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Synths |
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| TAMA TECHSTAR TS-305 - MIDI | |
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Synths |
| Last Updated: | |
| TAMA TECHSTAR TS-305 - MIDI | |
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| CHOICE | |||
| When i first attempt to add midi to this last year, i used the Emblab (Canada) trigger kit, which is similar to their TR-606 Midi Kit. However, when i ordered it, the trigger type i specified when ordering didn't match the TS-305 - so in the end that went into the Drumfire DF-500. | |||
| There exists only a few Midi-to-Drum Trigger Units that i know of. Most would need modifications. However, during the search of midi-to-trigger last year, i came across Paul Maddox's Modulus Electronics site. | |||
| Paul sells a Midi-to-trigger PCB [and pre-programmed ROM] called the MIDI2SDS, originally designed to trigger a Simmons SDS. (See also my MIDI2SDS page) | |||
| MIDI2SDS II | |||
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Midi2SDS II is the 2nd generation of Modulus Electronics
excellent Midi-to-drum trigger kit. Version2 provides 8 triggers along with individual LEDs and also Velocity-to-CV - so if the drum trigger input is CV sensitive you get Midi Velocity -> drum volume for example. |
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| An email to Paul and then sent out payment, soon the PCB and the MEGA8 pre-programmed ROMs arrived. | |||
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| Double sided PCB, only a few components to solder.... | |||
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Only takes like 1/2 an hour to build and you can't really
go wrong. Trust me, Paul knows his designs - i mean afterall he did design the very complex Oakley PolyDAC - 4 channel Midi-to-CV converter! |
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Note: On this board, I soldered the LEDs to the PCB. I
might eventually mount them on the front panel... (well... i still have this metal drilling phobia.....) |
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| POWER LOCATION | |||
| From the schematics, you can see each board of the TS-305 has a connector at the end. This connector delivers +15V/0V/-15V. | |||
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| We need to tap the +15V and 0V for powering the Midi2SDSII. | |||
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| I soldered directly to the CN1 connector (blank) on SNARE board. | |||
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| TRIGGER IN's | |||
| The original trigger in sockets on the TS-305 are switched sockets. They switched to earth to cut out the trigger in if no jacks are plugged in. We need to modify this - otherwise triggers from the Midi-to-trigger will not work. | |||
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| Unscrew the top screws on the front panel, then unscrew the screws near the jack sockets - now the jack socket panel will come loose. | |||
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| External trigger inputs are the middle jack sockets. | |||
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| Remove the 3 clips that holds the sockets to the bracket. The bracket can then be taken out. | |||
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| The PCB is clearly labelled, we need to de-solder the middle jack, and remove the connection of PAD C. | |||
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| Jack Socket Modifications.... | |||
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The Jack socket removed from each board.... | ||
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We need to bend up one of the legs - the one that was soldered to PAD C on the PCB. | ||
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Then you can just wire the trigger to PAD B: |
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You can either leave it at that.
Or if you still want to use the socket's switch action - so that if external trigger in is plugged in, it will cut out the midi-trigger - then solder the trigger wire to this bent terminal This is what i have done, so jacks plugged into the trigger in socket will break the internal midi. |
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| MOUNTING | |||
| MIDI IN SOCKET | |||
| I mounted the Midi In Socket at the original hole where the flying mains lead came out. |
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| MIDI2SDSII PCB | |||
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I mounted the MIDI2SDSII PCB on the side of the SNARE Module.
The MIDI2SDSII has 8 LED's which flash when they receive midi triggers and also they're needed for the MIDI LEARN. At 1st, i wanted to use the 6 existing LED's on TS-305, but found that they cannot be soldered in parallel. Unless i remove all the knobs and take out each PCB module, de-solder the LED, and solder them to the Midi2SDSII..... I could have drilled another 6 holes for these LEDs, but i couldn't be bothered. I'll just have the LEDs on the Midi2SDS II PCB, and not even mount the LEARN button. I'll just have it Midi learnt and configured before i close the back panel!!
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| MIDI2SDSII Config | |||
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Just press the LEARN button, each LED will flash.
Press a midi note, it would learn and trigger that sound. The next LED then lights up flashing. Press the next midi note and it will learn, learn, learn!!! EASY! |
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TESTING: The TS-305 in use, see the Trigger LEDs on the Midi2SDSII flashing! |
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| The MIDI-fied TAMA Techstar TS-305 |
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As of July 25th, 2004. |
| TS-305 MEMORY Soundz | Basic 6 Sounds, "Memory" Presets |
| TS-305 Manual Soundz | Just some sounds i tweaked, different to the presets |
| TS-305 Rough Doss Around | Just dossing around, trying to hear what these soundz can do |
| TS-305 Midi Seq MEMORY | Playing a simple drum pattern thru Midi using MEMORY Soundz |
| TS-305 Midi Seq MANUAL | Playing a simple drum pattern thru Midi using Manual Soundz |
| TS-305 Midi Velocity | Since the Midi2SDSII is Midi Velocity Sensitive -> CV, and it seems that the TS-305 is CV aware, playing from soft to hard.... |
| -> Play ALL | |
Other Links on the Tama TS-305... |
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