Design question..

[gokhan]

Hello everybody,

First I want to thank to evetbody who have contributed to such a great information, especially Thorsten. I am reading for about two days about midibox. SO far I understand that it is very flexible and everybody can make its own midi box. But I didnt understand some points which I want to ask you:

1) For example I want to make the MB64. I will use some pots buttons and faders. And ? will also use 2 encoder pots. Is this possible. Can i connect tem to the DIN module?

2) Do I have to make changes on the P?C program when I change pots with faders?

3) If I want to add for example two DIN modules for the encoders, then will i have to change the Program?

4) I didn't understand the things about all the SysEx... and so. ( I mean the software part). I dont know assembly or C, so how can I modify the PiC program for my needs?

5) The last question; I want to use my Mbox with Reason 2.5, so how I gonna do that? Or Ableton Live or another application?

Thank you :)

[moebius]

Hello everybody,

Welcome, please make yourself comfortable here...

1) For example I want to make the MB64. I will use some pots buttons and faders. And ? will also use 2 encoder pots. Is this possible. Can i connect tem to the DIN module?

Mixing encoders and pots is possible. I can't give you any tips how to do this - "!Forum Gurus, please show up?!?!"

2) Do I have to make changes on the P?C program when I change pots with faders?

You mean normal pots? No, what so ever -> If the fader is 10KOhm linear one.

3) If I want to add for example two DIN modules for the encoders, then will i have to change the Program?

Yes. And a quite a bit ;) (Please, prove me wrong with some .ASM :D)

4) I didn't understand the things about all the SysEx... and so. ( I mean the software part). I dont know assembly or C, so how can I modify the PiC program for my needs?

By learning the PIC assembly for a 18F452?!? The most simple configuration problems (pots+encs - I think somebody asked about it and the application to modify was MB64E with simple modification to support analog pots..) should be resolved here?!

5) The last question; I want to use my Mbox with Reason 2.5, so how I gonna do that? Or Ableton Live or another application?

I'd guess, there's no thing like Reason, in Comp.music..damn,  version 3 is out.. Well. For controlling reason, you should search for CC mappings..

BYe--Mobius, Just flipping on some HArdFloor...... . . . .

[Duggle]

hi,

alternatively, learn about the standard applications that do not require you to program in assembler. They are extremely flexible in both the hardware configuration and the event mapping. If you can adapt your aims to achieve what you want using an existing framework such MB64 or MB64E, you will be up and running so much earlier. It is likely that some of your ideas about what you need for midi/music workflow may change after using your control surface for a while.

Sysex is used to upload and burn applications to your midibox. It is also used to upload configurations that may be edited in a text editor or vmidibox. (youll discover these as you keep reading...)

cheers

[gokhan]

Thank you for your attention

I started to build the MB64. I made the Core module. I have one question now;

When I know connect the LCD the LCD does not display anything. Is this OK or Do I have to connect at least one input module and connect to the PC so that the LCD displays? Where can I know now that my Core module works?

Thank you

[illogik]

hi,

I made the Core module

you; soldered everything?

         have tested for the right voltages?

         (have put in a PIC burned with the bootstraploader (or a pre programmed one from the kit supplier)?)

if you now connect the lcd and turn up the contrast trimpot on the core, you should be able to see a row of black blocks. if you dont see em, there is something wrong with the lcd cable or the core module (power)

Do I have to connect at least one input module and connect to the PC so that the LCD displays?

so, no , only a working core module.

if this checks out, you can upload the operating system; MIOS, through midi. If you do this correctly the display now shows something like "MIOS 1.7".

>then you know core and lcd are good

cheers, marcel

[gokhan]

thanks a lot. I have checked the core and now when i connec it i see the black boxes. But i couldn't understand the Bootstrap loader. And how to do it. I read about it but couldn't understand most of it. Is there another very "simple" step by step guide? Thank you very  much.

[Duggle]

hi,

As you will read, the primary bootstrap loader is once only (per core) operation that needs to be performed using a programming device such as JDM. Thereafter all MIOS and application uploads are done via midi without the need for the JDM. This is why some people buy their PICs off SmashTV with the bootloader and MIOS preprogrammed. (I've had very good experience ordering from Smash's webshop).

The JDM is easy, cheap to build. Some people have problems with it, but I never have. There is a new, more reliable programming device available called MBHP Burner comming out.

I recommend the "Sysexbox" applet for managing the MIOS and application uploads. MidiOX works but is harder to set up.

Unfortunately, there is no other documentation apart from what's at uCApps.de (that I know of)

If you patiently read everything and follow the instructions you can be confident of success as many hundereds of midiboxers have been this way before you!

If you have the knack for documentation your offerings will be greatfully received at the midibox.org WIKI.

cheers

[gokhan]

Hello :)

I loaded the mios_bootstrap_loader_v1_1b into the Pic via a JDM. Then I made the LTC module connected it to the core and the LTC to the parallel Port of the PC. (I have no midi ports) But when i open "sysexbox" or "midi ox" then it says "there are no midi inout device". Do we have to connect the midibox from the "midi in" port?

:) Thank you very much

Gokhan

[moebius]

Hi,

Well.. I hope you connected the LTC to the serial port, afterall ;) You'll need a serial midi driver installed  in your computer to make it work. See: http://www.ucapps.de/midibox_to_com.html for the choices available.. some drivers seem to work better than others, in some systems.

Also remember, that your PICs bootstrap loader has to be burned with PIC ID header, that has MIDIbox-to-COM interface enabled. See the Bootstrap Loader page for the information. (This is mostly for the MIOS/Application downloads - the most applications support changing between MIDI/COM baudrate from the configuration menu)

Bye, Moebius

[gokhan]

Thank you for your help. I read the to-com page and found that i must change something in the source code. It says :code located in init.inc, function: Init_USART.  Where is this init.inc? I only have the bootstrap loader which has 2 hex and 1 readme file.

Thank you very much and excuse me if I ask so stupid questions:)

Gokhan