m00dawg

Should be unless there are harmonics and things. Even then I don't think it would change things much. Humans top out at around 22kHz or so and even sampling up to 96kHz is below the switching frequency. In the forum thread I linked to, I thought I read some good successes with it. Those wanting more filtering can try using additional filtering caps.

I tried using half-wave before and I never had any luck with it :/ I just steer clear of it these days :) But someone with more skill than me can probably solve that problem :)

Sorry it was supposed to be an in-line link but I didn't check my work :) Edited my original post that now should have the URL for you. Oops!

I'm not aware of an easy way to get +/- 12V from a C64 PSU. It offers a 9VAC signal but that isn't enough to get up to 12VDC and I'm not sure if the GND can be treated as a center tap. There are differing opinions but my personal opinion on C64 PSUs shouldn't be used for anything. Including powering C64s. Your best bet is to build your own PSU or buy a linear multi-voltage PSU. They aren't cheap but will avoid you having to make your own if you would rather avoid it. You can find both good options for linear and switch-mode in this topic: It's a long topic but covers DIY, off-the-shelf switchmode, and off-the-shelf linear power supplies so it should cover you one way or another.

Awesome glad you were able to get it working!

Check the pins for the ribbon connections as there is probably a short somewhere, particularly if things were going ok up until recently. Check to make sure no pins are bridged together as well as making sure there is continuity across the cable. Those connections generally take the most abuse and can also be tricky to solder well depending on the ribbon cable used (the solder can have a tendency to wick up the wire causing it to become brittle and break).

I can probably wire something simple up on a project board, but these days making PCBs is so cheap it's almost worth the risk :) But noted, when I get closer to building this part I'll test it out. Mostly it was a proof of concept to see if such a design would fit within the vertical limitations of a 1U while still having room for screw-holes and things. For the resistors I thought about leaving them off too since I couldn't find any recommendations on the Kingston specs about what value. Although the spec sheet does warn against not using resistors :) Since it's for a live setting, it may be better to have them than not (don't want it breaking at the wrong time) but that's probably also something I'll have to test before having the board fabbed.

It's a bit ugly, and took me long than it should have, but here is what I came up with for a BPM/Step module that would (should) fit on a 1U front panel. I went with 3 digit displays for a few reasons but I think that will be ok. I might be able to cram a 4-digital segment on there but initially I was getting close to the Eagle limitations with 3. I also couldn't find a 4-segment in Eagle. I'm not sure I will really need it since all our stuff is MIDI sync'ed and we will have a click-track even if we ever get to an off BPM. The MBSEQ will be the master anyway so other than tempo slides and things I don't see a huge need for it (we'll also likely have a click track or be playing with a MIDI sync'd instrument). I didn't really need a BPM display at the onset but I'm trying to see if I can fit both the MBSEQ guts into the same 1U shelf as the ArduinoBoy (GameBoy) and have them share a 1U panel. So I needed to make the board so I knew about the size measurements to make for the panel. Anyways it's totally untested and may be a little while before I am able to test out the boar design, but I thought I would share what I came up with if someone wants to use it. If anyone wants the Eagle board and schems I can post them too.

Cool man, I hope everything works out!

Indeed it does! Just wasn't sure how many extra shift registers I could enumerate. But I would guess 2 shouldn't be a problem given your referenced setup. Cool I'll work on that and will probably share my results as well. I really like the 4U solution and, in fact, now that I think of it, I think I'm going to do that for my MBSID project as well. Does consume another rack position but would make things SOOOO much easier.

Indeed MIOS Studio normally will send MIDI then wait for a reply, so the speed is ultimately throttled by how fast the device responds. In the cases I was having trouble (way back on the Java version), it was because it wasn't always getting the responses so I just did a blind transfer. It worked pretty well and I never had any issues with the MIDI OUT from the synth at any other time *shrug*. Moving to the GM5 made that problem go away though.

So I've been thinking about this over the weekend and what I've come up with so far is to put the CORE plus any extras for MBSEQ on a 1U shelf with a custom faceplate. The faceplate would have the extra BPM and possibly track step displays. This solves lots of problems. It avoids the problem of finding a suitable 3U chassis that works with Wilba's CS and panel design, should cost a good deal less, and allows me to extend the interface with the BPM counter (and maybe a BPM encoder, I haven't decided yet). I may even be able to combine my ArduinoBoy stuff with the MBSEQ in a 1U rack and panel to save some space if we end up running out of U space in whatever flight case or stage rack we use. I did have one question, though. With hooking up the BPM and track step displays, can they both share the a-g, Dot connections or do they need to be discrete? If the latter, am I going to be close on shift-registers given I would need 3 more than the standard control surface?

