programable midi to relay unit ???

Design Concepts
1

hi all.

i have built some analog guitar effects and a 3channel tube preamp by now…everything was built with a relay true bypass switching

then i have a korg a3 multieffect, using it for reverbs, delay, eq…using a fcb1010 to control my guitar rack.

what i would like 2 build, is an easy free programable midi in (from my fcb1010) to maybe 16 or more relay out contact unit.

that i could program FREE…like this.

programm change 01 from fcb1010: relay1 on / relay2 off / relay3 off / relay4 on…

programm change 02 from fcb1010: relay1 on / relay2 on / relay3 on / relay4 off…

programm change 03 from fcb1010: relay1 off / relay2 off / relay3 on / relay4 on…

i built by now for example… 1 accoustic sim stompbox clone, 2 tube screamer ts808 overdrive clones, build in a 19" 1 Hu..

every of those 3 effects has a separate input, output and relay plug…

there will be some more in the future…

and if i my fcb1010 sends the programm change XXX…my programmed effects for XXX should turn on…an my korg a3 should turn to preset XXX

if i my fcb1010 sends the programm change YYY…my programmed effects for YYY should turn on…an my korg a3 should turn to preset YYY…and so on

i have absolutly no plan of midi…

a dream would be a unit with display…where i can program it like this …change to program XXX… relayX on, relayY off…and so on

but i guess programming a switch matrix..on pc… would be much easier and cheaper…

does someone know a solution for this ???

thx …madmurdoc

2

A MIDIbox with MIOS would be a good starting point,It would provide you with the basic MIDI and display handling you would need. A DOUT module could be used to control the relays. Might need a few extra transistors, depending on the size of the relays.

At that point you would get to learn programming! with incoming MIDI messages already provided to your code, all you would need to do is control your outputs in the way you want them to work.

You said “I have absolutely no plan of MIDI”.

I’m not sure what you mean by that, but MIDI is a pretty big part of how the MIDIbox works. It’s not too difficult to learn. For your application, I think “Program Change” messages would be a good start.

Spend a day or two wandering around the website. Have a look at what other people are building. Read the FAQ section in the WIKI. Then decide if you want to try learning how this works.

Have Fun,

LyleHaze

3

thx…

so i would start with:

1 core_v3-module

1 d_out-module for the relays and LED#s

1 d_in for the buttons of the unit…maybe possible manual mode, programming (if its possible) and so on…

connecting a lcd for sure. would this one work ?? WINTEK WD-C2704M-1HNN http://www.pollin.de/shop/downloads/D120232S.ZIP, maybe i got another one in stock…just have to find some time for outparting some things…

the other feature of my fcb1010, it has 2 expression pedals, but i really don´t know what commands it sends while moving them…

maybe i would like to try a vonversion…expression pedal value –> resistance…for example with a motorfader or programable resistor ic…i think with a stereo motorfader, it would be possible to use the 2nd pot to check the position of the unit…

i guess i should build further : 1 a_in module and 1 a-out modul.

is there a freeware program or so, that displays all midi commands, that my foot controller sends, when its connected to my pc ? maybe this would make it easier to understand for me. i really dunno what my expression pedals do…giving fixed values for every position or just the difference of moved way..from powering up.

ok i would say…i gonna build this, would be fantastic if i could get some help for programming…and for sure i will share a complete documentation…

greetz madmurdoc from germany

4

Wow. It sounds like the plan is changing.

Your first post asked if you could map program change messages into different patterns of relay outputs.

Your most recent post has added Analog Inputs, Analog Outputs, Digital inputs for some buttons, and some LED outputs as well.

It’s probably a good idea to get started with a simple project, and learn how MIOS works. You can add more stuff later if you want to.

The best part about MIOS is that you can do your own programming, and make it work exactly the way you want it to. You can learn a lot by looking at the source code of other projects here.

I would suggest that you start with a simple project, like the one you mentioned in your first posting. “MIDI IN to maybe 16 or more relay output”.

Build a core, display, and a DOUT module. Hook up LED’s to each DOUT output, so you can see what you are doing. Try writing a simple program to turn on LED 1 when you get a Program Change #1, LED #2 for Program Change #2, etc.

Then change the program to set ALL the LED’s with each program change, like you described in your first post.

Finally, when you have all that working, we will talk about how to control relays instead of LEDs.

Once you have made it that far, you’ll have a very good idea of what it will take to get all the AOUTs and AINS and DINS to work too. And you’ll have a one-of-a-kind project that you designed and programmed yourself.

I think you’ll find there are a lot of people here who will help you along the way, but probably not too many that will write it all for you. If you want to make this work, you’re going to have to learn how to do some programming. TK has offered us all a great starting point, with MIOS already doing the hardest parts. And with the kits available, you can get the hardware started pretty easy too. All that’s left is for you to learn to do a bit of programming, so you can make it work exactly that way you want it to.

That’s just my suggestion.

Have Fun,

LyleHaze