How us synth players see ourselves versus...

[WarpCanada]

Found on the Internets. (Reddit /r/synthesizers)

[TPB]

Hey I resemble the second guy lol
Tim

[Flash Harry]

This actually was me this evening.

[64Guitars]

This actually was me this evening.

What does the DIY gadget do? Is it made from a Raspberry Pi? Or maybe Arduino?

[Flash Harry]

It's an arduino, and it sends the midi Clock (0xF2) out of the serial port at 24 times per quarter note which is a crotchet, or a beat in the 4/4 timing space. The potentiometer is connected to an analog input and is used to vary the clock timing from 30 to 280 (ish) BPM (1/4 * 1024 +30). It works a treat. I have had my synths clocked in, arpeggiators running and I've been drumming along. My wife has just come in to complain that I'm too loud...

Next step is to connect another Arduino to the Midi out of the drum kit and get it to work out the BPM from the info coming in. Then get the two arduinos talking to each other and passing the current BPM info between them



 

[StephenM]

This actually was me this evening.

looks like a generic readout that can be programmed...typical of things used on machines in industry.... that is very cool Flash....

[64Guitars]

It's an arduino, and it sends the midi Clock (0xF2) out of the serial port at 24 times per quarter note which is a crotchet, or a beat in the 4/4 timing space. The potentiometer is connected to an analog input and is used to vary the clock timing from 30 to 280 (ish) BPM (1/4 * 1024 +30). It works a treat. I have had my synths clocked in, arpeggiators running and I've been drumming along. My wife has just come in to complain that I'm too loud...

Next step is to connect another Arduino to the Midi out of the drum kit and get it to work out the BPM from the info coming in. Then get the two arduinos talking to each other and passing the current BPM info between them

  Sort of a DIY version of the E-RM midiclock+ but, presumably, much less expensive.

[Flash Harry]

I think the parts cost less than £15. The 16x2 display was the most expensive at £6,

It is very like the E-RM midiclock+, it needs a few buttons adding. The next stage is to use a second Arduino to calculate the current drum rate, that will be interesting. A straight kick on the beat will be the starting point, but I hope to have the program calculate BPM from any kick pattern eventually. The second Arduino is needed because I have to keep the midi clock free of clutter and work so that the timing is accurate. Just development time required now, something to keep me occupied through the long winter nights.

I'm happy to publish the code and circuit once I'm done if anyone else needs an inexpensive Midi Clock.

[WarpCanada]

I have plans to build a custom Arduino-midi-and-LCD dealie myself. So clearly I have found my tribe.

[cuthbert]

That's very cool, Mike. I've got to get cracking on an Arduino project myself. I've got the board, a breadboard and some parts - just haven't had the time.