Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
So after the successful test of the Drumtari controller with drum pads and triggers I had attempted to use it with a sequencer that had CV gate outputs. The simple test had proven to not work so I went back to the drawing board to determine how to make the Drumtari compatible with sequencers to essentially turn the Atari 2600 into a MIDI controlled instrument through no modification of the system using electronic instruments.
I had came up with 3 possibilities - a ground loop isolator to eliminate any electrical interference that may be triggering the inputs, just more resistance if the output of the sequencer is just too high, or the third, and most likely best option, convert the gate into a trigger.
I tried the first two to zero success. The third seemed more promising. I took the first prototype and using a breadboard hooked up an IC Schmitt trigger and I placed it between the sequencer and the controller. I then used the sensitivity knob as normal and… it kind of worked. At first it seemed to work but then it would slip a beat or trigger too many times, but this test was a success as the knob worked in stopping the perpetual trigger when directly plugged in. So now comes the hard part - figuring out how best to convert the gate into a trigger.
It looks like I will have to do a little more research in how to make it work but considering it kind of worked with the prototype, I figure I would just have to figure out some calculations or whatever (this test was just an eyeballing to see if I was on the right track)
So after the successful test of the Drumtari controller with drum pads and triggers I had attempted to use it with a sequencer that had CV gate outputs. The simple test had proven to not work so I went back to the drawing board to determine how to make the Drumtari compatible with sequencers to essentially turn the Atari 2600 into a MIDI controlled instrument through no modification of the system using electronic instruments.
I had came up with 3 possibilities - a ground loop isolator to eliminate any electrical interference that may be triggering the inputs, just more resistance if the output of the sequencer is just too high, or the third, and most likely best option, convert the gate into a trigger.
I tried the first two to zero success. The third seemed more promising. I took the first prototype and using a breadboard hooked up an IC Schmitt trigger and I placed it between the sequencer and the controller. I then used the sensitivity knob as normal and… it kind of worked. At first it seemed to work but then it would slip a beat or trigger too many times, but this test was a success as the knob worked in stopping the perpetual trigger when directly plugged in. So now comes the hard part - figuring out how best to convert the gate into a trigger.
It looks like I will have to do a little more research in how to make it work but considering it kind of worked with the prototype, I figure I would just have to figure out some calculations or whatever (this test was just an eyeballing to see if I was on the right track)
