MONSTA

Thanks TK for all your help and also for setting up this amazing community/project! I am currently in the process of documenting all of my findings/progress and hope to start a blog in the next few days to help beginners like myself out. With the intention of having a more step by step instructions of the building process and information for people without prior electronics experience. I hope you don't mind me doing this and I will refer back to uCApps throughout obviously. Christian

Ok got another MIDI cable today to try out. Can I just check with you that I am definitely meant to install "update_without_installed_mios.hex" if I've got a pic straight from MIKES, rather than one of the other ones... Cheers Christian

Thanks for that! Unfortunately (or maybe for the best) I get 2bytes :( *See attached image*

I have come to the assumption that it's the midi Cable. I'm taking it back tomorrow and just getting 2 midi cables that should connect either through my NI Audio 8 or I believe people have had success with Axiom25's, even if it does sound like a pain to get setup. I'm using this interface: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48612 The only other alternative without ordering online was a ESI MIDIMATE which is on the list. I can't believe I forgot to put what OS i'm using, sorry about that, I am running the latest version of OSX. If anyone knows of an interface that definitely works (maybe on ebay.co.uk) then I'll order one right away. Thanks again Christian

This is the first MidiBox I've attempted, so forgive me if I'm a bit of a noob. I have built a pic core with LCD module and PIC18F452 from Mikes shop. Connected the core through a Midi/USB cable and it appears in Mios Studio fine with the Midi In Monitor showing the "SysEx: F0 F7" message every 2 seconds. I then downloaded the "mios_update_v1_9f" and tried uploading "update_without_installed_mios.hex" which starts, but I get this error: Received SysEx message of less than 8 bytes. I've done a search in the forums but can't find out how to fix this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Christian

Wicked, thanks for the detailed explanation, that could save a few headaches as I was planning on using my axiom as the interface. Niietzshe

Ok cool, I'll hopefully finish it tonight then and have a go! Thanks for your help Niietzshe

Thanks for your reply, i'll check the blacklist. But can I not just use say my Audio Interface which has Midi IN/OUT and connects to my computer through USB as a MIDI>USB converter or will the fact that it's a device in itself screw things up? I haven't managed to get to the MIOS yet as this is my first time and I'm just finishing building the core now, so sorry if it's a stupid question. Thanks Niietzshe

As it says on the tin. I currently don't have a USB to MIDI cable like the MIDIMate interface, but will buy one if thats the best option (I went to get one today but they were out of stock). Could I instead use one of my existing controllers? A XOne1D, M-Audio Axiom25 keyboard or the Audio8DJ sound card. Then use their MIDI IN/OUT to program my Midibox64? I'm waiting on the GM5 orders to finish the project, but in the mean time I'd like to see if I've screwed the Core module up or not :) If I should get something like the MIDIMate then I'll order one straight away so I can get going with the programming side of things. Thanks for any help Niietzshe

I've been doing a lot of reading but am not entirly sure of the complete list of things I need. If anyone has made a midibox64 in the UK and knows of a good place to source all the parts, could you let me know. I'm after building the core board to get started with some crappy buttons etc as research before attempting a proper controller. Thanks for any help. Christian

Cheers. I don't push them "that" hard. Just sometimes add a little flare to a que etc and wanted to make sure they would take it. Right, now onto the core module, thanks for everyones help!

Is there any left? I'm just starting out and would like 2 of my controllers to be USB rather than Midi. I need the core kit as well if you have any.

I was thinking more of the breadboard etc that you would mount the buttons onto. I can't believe it's so hard to get monome style buttons in configurations thats actually helpful for anything other than a matrix. If someone had the skills/tools to make buttons on here, you'd think they'd make a killing!

Thanks for all the advice! I was wondering if I could cut up the PCB, but then thought it might be easier to get an entire board made up and just cut the buttons up. I've found a guy on here who offeres his button making services with a lazer cutter. This might be the way to go for me if I can just possition the buttons how I like. While on the subject of DIY buttons, do you guys/girls have any suggestions on making them sturdy. IE, if I just build it up on breadboard or similar, what would be the best way of making sure I had sturdy buttons that could take a bit of a bashing? I'm not going to be hitting them a lot, I'm a club DJ, not a controllerist etc, but I do have a habbit of giving them a good push when I want to drop something in. Thanks again for all your help, this place seems really friendly and enthusiastic! Christian

Hello all, I am new here and have been researching making my own midi controlers for the past few months. Originally I was going to go the way of an arduino, but think your community seems the best place to start for midi specific noodlings. I love the monome buttons and have seen the Sparkfun alternatives, which seem perfect for my use for the most part, but in places I will need just a strip of 4, rather than a grid. Would it be possible to get my own PCB made for them (are they double sided and does this cause a problem) and cut up the silicone buttons to make a row of 4? Has anyone done this, or have experience with them and be able to guide me in the right direction/set me straight on it's impossibility. Thanks for any advice Christian