Archive for the 'UMR' Category

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:

Robert at Alien-Devices (MySpace) has been producing quality modified & circuit bent gear for almost a decade.  Alien-Devices now offers installation service for Highly Liquid MIDI retrofits and has begun to add MIDI control to projects via Highly Liquid MIDI decoders.

See Robert’s MySpace blog for projects such as this modified MIDI SK-5:

Roglok in Germany created this custom enclosure for the UMR universal MIDI retrofit. The i/o connections are exported to a DB-25 connector–which allows a variety of keyboards to be used with the box after a DIP switch adjustment. Music by Roglok and many others is available from the Upitup netlabel.

Firmware has been updated for the MIDISpeak, MIDI2600, MPA, SKM and UMR kits. The updates address an incompatibility with some MIDI controllers & sequencers which can cause an imperfect note response. The recent MSA firmware update also addresses this issue.

Products purchased after February 1, 2008 include the updated firmware. Microcontroller ICs from earlier products may be returned for a free upgrade. Please send email for additional information.

A new technical article has been posted that describes the function of the keyboard “matrix” used in most non-velocity-sensitive electronic keyboards. This will be useful for those who wish to install the UMR Kit without a previously documented install.

The new UMR kit adds a MIDI input to large range of “scanned matrix” keyboards. Most non-velocity sensitive keyboards are of the scanned matrix type.

Installation has been documented for the following keyboard models:

• Casio DM-100
• Casio MT-210
• Casio RAP-1 (Rapman)
• Yamaha VSS-30

Documentation for additional keyboard models will be posted as installations are performed.

The UMR is not compatible with the Yamaha CS01. There may be a CS01 kit in the future.