[sdiy] MIDI Router

[Sean Ellis]

Its not exactly what you want but maybe look at a Kawai MAV-8, works very 
well for me.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matthew Smith" <matt at smiffytech.com>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 4:26 AM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] MIDI Router


> Quoth Scott Nordlund at 2009-04-11 10:41...
>> It would be a lot easier to just use switches.
>>I don't know how often you'd really need to go
>>messing around with it, but for my purposes at
>>least it would be more or less "set and forget".
>>You'd need a microcontroller if you wanted to
>>merge/filter/etc. (in which case you'd do the
>>routing in software rather than using the
>>multiplexers) or to store settings, but for
>>simple routing I don't know how much useful
>>functionality it would really add.
>
> Have to agree to disagree on that ;-)
>
> The whole reason for having this device is to be able to change routings
> frequently - especially the MIDI outs of modules going to the computer
> for backups.  I can send patch changes quickly and easily from my K5000
> workstation.
>
> As regards microcontrollers, I come from a very much digital background
> and, for me, they are often the simplest and economic solution for a
> whole host of applications.  Also a big fan of distributed computing -
> inclined to use several slow/cheap devices rather than one big, fast,
> expensive one.  I2C, SPI can make life easy. (That will require more
> complex programming and also be a pig to solder!)
>
> I looked at using a microcontroller for routing when I first considered
> this but then realised that I would need something very fast to do so,
> if I were to scan 8 (or more) inputs running at MIDI Baud rate, then
> reproduce the incoming state on the outputs.  Note that this isn't just
> an 8 into 1, it could be up to 16 into 16 which would require a heck of
> a sampling rate which would entail the use of devices that I'm not
> familiar with programming and have not-so-friendly SMD packages to solder.
>
> Using multiplexers means that I can use a pair of slow, $3, uCs and 8 x
> $0.25 mux devices to do the job.  (Using the extra uC(s) because it's
> easier (for me) and cheaper than buying latches and decoders.)
>
> You mention mergers - yes, I'm thinking of making provision for adding a
> couple of them.  If I present the thing as a 12x12, I have a) room for
> expansion and b) 4 inputs and 4 outputs that may be used internally for
> merges, arpeggiators and anything else that I might decide to throw in.
>
> Cheers
>
> M
>
> -- 
> Matthew Smith
> Smiffytech - Technology Consulting & Web Application Development
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