the beginnings of a fm

[stryd_one]

I'll take 4. Wait, this isn't one of those threads is it...

[syamajala]

I ordered the rest of the parts for the cs, power supply, and second opl3 board. All I need now is a case.

[syamajala]

I got the rest of the parts today, so hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have a working fm. I don't know about the cs though.

[syamajala]

ok, so worked on my fm stalled for a while, because my grandfather passed away. However, I had a bit of time to work on it this weekend and i finished the power supply. So, if i connect the opl3 module to the core i should be able to test it out.

[Smithy]

ok, so worked on my fm stalled for a while, because my grandfather passed away. However, I had a bit of time to work on it this weekend and i finished the power supply. So, if i connect the opl3 module to the core i should be able to test it out.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Good to see you making lots of progress man,

your work will be really helpful when newbs like me try to start one.

[stryd_one]

Condolences mate. I hope the midibox helps cheer you up.

[syamajala]

Hey guys! Its been a while since I have posted an update, anyway I just pulled out my mb stuff, and I hooked up the power supply and checked all the voltages. Everything seems to be good!!!! The opl3 board is getting the +5v, -12v, and +12v. I checked the voltages at the sockets for tl074s everything is good. Also checked the voltages for the core at pins listed on ucapps, and everything is fine there. So, I guess I need to put the pic in, the tl074s, and the optocoupler. Then figure out where to go from there.

[syamajala]

ok, so there is something wrong with my core. I installed mios studio and midi-ox. I'm using an m-audio midisport 1x1. I don't seem to get a sysex upload request. Maybe I should check all the voltages again. Everything seemed fine before I put the pic in though.

[nILS]

* Where did you get the PIC?

* Are you sure it's got the bootloader/MIOS on it?

[syamajala]

I got it from Smashtv. The sticker on the pic says bsl v1.2b mios v1.9f.

[stryd_one]

Done the midi troubleshooting guide yet? Can you paste the results?

(I think there should be a big flashing banner at the top of this page that links to that page heheheh)

[syamajala]

I think I know what I did wrong. I connected the pic to the wrong 5v on the power supply.

core voltages at pic:

1 - 3.18v

11 - 3.18v

20 - 3.17v

25 - .85v

26 - 3.1v

32 - 3.13v

midi  out - .92v

8 - 3.16v

[syamajala]

ok, now i get sysex messages in mios studio. I uploaded the test tone, but don't seem to hear anything. I didn't connect a bank stick yet. Maybe I should do that.

[syamajala]

never mind. It was the volume on the amp I'm using. ;-D So, now its time to figure out how to use jsynthlib.

[syamajala]

I don't think all the channels are working. It appears as though only 2 of them are. But that is just with the test tone app. I still can't figure out how to use jsynthlib. I downloaded the preset patches from ucapps and sent one to the fm, but when I try to play it nothing seems to happen. Is there a guide on how to use jsynthlib?

[nILS]

I found Serge's Sysex Loader (linked on ucapps) to be easier to use if you only want to upload/download patches. Try that one :-)

[syamajala]

i just wanna make sure, but is this what the test tone is supposed to sound like? http://genesis.blogdns.net/testtone.mp3

[Sasha]

I never built one but that don`t sounds healthy to me. :-\

[syamajala]

maybe its my opl3. i know all the voltages are correct.

[syamajala]

I'm having a weird problem. I hooked up a lcd to my core and its working, but the 7812 in my power supply is getting really hot. I have a heatsink on it. I also noticed that the output of the opl3 module is really loud when I hook up the lcd. After I hooked it up I loaded the test app again and couldn't hear anything, but on the lcd it said test tone generator. I also loaded the fm app and could see it changing patches when I was playing with jsynthlib, but I still couldn't hear anything. Is the lcd drawing too much current and causing the 7812 to heat up and cause the other problems? Also does anyone know if that recording is what the test tone app is supposed to sound like?

[offe]

Something is definately wrong here. The test tone should be 1khz and played on all four channels. My MBFM is in my workshop and I'm going away for vacation for a week so I can't record the test tune, but tyr google for 1khz test tune and you will know what it'll sound like.

Have you checked, double checked and tripple checked every connection between the core->opl3 module->psu against the wiring diagrams? Have you checked for any soldering problems on the opl3 board?

/offe

[stryd_one]

the 7812 should only be powering the audio circuits which should draw...next to nothing. There's definitely a short there. Maybe inside a busted OPL, but that's not right.

i know all the voltages are correct.

How?

[syamajala]

the 7812 is only getting hot when the lcd is connected. If I disconnect it, its fine. I checked all the voltages with my multimeter after I connected the core to the right +5v. I'm using the bipolar power supply found here http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/northernlightx I had originally connected my core to jp6, but then I realized i'm supposed to connect it to jp5. I'll worry about the lcd problem later I guess I should first try another opl3. I think one of the yac512s might also be burnt out, because only 2 channels are working.

[stryd_one]

I'll worry about the lcd problem later I guess I should first try another opl3. I think one of the yac512s might also be burnt out, because only 2 channels are working.

Although I think you may be right, that might not be the best way to find out. At this point, you should really disconnect all the peripheral boards (like the OPL3 module) and just work on the core.

The 7812 should have nothing to do with the core at all, it's only for the audio circuitry on the OPL3 board, so I don't understand why the LCD would effect it. I suspect you have a short circuit somewhere.

Trying another set of FM chips might help, it might also blow them up as well. Fix the core first. (see my signature - one at a time)

[syamajala]

after disconnecting the opl3 module from the core, and connecting only the lcd to the 7812, its still heating up a lot. I'm still getting stuff on the lcd though.