Anybody using an Ocean Beach DB-1 with a NS3?

[friendben]

I've had this problem since the Stage EX. I have other recent devices that also use a 3.3V supply for MIDI. It's a pain, but a common problem. MIDI Solutions makes a power box for this. I also have a couple of old Anatek Power boxes that are the cure.

[cgrafx]

I don't understand why any competent engineer would design MIDI power with 3.3V particularly when 5V is not only available but the specifically called for in the MIDI spec.

[OBDave]

Cost. I really can't think of another reason. And we're not talking about of a lot of cost.

You are correct that the MIDI spec calls for 5 volts, but these days most microprocessors run at 3.3 volts, and many manufacturers (not just Nord) have decided to run their MIDI buses at 3.3v because you can get away with it most of the time. It's not that hard to create a 5v MIDI output with a 3.3v microprocessor - you just need a 5v supply and some extra signal buffering. I don't know that the NS3 has a 5v supply anywhere. It's been a long time since I've dug into this stuff, but my recollection is that the Stage family has always run the MIDI bus at 3.3 volts. The Electros used to run at 5v until the Electro 3 came out. I believe C1 was 5 volts and C2 is 3.3. That's all from memory so I might have some of those wrong.

It's also worth pointing out the spec does not call for powering downstream devices via the MIDI bus. It's something that you can only get away with if you're extremely mindful of current consumption. In the case of the DB-1, for most MIDI setups the DB-1 will run under MIDI bus power, even when connected to a 3.3 volt Nord, but there are never any guarantees of this. All of the Ocean Beach Digital documentation is very upfront about this. And as somebody has already alluded, none of the MIDI Solutions devices will even run at 3.3 volts.

So while Clavia is bending the rules, so is the DB-1. For all of these reasons I am not surprised that it's necessary to run off external power when running two DB-1s on a Nord.

The issue that started this thread is one that I just became aware of, and even though the DB-1 was discontinued years ago, I would like to try to support the NS3 if possible. It seems the NS3 is sending out just a tremendous amount of data, much more than any prior Nord product, and much more than the DB-1 is able to handle, apparently. I don't have access to an NS3, but I believe this is what's happening based on the reports that I am hearing.

Earlier I had mentioned that to run off MIDI bus power one must be "extremely mindful of current consumption." In the case of the DB-1, the microprocessor is run at a very low clock rate to minimize current consumption. I picked a processor clock speed that seemed to be a good compromise of performance and current consumption, based on the Nord offerings available at the tine. It seems that the NS3 is sending out much more MIDI data, more than the DB-1 can handle at its present processor clock rate.

I have a new version of DB-1 firmware that allows you to optionally run the microprocessor at its max rate. You will need to run off external power (wall transformer in the case of the Series I DB-1, 9 volt battery in the case of the Series II), but I believe it will resolve the issue being reported. Because I don't have access to an NS3, it was necessary to build a test fixture that bombarded the DB-1 with MIDI data to the point where it no longer had time to service the drawbars. When the new "turbo mode" was activated, it was now able to keep up.

Please PM me if you'd like to help test it.

[cgrafx]

Hi OBDave, thanks for taking the time to respond here and for your continued support of the DB-1. Its aways nice to have the actual developer step in with a direct response.

[jeffkeys]

It looks like the new OS might take care of the problem we’ve been experiencing. Will update after upgrade!

[OBDave]

Oh interesting. Yes, keep us posted.

[jdifeb74]

I realize this is quite an old thread, but I’m taking delivery of a DB1 this week and have a Nord Stage 3. Trying to figure out what I’m about to get into.

[jdifeb74]

Well, I took delivery of the DB-1, got it working and it's awesome! The only thing I did was set the dip switches, plug in the midi cables and voila... it worked.

BUT... the Nord intermittently does some weird stuff, like go into Song Mode spontaneously and then you can't get out of it until you power off the DB-1. Guessing it's the midi overload thing.

Anyone else out there with some advice?