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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
 Posted - 12/04/2009 : 10:07:12 PM
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Ok, so between all the work my business has been getting (done more already this year, than we did all last year), I have been able to get the prototype working.
So far there has been a few problems. First and foremost the midi files for now will need to be format 0. I'm working to get format 1 going, but memory and SD card read speed is the limitation there. Even if I do get it working, I think we will be limited to about 10 different tracks. That is not promising for format 1.
I still need to finish up the firmware update system, and do the display.
We are playing Midi's in format 0 and getting outputs. We are testing with LED's for now, but there shouldn't be any reason the system wouldn't drive a pallet magnet.
Now, I need a few volunteers to test a prototype board on a real midi organ. There are some catches to the volunteer issue. First the volunteers need to be in the USA. I'm not ready to deal with customs yet. Second, the volunteers need to have a working midi organ, not one in the works. Third, your organ should be easy to wire. We are going to provide a 37 pin D-sub connector for chest magnet connection. Forth, the system will only be on loan. I will provide a finished board, to any volunteer, should they want one, when the production model is ready.
We really need testers who have the time to give very detailed feedback, and some phone conversations will surely happen.
I know there are a lot of points to the volunteer situation, but to keep the price low, we need to meet these requirements.
Before you start dropping your name in the hat, remember, the testing prototypes are still at least a month from being assembled.
Also, while I am at it: Does anyone think a synthesized sound output would be a needed addition to the regular pallet magnet output?
We have the ability to output stereo sound, but feel that would take away from the whole purpose. This would be above and beyond what is being used for the true organ output.
We may also make the system output the serial midi stream for midi instrument connection, but that will not be part of the testing prototypes.
Any feedback at this point, is very important. When we get the testing prototypes to a few users, the final design will be put into place.
It should be noted, this is a first come, first served basis.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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aobg
Forum Administrator
United Kingdom
254 Posts |
Posted - 13/04/2009 : 03:06:56 AM
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Hi James, I would love to get involved but sadly I’m in the UK sounds interesting good look with it all.
Yours Phil Radford AOBG website & forums administrator. |
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
 Posted - 13/04/2009 : 11:40:44 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by aobg
Hi James, I would love to get involved but sadly I’m in the UK sounds interesting good look with it all.
Yours Phil Radford AOBG website & forums administrator.
Phil,
If I do not get enough testers here in the US, you may get a chance to test the prototype. I have one tester I know of, and I'm sure he will chime in when he gets a chance.
I know you have a lot of experience with building organs, so I know you are definitely qualified to test the unit.
James L |
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W105CD
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 17/04/2009 : 9:16:42 PM
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Randy |
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W105CD
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 17/04/2009 : 9:25:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by propellanttech
Ok, so between all the work my business has been getting (done more already this year, than we did all last year), I have been able to get the prototype working.
So far there has been a few problems. First and foremost the midi files for now will need to be format 0. I'm working to get format 1 going, but memory and SD card read speed is the limitation there. Even if I do get it working, I think we will be limited to about 10 different tracks. That is not promising for format 1.
I still need to finish up the firmware update system, and do the display.
We are playing Midi's in format 0 and getting outputs. We are testing with LED's for now, but there shouldn't be any reason the system wouldn't drive a pallet magnet.
Now, I need a few volunteers to test a prototype board on a real midi organ. There are some catches to the volunteer issue. First the volunteers need to be in the USA. I'm not ready to deal with customs yet. Second, the volunteers need to have a working midi organ, not one in the works. Third, your organ should be easy to wire. We are going to provide a 37 pin D-sub connector for chest magnet connection. Forth, the system will only be on loan. I will provide a finished board, to any volunteer, should they want one, when the production model is ready.
We really need testers who have the time to give very detailed feedback, and some phone conversations will surely happen.
I know there are a lot of points to the volunteer situation, but to keep the price low, we need to meet these requirements.
Before you start dropping your name in the hat, remember, the testing prototypes are still at least a month from being assembled.
Also, while I am at it: Does anyone think a synthesized sound output would be a needed addition to the regular pallet magnet output?
We have the ability to output stereo sound, but feel that would take away from the whole purpose. This would be above and beyond what is being used for the true organ output.
We may also make the system output the serial midi stream for midi instrument connection, but that will not be part of the testing prototypes.
Any feedback at this point, is very important. When we get the testing prototypes to a few users, the final design will be put into place.
It should be noted, this is a first come, first served basis.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
James,
I am new to the group. After reading you post, I think I may be able to help you with the testing. I do have a replica Wurlitzer 105 that can play from both the roll frame and midi.
Randy Charels
Wilmington, Ohio
Randy |
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 18/04/2009 : 5:43:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by W105CD
quote:
Originally posted by propellanttech
Ok, so between all the work my business has been getting (done more already this year, than we did all last year), I have been able to get the prototype working.
So far there has been a few problems. First and foremost the midi files for now will need to be format 0. I'm working to get format 1 going, but memory and SD card read speed is the limitation there. Even if I do get it working, I think we will be limited to about 10 different tracks. That is not promising for format 1.
I still need to finish up the firmware update system, and do the display.
We are playing Midi's in format 0 and getting outputs. We are testing with LED's for now, but there shouldn't be any reason the system wouldn't drive a pallet magnet.
