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jojjelito

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Posts posted by jojjelito

  1. Let's create a PCB for OLEDs

    in Design Concepts

    Posted

    Ali Express link to the extant OLED choice: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-10x-3-3V-0-96-OLED-display-module-Arduino-compatible-128-64-White-Color-SSD1306/621502022.html

     

    There's a pinning diagram, a photo of the board as well as dimensions.

    Also, the SSD1306 data sheet gives the following:

     

    4-wire SPI uses the following pins:

    D1: SDIN

    D0: SCLK

    CS#: CS# (labelled CS in the AliExpress data)

    D/C#: D/C# (DC)

    RES#: RES# (RES)

     

    plus of course:

    3V3

    GND

     

    So, just 7 things to connect, plus some things to strap. Better than all 16 pins.

  3. Let's create a PCB for OLEDs

    in Design Concepts

    Posted

    Well, I think that the cost savings are minimal at best. However, if you made a special PCB with pinpads in the middle of the whole show you could make it almost as small as the screen. But, it's a difficult endeavor. Also, that board would be a little thicker than today's solution and that's very critical too.

     

    The other attack vector is then the LRE board itself...

  4. Let's create a PCB for OLEDs

    in Design Concepts

    Posted

    This means that even if we tried to shave off a few dollars of the MBProgramma OLEDs, they would still have a pin connector with 1 row of pins. There's currently no way to make them fit straight without being a little diagonal. But, it adds to the personality of it  :pirate:  Avast, ye scurvy dogs!

  5. Let's create a PCB for OLEDs

    in Design Concepts

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    Here's an example of empty carrier PCBs on AliExpress:

    http://www.aliexpress.com/item/100PCS-LOT-0-96-inch-1-3-inch-OLED-adapter-plate-free-shipping/2031452713.html

    There are lots of variants. Better go for some facts-checking before I'll post a wiring diagram.

     

    Edit: I earlier assumed that 4-wire mode was SPI. Still think that's the case, but I'd better check the facts after work.

  6. Let's create a PCB for OLEDs

    in Design Concepts

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    I saw that someone in China on Aliexpress had carrier PCBs you can buy. If those contain the necessary 2.8V power circuit they could be used. On the other hand, it shouldn't be impossible to work with those FPCs either.

     

    Then again, the MBProgramma application uses 4-wire mode. There has to be some variant of these displays with just the pins necessary for that.

  7. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    Then again, remixed LRE boards with SMD shift registers, maybe even LED resistor arrays etc... A really bizarro adaptation would also be prepared for LED-lit encoders. Most of the pinning stays the same, add a few pins for the switch and the LED(s) of the encoder.

     

    As usual we only face two simple problems; time and money  :tongue:  For now, we substitute those with good ole elbow grease. Roll up your sleeves!

     

    Bonus points for the beer-drinking cat. It sounds like a real cat dude!  :cat:

     

    Hang in there ilmenator!

  8. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted

    Ahh. Olivier wrote about how he had a proto Ambika that wasn't through-hole at one point of time during its conception. You have nice stuff like the Audiothingies P6, the Preen FM2 etc built on minimal interfaces and MapleMini or similar CPU boards. A bigger VA would be a nice thing. I'd call it Vakov. The V is pronounced as an F in German, Dutch and Flemish :)

     

    Then again, I had ideas and plans for a simple poly based on Wavetables and a CPU timer driving some CEM3396. A DIY Evolver if you will.

     

    Your plans sounds like a Touch-screen Modulus! Ambitious and bold :) It could be a kick-ass synth.

  9. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted

    Haha, yeah. It would make a killer MBsid 3, wouldn't it? You could also re-target it and make an Ambika with LED rings and some OLED parameter display action for instance.

     

    Those displays are just the ticket, but lacking a carrier PCB you might have to get a connector for that foil cable. That connector is likely to be a fine-pitch SMD so it's not that easy to work with. The fact that the seller advocates soldering the FPC onto the PCB... You have to do that right and there's a risk it becomes a brittle point of failure. OK, I know that's how it's bonded to the carrier PCB, but that's done with machines and probably inspected under a microscope. It's not a DIY-friendly solution. 

     

    I get bad memories from the Chroma Polaris foil overlay  :brr:

  11. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    Some parts:
    OLEDs - we opted for something with a full set of pins, there are cheaper alternatives with reduced number of pins, i.e. SPI only. Those might save you some dollars.

    http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-10x-3-3V-0-96-OLED-display-module-Arduino-compatible-128-64-White-Color-SSD1306/621502022.html

    Encoders are Alps EC12, 24 detents with switch:
    http://www.ebay.de/itm/15x-ALPS-EC12-Profi-Encoder-24fach-isoliert-mit-Taster-Automotive-kw-/291350442945?pt=Elektromechanische_Bauelemente&hash=item43d5d6f3c1

    Green LEDs:
    http://www.ebay.de/itm/1000PCS-Diffused-LED-3MM-GREEN-COLOR-GREEN-LIGHT-Super-Bright-GOOD-QUALITY-/290928814710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bcb56a76

    Knobs: Alps, ask kristal= :smile:
    LED resistors: 47R

     

    For the SCS part:
    6pcs standard MBSEQ tactile switches, TL-1100. If you're posh you can use Marquart, Digitast, ...
    6pcs standard MBSEQ tactile switch caps :smile:

     

    ULN drivers are used with the LEDs of the LRE boards.

