Challenge - MIDI out/thru schematics

[Zemael]

Hello, I have a MIDI controller that has only a MIDI out connector. This breaks my MIDI chain and so the last equipment cannot control previous equipments. I need to close de MIDI ring by connecting the last equipment output to the first controller and then making its output a MIDI thru/out.

I found the schematics for these ports onhttp://www.midi.org/techspecs/electrispec.php



But, how can I combine the MIDI out and MIDI thru schematics?
The reverse signal could be blocked with a diode. But the great problem is to synchronize the signal. if the MIDI in receives bytes at the same time MIDI out sends another bytes, a MIDI mess will occur.

Please, does somebody knows something about it?

Excuse my portuenglish writing style, I'm Brazilian.

[oc disorder]

Hi Zemael and welcome to the forum.
I think you have to rethink or think again about how you are going to connect everything up.
A block diagram or a list of what you are connecting together would be
helpful so we can see the "big picture" of the setup.
If you have more than one controller (ie a send unit producing midi messages) perhaps a midi merge unit is what you need.
Try "googling" midi merger.
As I understand it a midi set up is not normally in a ring formation.
Its either a parallel set up (a midi in box with multiple outs ) or a series connection eg controller midi out > midi in sound module midi out or through>midi in sound module 2 midi in/through> etc.
If there are a lot of devices a parallel out is better as the signal could be degraded at the end of a long chain.
The actual circuitry is often refered to as a loop (optocoupler etc) .
This is self contained within the send unit, cable and receive unit.

Your writing style is fine it communicates which is the main thing.
Some people who can only speak english are often hard to understand including me!

[Zemael]

More details

[QUOTE=oc disorder;102292]

Ow!!! Man!!! Fantastic!!! I think a MIDI merger is what I needed!!! I didn't know it exist!!!
Thank you!!!

I have a Roland FC-100 MKII, a Boss RC-50 and a Boss GT-8

The Boss GT-8 is completely programmable, both Program Change and Control Change. RC-50 and GT-8 have a MIDI IN MIDI OUT/THRU ports. FC-100 just has an output.

I need to control RC-50 and the GT-8 from FC-100, but I need to synchronize RC-50 and GT-8 and sometimes control the GT-8 from RC-50 and the RC-50 from GT-8.

I never tried this before, cause I bought the FC-100 but I didn't converted the RRC 6 pin output to a MIDI DIN 5 pin output.

Thank you!!!

Well I think the schematics of a MIDI merger is easy to find, do you have a suggestion?

[oc disorder]

Gee If I had all that gear I would find myself doing the "one legged guitarist dance" more than actually making music !
I'm curious re how the Loop station works, used to have a lot of fun with reel to reels in the 60's doin' overdubs till the tape ran out !
Must check one out in a store !
Regarding the midi merger unless you are familiar with programming eproms,making or getting someone to make a suitable circuit board etc I think the best option is to buy one ready to go.
Also think carefully through what you are trying to accomplish with all the complex routing , It maybe too much to have to remember during a performance ..there may be other options within the units to achieve what you want.
There are also programmable midi patch bays and pc programs to convert midi messages but it could get too complicated for practical use.

"I never tried this before, cause I bought the FC-100 but I didn't converted the RRC 6 pin output to a MIDI DIN 5 pin output."

If you search on this forum for " Roland FC-100 MKII " there are threads relating to converting it to midi out and connecting its own power supply.

[Zemael]

Ow, RC-50 is a crazy pedal! I recommend!!! I bought this stuff recently and I didn't use all its powers. In Brazil it represents a GREAT investment. I'm still paying.
This technology needs a lot of study to start making juice.

Well, there isn't MIDI mergers in Brazil, at least not online. Internationally they are quite expensive.

I think I can build one. I don't have great electronics skills but I'm studying PIC microcontrollers and I have PIC programmer board. I found one schematics at http://www.ucapps.de/midimerger.html

They give the .hex and .asm files. I'll try to put all this stuff inside the FC-100.

I just don't know how to transform safely the 9V into 5V, sometimes I see MIDI working with 9V and sometimes with 5V.

You said something about MIDI patch bays? How does it work?

My idea seems complex, but my chief aim is to change the FC-100 Program Change messages to Control Change Messages. If a do so I will have full access to the GT-8 parameters with my feet. GT-8 is a great multipedal but, as all multipedals, we face a black box. With a MIDI controller I can control in "real time" almost any GT-8 parameter. FC-100 accepts two expression pedals, the GT-8 has one, and I have a FV-500L. With this thing I can control whammy, wah, the drive, the delay level, the Univibe, Rotospeaker rates and so on. Like the real pedals, but cheapest.

With the FC-100, if I convert the MIDI messages, I can have full access to the GT-8 parameters. If I couldn't convert the PC to CC, I will use it to access the RC-50 patches.

The commercial and wow alternative is to buy a FC-300. But it is to expensive and enormous. I paid around US$50 on the FC-100, and it has the best size ever.

That's it! Look at my PC to CC post.

Thank you again!!!

[oc disorder]

By using a 5volt regulator its easy to drop 9v to 5 volts.

http://stuff.nekhbet.ro/2006/06/18/h...8l05-7805.html

I saw years ago an article in Elector magazine about building a midi patch bay.
It allows you to alter the way or order you plug things in um like a patch bay.

[Zemael]

Ow, thank you again man! I think you solve my MIDI "thru" problem!!! What I needed is a MIDI merge. I'll research about MIDI path bay, but the MIDI merge solve my problem, I think. I'll try to build one.

Now I just have the PC to CC convertion problem. But it's fun!!! It's an assembrer challenge.

Thank you again!!!