Analog 4 master tb 303 slave write mode issue?

natefrogg · 2014-01-13T23:57:52.000Z

with elektron analog 4 as master, and a roland tb 303 as slave on either midi out or thru from the analog 4, i can not seem to advance steps in pitch mode to write a pattern on the tb 303 when i stop the analog 4, i have tried double pressing stop as well but that does not help.

so far my solution is to unplug the midi din cable from either the analog 4 or the tb 303, then i can enter write mode on the 303 and it functions as one would expect.

in my limited testing i have slaved the tb 303 to a roland tr 606, stopping playback then entering write mode on the tb 303 functions as expected here, no issues at all with this combination.

is there anyone out there with this combination of hardware that has run into this issue? thanks for your time and eyes reading!

Area303 · 2014-01-17T11:37:16.000Z

Edit… NM, i was wrong. Too late at night. Time for sleep

beaumont · 2014-01-17T15:39:36.000Z

Yeah unfortunately one of the pins on the dyn cable stops the 303’s internal clock so you have to unplug it even to step forward while creating patterns. The 303 and 606 were made to work together so one of the pins allows writing patterns while the dyn plug is plugged in.

beaumont · 2014-01-17T15:41:43.000Z

I highly suggest getting the quicksilver upgrade. Will take care of this and add some killer functionality. Having mine done next month. http://www.socialentropy.com/quicksilver/

Random_Knobhead · 2014-01-19T22:42:32.000Z

Good point beaumont, the quicksilver upgrade gives awesome features, I was looking into getting it done to my Devil Fish, but unfortunately it uses a different memory storage chip to the original one and this would mean I wouldn’t be able to use the 32 Memory Bank modification which gives the ability to switch between patterns before they reach their end via a set of toggle switches and button, and thats something I use extensively to improvise adding fills and single notes on the fly, and now with the Audio/CV in to memory bank mod it is possible to switch between 4 banks using LFOs,Triggers,Audio sources etc etc.

Anyway getting to the point~
The Devil Fish MIDI in/out system works fine synced up with my A4 being able to stop playback and write patterns in the Devil Fish, so that could be another option too.

There are some exciting developments for the MIDI in/out system Robin is working on at the moment. Called ‘Dynamic Bank/Channel switching’ this is similar to the Audio/CV in to memory bank mod and those inputs can also be used with it. Basically it gives the ability to dynamically switch between 4 incoming MIDI channels which can have note data, controller data for Cutoff Freq, and even controllers to effect the velocity of Accented/non Accented notes at the MIDI out of the Devil Fish via a variety of options-MIDI notes/Controllers, Audio and CV in. I’m lucky enough to be Beta testing these new features and so far I’m blown away with the results (still waiting on the new MIDI firmware).

Robin has been working with and modifying the TB-303 since around 1990, he also installs the Quicksilver 303 upgrade with an isolated USB (i think to reduce noise). He would be the only one who I would contact for ANY help regarding the TB-303.

Here is a link to the Devil Fish page where you can contact him through~
http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/dfish/

Here is a link to my Youtube channel where I posted vids about the new Audio/CV in to memory bank mod~

YouTube

TB-303 Devil Fish

This channel is all about the Devil Fish. Pushed, pulled, poked, provoked and plugged together with other instruments and effects.Hopefully inspiring new way...

natefrogg · 2014-01-20T00:40:33.000Z

thanks guys

i dug up an old midi to din sync converter box i had in storage and just gave that a go, that solves the issue for me

i’m not sure if i want to do any modifications to this one, it is stock and pretty clean, though it sure would be nice to edit patterns as it is running, i don’t want to rule the idea out completely but cannot at this point in time direct any more money towards this 303, maybe in the future!

natefrogg · 2014-01-20T00:44:59.000Z

""beaumont"":

Yeah unfortunately one of the pins on the dyn cable stops the 303’s internal clock so you have to unplug it even to step forward while creating patterns. The 303 and 606 were made to work together so one of the pins allows writing patterns while the dyn plug is plugged in.

do you happen to know which of the 5 pins?
i wonder if that 1 pin is disconnected, would din sync still function properly?

dinsync.png773×530 32.4 KB

Random_Knobhead · 2014-01-20T02:13:59.000Z

Robin often talks about what pin does what and has special din cables with one of the pins cut, ask him and tell him what your issue is with the A4 being master etc.
I’m sure hell be happy to advise and also replies very promptly to enquiries, let him know Lincoln gave you his email address-
rw@firstpr.com.au

natefrogg · 2014-01-29T18:10:05.000Z

thank you for that, i am not going to go bothering that guy unless i plan on spending some money on some of his fine work though

i did however get the chance to go to namm as a media/photographer person, i took this opportunity to head to the elektron booth and ask a few questions, it turns out that they were very curious about this din sync issue, it sounded like the elektron analog rytm might be using the same code base as the analog 4 for making din sync work as an option on the midi out and thru

i explained that i had tried with a midi to sin sync adapter, and that there was zero issue with the adapter translating midi from the analog 4 midi out, i also explained about the normal behavior when a tr 606 is master

i do not know if they will be able to fix it, but i was given a business card and was asked to email the address on the card with the error description, as well as this thread. i’ve had my butt kicked with a horrible flu right after namm show, i wasn’t even able to make it to the elektron live pa room at basis in la on saturday which totally bummed me out, but i did just shoot an email to the nice fellow that took the time to hear me out, thanks again elektron!

natefrogg · 2014-11-12T17:33:22.000Z

thank you ELEKTRON for fixing this issue with the 1.12 update! much love and please let me buy someone a pint at namm 2015 if possible =)