157 replies to this topic

[Kieftenbelt]

This is looking very nice!
Looks for the first sight more easy to built for a DIY beginner!
Maybe a noob question, but in the future I want to make a controller for ProTools, so it has to be a HUI, am I right and is this possible?

[TK.]

I never tried ProTools by myself, but I think that it will work fine in "Logic/Mackie Control Emulation mode".

Btw - an update: SmashTV started the PCB layout!

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[veermaster]

Hello TK,
is there a netlist of the MF V3 board available? I´m planning my first midibox(es) since a few months now and would like to try a PCB layout for the new MF boards. Of course I could just use the schematic and do it from scratch but I thought it´s worth asking to save some time.
Thanks for all your efforts!
Emre

[TK.]

Hi Emre,

SmashTV created a netlist + Eagle layout, just contact him, you could help with prototype testing if you are able to etch the PCB by yourself.

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[veermaster]

Hello TK,
this is good news! I will contact SmashTV and will be very happy to test the PCB layout. As for faders I´m gonna use good old ALPS RSA0N11M9A06, so not too much betatesting here... I´ll keep you informed.
Regards, Emre

[smashtv]

Hi *!

The layout is almost there but needs a bit of cleanup work.

I will post the layout here in this thread when it's ready for testing/feedback. (translation: no need to ask me privately for the files)

Time frame: days not weeks, I guesstimate a couple more hours of cleanup will get it there - the trace tetris time sink is already done.

I have attached an in process image, not to tease but to show it's moving.

Best regards

Tim

Attached Files

•  Picture 4.png   111.36K   191 downloads

[veermaster]

Hello Tim,
when mailing you, I was trying to offer some help. Please excuse me, if this felt urging to you, it wasn´t meant to be!
Anyway, if there is anything I could do just let me know...
Cheers, Emre

[smashtv]

Hi Emre!

when mailing you, I was trying to offer some help. Please excuse me, if this felt urging to you, it wasn´t meant to be!

No worries I did not perceive this as urging from you, I just gave a quick progress report on the layout here in the thread so I would not have so many emails to write (a few other people also requested the files via my inbox).

Anyway, if there is anything I could do just let me know...

Will do.... are you etching in house or planning to use a proto service?

Best regards

Tim

[veermaster]

Hello Tim,
I`ll have someone etching the boards for me (platinenbelicher.de).
The layout looks super already (a lot better than my first tries )!
Regards, Emre

Edited by veermaster, 04 May 2011 - 08:09.

[ilmenator]

(platinenbelicher.de).

Just in case others are interested in this service: there is a typo in the above web address, http://www.platinenbelichter.de is correct!

[veermaster]

I´m sorry, yes, www.platinenbelichter.de is correct.
Wrote that post, when I was bathing my kids...

Edited by veermaster, 05 May 2011 - 12:37.

[veermaster]

Dear TK,

By enabling the MIDI merger it will be possible to chain MBHP_MF_V3 with a common core module.
The "Faked Logic/Mackie Control" Mode will handle the Pitch Bender Events.

Do I get it right, that I can run the LC App on a Core8 module connecting a MF V3 board to it? Then I have to enable a so called "midi merge function" through MIOS studio and have the MF V3 integrated?

The schematic is final, the firmware is released in the repository and I can send you an MIOS Studio update for calibration (or you can compile it by yourself).

Best Regards, Thorsten.

I just asked Mike to program a PIC18F452 for this purpose and showed him the above link, but he told me he would need a hex file. Could you provide me with a link to the needed file and would you be so kind to also send me the MIOS Studio update?

Thanks so much!
Emre

[TK.]

Do I get it right, that I can run the LC App on a Core8 module connecting a MF V3 board to it? Then I have to enable a so called "midi merge function" through MIOS studio and have the MF V3 integrated?

Yes, just connect the module between the MIDI Out of your computer and the MIDI IN of the core which is running the (MIOS8 based) MBLC application.
Enable the "MIDIbox Link Forwarding Point", so that events generated by the faders will be tunneled through the MBLC merger.
Important: use the default operation mode of MBHP_MF_V3 (Pitchbender events received/sent on channel 1..8), don't enable the faked LC Emulation as this could confuse your DAW.

