MB909 beta version PCB bulkorder

randy909 · April 18, 2012, 5:51pm

I completely disagree. First, regarding size, the 909 is as big as it is because of the component count, and the thru-hole style of circuit board. Have a look at the pics at http://hackaday.com/2008/06/18/tr-909-teardown/ which pretty clearly show why the machine is so big.

As for the grouping of the controls: I have used the 909 extensively, on stage (live programming on-the-fly) and in the studio. I find the spacing of the controls to be very comfortable (most mixing boards are more cramped than the 909), while the extra “white space” at the top of the machine is a great place to rest another small device, or my headphones, or my glasses. And it looks so BITCHIN!

IMHO The TR-909 has a tasteful, minimalist look that doesn’t detract from its usability.

My point was, either use that space or get rid of it. Putting a big blank space up top just to make it look like a real 909 makes no sense if the pcb’s don’t require the extra space. Just make the box smaller if you don’t want to space out the interface. That’ll be cool in its own way.

I think the knobs are cramped, see Jomox for proper knob spacing. Agree that it looks cool. I think a properly-spaced design could also look cool, depends on the artwork.

Altitude · April 18, 2012, 8:18pm

My point was, either use that space or get rid of it. Putting a big blank space up top just to make it look like a real 909 makes no sense if the pcb’s don’t require the extra space. Just make the box smaller if you don’t want to space out the interface. That’ll be cool in its own way.

I agree with this statement. Function > Fashion

pcbatterij · April 20, 2012, 12:18pm

Hey all,

I have tried to make my version look like the 909, but…everything does have a function (to me) including the space above the potmeters.

The case is so big (same size as TR909) because it houses:

1 all the potmeters

2 mains transformer

3 9090 PCB’s

4 MB909 control surface for the

5 LPC17 core board

6 all the audio outputs of the 9090

7 MIDI IN’s & OUT’s USB, OSC,SD card of the LPC17 core

8 space for expansion with gate/CV output(s) and MIDI IN/OUT 3 and 4

It is correct that I might cut off a few centimeters at the top of the case, but that would not make a big difference I think. And I do not know what kind of mains transformer people want to use.

The firmware is based on the Seq V4, it is mainly the user interface that is different. I am still programming a lot and maybe I’ll have to change the structure of tracks, groups, patterns and songs to make it more like the MB808.

I’ll make sure that I have a working firmware for the betaversion, but it will (hopefully) be the people using the betaversion that will give me their tips, requests and suggestions for the final firmware.

The PCB’s for the beta version are ordered and within the next few days I’m expecting a prototype for the frontpanel.

Cheers,

Jef

gslug · April 20, 2012, 8:05pm

Great news Jef. I’m looking forward to seeing the first pics of a completed, cased MB-9090. And I agree about the size - there are a lot of boards to accomodate, plus the transformer, etc.

Kevin

Brathering · April 20, 2012, 10:01pm

I’ll make sure that I have a working firmware for the betaversion, but it will (hopefully) be the people using the betaversion that will give me their tips, requests and suggestions for the final firmware.

As I said before, absolutly willing to help!

pcbatterij · April 22, 2012, 12:15am

Thx Brathering,

As soon as I have a price for the beta version kit, I’ll post that price here and on the synthage.com site.

People that are on the list can than decide if they are still interested in a beta version with an unfinished firmware.

I have ordered the boards and I’ll put them in the kit for 27 Euro’s (I have paid more as I only ordered a few pieces, but I know I can’t ask the full price).

cheers,

Jef

Brathering · May 3, 2012, 10:47pm

news!?

pcbatterij · May 6, 2012, 1:17pm

Brathering,

I am still waiting for the PCB’s but I know they have been produced, so not that long anymore until I have them at home.

Concerning the programming:

I have added the following to the hwcfg file:

##################################################

settings for the MB909 control surface

##################################################

MB909_ENABLED 1

MB909_MULTIMACHINE 1

If the MB909 is enabled a few things are different on the display, a few buttons different and some settings for tracks will be set automatically to drum mode (still to program).

The Multimachine setting is there because some people would like to use the MB909 control surface/Seq V4 to control more than one drummachine. The sequencer will then keep using the 4 tracks of the patterns (for example 4 different drummachines). If I am not mistaking, I can leave song mode (more or less) like it is.

