frailn

I recently acquired an free, used iPod and immediately began to ponder the possibilities of hacking it for something other than just listening to MP3's. I don't really need this iPod, so why not find something creative to do with it? I googled around and found the iPod Linux Project. There is a C++ Standard Library module. I'm not a C programmer, but am sure I could pick it up pretty quickly. I don't have all this iPod specs, because I haven't taken the time to look it over. It is the traditional iPod with a screen. Not sure on memory size. It does work. I need to plug it into my PC tonight and see how much memory it has and figure out which generation of iPod it belongs to. Thinking of the possibility of turning this old iPod into a MIDI controller or sequencer of some sort. Maybe just something as simple as sending MIDI messages from the iPod to the CORE module. Or maybe use it store patches as well. Wonder if I could build a cable to connect to the DB-25 port on the back of the MB-6582. Hmm...anyone else have any ideas or insight?

I had a lovely VIC-20 as my first computer. I would write BASIC programs on that thing and run out of memory constantly. It drove me crazy. I wanted a Commodore 64 so bad, I could taste it. Never realized that dream. And my mom sold my VIC-20 at a garage sale when I went off to college. She also sold my surfboards. Thanks, Mom. Fast forward 20 years later, and I'm loving electronic music by this time. I started to get interested in how electronic music is created. I discovered Sony Acid Pro and Ableton Live and tried them out. Ableton blew me away. It was fun to play with pre-recorded loops. But, this wasn't enough for me. I wanted to get down to the brass tacks and find out how you make all those crazy sounds I've heard in Techno, Chill and all other flavors. Then, one day, while googling, I ran across the SID Station. And the light bulb came on. I read up on the SID chip and was fascinated by the fact that it was so advanced for it's day. I was also fascinated by the fact that the creator of the SID chip wasn't able to see the full potential of his idea realized. I was also eagerly wanted to fulfill that teenage dream of owning a Commodore 64. Sid Station was discontinued at the time and it was pretty expensive. I found Prophet64, bought a cartridge and about 10 old C64's on eBay and played with those for awhile. Firestarter, on the P64 Forum had a pretty slick MIDI interface for the P64. Out of curiosity, I started googling around for subjects on "SID" and "MIDI" and somehow ended up here... After reading through Thorsten's website, picking my jaw up off the floor and changing my undepants, I immediately took a C64, painted it black, painted the keys white, added some funky keyboard labels, hooked up a SID2SID inside and sold it along with my P64 Cartridge on eBay. I took the proceeds and purchased a Core Module and two SID modules from Smash. Looks like I'll be spending the rest of my life building MB-6582, MB64, MBSEQ, MBFM, etc...

So, are you thinking by using the adapters, if you mess up the SMD soldering, then you can just replace the adapter and start over rather than tearing up a good MidiBox PCB?

I figured I would have to dig into C eventually. It's hard to be content with a straightforward midibox project and not want to customize. Thorsten has invented a new form of crack and I'm hooked much to my wife's dismay!

http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.php/topic,5708.0.html http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.php/topic,3375.0.html

Thanks, Ultra. I can see that this will be one midibox project that will not tackle for awhile. But, I'm going to keep an eye on this. I suppose I'll build a MB-6582 and the MBFM and perhaps a MBSeq first. By that time, I think I will have enough experience under my belt to build a customized version of the MidiBox Ultra. But, dang I can't wait! This is really cool.

Okay, forget my last question. I just found this topic. and midibox ultra! Interesting....much reading to do here.

Just discovered this thread....awesome! I've played around with Ableton a little bit and really like it. I like the idea of Ableton controlling the midiboxes I'm building. The little time I spent messing around with Ableton really hooked me. Finding the money to purchase the software, well that's another story. But, eventually I will... Question - I understand how you can interface with Ableton using a PC or Mac keyboard - I tried it with pre-recorded loops that came with my Sony Acid software. But would there be an advantage/disadvantage to building a midibox64 to control Ableton, which in turn controls the various midiboxes (MB-6582, MidiboxFM, etc...). Or is this just a matter of taste? Seems to me using the Midibox64, would be more intuitive and easier to work with than manipulating Ableton via the PC/MAC keyboard interface. Especially since I can customize the MB64 to my taste. Seems like I'm answering my own question here! Maybe I should be asking - how does the MB64 play into this project or is it just independent of this project? Are there any considerations when using Ultra's project in conjuction with MB64 controlling Ableton? I'm still on a steep learning curve with electronic music, transitioning from just listening to actually making the midibox synths and learning how to manipulate the sounds. So, I'm trying to work out my plan for building midiboxes. An MB64 may be in my future. And I'm VERY interested in this project, Ultra! Thanks for your work on it!

This seller is only an hour from my house. Wow, a NOS 6581 SID. Wilba, how come you can't get NOS 6581's?!?!?! :D

Maybe set up macros for the keys. So, once you boot up the PC section and start up whatever software is running on the pc, the macro functions could be assigned to specific keys on the keyboard. Similar to how the Prophet64 functions on Commodore 64 computers. Prophet64 has several programs - a sequencer, drum machine emulator, etc...and once the software loads, there are functions assigned to specific keys on the keyboard, like increase tempo, etc... I know there is a world of difference between Prophet64, midibox and a PC, but it's the closest thing I can think of to visualize what you are considering in design. So if you ran a specific program in the PC section, striking the "F4" key would send a MIDI message to the MIDIbox section of the hybrid. I like this approach because when the macros are turned "off" you can still use the full QWERTY keyboard to interface with the PC. If you are going for some sort of box or rack mount solution, you might be able to mod the keyboard so it slides in and out of the top or bottom of the case.

