Category Archives: Electronics

MP-2 + MRe: Hacking the Alesis Vortex and using a Wireless Midi Transmitter

Posted on 2013/04/12 by rt

A two-project merge! The Alesis Vortex needed a bit more… controls! So I decided to add a few sensors that would give me greater flexibility when playing. The Vortex is already quite capable, but my left hand was not “used” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Electronics, MP, MP-2, Music equipment, Vortex | Leave a comment

MRe-2: A demo

Posted on 2013/03/11 by rt

I have decided to try the MRe-2 in a real setting. So I hooked up my keyboard and recorded a demo. It was done using Ableton Live 9. The trick was to setup 2 midi loops (using clips). The first … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, FCB1010, MP, MR, MRe, Vortex | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Midi Wireless: The iRig Midi adapter and Audeonic’s MidiMridge

Posted on 2013/03/09 by rt

In a previous post, I explained how I successfully use a pair of XBee radios to exchange Midi information between a midi instrument and a computer. This post is about another wireless solutions for those who have an iPhone or … Continue reading →

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MRe-2: XBee Midi emitter

Posted on 2013/01/10 by rt

In the previous post, I  explained that I temporarily abandoned trying to use the RFM12B radio transceiver to exchange Midi information between two devices. This post explains how I successfully used the XBee radio transceiver to achieve sending information between … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, MP, Music equipment | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Jeenode: Interference

Posted on 2012/12/16 by rt

Because of the previous post, I decided to  test a bit more. To see if I could physically move the board to reduce interference. So I connected the Arduino with the attached RFM12B radio module. The one using the Sparkfun … Continue reading →

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RFM12B: Dealing with radio interference

Posted on 2012/12/16 by rt

This is a screenshot from the serial monitor of a Jeenode (Arduino compatible) connected to my computer. It runs a program that will listen to incoming radio messages through its RFM12B radio transceiver. In this window, you can clearly see too … Continue reading →

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VC-1: New circuit

Posted on 2012/02/07 by rt

The first circuit design for the VC-1 was a bit unstable and very dependant on the quality of the control signal. Since the goal here is to control the resistance with a PWM signal from the micro-controller, the control signal … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Music equipment, VC-1 | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Tech Preview: Alesis Vortex (updated)

Posted on 2012/01/24 by rt

Update: 2012/12/21 – I am reviewing the Vortex in new posts. The first part is at: http://practicalusage.com/?p=781 Update: 2012/12/29 – Second part of the Vortex Review/Guide. Programming and midi messages at: http://practicalusage.com/?p=799 Alesis keeps putting new products on the market. Many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , | 4 Comments

VC-1: Volume Control Beta

Posted on 2011/12/24 by rt

The VC-1 is. On the left, the Silonex Audiohm opto-couplers (OC) with the electronic drivers. it has been described here. On the right, the line-buffer/impedance-controller described there. It works as expected, using two digital pins on the Arduino micro-controller to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Electronics, Music equipment, VC-1 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Making my own PCB: An exercise in frustration

Posted on 2011/08/28 by rt

I decided a few weeks ago that I would make my own circuit boards (PCB) for a while. At least for the first Beta. I succeeded, but the time and money invested make it a very “not profitable” adventure. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Electronics, Pedal board, PU-2 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment