SCRATCH-808 SYNC DRUM MACHINE is a performable musical instrument with the ability to sync with external synthesizers and drum machines through the use of microcontroller boards such as the BBC Micro:bit, Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, and others. BASIC INSTRUCTIONS ---------------------------- - Press the Play button to start/stop sequencer. - Control the tempo with the slider. - Press the buttons to activate and de-active which sounds are played. Triggering with Micro:bit ---------------------------- - Follow the instructions for connecting the Micro:bit to Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/microbit - Set the Sync Mode to "Micro:bit Pin 0" in the top-right corner. - The drum machine will advance to the next step whenever Pin 0 is activated. Place one finger on the GND and tap Pin 0 with another finger to activate to test. Syncing Micro:bit to External Clock/Synthesizers -------------------------------------------------------- - Connect a pulse wave to Pin 0 of the Micro:bit. A high pulse will trigger the sequencer to advance and play the next step. - Connect the GND to the pulse source device. - BEWARE! The tolerance for the IO pins is +3.6v. Many synthesizers output a +5v signal. If the is the case for you synthesizer/clock generator then you must use a level shifter, attenuator, or some other method to make sure the incoming voltage is less than +3.6v. Otherwise you risk causing permanent damage to the Micro:bit. Syncing Microcontrollers with "t" -------------------------------------- - Many microcontroller boards, such as the Micro:bit, Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, and Teensy 3.1/3.2 can be used as a USB keyboard. - Program these to emit a "t" character, and plug the controller into the computer. - Set the "Sync Mode" to "t" key in the top right corner of the Scratch-808. Adafruit Circuit Playground Express ----------------------------------------- - Here is a Makecode sketch for the CPE to control the Scratch-808: https://makecode.com/_M4xCfz0xz7ia - Set "Sync Mode" to "t" in the upper right corner. - Press the A button on the CPE to emit a "T" - Plug external pulse clock into PIN A1 on the CPE. - WARNING! Do not exceed +3.3v. Many devices are +5v, so be careful. - Move CPE switch to the right to allow pulse input to send the "t" triggers.
Why am I doing this? Scratch is a viable music creation platform. I also like making things talk to each other.