First things first, I see a Linux version of MIOS appears to be available off ucapps here. I haven't used it but I would avoid using WINE if you have a native option. Second, I got my MIOS versions mixed up :) The one that had delay built-in was the old one. In fact, one of the features of the new one appears to be better upload functionality (which I guess also means some manual options were removed as a result). I think trying the native version is your best bet. If you must use Windows, perhaps consider virtualization instead (I may be biased, but I have never trusted WINE, never will).

Also, if you keep getting MIDI errors, try slowing down the upload speed. If you are using MIOS Studio, there is an option to disable automatic upload speeds and set a delay after each SysEx message. I used to have this problem with my first MBSID and that seemed to fix it. I suspect the problem I had was more so due to computer to MIDI interface I was using.

Ah will do, thanks for the help! As far as panels, I was probably going to go black for MBSEQ if that helps your decision :) But I've been there. Hey at least black matches most everything though :) Update: Sent Julianf an e-mail via the forum but that is all I could find so hopefully that works :) I did mention a few folks were interested in SEQ panels based upon the last few updates to this thread.

Stand-off might work for some things, but since I was going to use the sammichFM and sammichSID baseboards, I'll probably still need shelves, but probably don't need a full enclosure. That's a pretty good idea though - you're right I don't actually need a full enclosure for the most part. The only real thing I need to solve for there is having a good system of connections between modules as well as to the outside world. I was going to panel mount things like MIDI jacks and power to the rear so I'll need to put some thought into that. As far as mounting buttons underneath and LCD, it would only be needed for the SID and FM modules. I would use the full control surface for MBSEQ at least until I'm comfortable with the feature set, and then I might slim it down a bit. For the SID and FM though, I haven't found a great way to put the buttons under without making it a tad sketchy to mount. So I think I will just offset the buttons or do away with them entirely and rely on MBSEQ programs or CTRLR when needed. EDIT: Hmm, seems like I could grab one of these and then just affix the panel on the front of that and mount everything using stand-offs and, room permitting, I can make I/O boards of sorts for the MIDI, power, etc. connections (so I don't risk damaging my Sammich boards if a cable gets stuck or pulled).

So my band is trying to gear up for live shows and I'm now in the process of planning out a live rack. I am really just wanting something streamlined since I don't foresee using many control surface elements live. I hope to use say an MBSEQ and/or Ableton Live (if I can get it to play nice with MidiBox patch change CC's) to handle that for the most part. And in a pinch I was going to use MIDI gear (control keyboard, pedals, etc.) to control things. Was curious if anyone has been able to cram an MBSID or MBFM into a 1U case with success? Biggest issue I see is the buttons below the LCD - I don't think they will fit. Anyone have any suggestions there? If I drop those (or move them) I could probably cram both an MBSID and MBFM into the same 1U case. I was thinking of using 1U half-rack boxes for that (if I can find some). Really all I need is an LCD display, probably a menu knob or just up/down buttons. The other thought I had was power. I was thinking of making a power box which was just another 1U case that took mains AC in and output various voltages for all the rackmount gear that doesn't already have mains AC (so MBSID, MBFM, MBSEQ, ArdunioBoys). Thoughts?

I'm actually curious if the 19" panels were still an option? I want to put my MBSEQ in a live performance rack so I was also wondering if drilling through holes (the ones normally used for the JB Weld when using Wilba boards) would be an option? Also curious as to which 19" rack you used and if it's available in the states for the 19" panel?

Hmm. Last I checked mine was on 1.4 so I'll have to try it out when I get a chance. I haven't had any issues as mentioned, but I haven't saved many drum patches either so I could just be getting lucky.

