Din Sync Multiples and Individual Pin In/Outs Box
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:20 pm
If you don't know what Din Sync is, here is a bit of background first. This was a standard for controlling music machines before Midi. It was used exclusively on things like TB-303, TR-808, TR-606, as well as a bunch of other things made in the 80's.
I happen to have a bunch of these machines because I like their sound a lot. The problem for me was that the master clock would only send one output and the other machines only had one input. This leads me to owning multiple Din Sync converters to run more than 2 machines at once.
I was frustrated with the lack of products for splitting a Din Sync Signal to use with multiple machines. I started researching what it would take to make my own. I found out that it is all voltage signals at 5vDC or less! There is a 5vDC Start/Stop signal, a 2.5vDC clock signal (24, 48 or 96pulse per quarter note), and 2 other pins that vary per device/manufacturer.
Since it is actually using voltage, I start thinking how can I make this more accessible to use with modular equipment? This is the latest version of what I came up with. I call it the Bitchin' Sync:
It has 2 identical sections, each with a 3-jack Din Sync Multiple as well as a set of jacks that connect to each of the Input/output Din Pins. If you patch a 1/4" cable across the clock and start/stop inputs, you have a 1 input, 5 output Din Sync Multiple. If you use an LFO (or clock signal in 1/4" form) as a clock in, then you can have up to six Din Syn outputs. This can get fun when you connect the multiples with a sync cable and input 2 different clocks, now you can create a swing! I haven't tried it yet, but I imagine I could record the Sync clock from a machine as audio and use an Ableton clip to have it auto adjust to my tempo! You could also use your Din Sync signal as an LFO using the tempo knob to adjust the rate.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my creation with some like minded modular folk as well as introduce people to one of my latest creations. My intention was more to share this with you than sell them, but if anyone here can't live without one... I hand make and test each one and sell them for $100 (plus shipping). I am making 20 or less of these for the first run.
I happen to have a bunch of these machines because I like their sound a lot. The problem for me was that the master clock would only send one output and the other machines only had one input. This leads me to owning multiple Din Sync converters to run more than 2 machines at once.
I was frustrated with the lack of products for splitting a Din Sync Signal to use with multiple machines. I started researching what it would take to make my own. I found out that it is all voltage signals at 5vDC or less! There is a 5vDC Start/Stop signal, a 2.5vDC clock signal (24, 48 or 96pulse per quarter note), and 2 other pins that vary per device/manufacturer.
Since it is actually using voltage, I start thinking how can I make this more accessible to use with modular equipment? This is the latest version of what I came up with. I call it the Bitchin' Sync:
It has 2 identical sections, each with a 3-jack Din Sync Multiple as well as a set of jacks that connect to each of the Input/output Din Pins. If you patch a 1/4" cable across the clock and start/stop inputs, you have a 1 input, 5 output Din Sync Multiple. If you use an LFO (or clock signal in 1/4" form) as a clock in, then you can have up to six Din Syn outputs. This can get fun when you connect the multiples with a sync cable and input 2 different clocks, now you can create a swing! I haven't tried it yet, but I imagine I could record the Sync clock from a machine as audio and use an Ableton clip to have it auto adjust to my tempo! You could also use your Din Sync signal as an LFO using the tempo knob to adjust the rate.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my creation with some like minded modular folk as well as introduce people to one of my latest creations. My intention was more to share this with you than sell them, but if anyone here can't live without one... I hand make and test each one and sell them for $100 (plus shipping). I am making 20 or less of these for the first run.
