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mididocs:seq:building [2014/09/15 17:10]
borfo [Adding Modules to the Basic SEQ]
mididocs:seq:building [2014/09/21 19:53] (current)
borfo [Building a SEQ V4]
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 **[[mididocs:​index|MIDIdocs]]** **[[mididocs:​index|MIDIdocs]]**
 ======Building a SEQ V4====== ======Building a SEQ V4======
 +[[http://​midibox.org/​forums/​topic/​19029-mididocs-building-a-seq-v4-discussion-thread/​|Forum Discussion Thread]] - for comments, corrections,​ or questions about this article
  
 If you're new to the MIDIbox universe, you might be a bit confused about how to actually build one of these things. ​ What PCBs and parts you'll need, where to get them, etc. If you're new to the MIDIbox universe, you might be a bit confused about how to actually build one of these things. ​ What PCBs and parts you'll need, where to get them, etc.
  
 All of the MIDIbox projects are fairly advanced DIY projects. ​ If you have no experience soldering and sourcing parts for an electronics project you may want to start with another more straightforward DIY electronics project. ​ Building a [[http://​mutable-instruments.net/​shruthi1/​build|Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1 synth]] might be a good place to start - they'​re fairly beginner-friendly. All of the MIDIbox projects are fairly advanced DIY projects. ​ If you have no experience soldering and sourcing parts for an electronics project you may want to start with another more straightforward DIY electronics project. ​ Building a [[http://​mutable-instruments.net/​shruthi1/​build|Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1 synth]] might be a good place to start - they'​re fairly beginner-friendly.
 +
 +Hawkeye has put together a very detailed [[http://​midibox.org/​forums/​topic/​18868-building-a-midibox-seq-v4-wilba-control-surface-photo-tutorial/​|photo tutorial]] on how to build a SEQ V4 with Wilba'​s Frontpanel in the forums. ​ You should check that out.
  
 ===Basic Components=== ===Basic Components===
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 So, to build a basic MIDIbox SEQ V4, you will need: So, to build a basic MIDIbox SEQ V4, you will need:
-  * Either a CORE_STM32F4 or a CORE_LPC17 PCB;+  * Either a CORE_STM32F4 ​(with MIDI I/O board) ​or a CORE_LPC17 PCB;
   * Wilba'​s Frontpanel PCB;   * Wilba'​s Frontpanel PCB;
   * Two 40x2 LCD displays;   * Two 40x2 LCD displays;
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 The BOM for the Wilba Frontpanel can be found [[:​wilba_mb_seq_parts_guide|here]]. The BOM for the Wilba Frontpanel can be found [[:​wilba_mb_seq_parts_guide|here]].
  
-You can buy your parts wherever you like to buy parts. ​ [[http://​reichelt.de|Reichelt]] and [[http://​www.farnell.com/​|Farnell]] are apparently good in Europe. ​ [[http://​www.mouser.com/​|Mouser]] and [[http://​www.digikey.com/​|Digikey]] are the big ones in the US and Canada.+You can buy your parts wherever you like to buy parts. ​ [[http://​reichelt.de|Reichelt]] and [[http://​www.farnell.com/​|Farnell]] are apparently good in Europe. ​ [[http://​www.mouser.com/​|Mouser]] and [[http://​www.digikey.com/​|Digikey]] are the big ones in the US and Canada.  [[http://​www.taydaelectronics.com/​|Tayda Electronics]] or [[http://​www.ebay.com|eBay]] can be good sources for cheap parts as well.
  
 ===MIDIbox-shop.com=== ===MIDIbox-shop.com===
  
-[[http://​midibox-shop.com|MIDIbox-Shop.com]] is run by SmashTV (Tim), a longtime member of the MIDIbox community. ​ PCBs for many MIDIbox projects are available there. ​ Kits are also available for some projects, and he offers some commonly used parts for sale as well (like MIDI jacks, IDC connectors, LEDs, Encoders, etc.).  ​The prices are extremely reasonable.+[[http://​midibox-shop.com|MIDIbox-Shop.com]] is run by SmashTV (Tim), a longtime member of the MIDIbox community. ​ PCBs for many MIDIbox projects are available there. ​ Kits are also available for some projects, and he offers some commonly used parts for sale as well (like MIDI jacks, IDC connectors, LEDs, Encoders, etc.).  ​MIDIbox-shop'​s ​prices are extremely reasonable ​- seriously, you won't beat their prices by much, if at all.  Tim must be selling all this stuff at very close to cost.
  
-It does take some time to receive your order from MIDIbox-shop.com. ​ Tim's busy with other things, and given the low prices in the store, I'm sure he's not raking in the cash from this venture. ​ Place your order, and be patient. ​ It may take anywhere from three weeks to a couple of months to get your order (but you will get it eventually.) ​ Tim posts order/​shipping status updates [[http://​midibox-shop.com/​status.html|here]].+It usually ​does take some time to receive your order from MIDIbox-shop.com. ​ Tim's busy with other things, and given the low prices in the store, I'm sure he's not raking in the cash from this venture. ​ Place your order, and be patient. ​ It may take anywhere from three weeks to a couple of months to get your order (but you will get it eventually.) ​ Tim posts order/​shipping status updates [[http://​midibox-shop.com/​status.html|here]].
  
