Until now there hasn’t been much on the interwebs on how to set up the Dangerous Prototypes Bus Pirate for decoding MIDI data.

Here’s my contribution, which happens to be on International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Bus Pirate on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dcZ9uS
Bus Pirate on SparkFun: http://bit.ly/2bKjZfT
TyMkrs MIDI In Me: http://bit.ly/2cihEdA

The post Video: Talk MIDI with the Bus Pirate on Talk Like a Pirate Day appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Whether you’re just curious what serial data looks like, or if you’re in need of some serious debugging, using an oscilloscope to decode messages (in my case, MIDI) can be extremely useful.

Equipment:
Rigol 1054Z http://amzn.to/2bNa24T
Tymkrs MIDI In Me: http://bit.ly/2cihEdA
(any) MIDI controller: http://amzn.to/2bTJo7l
(optional) Bus Pirate: http://bit.ly/2bKjZfT
(software alternative) http://www.midiox.com/

Resources:
MIDI  Messages (Dublin Institute of Technology): https://bit.ly/2yOTgfH
The MIDI Physical Layer (Kent State Univ.): http://bit.ly/2c1I2ee
MIDI Assoc.: http://bit.ly/2bTUaKW

What tools do you use for this? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Video: Decode/debug MIDI Serial Data on an Oscilloscope appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

I got my first miniAtmegatron (I have two as of now) about a year ago. I have to admit after I put it together and made this video of the assembly and a quick run through of its sounds, I let it sit a while. Part of the reason I let it sit was that it didn’t have any type of “Getting Started” guide, or even a manual (beyond the small 2-page pamphlet that named the Functions).

After making a video about the new case for the miniAtmegatron, I decided to make a video getting into some of its more in-depth features. Coincidentally, when I had a few questions for the synth’s creator Paul Soulsby, he mentioned he was working on a proper manual for the miniAtmegatron and sent me an advanced copy.

So check out my video below, and be sure to keep watch at the Soulsby Synthesizers website for the new manual.

Let me know what you think of the miniAtmegatron’s capabilities and sounds in the comments below.

The post Video: miniAtmegatron Demo & Sneak Peek at the New Improved Manual appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Sometimes you just need to know if a MIDI controller is outputting anything. Even many high-end MIDI modules/boxes will have a “MIDI Activity” light, just to let you know something is being transmitted/received. That’s what I have made in this video.

Using a sacrificial MIDI cable, an LED, and a 220 Ohm resistor, you too can make this tester/activity light, probably in less than 10 minutes. Here is a rough wiring diagram.

There really isn’t too much critical about the parts used. MIDI devices use a 5 mA current loop at 31.25 Kbaud as part of their serial communication protocol. Most LEDs and a ~220 Ohm resistor will result very close in the neighborhood of 5 mA when used in this circuit. Devices with a MIDI input have basically this same thing as the LED, except in the form of an optoisolator IC.

If you don’t want to sacrifice a MIDI cable you currently own, cheap ones can be found here on Amazon, and here on eBay.

I’ll be exploring MIDI much more in-depth in future videos. Let me know in the comments below if you have any ideas/questions for future videos about MIDI.

The post Video: Make the World’s cheapest MIDI Tester appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Arcano Systems is no stranger to the Kickstarter game, with three out of four funded campaigns under their belt. Their newest project, the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II, hit its goal in less than 48 hours and still has 19 more days to go.

This second version’s hardware and software includes improvements such as:

• more polyphony
• more waveforms
• more patches
• greater bass range
• improved volume envelope system for reduced latency
• linearized vibrato depth
• improved Mega-Man-II-style two-channel echo patches
• USB power
• lower parts count
• filtered audio output (low-pass filter with fixed cutoff frequency)
• better audio signal DC-bias removal

The post Introducing a new and improved 8bit MIDI NES Chiptune Synth appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

I have written about previous successful Kickstarter projects from Arcano Systems before, but unlike those, Gem-8 covers more than just retro sounds. Some features include:

• 256 VGA video out
• Audio out: 8-bit-quantized line out (standard stereo connector with the same signal in both channels)
• PS/2 keyboard input
• 16kB RAM
• WiFi expansion card
• MIDI expansion card
• 8 channels of GPIO
• Ability to expand its uses via software and hardware

The WiFi card allows Gem-8 to connect to the internet using the preloaded serial terminal application. Gem-8 is particularly well suited to accessing online multi-user domains, text-based multiplayer online games, and bulletin board services that use the Telnet protocol. The MIDI interface peripheral connects a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI musical instrument to the Gem-8 computer, allowing users to create their own C64 and NES-video-game-style chiptune music using the preloaded chiptune synthesizer application. The Gem-8 chiptune synthesizer application also features video synth visualization capabilities. Currently, the Gem-8 synthesizer software features 8 waveforms and 4 effects settings for a total of 32 unique patches.

There will even be an option for a kit to solder up. Check out their Kickstarter campaign here. It certainly seems like this could scratch that retro PC itch. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Arcano Systems releases Gem-8, a Retro 8-bit, WiFi-enabled computer and chiptune music synthesizer appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

The updates have been coming fast. Igor Vasiliev has been busy.

What is new in SoundScaper:

• Complete MIDI control for all faders, knobs and other modes
• Possibility to create MIDI control maps for different controllers
• Two different MIDI devices can be used to control
• Quick MIDI learn mode for each fader in advanced control panel
• Change type of faders on the oscillator main panels
• Copy and Paste operations for oscillator parameters through text clipboard
• Copy and Paste operations for scenes through text clipboard
• Possibility to send scene parameters through Email
• New features for automation in advanced control panels
• Additional samples in built-in samples library
• Built-in description updated
• Minor bug fixes

The post Circuit Bending sound design app SoundScaper, now with MIDI control appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

The post Synthesis & Samples Hackathon in NYC this Saturday ft. burnkit2600 and littleBits Korg Synth Kit Workshop appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

As I told you about before, Minneapolis-based DIY kit makers GetLoFi and Nootropic Design have a Kickstarter campaign for the Synthino XM Polyphonic MIDI Synthesizer and Groovebox. They have now surpassed their $14,000 goal, and will start shipping in April/May. As of today there are only 7 left at the $129 Kickstarter price, and 5 days left to pre-order!

The post Synthino XM Synth/Groovebox Kickstarter campaign fully funded, only 7 units left! appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

This Saturday is the Automatic Music Hackathon. This is a series at Monthly Music Hackathon NYC.

Schedule:
11:30 Doors open
11:45 Pizza
12:00 Talks
Andreas Jansson – Midimacs: A semi-algorithmic midi sequencer in Emacs Lisp
Ryan Groves – Automatic melodic analysis and its application to automatic composition
Jonathan Marmor – Overview of algorithmic music methods used in his music
Brad Garton – Overview of three algorithmic music methods used in his music
1:30 Hacking Starts

All other activities optional and in side rooms

1:30 Brainstorming / Collaborator-finding session
2:00 Workshop: Algorithmic composition with SuperCollide,r Konstantin Leonenko & Nick Colvin
2:30 Workshop: Algorithmic composition with Haskell and Euterpea, Mark Santolucito
7:00 All hands on deck collaborative planning of the concert & demos
8:00 Concert of Hacks & Demos

Saturday, February 28th, 2015
Spotify NYC
45 W 18th St, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10011

RSVP at https://automusic.eventbrite.com
FREE
All are welcome

The post Algorithmic/Automatic Music Hackathon in NYC this Saturday appeared first on Bent-Tronics.