Hardware programmer for TX81z

[Guest futilityengineer]

Just discovered the MIDIbox & this site today: YIKES!  I had no idea!  An open source style DIY hardware MIDI project: how cool is that!  And the PCBs can be ordered pre made!!!  I'm psyched!

Here's what I'd loOoOove to make:

A hardware programmer for the Yamaha TX81z FM synth (single mode, not multi) should have:

bank of 8 motorfaders, buttons to switch their function (faders jump accordingly) Display to indicate current fader function above each fader, name of fader bank, fader values, etc.

facility to "load" a patch from the 81z via sysex (i.e. request the patch & reassign all the faders to match the loaded parameters so you can start editing)  facility to save/name patch optional (could be done from 81z front panel instead)

Midi merge so you can drive the 81z from a sequencer while you tweak it...

um, is this something that is doable?  Could it be expanded into a generic editor for other synths (CZ-101 anyone?)  Kind of a PC-1600 with motorfaders organized into 'presets' for different synths w/ banks of faders.

I'm still digesting all I've read, so not sure how all the pieces fit together.

Incidentally, I got here by doing a google search after getting samples of some Maxim ADCs & wondering if I could use them w/ a basic stamp to make an 81z editor.

My only controller projects so far are 2 basic stamp based custom talkback logics for radio applications (one works w/ yamaha DM-2000, another with 01v) that lets you address different busses w/ the talkback while dimming the monitors (all via MIDI sysex ) so you don't send the program down the line.  This worked well & I even managed to use illuminated momentary switches for postitive feedback.

[Nomical]

Just discovered the MIDIbox & this site today: YIKES!  I had no idea!  An open source style DIY hardware MIDI project: how cool is that!  And the PCBs can be ordered pre made!!!  I'm psyched!

Here's what I'd loOoOove to make:

A hardware programmer for the Yamaha TX81z FM synth (single mode, not multi) should have:

bank of 8 motorfaders, buttons to switch their function (faders jump accordingly) Display to indicate current fader function above each fader, name of fader bank, fader values, etc.

Yes, i think all of this is possible with MIOS. I wanted the same interaction of encoders beneath my display and was told it was possible

facility to "load" a patch from the 81z via sysex (i.e. request the patch & reassign all the faders to match the loaded parameters so you can start editing)  facility to save/name patch optional (could be done from 81z front panel instead)

Yes, this should be possible. There are standard functions in MIOS which allow loading and saving.

Midi merge so you can drive the 81z from a sequencer while you tweak it...

This is a standard option in MIOS, so don't worry about this one.

um, is this something that is doable?  Could it be expanded into a generic editor for other synths (CZ-101 anyone?)  Kind of a PC-1600 with motorfaders organized into 'presets' for different synths w/ banks of faders.

You can save/load multiple setups in/from a bankstick. (but just 1 can be used at the same time) And if i remember correctly, up to 8 banksticks can be used.

[nebula]

Be forewarned:  The TX81Z sometimes stutters if you send it a lot of continuous sys-ex while it's playing.  Also some parameters (like operator frequency) can be tweaked while a note is sounding, but you won't hear the results until the next note plays.  This could be a little weird if you are trying to tweak, say, a really busy bass line.

The other thing: with motor faders, your controller will probably cost more than your TX81Z is worth!!!  May I suggest you consider rotary encoders, optionally with LED rings.

[Guest futilityengineer]

The TX81Z sometimes stutters if you send it a lot of continuous sys-ex while it's playing.  Also some parameters (like operator frequency) can be tweaked while a note is sounding, but you won't hear the results until the next note plays.  This could be a little weird if you are trying to tweak, say, a really busy bass line

yes, i've noticed this w/ Unisyn & a Cubase mixer map I made once.  Mostly I'd like to make this for coming up w/ new sounds w/out having to mess around w/ a patch editor on a PC or using the built in UI.

The other thing: with motor faders, your controller will probably cost more than your TX81Z is worth!!!  May I suggest you consider rotary encoders, optionally with LED rings.

yeah, that is true, but think how much more valuable the 81z is w/ hardware programmer!  I think the faders would be worth it if I could use the same box for other purposes w/ ease.  If it's just a dedicated TX81z editor, then probably LED rings w/ encoders or even pots in 'hook' mode would be more practical.

any suggestions on what I'd need to  do this?  For the moto-fader option it sounds like I need to build:

core moudule

MF module

AIN module

not sure what else....

but what about for pots or encoders w/ led rings?  guess i should pour over the website for a few more hours tonight  ;)

[der.warst]

This is cool,

I also have a TX81Z and thougt about building something pretty similar to be able to tweak it in a live context  ;D

Still i'm more interested in doing it with encoders, since i can't afford motorfaders...

Please keep me informed about your efforts.

Thanks,

Simolch der Warst