 You'll want to buy either (a) a Core STM32F4 + MIDI_I/O Module PCB; or (b) a Core LPC17 Module PCB, as well as a SEQ_CS PCB (Wilba'​s Control Surface Frontpanel). ​ You'll also probably want to get 17 rotary encoders, some IDC connectors and ribbon cable, some midi jacks, and maybe some LEDs from MIDIbox-shop. You'll want to buy either (a) a Core STM32F4 + MIDI_I/O Module PCB; or (b) a Core LPC17 Module PCB, as well as a SEQ_CS PCB (Wilba'​s Control Surface Frontpanel). ​ You'll also probably want to get 17 rotary encoders, some IDC connectors and ribbon cable, some midi jacks, and maybe some LEDs from MIDIbox-shop.
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 ===Case=== ===Case===
-You don't need a case.  My SEQ V4 is currently just a couple of bare PCBs mounted on standoffs on a piece of plexiglass... ​ Build costs go way down if you don't need a case.  I'll probably build a case for mine once I finalize its configuration,​ and decide what add-on modules I want to incorporate,​ etc.+You don't need a case.  My SEQ V4 is currently just a couple of bare PCBs mounted on standoffs on a piece of plexiglass... ​ Build costs go way down if you don't need a case.  I'll probably build a case for mine once I finalize its configuration,​ and decide what add-on modules I want to incorporate,​ etc.  But if you want to cut your build costs, foregoing a case will really save you a lot of money.
  
 If you want a case, there are many options available. ​ If you build Wilba'​s Frontpanel with the switches and caps specified, there are [[http://​midibox.org/​forums/​topic/​17127-lasercut-acrylic-case-frontpanel-for-seqv4/​|laser cutter templates]] that you can send off to your favourite laser cutting establishment. ​ Sometimes there are group buys organized for [[http://​www.midibox.org/​dokuwiki/​doku.php?​id=seq4_aluminium_case_and_frontpanel_2014|aluminum]] or other fancy cases. ​ Check the forums. ​ If you want a case, there are many options available. ​ If you build Wilba'​s Frontpanel with the switches and caps specified, there are [[http://​midibox.org/​forums/​topic/​17127-lasercut-acrylic-case-frontpanel-for-seqv4/​|laser cutter templates]] that you can send off to your favourite laser cutting establishment. ​ Sometimes there are group buys organized for [[http://​www.midibox.org/​dokuwiki/​doku.php?​id=seq4_aluminium_case_and_frontpanel_2014|aluminum]] or other fancy cases. ​ Check the forums. ​
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 If you're using Wilba'​s Frontpanel or some custom layout, the SEQ won't work if you don't put a hardware configuration file on the SD Card that assigns the buttons and LEDs.  You'll need to put this [[http://​svnmios.midibox.org/​filedetails.php?​repname=svn.mios32&​path=%2Ftrunk%2Fapps%2Fsequencers%2Fmidibox_seq_v4%2Fhwcfg%2Fwilba%2FMBSEQ_HW.V4|MBSEQ_HW.V4]] file in the root of the SD Card.  If you're using a custom frontpanel, you'll have to write a custom MBSEQ_HW.V4 file, but if you look at the file linked above, you'll see it's pretty well commented. ​ If you're building your own frontpanel, you'll probably be able to figure out the config file. If you're using Wilba'​s Frontpanel or some custom layout, the SEQ won't work if you don't put a hardware configuration file on the SD Card that assigns the buttons and LEDs.  You'll need to put this [[http://​svnmios.midibox.org/​filedetails.php?​repname=svn.mios32&​path=%2Ftrunk%2Fapps%2Fsequencers%2Fmidibox_seq_v4%2Fhwcfg%2Fwilba%2FMBSEQ_HW.V4|MBSEQ_HW.V4]] file in the root of the SD Card.  If you're using a custom frontpanel, you'll have to write a custom MBSEQ_HW.V4 file, but if you look at the file linked above, you'll see it's pretty well commented. ​ If you're building your own frontpanel, you'll probably be able to figure out the config file.
  
 +===Flashing Firmware===
 +You'll have to flash the [[http://​www.ucapps.de/​index.html?​page=mios32_download.html|MIOS32 (MIDIbox Operating System)]] firmware to your Core.  Download the latest [[http://​ucapps.de/​mios32_download.html|SEQ V4 firmware]]. ​ Choose the right version for your MIDIbox Core.  Unzip the firmware, and upload the project.hex file from the zip to your SEQ using [[http://​ucapps.de/​mios_studio.html|MIOS Studio]].
 ====Adding Modules to the Basic SEQ==== ====Adding Modules to the Basic SEQ====
 There are many modules that you might want to add to your SEQ after it's built. ​ For example: There are many modules that you might want to add to your SEQ after it's built. ​ For example:
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   * **[[:​aout_ng|AOUT_NG Module]]** - adds 8 channels of CV out for interfacing with modular equipment.   * **[[:​aout_ng|AOUT_NG Module]]** - adds 8 channels of CV out for interfacing with modular equipment.
  
-...and many more.  These modules integrate pretty effortlessly into the SEQ.  The Quad MIDI IIC, for example, is plug-and-play. ​ The TPD module requires a few simple adjustments to your MBSEQ_HW.V4 file.  I believe the AOUT does as well, but I haven'​t built it yet.  Anyway, the MIDIbox framework is really incredible - these modules more or less "just work".+...and many more.  These modules integrate pretty effortlessly into the SEQ.  Just plug them into the right IDC connector on your Core.  The Quad MIDI IIC, for example, is 100% plug-and-play. ​ The TPD module requires a few simple adjustments to your MBSEQ_HW.V4 file.  I believe the AOUT does as well, but I haven'​t built it yet.  Anyway, the MIDIbox framework is really incredible - these modules more or less "just work".
mididocs/seq/building.1410801022.txt.gz ยท Last modified: 2014/09/15 17:10 by borfo