I just picked up an old IBM Thinkpad from my brother in law. It has a 450mhz PIII processor. I was thinking about putting Ubuntu on it and playing with some of the programs listed under the mbuntu page on the wiki. Then, I stumbled across pure:dyne. It looks like pure:dyne might be a good option for using an old laptop with your midibox. pure:dyne is basically Debian with a special repository set up that only installs video/audio tools (like Ardour or Hydrogen) and leaves you with a very stripped-down, no-bloat OS. Perfect for older slower laptops. You can even handpick the programs using an alternate install. So, obviously, you wouldn't want video processing programs on an old Thinkpad that you are using to operate your midibox. So, rather than hacking/creating a Thinkpad/midibox hybrid, I think that using the Sequencer software and other audio/midi software available on pure:dyne would work well. For example, you could run Seq24 on the Thinkpad, hook up a USB MIDI cable from the laptop to the MB-6582 and rock out. Of course, I do need to actually build my MB-6582 first! Smash parts should arrive this week. I finally got the money together to buy the parts kit! I also recently installed Ubuntu on my old Dell. Finally free from Windows XP. I'll be using that box for playing with mbuntu!! Hoping to get some time to gather info for the mbuntu wiki page.

For you MIDIbox FM fans, I found a Deluxe SMD Learn to Solder Kit for $28.95 USD. Free shipping until December 17th (just type in free shipping in the order comments box). Would be good for practice before taking your hand to the MIDIbox build. Here's the skinny: Surface mount technology uses tiny leadless components, known as surface mount devices (SMDs), that are quickly replacing standard electronic components. Currently, most new electronic equipment incorporates this exciting new technology. By completing this course, the student learns concepts about surface mount technology (SMT) such as: " Different Types of Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) " Various Types of Surface Mount Assemblies " Automated Soldering Methods " The Stages of Manual and Automated Assembly Processes of Surface Mount Circuits The student gains experience identifying, soldering and using surface mount devices by physically building an actual working surface mount technology project. This course is the perfect introduction to SMT and does not require any previous knowledge of the topic. It was designed so that the teacher foes not need to be involved (unless he or she desires to be). The course is self-contained and reusable with the exception of the included "Learn to Solder Kit". A small soldering iron with a fine pint and some solder is all that is required to build the included kit. The Introduction to Surface Mount Technology Training Course with experimentation and project building comes with a detailed instruction manual, identification parts (both SMD and Standard), one "Deluxe SMD Learn to Solder Kit" and a magnifier with tweezers.

I did buy one of those PSU's. But, I have not started on the MBFM, yet. It's collecting dust along with the two old sound cards I purchased on eBay that have the relevant MBFM chips. I'm going to tackle the MB6582 and Lemonhorse's AY-3-8912 before I work on the MBFM....saving the hardest one for last. If you have any questions about the PSU, I can dig it out and try to answer them or even take photos and post them here.

Too bad, I was looking forward to a green lollipop

Any Berliners want to trade your local candy for electronics parts? I've never heard of this kind of candy store!

Doug - AWESOME, thanks for the response and the offer to do this work! I will definately be shipping you my PT-10 panels once you work out the pricing details. Peake - Doug is offering to modify the panels that come with the PT-10 you ordered. Once you get your PT-10 delivered, hold on to the removable control surface and back panels. Plan on shipping them to Doug for machining anodizing and silkscreening.

Thanks, for posting the sounds! Well, I guess it's not a project killer, but it sucks not to be able to get the full potential from the chip.

Lemonhorse - can you post sound samples comparing noise-mix vs non-noise-mix?

I like your idea, Doug. I own the case, so I would ship my panels to you for the work. So, what else is included other than drilling the holes and cutting the text and lines? Would they be painted - or should we make plans to paint after receiving them back from you?

Thanks, nILS... I spent an hour this morning running google searches on different variations of AY 3 8912/noise/mixer/tone/issues/etc... without any luck. The schematics and information I have found always lump the 8910/8912/8913 together when outlining information regarding the way tone/mixer/noise work together. There is no information I can find regarding the differences between manufacturing runs. Since the noise/tone mixer is controlled by internal workings of the chip, and since all four of the chips I sent to Lemonhorse have the same issue, I'm inclined to think the problem is related to a particular manufacturing run. For now, I'm open to suggestions on figuring out the source of the issue. I may be limiting myself on figuring this out due to a lack of experience.

To everyone that participated in this bulk order - I have some potentially bad news. Lemonhorse, who has been designing the AY-3-8912 board recently contacted me regarding the sound chips for this bulk order. Here is what he had to say: I'm not sure if this means all the chips we ordered have this issue. But, I think it is only fair to let you know what Lemonhorse discovered this week when testing the four chips I shipped to him. Here are my next steps: 1. I'm doing some research to find out if this problem has been documented on any other website or forum. I don't know if the mixing issue is by design or a flaw. I would like to find out. 2. If I don't find any info in step one, or if I discover that it is not a design issue, I'm going to send my two chips to Lemonhorse to test. 3. Depending upon the results listed above, I may ask my seller for refund. However, this may be difficult since the chips have been spread to the four corners of the earth. My guess at this point is that we have a version of the chip that doesn't mix noise with the tones. Maybe this new-old-stock was designed for a particular company and they were trying to save money by cutting back on features? All just a guess, really. I'll keep you updated as I progress in my research. If you have any input, questions or assistance along these lines, please speak up!

You should have received yours by now, since the other US orders were delivered. Let's give it one more week to make sure it's not a USPS-being-slow issue. Let me know at the end of next week if they have not arrived.

Oops. I did ship yours to Australia! Sorry, didn't check my list before I responded.

All your chips are belong to Wilba. Seriously, it's interesting that packages are delivered from the USA faster to Germany than to the UK. Wonder why that is?

Mine arrived yesterday in the US! They do look nice. Thanks for running this order!