This is Ver2.0 of a finished project.
I usually do projects about the same way every time. Product definition (10 min), Code outline (10 min), Schematic generation, Build prototype, Write code all at one sitting (This one took about 6 hours), Take a copy of the above file, and delete all but a small section. Debug the section, and put it back into the original file. Repeat with other chunks of code until done. Test the program as a whole, Mass produce and be famous (never got to this last step yet).
Files in MIDI.ZIP
MIDI20.C Source code for Midi Light dimmer
MIDI.SCH Schematic in OrCad Version IV (Dos version)
MIDI.LIB Library file for OrCad Schematic
MIDI.DXF Schematic in DXF Format
MIDI_SCH.PDF Schematic in Postscript format…. Copy to postscript printer
Download “MIDI.ZIP” PIC16C63 C source code and schematics.
View Schematic for the MIDI light dimmer (PDF File).
View Photo of finished product.
MIDI Nomenclature is as difficult to describe as it is to spell.
Use the terms Port, Channel, Device, and Box like this. You can have lots of MIDI ports (Connectors) on a machine. Each MIDI PORT can have 16 CHANNELS of 127 DEVICES (notes) each. Each light dimmer box consumes 5 DEVICEs: 4 lights and one relay.
As it is, the box has a MIDI interface. There’s an input connector and an output connector. The boxes’ output connector goes downstream to the next boxes’ input connector. There’s a DIP switch in each box to select which of the 16 channels the box will respond to, and what device the first light will respond to. The four lights and the relay will respond to four consecutive device addresses. So… With the dipswitch, you can set a box to be on channel 5, and use devices 32 thru 36. The first light will respond to device 32, the next light device 33, the next 34, and the last 35. The relay will then use device 36. You can connect another box to the first box’s output connector, and set it to respond to channel 5 devices 37-41, (or any channel, any device).
Cakewalk is a MIDI sequencer / editor and it is good. You can just draw the desired intensity of a particular light by drawing a volume envelope of a single note. If you’re in a stage act, and already have Cakewalk doing the sound, that’s the way to go. The existing design can be modified to use standard baud rates, and the RS-232 Electrical interface. Then you can just fire off commands via RS-232. Cakewalk would be a little difficult to interface to if you just wanted to make a home lighting system that responds to opening doors and time of day. For that you just wip something up in Visual basic using standard com port commands.
PIC “Pinewood Derby” style race timer.
PIC based “Pinewood derby style” race track timer. One switch closure starts the race and initiates end of race process. That switch is mounted to the starting gate. When the gate snaps open, the cars start rolling. The gate stays open until the race is over.
Read more: PIC16C63 Midi controlled Light dimmer