new d8bridge approach

[munkustrap]

Hi

As mentioned in an other posting i'm designing a new kind of d8bridge. It will be connected via USBBox isd will be compatible With the new mackie mcu Plus two extensions.
The Software will Run in an external microcomputer . You will have a small Box connected via USB to the Computer and via SUB-D to the console.
Best of All, i will make this solution available for everyone.
The Box should be finished at least in 3 months and the costs should be less than 250 Dollars.
When the box is finished One Forum member is the Lucky guy that can get the box for 50 Dollar for testing.

I will keep you updated.

[munkustrap]

finally the first functions can be seen.

ProBox in Action
http://youtu.be/gRlwCIDBTq8

Probox booting up with d8b console
http://youtu.be/XcqG14vq9Do

Probox loading a cubase song
http://youtu.be/QdzY2gLcHnE

Probox Fader Flip
http://youtu.be/nqkYi3Pb-yM

[fred620]

OMG DUDE BRING IT ON...MANNN IM SOOOO READY!!!!!! Mannn i watched ya video.."loading cubase song" and i almost pissed ma pants lololol!!! I just want this thing to have no bugs and function like the mackie control universal i had that i sold to buy this d8b!

Questions....
Can i use the talkback on my D8B board? I want to get rid of my mackie big knob!
Is there unlimited channel bank over like the mackie control universal plus fader pack i had? Im mixing 50 plus tracks sometimes!!
Does it mater what version of the board software is being used?
I sold all of the cards in the back of my board...do i need to repurchase any of them to run your setup?

I GUESS I CAN BE PATIENT AND WAIT ANOTHER 3 MONTHS LOLOL

[fred620]

OHHHHH...just to let you kno i got $50 sitting in Paypal waiting for ya!!!

[munkustrap]

Hi

A short update of my project plan.

today I finalized the programming, now the debug and test session will start. I guess this will take at least
about 2 to 3 weeks till I have a software that works.
Additional I have to design a small hardware board to get the stuff "production ready".
That means, I guess that the box is ready fur purchase in about 2 Months. So hold on.

You will be able to update the software of the box and you will be able to add
hardware updates later on ( I plan to include a 96x64 dot display per channel !!!)
The Probox will have 5 USB MIDI Ports, one for SW updates, 3 for MCU and 2 XT and one for additional functions
like the displays ( to get more than 6 characters per Channel name).

to your questions:
You can switch the channels in packs of 24 as on the MCU+ 2 XTs, or shift the channels by one.
You do not need any cards from your d8b.
I want to add the audio path (Monitoring, CUE, Talkback,.. so all that is controlled between the Brainboard and the DCA board of the d8B) but as I mentioned I do not have the commands and I do not own an PSU/CPU to sniff the protocol.

best reagards
Ralph

add: As I'm deep in development it is possible that it takes a couple of days till I reply in this forum.

[fred620]

sounds good bro. Monitoring and talk-back via the board is ok but not a deal-breaker for me. My main concern is running this board like my MCU + fader packs and the meter bridge jumping in real-time. I am patiently awaiting. thanks for the reply!!!!

[topdiggy2]

Hey Ralph -

I sent you a question via the youtube comments but, when i found this thread it answered my question.

But, i do want to ask you this....do you have an idea of price point you will offer this ProBox solution?

Thanks

[topdiggy2]

Damn, did it again...found the answer! nevermind!

[munkustrap]

As i do not own a real Mackie mcu, i cannot give you
A true answer, but from the technical point of view the old Mackie
Mcu runs on 3 midi ports that has about the same bandwith as the
serial connection of the d8b. The new mcu is via USB and doesn't
Has this bandwith problem.

Regarding the meterbridge a small example:
We have 115200 baud on the serial on the d8b.
With start and stop-bit we need 10bits to transmit one
Byte. So about 0.1ms. To set the meterbridge from dark to
Christmas lights we have to switch 12x24 LEDs=264 LEDs
One led is switched using 4bytes, so a full dark to shiny
Meterbridge switch needs about 1000 bytes that consumes
100ms. Thats a fact and limited by the d8b.

But this includes am 24 channels including the clipping LEDs.
And should not be the case on music.

Best regards
Ralph

[bitSync]

@ bitsync

For the Audio patch i need the commands on the serial connection between the console and the cpu. I mean the connection which is used by the d8bridge, not the dsp connection. On this interface the whole monitoring section is controlled
CUE 1, CUE2, Speakers Level, Talkback. I can make a list of the vpots and switches that are done by that (I see that in the schematics).
Maybe somebody can help me here. Then it will be possible to add a full Monitor Controller to the d8b ProBox.

best regards
Ralph

Please check your PM. Thanks.