Hacking the M5Stack MIDI module, a cheap SAM2695 General MIDI module

 

Where I have needed a General MIDI chip (GM module and CV-to-MIDI) , I have previously used the S2 waveblaster module from Serdaco BV, but with a little work the M5Stack module provides a more cost effective approach.

 

The SAM2695 is a very useful 64 voice General MIDI IC with built in effects. It uses a 6mm square 48 pin QFN package with 0.4mm lead pitch, which is difficult to solder by hand.

 

The M5stack MIDI module provides a source of a pre-soldered SAM2695 with a TTL level MIDI input, but needs some modification to get external audio outputs.

 

Video 

 Instructions PDF 

966 Voltage Source

The Behringer CP35 module is hungry for rack space (21HP !) and a lot of people only want it for the 6V voltage references.

So, from an idea by LEK Productions, here is a compact (4HP) module containing just +6V and -6V voltage references.

Three different build options are available depending on how accurate you want the reference voltages to be.

Old Mahogany..

The cabinets for my eurorack "moog modular" are made of antique mahogany salvaged from old furniture.

 

My latest cabinet was made from a victorian dressing table, however this was itself a conversion  from something earlier. Here's the top of the cabinet above:

 The inscription reads:

                                       John Broadwood and Sons

                         Maufacturers to his Majesty and the Princesses

                        Great Pulteney Street   London   Golden Square 

 

Google "John Broadwood and Sons" to identify the original object !

I would date it as after 1808, as before 1808 it was "John Broadwood and Son" (singular), This probably makes "his majesty" either George III, George IV, or  William IV.