Archive for the 'MSA' Category

Wabbit Wanch Design has released Moose, an easy-to-use freeware configuration utility for MSA series (MSA-P, MSA-R, MSA-T) MIDI decoders.

Based on menu selections, Moose automatically generates a MIDI SysEx configuration message.  The configuration can be sent to the MSA directly from Moose, or can be exported to a binary SysEx (.syx) file.  Moose also generates MIDI messages for easy testing of each MSA output.

The initial version of Moose is compatible with MSA firmware version 2.2 (MSA units shipped February 2008 to present).

Several “makers” at the recent Maker Faire Detroit demonstrated projects that incorporate Highly Liquid MIDI decoders.  For more photos, see the new Highly Liquid Photostream at Flickr.

Chip Flynn (Apetechnology) brought several robots, including an MSA-R controlled string instrument (background left):

Dana Dolfi demonstrated the MSA-T controlled Great American Horn Machine:

Dave Kadlitz performed with his MSA-R & MSA-T controlled mechanical drum machine, the “Waits-o-Matic 9000″:

Michael Una performed with an MD24-synced DIY sequencer:

Steve Averill’s robot drummer first appeared in this blog as a pair of disembodied plywood forearms.

The “Spruce Deuce” has since become a sophisticated android drummer brought to life by 11 RC servos.  Servo control signals are generated by a single MD24 MIDI Decoder:

Compare to Steve3PO, an MSA-T driven MIDI robot drummer.

Other MD24-based MIDI percussion projects are underway and are being discussed at the Highly Liquid Forums.  Have you joined the forums yet?

Dana in Pennsylvania combined a car hauler trailer, a 4-cylinder gasoline engine air compressor, a 620 gallon air tank, and an assortment of air horns & whistles.  He then added 24 relays driven by three MSA-T MIDI decoders and a laptop running Anvil Studio.  The result:

Complete project discussion and additional photos can be found here.  Also see the rig’s renditions of “76 Trombones” and “The Pennsylvania Polka“.

Daren Ager’s modular drum demo, using an MPA MIDI Decoder as an interface between a Machinedrum and modular gear:

Ronin Otter’s UMR / Casio SK-1 installation how-to video (also see Nomeist’s UMR mini-review):

MIDI2600 / Synthcart / Atari 2600 demo video by The Longhorn Engineer (also see this MIDI2600-External enclosure discussion):

Spunkytoofer’s latest noise machine which includes an MSA-R for MIDI control (lots of other devices here):

Stylinghead’s photos of a clever CS01-MIDI internal install by Billy Neenos:

A Boss DR-110 / MD24 MIDI retrofit project from Darren at MakerSpace, Wellington, New Zealand:

Steve, a robot drummer based on the MSA-T MIDI decoder, built by Texas Central Positronics.

Video here, here, and here:

Komega’s MD24-based Musifore MIDI visualizer:

MIDISpeak / Speak & Spell controlled by Ableton Live.  Video here and here:

A Yamaha CS01 with an installed CS01-MIDI kit, controlled by an x0xb0x:

The latest suitcase SK-1 from The Umbrella Company, with installed UMR for MIDI control:

Rob Darman used the MSA-T MIDI decoder to build MIDI fire drums.  The MSA-T controlled fire cannons were triggered by Roland V-Drums and used in a performance by Psylab at Firefly 2009.

Update: Additional video can be found here and here.

exFade’s modified Synsonics drum machine, MIDI-controlled via MSA-T MIDI decoder:

Bryan Benting’s MIDI-controlled electrical outlets and 48-output MIDI-to-gate box (with MSA-T-driven power relays and two MD24 kits for gate triggers) with MIDI-controlled lighting videos (video 1, video 2):

SYNCHRO’s externally-housed MIDISpeak installations:

Concretedog’s MSA-R mini review:

k1ds3ns4t10n’s MSA-P assembly photos:

Forum member GoatBoy used the MSA-R to provide MIDI control for an array of solenoid-activated bells.  (Note: The MSA-T and MSA-P may be better choices for solenoid-based projects.)

Spunky Toofers used an Akai EWI 3000 to trigger a MIDISpeak and effects.

Siempre La Luna documented the MIDISpeak assembly process and installation process.

Thomas S. photographed his MIDI Xbox controller for use with music games.

MIDI-modified Stylophone controlled with a bent TR-505 and MSA-R (Diabolical Devices):

MIDI2600-Internal installation video (Siempre La Luna):

DIY MIDI drum machine incorporating an MSA kit and a Farfisa organ percussion module (Quiet Channel):

MIDISpeak dual-mode installation (Erik Tinberg):

This Is The Sound, the new release from Burnkit2600 which features MSA-R controlled bent percussion:

Custom MSA-R based MIDI control box with video (The Umbrella Company):