Hello guys. Just to introduce myself; I used to be active in this forum many years ago, but had to give up my MB SID project because I got sick and had to more or less put my whole life on hold. I sold or traded off all the parts (SIDs, PICs, everything...) Well, I'm back now :)
Things and interests have changed since I last was here. I now spend most of the time as a musician in my (home)studio. Used to do gigs, but I haven't got the time anymore - housebuilding, knocked-up wife etc.
Lets see... at the time of writing this I am 27 years old, I have had electronics as one of my hobbies on and off for at least 15 years. I have never taken any electronics classes. All I know I have learned from my dad, school books and internet forums about electronics. I have built several electronic stuff over the years, but never designed any complicated cuircuts myself. I've played around with simulation program with more advanced electronics, but never built any advanced stuff. It's more like FM senders and stuff like that. I once built a high power PWM controller with >100A mosfets as a motor controller for some fans in my old car. I designed it myself, but it took a LOT of time, so I am no expert at all, but I understand a lot when explained, and I know the basics.
My original career plan was electronics engineer, cybernetics and stuff like that, but as I mentioned I had to put my life on hold. When I got back on tracks I felt like doing something that could make me some money sooner rather than later, and I took some classes to become a carpenter :). However I have never worked as one hehe. When school was finished I got an offer to start in the family business as a alarm / security technician. I have been there for the past 4 years, now working as a tech manager. I usually spend my days planning / designing complete security systems - CCTV, alarms, access systems, etc. Occationally I do some sailswork too.
OK, enough about me, sorry for such a long intro, but now you know my background. :) I will not write such long posts more :)
Now to the case:
I am going to build a MB for my homestudio to control the cubase mixer and transportbar. I understand a MB LC system would be perfect. I want to make it myself to fit my needs, and want to learn more about it, so that is why I thought of TK's projects once again.
I was imaging the following specs:
- Display showing transport location(bars) and tempo.
- Transport bar with buttons: Rec, Play, Fastforward, fastbackwards, goto-start, goto-end, stop and a jog wheel.
- One strip of EQ controls for cubase mixer to control all strips viritually - encoders or pots for 4 bands of eq and 4 sweeps plus buttons for activating the eq bands.
- 16 strips if possible. Fader + buttons: select channel, record, solo, mute, monitor
- One strip of FX controllers
- One strip of Insert controllers
- LCD display and menu buttons
This is what I imagined, but I am not sure if it's possible.
Can this be done or am I totally off the track here?
Any ideas on my specs list? What to add, what to take away?
Also another question - what is ledrings usually used for? I mean - I understand what they are, but what are they usually showing information about in such a controller? And what buttons would it be usefull to acompany with leds?
I also want to connect two relays to DOUTs to control different things such as record in progress sign outside the room etc.
I would also like the possibility to attach standard gooseneck lights to the desk.
If the specs can be realized, what modules do I need?
Thanks for any input :)