Cool that helps! Indeed I was thinking of a flight case. It just depends on how many components we will have and how much space they use. MBSeq + GB Rack will end up being 4U. I was thinking of seeing if I could make another 1U for a slimmed down sammichFM and sammichSID as well. I think most of those are 6U or so, so I think I might have enough room. I'm all about the 19" panel - the only problem is I haven't found compatible 3U enclosures in the US. Jameco has some for a decent price, but they seem to have less space than other rack designs I have seen on the forums, so I'm a tad worried it might not work (plus it needs a different mounting solution compared to what most others use). If I could square that problem away, then yeah I'd be good to go (other than the cost of building everything anyway :) )

I don't think reloading firmware will usually do that, although it's been a while since I've had to swap chips. I do recall those things seem to be a lot more sensitive than other chips, though, for what it's worth.

In looking at the manual, each bankstick can store both normal patches and drums so I don't think lack of a bandstick is the issue. A faulty chip /maybe/ but that's sort of just a guess. I don't seem to have this problem with my sammichFM, but I also have only saved about 3 drum patches. *scratches head*

Pssh, you made this monster! :) Actually I was already considering MBSEQ for a while I was just hoping Live would get us going longer. The lack of patch management was sort of a bummer :/ Otherwise a LaunchPad + Live would have worked well enough (though I still wanted a hardware BPM counter). So for 5, I assume with the "step" display, you mean the BLM addition? Or? I was actually going to have an external display either attached to another rack unit or on its own so I could avoid having to modify the front panel in hopes to get in on a bulk over for a 19" Rackmount one if they exist. The problem there is finding a compatible 3U rack here in the States :/ For 6, I think I saw julianf is doing custom CNC work in the bulk order forum? That's what you were talking about I assume?

Howdy SEQers! Hawkeye has planted a seed in my mind. After trying to figure out how to setup Ableton Live to configure presets and things and serve as a MIDI clock master, it has occurred to me MBSEQ would be a better fit. I was already thinking about MBSEQ Lite but think I would like to build the big thing. I was combing through docs today though to make sure it does what I need and have a few loose ends. Basically the needs would be: 1. MIDI Clock Master 2. Patch Changer So if I load up a program or track, it will load up the proper patches on my SID and FM synths) 3. Keyboard Mapper So if I load up a program or track, it will route my key, knobs, and sliders to my synths in various ways) 4. Send/Receive Mapper So if I load up a program or track, it will send MIDI CC's to Live so it will configure my send/receive channels as I want for a particular song. Eventually, I'd replace Live with a real effects rack and something to generate a click-track and would like those configured via CC events as well. 5. Visual BPM Counter It's an add-on, I know. I was going to integrate the BPM counter into another 1U rack I was going to use for some GameBoy sync hardware (ArdunioBoy) and could mount a BPM display there. I might end up using a DSUB from the SEQ to my GB rack so I can send over MIDI Out and the connections for the BPM counter in one run. 6. 19" Rackmount form-factor I want to put this in a live stage rack along with as many other things as I can (including my sammichFM and sammichSID synths until I put them in a rack also). I can't seem to find a good 3U rack in the US that matches those used in Wilba's reference design though. Any ideas there? So, can MBSEQ do all that? Really I only need a small subset of things from MBSEQ initially since at least one GameBoy will run on their own (via the clock sync) and play using LSDJ and everything else I was thinking of playing along myself on a keyboard (hence the need to set the keyboard up automatically when I load up a song). So I'm wondering if a subset of MBSEQ LITE may do the trick (just need to add a BPM display and more MIDI I/O). But rather like the idea of a full sequencer should we want to do more fancy things in the future anyway. If so, I know SmashTV has the single-board kits. But the question remains on the rack enclosure and the front panel. I was talking to SmashTV on IRC and he mentioned needing to move away from blind holes and JB Weld and go for front-mounted screws to secure the control surface, since it is for a live setting and will get moved around a lot. Plus trying to find a good 3U rack in the US hasn't been easy. I bought one from Jameco for my MBSID rackmount project (still in the works, but on the back burner for now) but that one does not look like it may work perfectly with the control surface layout. Unfortunately, MBSEQ is somewhere between "nice to have" and "need to have" because we can probably do without using Ableton Live for most things. But I don't like trusting a computer, or software that runs on it, to the lifeblood of a live show and would rather use it for send effects and as a backup. What started this was having trouble getting Ableton Live to switch banks for my sammichFM (it doesn't work because Live always sends out an extra CC). If I could solve that with MBSEQ, seems like it'd be worth it. Thoughts?

The lite would work except I still need MIDI I/O (which I can use one of my spare GM5's for no big) and need a display for the BPM (which I know has been done already). How exactly do you use MBSEQ without a control surface though? :)