Now, I need a few volunteers to test a prototype board on a real midi organ. There are some catches to the volunteer issue. First the volunteers need to be in the USA. I'm not ready to deal with customs yet. Second, the volunteers need to have a working midi organ, not one in the works. Third, your organ should be easy to wire. We are going to provide a 37 pin D-sub connector for chest magnet connection. Forth, the system will only be on loan. I will provide a finished board, to any volunteer, should they want one, when the production model is ready.
We really need testers who have the time to give very detailed feedback, and some phone conversations will surely happen.
I know there are a lot of points to the volunteer situation, but to keep the price low, we need to meet these requirements.
Before you start dropping your name in the hat, remember, the testing prototypes are still at least a month from being assembled.
Also, while I am at it: Does anyone think a synthesized sound output would be a needed addition to the regular pallet magnet output?
We have the ability to output stereo sound, but feel that would take away from the whole purpose. This would be above and beyond what is being used for the true organ output.
We may also make the system output the serial midi stream for midi instrument connection, but that will not be part of the testing prototypes.
Any feedback at this point, is very important. When we get the testing prototypes to a few users, the final design will be put into place.
It should be noted, this is a first come, first served basis.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
James,
I am new to the group. After reading you post, I think I may be able to help you with the testing. I do have a replica Wurlitzer 105 that can play from both the roll frame and midi.
Randy Charels
Wilmington, Ohio
Randy
Randy,
The testing prototype is not really geared to an instrument with 105 notes. Although I guess it could be tested on a 105 note instrument not using all the notes.
The testing prototype will only have a 32 note base. The system is going to be expandable, but the expansion part is not even finished design wise (boards are not laid out).
The system is expandable up to 150 notes.
You would have to tell me your thoughts on testing a system that will only use 32 notes of your Wurlitzer.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 26/04/2009 : 01:53:30 AM
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Well, I finally have most of the firmware, although not totally complete as of yet. The completion will come when the playing prototype is finished.
I have taken a video of the software development platform for others to see. There are some things to note. there is nothing else to the system in the video. The bottom connection is to a set of computer speakers, and the top to a power supply. The testing prototype will be totally self contained, while this one is partly my development board.
It should be noted, the possibility of the system output sound is available, like in the video.
Only the bottom 16 notes of the 26 note JS scale are represented here in this (not so great) video.
The next revision will not have LED's but will have 32 outputs. The version after that will probably input and output midi (through midi cable). The system will NOT have record capabilities, although linking two systems together will be possible.
The system is planned to be expandable up to 128-160 outputs. The total number is yet to be determined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBgHSvVgUY
Not the best video, but does show we are getting closer.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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aobg
Forum Administrator
United Kingdom
254 Posts |
Posted - 26/04/2009 : 04:35:44 AM
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Very nice work. Will it have dedicated registry output switching and swell control?
Yours Phil Radford AOBG website & forums administrator. |
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 26/04/2009 : 10:17:14 AM
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Phil,
I'm not sure. I really do not know how it works. I can not find that there are any real "registers" in Midi. I have no idea what swell is.
There is much left to be done, but we are getting there.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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aobg
Forum Administrator
United Kingdom
254 Posts |
Posted - 26/04/2009 : 3:32:20 PM
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Swell on a pipe organ is a set of shutters that open and volume increasing. (swell boxes}
This link may help explain. There is a bit more to it than that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuJ8iVtRxnA
Referring to the registers on midi boards, we tend just to use one of the unused outputs to switch the power feed (+) from one rank of pipes to another. We tend to need some kind of electronics to switch the load as the boards I’ve seen up to date can only sink small loads. It would be nice to have some out puts that was more capable let’s say 2 amp max. It would be nice to have all the outputs 2 amp max then no need for any dedicated registry output but that will effect the cost.
I only point this out as I sill get a lot of emails asking me about diagrams for registry switching.
By incorporating dedicated registry output switching and swell control will set your boards apart from the rest.
Although I think one of the boards I’ve tested and use have swell control.
Yours Phil Radford AOBG website & forums administrator. |
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 26/04/2009 : 6:16:08 PM
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Phil,
Hmm, that is interesting. I figure there could be some kind of swell control, but that would be on an expansion board. I would need to see how volume is controlled in the Midi file.
As for the outputs, right now the outputs are about 500ma max (sinking). I could put some higher outputs on an expansion board for register control.
This would accomodate both worlds. If you need register control, and an expansion board. We would need to discuss how many registers would be appropriate. Although I guess all the outputs could be robust and still used as a normal output.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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propellanttech
Advanced Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 27/04/2009 : 4:33:40 PM
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Phil,
There are some details I need. How is the swell control, made mechanically. Does it use a servo, electric motor or???
I do not see a problem including swell control in the system somewhere, but I'm not really interested in diving into the mechanical part of volume control. I would need some kind of idea of the required signal to control the shutters.
We could probably use a large servo (from like Servo City), and that would be quite easy to generate a control signal for.
I do appreciate your input, so incorporating the registers is just a matter of making the outputs handle more current. I will need to research how high I can get outputs (amperage wise), within a reasonable cost.
Any more ideas you have, I am open minded to attempt to incorporate.
James L
James Long
Owner/Production Manager
Lil Brother SMT assembly Services
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Topic |
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Midi player/output system