I want you to recommend me a good book !

[dcreatorx]

Hello, I'm a starter on electronics and MIDI. I'd started a MIDIBOX SID and finally i can get sound of it. But I got a feeling inside me that is telling me "You don't know almost nothing, learn, read,absorb" Can somebody recommend me a book to deeply understand MIDI and sysex ? Thanks.

[Jidis]

Welcome :D ,

You'll probably need to be more specific on the areas you're looking at learning about (the MB thing covers a lot of different ground), but my guess is that you'll want to know more about the actual "communication" than just the MIDI data format. PIC code is a world unto itself, and fortunately Thorsten's stuff is pretty well commented as to what it's doing, but it's also written for a pretty "hefty" chip for a beginner, and it involves multiple source files and functions, as well as it's own unique operating system, which may be difficult for someone just getting started (they are for me at least). What worked well for me (for PIC stuff) was a beginner's book by Square1 Electronics called Easy Microcontrollin'. More importantly, was the study of several small "MIDI related" DIY PIC projects on the web, for different MIDI-to-trigger and clock circuits on some smaller PIC's. The Square1 book is fairly inexpensive and pretty short and spread out, so it doesn't take a substantial amount of time to get through, and it will give you some good foundation for understanding PIC assembler code and the bank/pin input & output methods,clocks, bit shifting (rotating), and even some basic binary theory. That book has been under several names (like Easy PIC'n), but I don't think it's changed much (www.sq-1.com should have some revision details). Note- It does deal exclusively with the common (and older) PIC 16F84, and some of the assembler techniques have been changed (or become obsolete) over the years, but the bulk of it is likely still valid, plus if you can get a grasp on that particular chip and the book's basic PIC applications, you'll have a better chance of figuring out exactly what the differences are via datasheets and web info. For PIC stuff, they have several others, but after the good experience with that one, I grabbed their "Serial Communications" book as well. I haven't had that too long, and have been merely skimming through it, along with two other new ones (two by Myke Predko: "Programming and Customizing PIC Microcontrollers" <old>, and "Digital Electronics Demystified"). The D.E.D. book looks pretty good, and was quite inexpensive. I think you can get it used on Amazon for around $12 here in the US. It briefly covers some of the stuff in the other, and I've even noticed "directly copied" sections between them. He's also sort of famous for typos and junk, but you get used to it. ;D

The whole serial thing seems pretty important here, as it's a critical part of moving info between MIDI devices, PIC's,etc., and also plays a big part in larger i/o systems for DIY microcontroller circuits, where you'll need to use shift register and multiplexing chips to split a smaller number of lines (PIC pins) to a larger number of lights,buttons, or knobs (like with Thorsten's).

For the basic "MIDI data format" stuff, there are plenty of intro documents and websites online (sorry I don't have any links right off), but with some of the aforementioned PIC books, or anything else which can give you an adequate understanding of binary/hex/logical operators, and how data gets moved around and stored between digital devices, the MIDI formats will make a lot more sense to you and sort of explain themselves. Most of the MIDI applications here appear to deal more or less with the general note/controller/clock part of it, so you probably won't need to dig too deeply into any manufacturer's proprietary system exclusive styles (not now at least), unless you get into writing applications specifically for a certain device or something later on.

Paul Messick has a "way too deep" book on "general" MIDI programming for the computer, but it sort of assumes you already have a solid understanding of C/C++. It covers more of the clock and timing crap, as well as the obvious MIDI data formatting, but it's also getting sort of old (OS-wise), and I haven't needed to refer to it for much of anything here (or even understood it for that matter). ;)

For basic electronics,soldering and all, you'll be happy to learn that much of what's here can even be utilized on a "paint by numbers" level, by ordering whichever of the easy, modular MBHP circuits you need, directly from members here. You can use most of it without an immediate knowledge of much of the electronics theory behind it, or knowing how some of the passive components are involved in moving the data around the circuits or IC's. If you choose to get into that, you always could, but you'd probably have to start at the bottom and work up to anything used here, beginning with "regular" electronics theory (DC/AC), and into semiconductors, digital, etc. The whole digital electronics area is sufficiently deep, and you'll work a lot with simple all-or-nothing binary electrical levels, so if you choose, you can probably avoid some of the electronics theory, but you'll obviously need it if you get serious about that field.

If you need some basic soldering and analog circuit assembly info, there are a bunch of tutorials, etc. on the web, and Craig Anderton also has a decent, inexpensive older book ("Electronic Projects for Musicians"), which can get you started as well, and even has some useful audio circuits in it.

The box construction is what you make of it, and is more a matter of taste and/or skills. You'll find some fascinating, innovative construction techniques by the users here and on the uCApps site.

Hope some of that helps!

Good Luck and Have Fun,

                                                                    George     

[dcreatorx]

This post has a great info value. Thank you for introducing me in to a whole new world of information. I will check carefully how to get all those books, or at least the books I'll need. Thank you so much, and every comment is welcome. Thank you all.

[Jidis]

Glad that was helpful. Made me late for where I was headed earlier. ;)

(Just kidding. I'd have found another way to get late anyway. ;D)

BTW- I've gotten way more help from the people here myself. Just remember to return the favor to someone when the time or situation arises.

Take Care