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Free, Open-Source MIDI Interrupter

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Daniel Kramnik

Mon Feb 13 2012, 04:54AM

Registered Member #3885 Joined: Sun May 15 2011, 12:47AM
Location: Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Posts: 94

Hey all!

Just to reintroduce myself, my name is Daniel and I'm a high school junior from MA.

I just finished my first MIDI interrupter, it's kind of a disaster (in terms of the way it's implemented - I use a MIDI->text converter and then serial over the frequencies and durations to my Arduino using an objective-C code on my Mac and then synthesize the notes with a pulsewidth calculator), but it seems to work:

Just as a show of hands, who would be interested in helping me make a completely free and open MIDI DRSSTC interrupter with full hardware and software documentation? There was a lot of resistance from the coiling community when I emailed around asking for help, and I'm determined to make that change. I understand the arguments against putting up schematics and code and board files, and I understand their merits, but I think that if there was a large group of people working together on one universal MIDI controller, we would all feel less ripped off and unhappy about giving out our work for free.

-Daniel

Giwan

Mon Feb 13 2012, 09:29AM

Registered Member #4368 Joined: Thu Jan 26 2012, 08:15PM
Location:
Posts: 10

dear daniel,

I found alot of resistance by coilers too when i asked for help on a midi interptor too.
So i tried something myself but it's not quite working so i stopped with it.
i would be very very very happy if you could send me the software and hardware listing and a schematic
because your coil seems to work very well!!!! amazed

thanks in advance (also if you don't want to send it, I'd understand!)

(if you wouldn't mind sending me all of this than my email is: **link**)

E.TexasTesla

Mon Feb 13 2012, 04:48PM

Registered Member #4362 Joined: Sat Jan 21 2012, 03:44AM
Location: Texas
Posts: 98

I say post it. Thats the beauty of the internet, Free information.
Just be prepared to get hit with a million questions and lots of criticism.

Dr. Drone

Mon Feb 13 2012, 07:14PM

Registered Member #290 Joined: Mon Mar 06 2006, 08:24PM
Location:
Posts: 1673

Steve Conner

Mon Feb 13 2012, 07:28PM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

A musical DRSSTC is a difficult project. Getting code for the interrupter is probably the least of your worries, although getting it to play in tune could be harder than you think.

Also, as Dr. Spark says, not many people have the time to run technical support for their designs.

Steve Ward

Mon Feb 13 2012, 07:59PM

Registered Member #146 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 04:21AM
Location: Austin Tx
Posts: 1055

I decided i'd put out some details on a simple MIDI controller i designed years ago for single-coil controls. All the source files are posted here:

Im probably not going to make a big writeup on how it works, but i think its simple enough for people to figure it out if they know whats supposed to happen with these things. If someone wants to take ownership of the open source project and use my work, all i ask is for some recognition and that you dont sell it for your own benefit (hah, like i can really control that, but seriously it would piss me off).

Musical coil controllers were considered to be a big deal for a long time by people who made their own, and rightfully so, it was often a lot of work to give up for free! But ive since realized that anyone who wants a musical tesla coil is probably gonna figure it out anyway, and thats fine, they should have it. The lame part is that a musical controller like this is so stupidly easy to replicate since its just a chip on a board, and the code is already done, just program it and watch it work.

Anyway, have fun with the free files and stuff, please dont expect me to support your technical problems if you fail to make this thing work! I do know that it *does* work since ive ordered those boards and programmed them with that code, so if you cant make it work its a problem for *you* to figure out

Goodchild

Tue Feb 14 2012, 06:45AM

Registered Member #2292 Joined: Fri Aug 14 2009, 05:33PM
Location: The Wild West AKA Arizona
Posts: 795

I've felt the same way as most about MIDI controllers. I spent 2 years and a good deal of money perfecting my controller. It was not something I wanted to just put out as free. I agree that once you have an understanding of the workings it becomes rather simple, but to the ones just starting out it's going to be all greek!

I will say one thing, I learned more about MCUs and coding designing and debugging a working MIDI controller than anything I did previously. If you do embark on making your own controller you are sure to learn a LOT!

Happy debugging!

Oh also In response to the original video:

hehe

Killa-X

Wed Feb 15 2012, 01:32AM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

I would agree with Dr. Sparks. I can not blame a single person, who spent a lot of time and work into a midi controller, to not want to share the code or how they did it. Personally, I wouldnt either unless someone paid me, because things dont come free in life too often. Quiet personally i would BUY steve wards schematics to build the coils. Lucky enough he displays them free.

ajacks504

Wed Feb 15 2012, 03:33AM

Registered Member #4396 Joined: Mon Feb 06 2012, 11:58PM
Location:
Posts: 30

Well that was awfully generous of you Steve, thanks man. Looks great.

Placed a order for the board at Batch PCB, Mouser parts on the way. Still waiting on some Optek/Avago optical part samples.

I know you said no support, but.... ;)

I have only one Q, I don't immediately see how to hookup the pots to the pads on the board.

I'm assuming its ok to use any reasonably large valued pots and configure them as a voltage divider between vcc and gnd, then feed the "wipers" to the uC's ADC pins?

Steve Ward

Mon Feb 20 2012, 11:16PM

Registered Member #146 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 04:21AM
Location: Austin Tx
Posts: 1055

I have only one Q, I don't immediately see how to hookup the pots to the pads on the board.

I'm assuming its ok to use any reasonably large valued pots and configure them as a voltage divider between vcc and gnd, then feed the "wipers" to the uC's ADC pins?

Yup, thats right. I usually daisy chain the Vcc and ground between the 2 pots rather than provide more pads on the board for that.

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