XBee Midi Adapter

[rschaef1]

Hi, first time posting here. I'm interested in building the Xbee wireless MIDI link, but don't actually want it to talk to a computer, simply between standard MIDI devices. This may sound like an obvious question, but could I just assemble another breadboarded Xbee Adapter with Midi jacks, buffer, and optocoupler and expect them to talk to each other? I like the simplicity of setting it up without an Arduino or other microcontroller, but just wanted to make sure that was possible. Thanks in advance!

[adafruit]

should be fine BUT you still need a computer to talk to the xbees for configuration

[rschaef1]

great, thank you.

[chilimac]

Any update regarding mac users with this amazing little project? Also will this send all midi data including sysex?

[adafruit]

we did not support a mac at the time (and still do not for that project) - if you figure it out please post up!

[chilimac]

Sounds like a fun challenge. I haven't had a reason to dust off my much unused electronic engineering skills in decades.

Here is the first update.

This is the PDF from the ftdichip site regarding the set up of the modified drivers on a mac.
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/TechnicalNotes/TN_105%20Adding%20Support%20for%20New%20FTDI%20Devices%20to%20Mac%20Driver.pdf

I am ordering the xbee boards and chips tonight so will post an update once I try the process on the mac side of my machine. I have a mac book pro with boot camp dual boot so I will be able to get the midi baud rate set up either way. My preference would be to have the whole set up work on mac so that I am sure I can have native support for my mac based music system software.

Here's to the next couple of days of baited breath while I wait for the ups guy (chick.)

[chilimac]

Oh one more thing.... ada...

you have a .png of the schematic on the tutorial. From what I have learned - I am guessing that you have an actual schematic file that you generated the .png from, or at one time did.

If this does work for me I want to punch out a couple of PCB's for the units and enclose them for some durability. You wouldn't happen to have the schematic files still lying around would you? (pretty please?)

[chilimac]

the actual drivers for mac may be found on the overall driver page...
http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

[adafruit]

the schematic files were deleted

[chilimac]

So I just finished putting together your xbee module board. Great instructions and great PCB. I was short 1 1k resister out of 2 packs. I will pick one up when I grab the rest of the materials for the midi adapters. One thing to note...

Perhaps its just me not reading things completely. I didn't realize the FTDI cable didn't come with the module kit. It seemed like it was a part of it. Perhaps you might want to clarify that it doesn't come with the kit.

Other then that I have one on order from you and am waiting for the cable and the remaining parts to put these babies together.