GM5: Least-cost USB-MIDI Interface Chip for 4.50 EUR

[TK.]

This thread is about continuously running bulk orders for the "GM5" chip - this is an Atmel AVR based USB chip with preburned USB-MIDI firmware (out-of-the-box solution)

This product has been developed by http://www.ploytec.de

Schematic/PCB Layout: http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp_usb_gm5.html

Unbeatable prices:

4.50 EUR per unit for a batch of 250 chips

3.50 EUR per unit for a batch of 1000 chips

Minimum order quantity: n x 250

The compact PCB can be ordered as well:

3.00 EUR per piece for a batch of 100 PCBs

Minimum order quantity: n x 100

The chip will work under Windows/MacOS/Linux with the common USB-MIDI-Driver, but there is also a custom driver for Windows available for better performance (a drawback of the current MBHP_USB* modules)

Per chip you will get 5 physical MIDI IOs (means: 0.90 EUR per IO port - compare this with commercial interfaces! :)). The dedicated Windows driver makes it multi-client capable. Under MacOS the interface is multi-client capable by default.

Package: TQFP32 (SMD, but can be soldered with a good soldering iron similar to AN2131SC (-> MBHP_USB))

So, please add your name and the quantity of chips to this list

   -> http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/tk_gm5_bulkorder

First come, first serve! We need n x 250 chips, if more than 250, but less than 500 chips are preordered, you need to wait for the next run

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Jidis]

Thorsten,

Will these be coming to any of our sellers over here in the states?

Thanks!

George

[TK.]

This hasn't been discussed yet. I don't know how customs are handled in the US, but if it is similar to Europe (no customs have to be paid so long the costs are below a certain limit) it will be favourable to distribute the chips to individual people from Europe.

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[ultra]

if you decide it's easier to send one shipment into the states and need them sent out from there, i (and i'm sure plenty of others) would be willing to help.

[Goblinz]

Well, I need a USB midi interface, and it's about time that I learnt how to solder Surface mount ICs, looks like it's going to be a bit fiddly though.

      G

[Twin-X]

if you decide it's easier to send one shipment into the states and need them sent out from there, i (and i'm sure plenty of others) would be willing to help.

Great offer.

And p.s. we are currently on 125 chips.

I do not think i need 10 but hey these things are very cheap.

[stryd_one]

I do not think i need 10 but hey these things are very cheap.

Hahah yeh, I don't think I even need one, but darn that's a cheap way to get easy midi....

[lief138]

I do not think i need 10 but hey these things are very cheap.

Thats what I am thinking too and... after the learning curve is over for the smd soldering I might have 1 or 2 that actually work.

If Tk is offering it and the likes of stryd, sasha, jimp... errr nevermind.... are buying... I am in too ;)

[Kartoshka]

true, not once i looked over the midi-usb cables but rejected the idea each time.. finally we got a cheap and solid solution.

[Goblinz]

I reckon i'll fry at least one. I like the idea of making midi-box hardware with a built in USB interface.

[TK.]

Wow, after almost one day 182 chips have been ordered!

68 left to reach the minimum limit! :)

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[MTE]

65 ;)

[ultra]

the smt soldering should be the last reason anybody avoids this order! it's really not hard at all. I did some this year in school and all it took was some patience and a flux pen. I actually preferred a screwdriver tip because I could solder a few pins at a time. thanks for this group buy tk.  it showed up at just the right time.

[Jidis]

I just threw 4 more on there. (mainly to help out :))

Let us know what it looks like on the US orders. A currency conversion online show the chips at around $5.40 here (if that's right).

George

PS- Also, can PayPal or whatever as soon as you need it.

[asafnetzer]

Thanks for this offer TK

[lukas412]

Thanks TK! Glad to see this happening.

Luke

[nILS]

Man - I love this community. I just added a "total" column to the table without any explanation and everybody actually updated it every time. I'm impressed ;D

[gpmacklin]

Man - I love this community. I just added a "total" column to the table without any explanation and everybody actually updated it every time. I'm impressed ;D

We fall into line like little solders. ;D

[Kartoshka]

Man - I love this community. I just added a "total" column to the table without any explanation and everybody actually updated it every time. I'm impressed ;D

the funny thing is that yesterday i actually tried to find any automatic tool for doing this - like in excell - but it was quite late at night and i just gave up without adding anything.... but simple tool is definitely better than nothing, Nils! thanks man. :-*

[dstamand]

5  ;D

[cimo]

you need to login first! then edit, it s straight forward you can t miss it

Simone

[Kartoshka]

in 24 hours we got 245 units reserved..

noone ordered less than 3  ;D

seems like these cutes are in demand, you hungry midiboxers!

[Pascal]

I want 8 MIDI-Outs/Ins i need 8 Chips!?. 265 :-)

[Wilba]

I'm too slow to get my 10 in the first 250.  :(

I might have to steal stryd_one's 10.  ;D

[bugfight]

i'll trade places w/ wilba, he deserves it and will prolly use them first anywayz