matt_kronik

So, I got my enclosure done! Looks real cool, but I still can't bring my core to life.

Hello again, guys. So after a long hiatus, I did some surfing through the troubleshooting forum. I have reason to believe that my voltmeter is no longer reliable. I tested the output of the new power source I purchased, and they all test about +3 volts over what they should. I went about checking various voltages: mobile phone battery, laptop power source, and old laptop power source. I found them all to be about +3 volts over what they're rated at. I think I can get a hold of a better voltmeter with out spending any money, but that'll take some time. I looked at test core section again and found that polarity of my MIDI ports was reversed! Great success! Tried the core again, but still got nothing. However, it's a step in the right direction. I'll get some pics of my box up in the "scratch controller" topic up really soon.

I'll get to work on that soon, stryd_one. I've kinda put the whole thing on hiatus until I get some other major things in order outside of this project: car, money, employment, etc.

It did not in fact read that high without the chips. When I bought a new power source, it read 5v (4.98v to be exact). The values didn't change until after I plugged the chips in. If I fried my voltage regulator, as matyt suggested, then I learned the hard way and it's no big deal. If I fried the PIC, then I'm friggin' heartbroken :-[. Also, I wanted to know how to complete TEST PROG1 of the troubleshooting, page. How would I do this? Is it part of the MIOS development suite?

Sure thing, stryd_one. I'll do that in the troubleshoot forum. No need to gunk this one up :)

I am working on building a core per rasteri's Scratch Wheel project. I'm having trouble uploading MIOS to my core and I'm not sure where the breakdown is happening. My operating system is Windows Vista (spare me your sarcasm) and I'm connecting it to my laptop via an M-Audio Uno USB to MIDI interface. I assembled my core and plugged in a power source before installing the opto-coupler and PIC. Ready to check the voltages per "Constructing a MIDIbox Core Module from a SmashTV Kit" by Jim Henry, I noticed that the 7805 voltage regulator was abnormally hot. I quickly unplugged my power source and found that it was not putting out said values (7.5v @ 500mA was 16v @ 250mA). I bought a new power source, hooked it up, and got 5 volts at the points as instructed, unplugged the power source, and installed the PIC and the opto-coupler. I do not have an LCD screen, so I skipped that step. I connected my MIDI interface per "MIOS Bootstrap Loader for Newbies" and got no upload request from the Core. I proceeded to the the "MIDI Interface Troubleshooting" page: TEST PROG1: I have no idea how to do this step, nor can I find any info on how to do it. TEST CORE1: I have a 10Hz crystal connected in the correct location. TEST CORE2: I don't believe this is relevant for a SmashTV Core kit. TEST CORE3: Looks good. TEST CORE4: Get 7.1 volts on all locations. TEST CORE5: Get same 7.1 volts on all locations. TEST CORE6: Polarity is correct. TEST CORE7: Diode band is in the right direction. TEST CORE8: R8 and R7 are both 220 ohm. TEST CORE9: Double checked cross connection. TEST CORE10: No request messages. TEST OUT1: LED does nothing when on M- and M+, but will turn on (possibly flickering faster than I can see) when connected to M- and middle pin and M+ and middle pin. That's as far as I got, before getting really frustrated. >:( I know this group is real helpful, so thanks in advance everyone!

Yes, please! That would be really cool of you, rasteri. Down the line, I'll figure out how to do it myself, but until then, I'm a total basket case. I'm having other problems with the core as it is, so that would be one less thing for me to worry about. I'm gonna post these issues in a troubleshooting thread, so I'm not gunking up this one with my problems. Thanks again, guys.

Thanks for the quick reply stryd_one. Yep. I almost got that far. When I do this, the command line comes back with "nothing to be done for main.c" Is this because of f---ing Windows Vista? I'll keep trying, but I seem to be running in circles. :-[

Once again I'm at the mercy of this forum. I think I'm beginning to whine! I have no idea how to upload "main.c" to my Core using MIOS Studio. I know MIOS Studio only wants to upload .hex files. I assume that means hexadecimal code, and that I need to convert the C code to hexadecimal. I thought Notepad++ would do this, but it doesn't. Some help please!

Aaaaand...two more things: Has anyone utilized stryd_one's slimmed-down code? If I go back in the topic, should I just use the last code rasteri posted? I've nearly got everything done with construction. All I've gotta do is drop the electronics into the box and drop in a program. Grip it and rip it!

So I got my MIDIbox core all soldered, except for the MIDI ports. I didn't know they weren't included with the kit. :P I have a few questions about the touch sensor aspect. How does it sense that my finger is touching it? Does my finger need to touch the metal itself, or can it just almost touch it? I ask is because I want to use clear plexiglass for the top of my wheel and use a Colt 45 Malt Liquor can behind the plexiglass for the metal part of the touch sensor. I think that'd look cool.

So, I tore apart an old ball mouse and found that the infared sensors have 3 leads instead of 2. I'm fairly electronics savvy, but I have no idea if I can still incorporate them into rastari's circuit. Are these still infared detecting diodes or are these infared detecting transistors (do they even still make those)?

Heh, thanks dantheman. I've got too much freedom here. I need supervision! Yeah, so nobody download the old one any more. Get this new one. SCRATCH WHEEL Layout1 (1).pdf SCRATCH WHEEL Layout1 (1).pdf

Okay, guys. Before I get started, I wanted to make sure I have everything straight. I whipped up an assembly view over the past few lunch breaks. I didn't bother to lable a few components, and it's not dimensioned, either, but it'll help me get things straight in my mind. Lemme know if I missed anything. SCRATCH WHEEL Layout1 (1).pdf SCRATCH WHEEL Layout1 (1).pdf

Yeah, yeah! I forgot about this option. I wanted to upgrade my PCV-275 crossfader only to find out it wasn't a VCA mixer to begin with. Maybe I'll put the infinium in my AEM-100i, put the Pro-X-Fade in my PCV-275 and get the CF-PCV into the scratch wheel...or not. I'll work with that ASIO4ALL, as of right now, it look like it was just what I needed. Thanks again. I can't wait until I get my stuff ordered and I can get started on building my own! I'll be in touch.

Thanks for the info, rasteri! One more question and a quick comment: Do I need (sould I use) an external soundcard? The one on my laptop has four outs, but two are digital signal only. Could I just buy a USB surround sound card and get Traktor to assign one deck to the front and the other deck to the rear outputs? Instead on gutting my Vestax PCV-275, I think I'll order 45mm Infinium fader. I know the Rodec Scratchbox uses a beefed up version of the Infinium fader. I think they'll work, they have analog outputs.

After reading the Skratchworx article, I sought out this project. I'd like to build one, but I've got a few questions: I have a laptop, hence, no MIDI card. Do I need a USB to MIDI or Firewire to MIDI adapter if I want to connect this device to my PC? I have no background in programing (but I'm not a fool!). How difficult would it be for me to get a device like this working For rasteri: is this device connected to a more sophisticated piece of hardware, like FinalScratch or Native Instruments Traktor Scratch, or is it fully independent? That's all I can think of for now. Later!