Toontrack Solo sees MD - MD Config Tool does not...

[dmitri]

but my real problem is that i can't get the MD to work in anything.
as stated BFD2 etc.etc. recognizes the MegaDrum, but the Midi LED isn't lightning up in any program (when MD is set to both midi-in and midi-out).

If Atmega came from Synthex than it should have been programmed. LED should light up only if there are input signals. It also won't light up even with input signals if the LED polarity is reverse.
In general, you should read this: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=352
E.g. if you haven't connected anything to MegaDrum, why do you expect that BFD should see any MIDI activity or that the MIDI LED should light up?
For the lack of a thorough description of the problem I can only give a very general piece of advice - check for soldering/short circuits/bridges, correct resistors/capacitors/crystal values, correct polarity of diodes.

[ole_hansen]

thanks. (also for your patience).

i have wired up a quick piezo to the input (i picked "snare head" - GND & 9)
and check polarity everywhere.

[dmitri]

thanks. (also for your patience).

i have wired up a quick piezo to the input (i picked "snare head" - GND & 9)
and check polarity everywhere.

I take it that you will do more tests and then describe the problem later with more details.

[ole_hansen]

thanks. (also for your patience).

i have wired up a quick piezo to the input (i picked "snare head" - GND & 9)
and check polarity everywhere.

I take it that you will do more tests and then describe the problem later with more details.

sure.
i just can't for the life of me figure out what's going one.

i'll test every solderpoint tomorrow + the pins from the LCD you mentioned and get back to you.

[Synthex]

i don't have to hook up any of the ICSP cables (ICSP Atmega32 & 18F2550) or the "EXT" or "Encoders" input to make it work right?
i'm kinda guessing that for the folk who want to program the chips themselves(?).

"ICSP Atmega32" connector it is used to reprogram the Atmega chip.
But you do not need it because your Atmega was delivered already programmed.

"ICSP 18F2550" connector it is used to reprogram the 18F2550 chip.
But you do not need it because your 18F2550 was delivered already programmed.

"EXT" connector is only used with the optional 16 inputs daughter card.

"Encoders" connector is only used with optional rotary encoders.

[ole_hansen]

ok..
i rewired the LCD. completely.
and now whenever i plug the MD in (USB powered),
still nothing is shown on the LCD (no light, back, no nothing)
with or without R-LCD resistor in (470 or 47ohm for blueONblack LCD).

but when i press LEFT on the "keyboard" there's a realy quick flash of something written and then it clearly shows "squares" on the display.
32 of them.

accidently when looking at it at an angle and pointing a flashlight at it (NOT visible straight in front of it), the "quick flash" is visible and it says:

"Fw Updater 16MHZ
Down-OK UP-clock"

what?

so i try to press UP
it now says:

"Fw Updater 20MHZ
Down-OK UP-clock"

what's going on here?

[dmitri]

ok..
so whenever i plug the MD in (USB powered),
nothing is shown on the LCD (no light, back, no nothing)
with or without R-LCD resistor in (470 or 47ohm for blueONblack LCD).

I take you read this: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=492
There is no light means your LCD is not backlit or the back light LED is faulty

but when i press LEFT on the "keyboard" there's a realy quick flash of something written and then it clearly shows "squares" on the display.
32 of them.

accidently when looking at it at an angle and pointing a flashlight at it (NOT visible straight in front of it), the "quick flash" is visible and it says:

"Fw Updater 16MHZ
Down-OK UP-clock"

what?

so i try to press UP
it now says:

"Fw Updater 20MHZ
Down-OK UP-clock"

what's going on here?

Your Atmega has bootloader programmed but doesn't have MegaDrum firmware or you accidentally erased it while randomly pressing buttons. Read this: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=111

[ole_hansen]

I take you read this: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=492
There is no light means your LCD is not backlit or the back light LED is faulty

Your Atmega has bootloader programmed but doesn't have MegaDrum firmware or you accidentally erased it while randomly pressing buttons. Read this: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=111

great...
Synthex - i need another Atmega i guess
and an LCD (it's faulty - since it's supposed to be backlit.
crap.

[dmitri]

And by the way, good news! Your Atmega is working fine and communicating with the LCD. It's impossible to say if the LCD contrast control is working, because the contrast control is only available in the MegaDrum firmware and is missing from the bootloader to minimize bootloader size.

[dmitri]

Synthex - i need another Atmega i guess

Out of curiosity, why exactly?