I just asked Mike to program a PIC18F452 for this purpose and showed him the above link, but he told me he would need a hex file. Could you provide me with a link to the needed file and would you be so kind to also send me the MIOS Studio update?

Since MBHP_MF_V3 is a common MIOS8 application, it has to be programmed together with MIOS via MIDI.
So:
- you need a PIC18F452 with preburned MIOS8 Bootloader V1.2b
- once you built the MBHP_MF_V3 module, upload MIOS V1.9g (see also http://www.ucapps.de...ap_newbies.html)
- thereafter upload the MBHP_MF_V3 application
- thereafter you can configure and test/calibrate the motorfaders with the MBHP_MF V3 tool which is part of MIOS Studio

Code upload and configuration has to be done while MIDI IN/OUT of the MBHP_MF V3 are *directly* connected to your computer (the link via MBLC probably won't work)

The configuration tool is already part of MIOS Studio 2.2.1

Link to MBHP_MF V3 application: http://www.ucapps.de...bhp_mf_v3_0.zip
Again: the .hex file which is part of this package can't be burned with a PIC programmer, it can only be uploaded via MIDI. The PIC requires the common MIOS8 bootloader instead!

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[veermaster]

Thanks for clearing things up for me Thorsten, much appreciated!
Cheers, Emre

[veermaster]

In the schematic of the MF V3 there is a connector J11. May I ask, what its purpose is?
Thanks, Emre

[Screaming_Rabbit]

In the schematic of the MF V3 there is a connector J11. May I ask, what its purpose is?
Thanks, Emre

... to connect it to the Core board (Midi I/O at TTL level).

Greets, Roger

[veermaster]

... to connect it to the Core board (Midi I/O at TTL level).

Greets, Roger

Thank you Roger for your fast reply.
I´m trying to understand how to setup my Midibox LC with the upcoming MF V3.
Thorsten already gave an answer to this, so if I get it right I connect my computers MIDI OUT to my MV V3 MIDI IN (connector J13). Then I connect my MF V3 MIDI OUT (con J12) to the CORE8 MIDI IN (con J13) and the CORE8 MIDI OUT (con J12) to my computers MIDI IN. At which point does MF V3 con J11 come into play?
I´ve been messing around with a custom layout for the MF V3. Tim, please don´t take my move wrong, it´s just that I want to build one big faderbox with 24 faders and would like to avoid too much cable soldering. Also I want to power them all from one external PSU so I just skipped that part. But of course I will still be happy to betatest your design when it is ready!
For those who are interested I attached my design (8 faders). I still have to check everything and get some things clear before having it etched. Also I attached a design for the knobs and encoders (4 channels). BTW these are my first two PCB designs so please be kind to me!
Once everything is ready and I know what I´m talking about I will write a nice summary of my Midibox adventures. I´m pretty sure it will turn out great!
Thanks again everybody,
Emre

Attached Files

•  MF Taster 4x6.jpg   318.4K   220 downloads
•  MF V3.jpg   340.01K   210 downloads

[veermaster]

Answering my own question: "Midibox LINK" seems to be the magic word! I just found that site describing the concept of how to chain two or more Core equipped modules. So it looks like the interconnection of the MF V3 and Core8 is made through J11 on both modules (MO to MI). Do I have to take out the 6N138 of the Core8?
And for education purposes: could someone translate the term "TTL Level"?
Thank you,
Emre

[Screaming_Rabbit]

Answering my own question: "Midibox LINK" seems to be the magic word! I just found that site describing the concept of how to chain two or more Core equipped modules. So it looks like the interconnection of the MF V3 and Core8 is made through J11 on both modules (MO to MI). Do I have to take out the 6N138 of the Core8

Yes, it's the Link function (TK explained it somewhere in this topic).
6N138 is not necessary anymore but does not matter if you don't take it out.

And for education purposes: could someone translate the term "TTL Level"?
Thank you,
Emre

TTL

Greets, Roger

[veermaster]

Thank you for that link, Roger, I got it!