  12. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted

    Well, when I got those I had this crazy, vague idea about a Nord Lead/Nord Modular-inspired control surface... Unfortunately, the rest is just work :frantics: I don't know if there will be more bulks, if the LRE boards will be available through Smash, or if the fab them yourself option will be available. Most data has been published as far as I know. PM Fairlightiii maybe?

  13. MBProgramma: hardware synth patch programmer (MBNG variant with a defined hardware set)

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    Well, this thing uses a few of the existing LEDring PCBs by Fairlightiii so I guess it could be racked if you really wanted to in your case. However, the PCBs are almost a wee bit too tall to fit in a 2U rack as they are 85.54mm tall. 2x44.5mm leaves very little margin, but you might be able to pull it it off. Peter has prototyped, and I'm in slow progress building it, a tabletop version. However, MIDIbox is modular, so you can mount these guys any way you see fit.

    I was going to leave it be until a bit later, but as times go by I'll start adding documentation to this thread, i.e what did we use, how is it interconnected, why did we build something instead of buying a controller, can you build me one for a school project...

    I'll start with something weird: Why Programma? Nobody knows fer sure :smile: Peter came up with it and it sounds like Brit slang for programmer. Then I realized that it's also the name of a really cool, classic programmable desktop calculator made by Olivetti c:a 1964. In a way it was a general computer and it was ahead of its time. I'm not sure this will be as groundbreaking, but it's as good a name as any :smile:

    OK, a few remarks before the questions start:

    The photo above shows an OLED that's twisted in a diamond shape. Why is that?

    • Well, the OLED sits on a carrier PCB. I don't want to buy unbonded OLEDs and have to use special connectors. There's no room for the carrier PCB unless rotated. If this is offensive to your tastes, you can either move the OLEDs around as you like and sandwich them between the LEDring boards, but we like them to point out 4 different parameters. You could also re-spin the LED ring PCBs so that there's more room between the encoders and fab them at OSHpark or some similar place.
    Why don't you use 16mm encoders?
    • Because we found smaller and cheap encoders with switches! You gotta love switches!
    Why so many OLEDs? Those are expensive!
    • Because OLEDS! I like this programmer to be fairly interactive and to clearly show which control does what. Since MIDIbox supports hooking up a bunch of these why not? I want a nice box. If I only wanted cheap and something that does the job without fuss, I already have a BCR2000.
    Can you list components and where you got all of them?
    • Yeah, later. I need to consult my PayPal and Ebay history, old PMs and such. Compiling all of that isn't something I'm going to do while at the office.
    OK, I'll be back. Toodles!

    Johan

  17. MIDIbox Matrix - MIDI Matrix with (up to) 56 input and 56 output ports

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted

    I've gotten as far as choking up the MIDI ports with lots of Polypressure and Sysex (having a few old Ensoniq synths help) while using the K5000s but it might be a couple of weeks until the X-mas holiday break before I can sit down and play dirty with all my hardware  :devil:

     

    I figured that Polypressure, letting a BCR2000 send sysex to my JD-990 and FS1r while using the controls on a few knobby synths like the K5000s, Andromeda, Radias, Q rack etc while the MBseq is conducting the orchestra ought to be stressful enough. If it handles that while routing, it's good enough for me. Then we'd only have to worry about underpowered synths like the EX5r for instance (too slow CPU) and things that crash due to lots of MIDI like the Korg EX800 which benefits greatly from a MIDI filter somewhere in the chain of things. But there's dedicated hardware and things like the Mutable Instruments MidiPAL and the MIDIsizer MIDIbud for those kinds of duties.

  18. Low Orbit Meditation

    in Songs & Sounds

    Posted

    Mmm, dreamy sequences and a very nicely shot video! I like the mostly analog sound on this one. It's nice to hear both the Andromeda and the Big Skinny stretch their legs a little, putting their feet on the floor.  :thumbsup:  Those aliens are inspiring!

     

    Johan

  20. MIDIbox Matrix - MIDI Matrix with (up to) 56 input and 56 output ports

    in MIDIbox User Projects

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    I got some extra pieces from Ilmenator as I have a boatload of MIDI stuff to control if I patch it all in. There's a package from Reichelt arriving hopefully tomorrow so I can get cracking building this. Hopefully I can document what I'm doing and we could achieve some repeatability.

     

    I'll test this with both some interesting MIDI clock setup as well as mixing polypressure from my old Ensoniqs with lots of cc:s and arpeggiator data flowing out from my K5000s. If it handles all that, some interesting routing and refrains from messing up any Sysex I'll be a very happy camper :smile:

  23. Obsidian Session

    in Songs & Sounds

    Posted · Edited by jojjelito

    I for one enjoy each and every track! Some day I oughta leave my comfort zone and post some noise/auditory terror :smile: Maybe some MBseq/"Buchla" 258j DIY bass drone? Or some Serge WAD clangorous stuff... The hardware is just an enabler for musical ideas, there has to be some skilled ppl who could probably make awesome synth sounds with resistor leg clippings :smile:

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