figure out their activation method for the buttons. Hardest thing seems to be getting central positioning of the led for a consistant diffuse appearance...

If perhaps you were more interested in using the software than the hardware, or a different method to control 'mlr' or 'step' (which are now available at monome.org) - I was wondering how to route the midi signals from a MIDIbox or other controller into those programs, and send LED control back to the device. I guess I'm really interested to try to implement the programs with another interface, or for general expansion... I am however quite interested in the idea of creating something similar and have been investigating the silicone moulding process - see "fabrication de boutons" in the french board... babelfish is helpful ~j

::Accidentally posted in parts suppliers page:: --> relocated here! Hello everyone, Just got into this whole hobby, and from my previous ventures, and failed plans in electronics I've ended up with a whole bunch of slide pots. They're ALPS 10k-Lin Faders (the smaller 50mm ones with 41mm travel), and i've got ~100 sitting around at home, with possibly more in my father's garage. Thought I'd offer these up to you guys who might like to buy a whole bunch. Had plans to make mini DJ battle mixers out of them, but they are a bit to stiff to do any 'transformer-ing'. Great for anything where super fast repeated movement isnt necessary, eg channel faders, or effects parameters. I'm wanting to start a MIDIO128 project, but anything that might be of help is a welcome trade. Otherwise make me a reasonable offer and we should be all good. I'm in Melbourne by the way. Would somewhere between 50c and $1 each be reasonable for a bunch? PM me!

Hello everyone, Just got into this whole hobby, and from my previous ventures, and failed plans in electronics I've ended up with a whole bunch of slide pots. They're ALPS 10k-Lin Faders (the smaller 50mm ones with 41mm travel), and i've got ~100 sitting around at home, with possibly more in my father's garage. Thought I'd offer these up to you guys who might like to buy a whole bunch. Had plans to make mini DJ battle mixers out of them, but they are a bit to stiff to do any 'transformer-ing'. Great for anything where super fast repeated movement isnt necessary, eg channel faders, or effects parameters. I'm wanting to start a MIDIO128 project (i think), but anything that might be of help is a welcome trade. Otherwise make me a reasonable offer and we should be all good. I'm in Melbourne by the way. PM me!

Hello! I would definately be interested in a couple PT2399's if you're offering.. I'm in Melbourne, and I'm happy to pay postage of course. Trent PM me!