STATUS: COMPLETED
CATEGORY: SEQUENCERS
YEAR: 2007
CATEGORY: SEQUENCERS
YEAR: 2007
THE SKYLIGHT MSS 2007 MIDI SEQUENCER
I started building a MIDI Step Sequencer in 2006, the MIDIBox Sequencer V2 from http://www.ucapps.de. I used software like Cubase and Logic but looked for a hardware device I can tweak while composing and recording.
This is the story of how I built the sequencer and how I used it to create the Synergos album, a single continuous track lasting 40 minutes.
FIG 1.1 // THE DESIGN
Starting with a ucapps.de sequencer v2 design and a few empty PCBs, the front panel was ordered from frontpanelexpress.com and components ordered from mouser.com
FIG 1.2 // THE TACTILE BOARD
I used a simple photo board to solder rotary encoders and tactile switches with a nice color selection. It was essential to measure both element placement and circumference so that the expensive front panel would be ordered with the correct measurements.
FIG 1.3 // THE BRAIN
The central sequencer "brain" is based on a PIC18F452 programmed with MIOS OS and the correct sequencer software. Throughout the testing process I did submit a few software bugs to Thorsten, which he fixed in rapid time.
It's amazing how creative this sequencer is and thinking everything is programmed in Assembly (I looked at the software as I built a few revisions myself)
FIG 1.4 // THE DISPLAYS
The sequencer has two displays, one for each 8 slots blocks, making it a 16 slot sequencer. As in each slot can reside any MIDI message (note, control change etc) and as each pattern can have a length of up to 32 slots, options are endless.df
FIG 1.5 // MESS
Well, this is one of my first large scale builds, so I did not get the wiring all nice and tidy. It is actually how the internal of my 19" chassis actually look like. It isn't the prettiest picture for sure, but it works great!
There is the central OS module, a few that handle digital inputs from the rotary encoders and buttons as well as digital outputs for the LCD displays, LEDs and whatever else is required. y 19" chassis
FIG 2.0 // THE SEQUENCER
It took me roughly 2 months of a few evenings each week to get to the final state. It worked like charm! The sequencer is so rich with features and options that you can do almost anything you have in mind with it.
I went on to compose the album Synergos and used it for all sequences and triggering drums. The album is a continuous 40 minutes long single piece which was all played live from the MSS 2007 sequencer.
If you want a modern recreation of this sequencer or even to build one yourself, head to midiphy web site.f
