New 2.0 Firmware!
- Online parameter editor: https://misw.us/editor
- Edit Midi CC# per channel on USB MIDI and TRS MIDI Outputs
- Set MIDI CC Range
- Adjust I2C Leader/Follower Mode
- Adjust boot delay
- Improved I2C stability for Disting
- USB MIDI thru to TRS MIDI
UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS FOR 1.xx Devices:
press the reset twice with USB connected, copy the firmware file to the folder that pops up, it will confirm and the window will close automatically.
The firmware is now unified for F8R and XVI, to identify the device as F8R, DIP switches must ALL BE OFF
THE DIP SWITCH IS NOW DEPRCIATED, ALL FUNCTIONS IT SERVED ARE NOW DONE VIA WEB EDITOR.
F8R is a 8 channel, 16hp control surface for Eurorack
Features:
- Long throw LED 60mm faders
- 0-5V, 0-10V, -5 to +5V CV ranges per channel
- Fully analog CV outputs
- I2C communications as master or follower
- I2C mode and addressing easily set by hardware switches. No coding needed
- MIDI header for one output channel on the back of the device
- I2C, MIDI, and CV can be used simultaneously
- Arduino codebase for further customization of midi output/I2C data
- Available expander with additional midi and i2c outs
- Dual Colored LEDs. Red/Green . Red/Blue, Blue/Pink
Dont forget to order an I2C/MIDI cable if you need one!
Expander Available which adds 3 Midi outputs, 3 I2C ports
16HP Width, 20mm Depth
Current Draw: +12V 50 mA, -12V 40 mA
Basic Usage instructions:
Front:
Voltage Select switches: Independent for each channel. Does NOT affect MIDI/I2C data
Slider LED color: To change the LED color, simply remove the cap and rotate the square LED 180s. Do NOT force the LED back in, it should slide in easily, may require wiggling.
Rear:
Power Header: Standard 10pin power cable, there is NO polarity for this connection. It can be connected either way
MIDI Out Header: This is a 4 pin header but only 3 or 2 connections need to be used. To connect to a DIN cable, either GND, 5 (to pin 5, current sink/aka -), and 4 (to pin 4, current source/aka +) should be used. For internal module to module connections, only pin 4 and 5 should be used. The ground pin is only for the shield in a midi cable, it is never connected on a midi input and isnt necessary for the short module to module lengths
I2C Header: 3 pin header to connect to other I2C devices in your rack, this is an unbuffered connection so cable lengths should be as short as possible (20cm/6" recommended). There are 4.7k pull up resistors on this connection
Connector for Expander: This connects the F8R to the I/O expander. The cable is attached to the expander. Note the keyway at the top of the part, the connecter will ONLY connect one way
FIRMWARE UPDATES:
Current Firmware Version: F8R1.03 (19 Sept 2020)
Available for download: HERE
Firmware update procedure: Connect the Mini USB to your computer, power up the module and press the blue reset button on the back of the module twice (quickly). A new drive will appear on your computer, simply copy the firmware file to that drive (it will give you a warning about copying a file without properties) and thats it. The drive will disappear once the file is copied and the module will reboot with the new firmware.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR USERS THAT DO NOT HAVE A RESET BUTTON ON THE DEVICE OR ARE RUNNING FIRMWARE VERSIONS LOWER THAN 1.0 (It says on the box)
To update these devices, the process is considerably different and requires the use of the Arduino IDE programming environment. If you are not familiar with the programming Arduino devices, I recommend using their "Arduino Create" online environment. You will need to make an account (or use your Google account) and download a plugin to allow the browser to program the device. You can alternatively download the Arduino software and set it up locally if you prefer not to use the online one. The online one is a bit easier to use since you dont need to install any libraries and its all set up with the correct chipset, you simply set it up, connect the USB, and hit upload.
The current sketch for the firmware can be found HERE
Default MIDI CC mapping for BOTH TRS and USB MIDI is 1, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Version History:
1.03 fixed midi channel on fader one set to channel 2
1.02 Migrated code to new bootloader
Open Source Licenses:
UF2 Bootloader designed by Adafruit Industries and released under the MIT License
Portions of the code used for this device come from the 16n Faderbank by Brian Crabtree, Tom Armitage, and Brendon Cassidy released under the MIT License
