MBHP: The MIDIbox Hardware Platform
The hardware of all MIDIbox projects can be assembled in a modular way. Some projects have special designed modules, others only require a Core Module. Every device needs at least one Core.
An official overview of the available modules can be found here: MBHP µCApps
SmashTV has very nice 3D illustrations and interactive graphics on his page that are quite helpful to assemble the modules: SmashTV's MBHP Modules. Note though that the layouts may differ from the PCBs available at Mike's Midishop.
Module Overview
Microcontroller module
- PIC Programmer Modules ! These are not needed if you order PICs from SmashTV or Mike’s !
- PIC Burner actual PIC-Burner
- JDM (expired) but also working Module to Burn all PICs (16F877,16F88,18F452 & 18F4620)
Input modules
- AIN Module Analog Input (0-5V)
- DIN Module Digital Input (ON/OFF)
Output modules
- DOUT Module Digital Output (eg. LED ON/OFF)
- LCD Module Liquid Crystal Display
- AOUT Module Analog Out to output Voltages (for Controls)
I/O modules
- BankStick Memory module to store settings
- IIC Modules to communicate to other (microcontroller) devices via I2C
- MF Module to control motor faders
- LTC Module MIDI LED Indicators + 1 MIDI-Out + 1 Thru (+ 1 optional to-COM-Port)
- USB Modules PC/USB Interface
- MIDIbox Extensions uCApps
Sound modules
- SID Module for the famous C64 sound chip
- OPL3 Module for the FM-Chips YMF262 and YAC512
- IIC SpeakJet Module for the SpeakJet sound chip
Still Confused?
If you have problems understanding the structure of a MIDIbox, just think of your PC:
- Processor ⇒ PIC18F
- Mainboard ⇒ Core Module
- Keyboard ⇒ DIN Module
- Soundcard ⇒ FM (OPL3) or SID Module
- Graphics Card ⇒ DOUT Module (with connected LEDs)
- Display ⇒ LCD Module (Liquid Crystal Display)
- BIOS ⇒ the bootloader
- Operating System (Windows, Linux, Macintosh) ⇒ MIOS.syx (MIDIbox Operating System)
- The application you work with ⇒ MB64e.syx, MBSID.syx or MBSeq.syx
Luckily - just as in the example - you don’t need to open up your case and desolder the processor just to update “Word”: all Applications can be uploaded via MIDI by SysEx commands. You can even update new MIOS versions without having to burn a microcontroller! No PIC burning at all is required when you order your PIC microcontrollers at SmashTV or Mike.
For Developers
If you have somehow improved a PCB layout, please submit your changes here:
- PCB Layout Improvements for MBHP Modules
