VOGONS


MP-32 : Pi based MT32, GM, ... module

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First post, by dreamblaster

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Hi,
here are some photos of a project I've been working on for a while : MP-32 = MIDI PI 32
It still needs more work, but since a few months it is on hold. I started to reconsider the idea.
So I thought today, I just show it as it is, and hear your feedback : Maybe it will give some inspiration
for when i pick it up again :

Generally this project is :
- PI3+ connected to a PCB with buttons + LCD, support for encoder dial (not in enclosure yet), for running synth emulators (MUNT, fluidsynth,...),
- an plug on USB sound card (new design, not yet ready, dream based) with an excellent CODEC, as audio+midi interface, also allowing line in mixing and effects
- headphone output with headphone amp
- a nice enclosure

Connectors on the rear :

main PCB:
- 3.5mm line in
- 3.5mm line out
- 3.5mm headphone out (digital volume control through menu)
- MIDI IN DIN connector
- optional MIDI THRU (not yet)
sound card :
- USB device for the soundcard (not yet) -> will need small cable to pi USB host... (i don't like that)
pi :
- USB host connections
- ethernet

Connectors on the side :

pi :
- HDMI
- 5V power (micro USB)
- original pi audio out (not used normally)

Connectors on the front :

pi :
- micro SD card slot for soundbanks, settings, software,...

MP32_top.jpg
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MP32_top.jpg
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MP32_rear.jpg
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MP32_rear.jpg
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MP32_internals.jpg
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MP32_internals.jpg
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That's it for now..

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 1 of 103, by root42

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Very cool! Also a good platform for other synth emulators.

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Reply 2 of 103, by keropi

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yes I also agree this device will be great - it will bring mt-32 sounds to many more people's old systems

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Reply 3 of 103, by Dominus

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Awesome!!! I want that!

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Reply 4 of 103, by DosWorld

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I have 2 setup: 1u server case with 8 rpi3 and power supply. Total - 16 rpi3.
No one micro sd stay alive after 1 year work (have no hard work).
So, I want notify: linux on micro sd - is not best choice.

PS: I am have rumors about PI1541 Hat, as talks, they not boot full linux - used just few boot-files from Raspbian distrubution.

Last edited by DosWorld on 2019-06-25, 10:01. Edited 1 time in total.

CPU: Amd K6/450, RAM: 256M, VIDEO: S3Trio V+, SOUND: EWS64XXL/64M
CPU: iP/100, RAM: 16M, VIDEO: S3Trio V+, SOUND: SB AWE32
IBM Aptiva, CPU i486DX/80, RAM: 96M
Compaq Contura 4/25 2820D, CPU: i486SX/25, RAM: 4M, VGA.
HP 200LX/2M

Reply 5 of 103, by root42

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My experience is contrary. I have one Pi1, two Pi2. All of them have been running for at least four years continuously. So far no SD card failure. YMMV.

Last edited by root42 on 2020-03-22, 17:39. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 6 of 103, by matze79

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DosWorld wrote:

I have 2 setup: 1u server case with 8 rpi3 and power supply. Total - 16 rpi3.
No one micro sd stay alive after 1 year work (have no hard work).
So, I want notify: linux on micro sd - is not best choice.

If your microsd dies your setup for is linux wrong.
Put everything on tmpfs, reduce writes to sd card, get industrial sdcards if possible.
Set noatime, noadirtime etc.

Looks nice dreamblaster! 😁

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https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 7 of 103, by DosWorld

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Both my setup works 365*24, full year, without stop.
Used Debian distribution optimized for ARM SBCs - dietpi.

CPU: Amd K6/450, RAM: 256M, VIDEO: S3Trio V+, SOUND: EWS64XXL/64M
CPU: iP/100, RAM: 16M, VIDEO: S3Trio V+, SOUND: SB AWE32
IBM Aptiva, CPU i486DX/80, RAM: 96M
Compaq Contura 4/25 2820D, CPU: i486SX/25, RAM: 4M, VGA.
HP 200LX/2M

Reply 8 of 103, by Tiido

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This is a really nice use for a Pi module ~

I would prefer a thing where all controls are in front so that it can be in a stack, since over here horizontal space is highly limited and only option is to stack towers.

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Reply 9 of 103, by appiah4

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I have a Pi3 lying about that I already use for just running MUNT for my retro PCs using a USB MIDI cable, sign me up for a boxed solution like this.

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Reply 10 of 103, by t9999clint

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this project looks pretty good. Any plans on reworking any of it now that the ras pi 4 is out?

I'm also kind of curious about how you're connecting the buttons and such. I'm guessing i2c for the lcd.
Do you have a software solution already worked out? My RasPi midi project is mostly just bash files and a couple of python scripts.

I like how your project is the super professional, high fidelity way and my project is the as cheap as possible "just get it stable" sort of way.
*edit* we continued this discussion in PM *edit*

Last edited by t9999clint on 2019-06-30, 09:02. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 11 of 103, by Salient

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When this device will actually be for sale, count me in!

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Reply 12 of 103, by voodoo5_6k

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Wow, just wow 😎

I was just browsing the forum and then this. Really cool! Can't wait until this thing will be finished and ready for sale! No, I don't need an MT-32 for anything (all my favorite games from that era actually do "need" an CM-32L), and that's why I always passed on MT-32's that were for sale. But this here... I'd buy it right now 😀

Great work, dreamblaster 😀

END OF LINE.

Reply 13 of 103, by t9999clint

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since it's a raspberry pi it'll emulate almost anything you want. MT-32, CM-32L, as well as any soundfont small enough to fit in it's ram (1gb). Me and a few other people are working on porting more software synths to work on this, but these are still in progress.

In theory it should be possible to run a Yamaha XG50 softsynth on here, and maaaaaaybe a Roland soundcanvas, but the last one is not likely.

My Youtube Channel: https://www.kor.ninja/
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Reply 15 of 103, by dreamblaster

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yes, in next revision, pi 4 will fit as well

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 16 of 103, by claesbas

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dreamblaster wrote:

Hi,
here are some photos of a project I've been working on for a while : MP-32 = MIDI PI 32
It still needs more work, but since a few months it is on hold.

This would sell like icecream on a sunny day! - I would buy one in a hearbeat! 😊

Reply 17 of 103, by matze79

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i think munt and a slink linux will fully be able to run from ramdisk, so wear of sdcard can be reduced greatly.
Anyway i see no need why anything should write on the sd in this case.
logging on disk, temporary files.. everything can be put into ramdisk.

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 18 of 103, by claesbas

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matze79 wrote:

i think munt and a slink linux will fully be able to run from ramdisk, so wear of sdcard can be reduced greatly.
Anyway i see no need why anything should write on the sd in this case.
logging on disk, temporary files.. everything can be put into ramdisk.

I don't think it would be much read/write on to the card for something like this. I have a Kodi Raspberry Pi media setup I use everyday that's been going strong for over 2 years now (Sandisk 32gb ultra card). Also, playing the DOS retro games is probably not something that is done hours per day but usually quite occasional (even for the most dedicated retro fan).