On the other hand if multimachine is set to 0 then, and this is the part that I am programming right now, the MB909 control surface will use the 4 tracks more like 4 patterns and the groups could be called the banks (more or less) like on the original 909. Nothing special up until now, but in song mode the sequencer will play track after track.

Of course in the pattern screen, you’ll be able to load the Seq4 type patterns into the groups, nothing changed there.

I am also waiting for new keycaps, because the last ones did not work perfectly fine on the prototype frontpanel.

I hope with the two above settings, most people will be able to choose the mode they like using the most.

Brathering, like I said, your help will be most appreciated, because the programming is time consuming for me as I am not a C++ programmer at all.

Cheers,

Jef

Brathering · May 10, 2012, 11:40pm

Nowadays a bite my own ass that I’ve don’t realy listen to the c(++) lecture at university! :mad:

But together we’re strong I promise, a good team with enthusiasted people and the shit should work!

pcbatterij · May 23, 2012, 8:26pm

bit more info:

http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=mb909

<___base_url___>/gallery/album/152-mb909/?do=embed

cheers,

Jef

pcbatterij · August 28, 2012, 5:30pm

Hey all,

I am almost ready to send out the BETA version kits/PCB for the test group. If you have not yet received a PM or an email, please PM me your email address.

Cheers,

Jef

rosch · September 2, 2012, 5:55pm

damn i already thought i missed out on the official run!

your whole design looks awesome.

are there plans to offer the (desktop) case? (you, or Julian?)

and CS components? i know i know spoiled by Wilba projects, but just to have an idea what’s possible.

happy beta testing, guys!

pcbatterij · September 3, 2012, 11:04am

Rosch,

If and when the beta test is positive, I’ll organize a bulkorder for the CS boards. If people want I can also organize a bulkorder for the components.

And yes I have been very busy designing the frontpanel and case. I hope to have the prototypes of both not later then mid September.

Lets hope that they are affordable and look nice. as soon as I have pics, I’ll post them on my website.

Cheers,

Jef

Oh yes,

yesterday I was busy with the “multi drummachine” mode, using my 9090 and reason soft drummachines on my PC. I just could not stop playing with the sequencer. Again with a big thanks to Thorsten for the Seq V4 work!!

Cheers,

Jef

Johey · September 4, 2012, 6:34am

Cool thing! Approximately, if you decide to make a complete kit with case, panels, boards and components, how much would it be?

sonicwarrior · November 27, 2012, 7:24pm

I’ll organize a bulkorder for the CS boards.

Will this be a one-off thing?

Because I’m interested but I need a few years to work through my backlog and I won’t like to blow it up again (the more things I have on my backlog the less I’ll work on it).

Dimitri · June 11, 2013, 10:30pm

Really nice stuff, what’s the status of this really cool project? I’m interested in buying a kit, when beta testing is finished.

zephyrin · June 14, 2013, 6:17am

The beta testing was stopping for one year. pcbatterij said that the work will be start in a few day.

pcbatterij · July 28, 2013, 5:30am

Hey all,

I do not have enough time anymore to update the firmware on my own. That is why I will put the MidiBox Seq V4 firmware that I have changed already a bit, so it works on the MB909 PCB, on the MidiBox SVN. People that would like to help programming are more than welcome. To be able to test the firmware, you’ll probable want a MB909 PCB to connect to your LPC17 MidiBox core. If there are enough people interested (but also not too many), that would like to help programming, I’ll order a few MB909 PCB’s.

if you would like to help programming and would like a MB909 PCB (with maybe the components), please put your nickname on https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av9ZyDwCt04MdFB6cTZKaV9uMDF1cWY0X1pBOWxqNXc&usp=sharing and email me.

Thanks,

Jef

rvlt · September 18, 2013, 1:24pm

Hey Jef,

just wanna say that I’m really interested in this project. I will get a vermona drum synth this week and need something to sequence it

How many people do you need to start another bulk order?

Cheers
Lars

pcbatterij · September 20, 2013, 10:12am

Lars,

I should need 5 people to make the PCB’s affordable. I am now finishing up the current 9090 groupbuy and will get back to you guys. I’ve also found a way to upload the source to Thorstens SVN server. The files that you can find on the SVN today 20 SEP 2013 under sequencers/MB909 are not up to date!! I will try to update the firmware more when I’ll have finished the current 9090 groupbuy.

Hopefully we can get this thing started again

Cheers,

Jef