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bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:50 pm
by ssp
thought i better post in the bpm related section rather than in the other non bpm section again.

well the bpm hardware is going well, the boards are currently being made, i have all the switchgear and knobs and faders, the brain and digital input boards are finished, also the usb MIDI input side is finished also. the whole unit will be powered via a 9v psu.

the casework isnt too big, it was a little larger but by sourcing smaller components and parts and reducing board layouts i have managed to get it to a more acceptable and usuable size. the casework is made out of sheet steel, it was lasercut then cnc formed and then had the pem studs pressed in for rear mounting of the circuit boards, luckily when coated the surface is completely smooth so no fixings on show!!.

the case is being powdercoated at the moment and then when finished will be screenprinted the same as the software. all of the pads are editable in sensitivity and all the encoders and buttons can be edited and can have a MIDI learn funtion, which means this control surface can be used for anything not just for bpm, this is done by using a built in ramstick that stores all the setups, and you can name each set up. each fader, knob or buttons name will show on the lcd when used to show current relations and levels.

anyway, heres the current set of photos of the casework, more to follow shortly. the grey pads are just test pads, the black pads will be fitted when the final assembly takes place.

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Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:18 pm
by bobbybland
Amazing!! :wink: Now that's a motivating post,thanks for sharing this.

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:08 pm
by luneytunes
:shock: im :o !!!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:45 pm
by James Steele
Wow! That is very cool! I don't even use BPM, and that's exciting!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:17 am
by luneytunes
Just got back from mpctutor.com......i see you hommie! i checked your diy geeks site too! i used to work for radio shack for years mane! IF and only IF!!!...motu allows the buttons to MIDI cc with the hardware buttons(Bank, Rack, Live, Song, etc, etc)....WWhoooooo!!!


we gotta write motu for that MIDI CC for ALL BUTTONS! :!:

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Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 3:42 pm
by chrisma
:o :shock: :D

Wow! What a pleasant suprise! I love it! Definately next level stuff. Can I buy the first one!!! Post some more pics ASAP!

Thanks!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:07 pm
by enot
thats what im talking about lets get it!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:23 am
by dopamine
Looks awesome!! A few questions:


Will you be selling the units pre-made or just for assembly? What are your prices? When will they be available? Do you need any beta testers? Are you sanctioned by Motu?

What are the advantages over an MPD-32. Thanks!!!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:39 am
by ssp
dopamine wrote:Looks awesome!! A few questions:


Will you be selling the units pre-made or just for assembly? What are your prices? When will they be available? Do you need any beta testers? Are you sanctioned by Motu?

What are the advantages over an MPD-32. Thanks!!!

1:Will you be selling the units pre-made or just for assembly?

A: this unit is a prototype, it was basically an excersise to build an exact replica of the bpm software. to be honest i just wanted to prove it could be done. now i would need to get permission to mass produce a branded item from motu and also permission to implement a group buy from the designers of the mios system and hardware. this would mean a group buy format under the ucapps.de rule system. i havent even considered this as of yet as im still in prototype stage with this.


2:What are your prices?

A: if a group buy were implemented through ucapps.de and mios terms this would be done through the forum and site under the terms and condions of the already laid down rules. mios is not to be used for commercial use thats is why you can join ucapps and buy the kits there and build your own 32 channel mackie style automated control surface, or build an 808 clone or hardware sequencers etc.

3: Do you need any beta testers?

A: no sorry, everything you need to know about this hardware is on the forums at ucapps, the whole ethos of the place is to share information and help eachother to build mios based projects.

as i am closely working with uvi soundsource and we will be discussing implementing global cc# assignability to every bpm software control soon it is hoped that with a software revision/upgrade that full assignability will soon be reached for the software so that any cc# can be assigned to anything.


4: Are you sanctioned by Motu?

