Trying to control Roland MC202, maybe using SBX1

[Kevinwulf]

I’m trying to connect my Roland MC202 and TR606 to a Pyramid (Mk2? black sharp keys) and couldn’t get it to work.

Plugged the 202 into midiB/sync, played around with all the “midi out” settings and got nothing.

So I plugged the 202 into my Roland SBX1 sync box, and it works from there. So now I just have to get the Pyramid and the SBX1 to speak to each other.

I’ve tried running the SBX as master and as slave and I cannot get it to work. I assume I’m missing something but I feel like I’ve tried everything.

Any advice? Thanks in advance!

[rv0]

TB 303 din sync issue

the problem is the pyramid has both midi and dinsync out. and there is a constant voltage on the “reset/fill in” pin of dinsync (that a lot of devices don’t use) the 303 however uses this, so to fix this you need to make a splitter cable to split dinsync and midi from the midi out B port. There is no software fix as the problem is hardware related. For this reason I created a cable. In think Squarp should make mention of this on the website and/or provide cables for this. In any case, here you…

So the issue with the port ruins dinsync if you don’t have a splitter cable.

However, the SBX1 is a great midi to dinsync converter, so thats a good way to do it. Is that working for you? If not please provide details

[Kevinwulf]

Thanks for that info, I never would have worked that out about the cable. You’re right, they should provide a cable or at least mention it. Everything I read and watched before buying said I could use Din Sync devices. I guess I could try to solder one or something. But yeah, it seems like the SBX1 should be the perfect workaround.

If I try to set the SBX as master:

• Midi out on SBX to midi in on Pyramid.
• set both to same channel
• on “midi in” menu on Pyramid, set clock and start to “on”.
• Have tried switching midi A and B to both “out” and “thru”

Then nothing. It doesn’t work. Pressing start on the SBX starts the 202, but Pyramid does nothing. Changing tempo on SBX doesn’t change it on Pyramid. I

If I try to set the Pyramid as master:

• Plug the midi B of Pyramid into midi in on SBX
• Set them to the same midi channel
• Set clock on SBX to recieve clock from midi
• Then nothing. I’ve tried filling the pattern with triggers or leaving it empty.

Not sure what else to do. I’m pretty new to midi, so I assume I’m doing something wrong, but not sure what it is.

[rv0]

Its best to use pyramid as master. Configure sbx as slave.

Send clock on a and/or b and go from the prefered out to sbx 1. Set clock to continuous on pyramid. Channel is irrelevant.

Try that, if it doesn’t work Im going to have to read the manuals

[Kevinwulf]

How do I set clock to Continuous? I can’t see that option? Ps thanks for your help!!

If I go to the “info” screen in the menu, it looks like clock is being sent through A and B continuously.

[Kevinwulf]

So, I just swapped midi cables from A to B and vice versa and, voila, the 202 was working (Pyramid master, SBX slave).

Okay, so it seemed it might be a dodgy cable (pretty new one I might add). Plugged in a different configuration, and nope, it’s not working again.

Went back to the configuration and cables I was using when it was working just a minute ago. Not working now. Bloody hell!

Still, at least it worked for a minute. So I know there’s hope. Or something.

[Kevinwulf]

Okay, now it’s working again!!

And I think that cable is broken or something. Throwing it in the bin now. Still not sure why it wasn’t working a few minutes ago without that cable? Maybe something wasn’t plugged in properly?

Well, that’s a few hours of my life I can never have back. Many thanks, @rv0 for advice!!

[rv0]

@Kevinwulf

How do I set clock to Continuous?

SYNC STOP OFF SEND CLOCK
If OFF selected, the sync (timing clock) will never be sent when the player is stopped or paused.

Set to “send clock”