A more complex MIDI-DIN Sync convertor?

[Byron G. Jacquot]

>For AVR the real cheapo way take a look at the Handyman.(sorry forgot the
>url)
>The ISP software for the handyman works with all other AVRs too.
>BTW Atmel says the new AVRs with prog bootblok (download prog over sysex if
>you wish to) will be avail. in december.

>From what I've seen, the parts with the boot block are going to be some of
the larger AVRs, descentents of the current Mega series of parts.  They're
really powerful for "small" microcontrollers.  But for a lot of simple MIDI
widgets, they're probably overpowered.

I've used 8515's in several small designs (mostly add-on hardware for the
SKT200 board), building step-sequencers, a simple keyboard controller, an
arpeggiator, etc, each with IO and codespace room to spare.  Things like
MIDI channel filtering, simple merging, etc could probably be done in one of
the really small parts, like the 1200, with a bit-banged software UART.

The Mega parts could make some really powerful MIDI devices, maybe even
low-level DSPs!

One other note on AVRs: they're suddenly rather scarse.  It seems Atmel
didn't anticipate their popularity, and demand is exceeding the current
supply.  I've ehard of lead times of 25 to 40 weeks!  They're blaming the
current shortage on things like cell phones, as well as the very high demand
for Flash memories from all sides.  When they're fabbing Flash, they aren't
making micros :-(  

Let's hope things get better soon!

Byron Jacquot