Soon to be TWO new MBFMs

[paisleyartmachine]

Hello everyone. I am an electronic music lover, and particularly a lover of FM synthesis. I love the flexibility that it gives you, I feel personally that you can do a fantastic amount more than you can with traditional subtractive synthesis. My only gripe with it was that the only way you could get FM synthesis was digitally... or you could shell out for the Cyndustries ZeroOscillator which is $1000 a pop. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across this website in a determined frenzy to find analog FM synthesis. To the genius(es) who took the time and care to design this masterpiece instrument, THANK YOU SO SO VERY MUCH.

I love my FM synths so much that I want to have a couple to do pads and bass and drums with all at the same time. So I am going to go ahead and order all of the parts for 2 complete functioning MBFM synths.

Before I do this I wanted to make sure that I was in total understanding of everything that I need to do. So I just wanted to ask a couple of questions about the areas that I am a little hazy.

1st, when I order the core kits and I get the pic pre-programmed am I supposed to get a PIC18F452 or do I need to get a newer pic? Also are the MIOS 1.9 AND the Midibox FM program installed onto the same chip, or are these programs installed to seperate places? If so where, and also when new software updates become available what will I need to do to upgrade my synths?

2nd, Where do I go to find the soldering instructions for both of the boards? I found the PDF's with the routing instructions, But I haven't really found anything that was really clear as far as where to solder what. Am I just supposed to use the MHBP_OPL3.GIf as my soldering guide? Or is there a more detailed guide that is a little eaiser to read?

3rd, Is there any place that I can go to find a +12V/-12V power supply to order? I don't really feel that I have a very firm grasp on power supplies and would be hesitant to build my own.

I guess those are my biggest questions at the moment. I am sure I will have more after I get these ones answered.

Best,

-p<A>m

[DavidBanner]

Hi Ya,

And welcome to the board!

So I just wanted to ask a couple of questions about the areas that I am a little hazy.

hehehe - I know that feeling well, it's followed by a feeling that your brain is melting once you really start to absorb the info.

Everything you need to know can be found on the web site, wiki and by searching the forums. This is a DIY site so it's all about putting the research and effort in, when u get stuck there are lots of very clued up people around to point you in the right direction.

PIC18F452 or do I need to get a newer pic?

It depends on the application you intend to upload or code yourself. Most stuff is fine on the PIC18F452, check the docs for the program(s) u intend to use.

If you get the PICs from smashTv MIOS is already uploaded, you upload the programs u need into the same chip after u have uploaded MIOS (if u didn't get the chips from smashTV).

All new updates will be found on uCApps, any updates can be done via midi.

2nd, Where do I go to find the soldering instructions for both of the boards?

Read the board - it's all there.

I would suggest u start by ordering some kits from smashTV, check his site top to bottom - there are some great resources on there too.

Is there any place that I can go to find a +12V/-12V power supply to order

search the forums - huge wealth of info on that subject to be found there...

[paisleyartmachine]

Hi there, and thanks for welcoming me to the board. I am happy to be here. Yes I will make sure that I do-it-myself as much as possible. I really appreciate the whole concept of this community. Building your own instruments to make your own music with. How romantic and artistic!

And on that note I have got the PSU unit issue figured out. With a little browsing I stumbled across this awesome note about connecting a CORE and a MIDIBOX LC together, and lo and behold it takes a +5V and +12V/-12V PSU to do it! So I have the part number and everything #FSA55P31

Fantastic! One issue is now solved(ish). Of course I know when I actually get the PSU I am going to be scratching my head about how to hook the things together, BUT THATS OKAY! At least I will know I have the tools necissary to complete my mission.

[i know this is another really newbie question BUT, I am guessing from what I just read from DavidBanner is that I install the midibox FM program through midi after I get my machine all assembled. Is there a program that I use to do this? Jsynthlib maybe has a way of transmitting the code through my midi interface? I have done some looking around and this isn't obvious. Any help would be greatly appreciated.] <--- Actually I just got this figured out. MIOS Studio is the tool that you use to do this. I have it all bookmarked and downloaded for refrence so this is really just quite fantastic. I think I may very well have all of the info that I need to get my first FM synth built!!!

Okay thanks guys, More soon.

-p<A>m

[DavidBanner]

ahhh!

nice work there, you answered all your own questions - my work here is done (for now) ;)