MIDIbox + Merger?

[rodneon]

First off, I'm new to this project and I think it's amazing! I can't wait to build my own MIDIbox.

I was wondering if it's possible (and feasible) to build a MIDIbox and a 2-input merger using the same core module. Also, can the DIN module be used for MIDI input or is it only designed for buttons, rotary encoders, etc?

[Duggle]

Hi,

Midi-in generally requires a hardware UART. Unfortunately the Core has only one. The exception to this is the Midimerger application which uses all its CPU power to implement a second UART. The answer (not eligant but works) is to integrate a second Core board into your Midibox, configured as a dedicated merger.

cheers

[AndrewMartens]

It might be possible to use an I2C or SPI UART for the second merge port, instead of just bit-banging one of the digital IO lines as in the original merger design.  A MAX3100 (iirc) chip would be useful for this.

However, that would require a lot of tinkering with MIOS to make it work.

[rodneon]

I figured it might be possible but would require a lot of reprogramming of the MIOS... I was just curious. It's not that expensive to build the merger anyway, so I might just implement a merger along with my MIDIbox project.

Thanks for the replies.