ReDesign of MIDI->Sync converter,

22nd August 1995

Usual copying restrictions apply of course, please let me know when you use this circuit

The main differences between the new and the old are:

• 1. `New Improved Clock Circuitry'. The UART clock is generated directly using a 500kHz ceramic resonator based circuit instead of dividing down a 4MHz signal. This has reduced component count, and also made the clock circuitry less difficult to get going. This is thanks to Ingolf Pohl (Ing@korona.toppoint.de) who, along with a few others, replied to my plea for help on sci.electronics. Thanks Ingolf!
• 2. `Manual Run/Stop selection.' The original circuit detected MIDI `start' messages, passing them on to the synced device in the form of the run/stop signal. I found that this was not always reliable (in my studio setup) so have simply implemented a run/stop switch. In my limited testing of the circuit, I have found this to be far more useful than the previous method, since it allows the synced-device to be started and stopped independently of the MIDI instruments - really good for bringing drums in and out (it's quite interesting to bring things in `out of sync' to really confuse the dancefloor... ;)

Personally I prefer the new version (but then I would say that) since it gives another performance interface (another switch to play with!!)

Anyway, any problems, give me an e-mail.