A: no, not at all. the main reason for me building this is simply because i wanted a hardware version control interface. i wanted a precise, editable, functional replica, and i mean exact replica of teh software. when i saw one review stating that motu got namm 09 most misleading award i thought, well i will make one and show it could be made cheaply and precisely.

most of the softsynths etc are now made under contract to motu and then rebranded, and as motus customer relations is at best described as wanting i decided to just speak with the developers directly.

this took time , i had to show progress with the project, actual hardware and some of the parts in use. once i got the brain running and attached several components i videod them and put them up for them to see it in action.

im still closely working with the devs in france and i am now close to assembly of the first complete unit. as the brain and control modules have been tested and work, also the software editor for the control unit works fine with the layout and assignments the unit on first power up will be ready.

all that remains is the changes needed to the bpm software for cc# assignability.

I must make this clear this is a prototype built for myself and not for mass production or resale with anyform of motu branding on.

yes this one will have the bpm logos and the motu logos on as thats the whole point of an exact replica.


5: What are the advantages over an MPD-32

A: isnt it obvious?? its an exact replica of what you are using software wise, it will be a native control surface, inside will be ram that will take the multiple setup's that you wish to make, each setup can be named also. hopefully bpm will also have a setup capability, so you assign you cc# to each item then save the setup, that way when you boot the software it automatically loads the set up into bpm and when you powerup the controller it also automatically loads the preset patch.


personally i think motu dropped the ball when they didnt make the hardware as well, however it was also good business sense as they were able to make it possible to use the units already on the market.

the outlay for the hardware could have been greater than sales which in these present times could have been a bad decision.

i would like to make this smaller now, so i have got a load of smt parts in to try this out.

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:41 pm
by FrankW
While I admire your painstaking effort, it almost seems like a waste of time considering the software yet has so many shortcomings... :(

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:44 am
by ssp
FrankW wrote:While I admire your painstaking effort, it almost seems like a waste of time considering the software yet has so many shortcomings... :(

which is why im working closely with the developers on this project, once finished with a major software revision it will have full functionality and global cc assignability.

this will mean that there will be no shortcomings with controller application and interfacing

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:31 pm
by enot
how are you going to be able to utilize the eq'ing and efx when there are no knobs on the software to do so. you are going to have to add up and down buttons to the hardware and an extra button to input or ok the action right!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:01 am
by ssp
enot wrote:how are you going to be able to utilize the eq'ing and efx when there are no knobs on the software to do so. you are going to have to add up and down buttons to the hardware and an extra button to input or ok the action right!

no not at all, all you do is shift to the next patch using the menu, so you can make a patch called efx or eq and all the knobs can be assigned to that, then to go back to the bpm standard settings you return to that patch setting.

the internal ram will allow for multiple setups to be stored and with a press of the menu button allow them to be instantly called up in the hardware.

all the knobs are endless encoders so it makes no difference where they are in position through 360 degrees of turn, when you goto your efx or eq the dials will always relate to the position of the on screen setting, it wont do anything until you turn it.

all of this has been though out far in advance of the build, the core software can be coded to any parameter you like, it takes a little while but if you sit down read everything through you can make changes to the asm code, then recompile it and then upload it to the core chip.

the core can have upto 8 ram chips placed inside for a massive amount of setup memory and storage.

just because im making a bpm replica doesnt mean it cant be used for other things.

you could take this layout and just have a plain case with no graphics on and just marker tabs for writing on and set it up to control anything you like.

me personally , i want a hardware bpm control interface that is what i see on screen.

i built it because i wanted to, someone had to do it

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:57 am
by bobbybland
I grabbed Maschine for testing,it was fun,but preferred working with Bpm. Now what would be amazing is if your hardware controller had a screen,and editor as true form to BPM.Perhaps your idea will eventually transpire into such.Until then,keep posting your thoughts,and updates to it.I would be one of the many who would love to own it.Keep up the great work!

Re: bpm hardware (update)

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:40 am
by b-righteous
Big ups for doing this. Keep at it. I would pay for a working controller like this for BPM. Just think how Akai is selling tons of APC40's People want to control their software and the generic controllers don't do it.

Have you tried looking into OSC? I think NI controllers are using something like this.
Bi-directional communication with TRAKTOR using NHL (Native Hardware Library). The NHL protocol features resolution that is almot 4 times that of regular MIDI
Then again, MIDI is probably easier to work with.