History
TriplePlay 1.Version (27.9.1999)
This was a new PCB for the TriplePlay from Ryan Osman (osman@sprint.ca).
TriplePlay 2.Version (30.9.1999)
As I tested the PCB from R.Osmans projekt MIDI-In won't work, so I
altered it. I think the reason, why it don't work, was, that in the
1.version no translation was made
between the TTL-logic and the RS232-logic.
Also there was no translation made backwards between RS232-logic and
TTL-logic. The circuitry of R.Osman gives to the MIDI-ports 12V.
THAT WAS VERY DANGEROS. MY DB-50XG CARD WAS DAMAGED BY THIS HIGH VOLTAGE.
(But YAMAHA was very accommodating, and helped me with a new DB-50XG :-D )
First I havn't see this. As my card was died, it was to late. ...
that was my risk. Everybody, who build such things for his own use,
makes this at own risk.
I have learned ...
First I put some resistors at the MIDI-Out-ports.
Then I removed MIDI-Thru (this port is to find at the most
MIDI-devices).
As above sayed I altered the MIDI-In circuitry (the translation
between the TTL-logic and the RS232-logic was made in a primitive way
-but works).
This TriplePlay2 projekt works fine. But I warn you: Don't use it
with other MIDI-devices than such, that have standard MIDI-ports, see
above ... I say only: 12V ... .
Triple Play 3.Version (14.10.1999)
The main difference to the previous versions is the IC "MAX
238"(from MAXIM)
This circuit makes the translation save, fast and with low power
consumtion. It takes only 5-8mA current. This is important, because
the voltages at the serial port are gives only at maximum 20mA.
The MAX238 makes the translation in both ways from TTL -> RS232
and back.
In this way the MIDI-Ports are real driven with the right 5V logic of
MIDI.
I reinsert the MIDI-Thru-port. So the TriplePlay-MIDI-Interface is
complete.
This kind of circuitry you see at the TP3Plan.iff is real very save.
It is also compatible to TTL-inputs of other MIDI-hardware (like the
DB-50XG-card from YAMAHA) without optocouplers at the input.
Triple Play 3 small Addenum (17.12.1999)
- added a possibility to switch the TP3-MIDI-Interface to a
"normal" MIDIInterface
- reworked the gif's & guide
(thanks to Kjetil Svalastog Matheussen, who give me some hints)
At this place I will also say you a fact, before you try this all.
Have you ever used Bars&Pipes with 16 channels and many notes and
other datas like PitchBend-data or SystemExclusive-datas?
If your AMIGA have had problems with this, it is not probable, that
it can handle the full possibilities of 3x16 channels with many of
this datas.
If you not often use PitchBend-data or SystemExclusive-datas the
Sequencer works fine with the TriplePlay-MIDI-Interface and 3x16
channels.
In the other way I think a 68040 processor with 40 Mhz is the minimum
of the work with this TriplePlay - MIDI - Interface.
But try it. Bars&Pipes have so much possibilities ...