82 replies to this topic

[TK.]

Yes, should work ok, but it could make sense to use a low-drop regulator instead of the 7805, so that the unusued power won't be transfered into heat.
Unfortunately I cannot give you recommendations for "known good parts"...

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Sasha]

Thank you TK. I`m always struggling with wires and cables. I will try to find some low drop regulator.

[modularkomplex]

Hi,

I've built a Clockbox with a slightly changed hardware (4 additional buttons for menu handling) and changed / improved the software to met my requirements.

As a starting point I've used the "clockbox_v1_1_w_divisor" provided by mess.
This is my first project coded in C (and first time coding for a microcontroller), so please forgive me if some additions to the code are not best practice. Hints are welcome.

General config:
If you dont have the mentioned additional 4 buttons, you can set the define "MENU_BUTTONS" in main.h to "0" to keep the handling of mess' version. You could/should set "NUMBER_OF_SRIO" back to 3 then, also.
Note: MULTI_CLOCK_OPTION is to "0" for security measures, set it back to "1" if multiple outs are used.

Some words about the shuffle:
Each shuffle-pattern consists of 12 bytes, each bit can be seen as a (virtual) tick in a 96ppqn-sheme. The 12 bytes represent a 1/4 note. If every 4th bit is set (binary 10001000 or 136 in decimal) you get a straight
normal timing. Shifting the bits of the single bytes here and there brings up the wanted shuffling. When doing your own shuffle-pattern ensure that there should be exactly 24 set bits per pattern or it would run async.

Compatibility note:
At low bpm-settings and/or high divisions and/or some shuffle-patterns some seqencer may have problems to follow the clock and switch to internal clock-signal. I had this problem with a Electribe R-MKII and
first thougt of a bug in my shuffle-function but on further inspection it was the fallback-function of the Electribe.
Another tested sequencer, the MAM SQ16, didnt show this behavior.

My changelog:

Changed: Migrated to SDCC v2.7.0
Changed: Stripped MTC-code (As there were no changes to this branch, someone can use clockbox 1.1)
Changed: Slave-Outs should not get a START- or STOP-Message when in inactive mode.
Fixed: SONG-POSITION was not sent to slave-outs when master-play is activated.
Changed: When a slave-out is activated, further play-button presses should not send START-Messages.
Changed: When a slave-out is inactive, further stop-button presses should not send STOP-Messages.
Changed: (De)activating of outputs when not in run-mode now possible.
Changed: Reordered the screen-elements to get space for the menue.
Added: Added a simple menu-structure using buttons on DIN-Pins 24-27.
Changed: Stop-button works now as a shift-key to swap menu-pages with encoder; shift-pause is stop now.
Changed: Menu is only shown when shift-key is pressed to save display-space.
Changed: Resolution is set to 96ppqn, main out has fixed devision of 4, other outs are devided through shuffle.
Added: Shuffle function implemented, 7 pattern + pattern 0 for no shuffle. (Menu: SFL)
Added: Option to use old handling without additional buttons.
Changed: Shift+Play on a certain slave-out selects this track for edit
Added:  Configure-option if an slave-out uses stop/start or stop/continue (Menu: SCS)
Added: Configure-option if start/stop toggles on next bar or beat (Menu: BBC)
Added: Configure-option if SONG-POSITION is sent to slave-outs on activation of this out (Menu: SPC)
Changed: Shuffle and divisor-settings get active on next beat to prevent asyncronicity; direct, when not running
Added: Save and load settings to/from eeprom. (4 patches each with 64 bytes (not fully used yet)) (Menu: SAV / LOA)  

Planned: Save and load config to/from bankstick and formatting bankstick (not working yet)

I hope, someone can use this.

Cheers,
Mike

Attached Files

•  IMG_0066s.jpg   55.75K   91 downloads
•  clockbox_v1_5ekx.zip   123.15K   10 downloads
•  IMG_0066s.jpg   55.75K   94 downloads
•  clockbox_v1_5ekx.zip   123.15K   32 downloads

[stryd_one]

When doing your own shuffle-pattern ensure that there should be exactly 24 set bits per pattern or it would run async.

Unless you *want* it to do that

Cool mod man! The shuffle patterns are an interesting idea!

[TK.]

Hi Mike,

great work! I really like it when an application evolves this way!

Are you interested to publish your variant in the new project repository?
As you can see here, we've a much more clean directory structure meanwhile. You could create a new directory, and maintain the application on the SVN server in future

We've a special board where you can read about the details (and get write access to the SVN server). Just drop me a mail to get programmers status

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Sasha]

I just recently tried to sync some of my gear and experienced problems (drifting). So I decided to build an clockbox to take care of it. I tested it with x0xb0x and PC ans seams it`s working fine. I`ll go with Mike`s code modification. Thanks Mike.
This is work in progress design of the unit itself. For buttons and caps I decided to recycle PC keyboard as it seams most durable for the job and cost me almost nothing.

Some advice or suggestion is very welcome

EDIT: picture changed

[stryd_one]

Cool. I'd move the Stop buttons above the play buttons (better to hit play by accident, than to hit stop by accident), and the encoder to the right side (easier to reach)

[Sasha]

I agree. Thanks for the advice.

[modularkomplex]

Nice design! But note, that with my code you'll need seperate (global) play- and pause-buttons (or need to modify the code).

[stryd_one]

No sweat sasha, keep us posted. I can give you a hand with merging the play/pause button if you like.

[Sasha]

Mike, my mistake. I thought you joined play/pause. It is not problem to add dedicated pause button. Stryd, thanks for an offer, If I find out one more button don`t fits the arrangement on my design I`ll ask for you help. ;)
Mike, did I left something else?

[modularkomplex]

No, nothing else missed. Perhaps the one thing I missed, too: Space for stickers on the front to name the channels. It can be confusing with many connected slaves.

[Sasha]

I also didn`t left the place for stickers. Remembering which is where is not good idea after few beers on a gig. Doesn`t it? I`ll left more space at the bottom for the labels. Thanks for the tip.

[Sasha]

Here is the clockbox EPS layout for 8 x MIDI out if somebody needs it. The layout is tested and it it works OK. It could probably be better done but I`m new to Eagle. :P

Attached Files

•  clockbox-io.zip   78.08K   25 downloads
•  clockbox-io.gif   16.64K   83 downloads
•  clockbox-io.zip   78.08K   14 downloads
•  clockbox-io.gif   16.64K   78 downloads

[Phattline]

my design, i build it in a broken behringer device, i only had a patch of 2x40 characta display @ home so...

Attached Files

•  DSC00001.JPG   204.4K   118 downloads
•  DSC00001.JPG   204.4K   92 downloads

[stryd_one]

Nice 1. How'd you get the silkscreen off the panel?

[Phattline]

with sandpaper  ;)

[stryd_one]

I thought that'd kill the finish, but it looks like it was blank. Nice one

[Phattline]

no the finis is alright...just take 1000er paper

[stryd_one]

Thanks man... Wet or dry?