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VMC - Eurorack MIDI Modules

VMC stands for "Versatile / Voltagecontrolled / Variable - MIDI - Companion / Cruncher / Controller / ..." - choose what you want.


Picture of the pre-series module. From left to right: simple in/out/thru-module, VMC-1 main module, triple in/thru module, triple out module.

The VMC-System is a series of modules for Eurorack systems, which provide MIDI handling within a modular eurorack system. The modules are internally connected by an additional ribbon cable, which provides a +5V owersupply, MIDI busses and an analog clock bus.
Basically this bus can be combined with the Fluxus Modules by http://soundcomplete.net/ if an adapter board is used.

The modules are distributed under the brand name fanwander.

At the moment the following modules are available (see also fanwander on modulargrid.net):
VMC-1

The VMC-1 is a generic module, which combines an ARDUINO NANO with a display, five buttons, three digital-inputs and two control voltage inputs with amount control.
This module may run various software.

At the moment I offer two sequencer programs (SQ-3P, SQ-4M), a Chord-Trigger and VelocityModifier, and a MasterClock generator. Many more may follow. 

You need at least one of the Input/Output modules listed below to connect the VMC-1 to youre MIDI-environment. For details see the VMC-1 users manual
  • Width: 18HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 190,- Euros (excl. VAT)

Buy it here
   
VMC-2

VMC-2 can read up to 8 analogue signals (voltage or gate/trigger) and control or produce MIDI events according to these input signals.

For each input signal there is an attenuator.

The software is not finalized yet. The main purpose of the first beta version is to send MIDI-events on triggers and / or to serve as a voltage-to-MIDI converter. A first draft of the manual for the software is available at https://www.florian-anwander.de/cv2midi/.

VMC-2 requires an input/output module (see below: MIDI-ITO[s] or MIDI-3IT/MIDI-OOO)

  • Width: 10HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price 170,- Euros (excl. VAT).

 
The right picture shows a preseries module
CLOCKMAN

ClockMan is a generator for MIDI clock, DIN-Sync and the clock for the VMC bus.

I also serves as an editor tool for the ClockBoy modules.

ClockMan provides both clock signals on the 5 pole DIN socket. It does not require an input/output module as long as you don't want to insert the clock into the MIDI signal coming from your master keyboard. Find the detailled description in the online user manual

  • Width: 10HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 140,- Euros (excl. VAT)
Buy it here


The picture shows a preseries version, with some manual wiring, The final version won't have those wires .
CLOCKBOY

ClockBoy is a flexible tool for clock handling.
  • ClockBoy reads either MIDI clock, DIN-Sync or the clock from the VMC bus.
  • ClockBoy converts the incoming clock into the corresponding other clocks and into clock-triggers for analogue sequencers and similar devices.
  • ClockBoy generates signals for sequencer control, like start, stop, reset, run-gate, and bar-start.
  • ClockBoy can shuffle the clock-trigger (for even time signatures only).
  • ClockBoy provides a pause- / restart-function for all outgoing clock signals. The pause function works for various bar lengths of 4/4 time, as well as for 3/4, 5/4 and 7/8 time signatures. I give big kudos to John Pillans, who invented this function, and developed the wonderful Mungo-Enterprises Sync2.
  • ClockBoy can be configured using the start- and stop-buttons or by MIDI control change data coming either from an external MIDI source or from the ClockMan (see above).
ClockBoy provides the outgoing clock signals for DIN-Sync and MIDI on the 5 pole DIN socket.

ClockBoy is available in two variations of the frontpanel. The "skiff version" (shown in the pictures) provides the sockets at the rear position. So the start / stop buttons are not hidden by cables. The "rack version" (no picture available yet - sorry) provides the sockets at the lower position, so the cables don't hang over the start / stop buttons.

To read MIDI-clock from another source than a ClockMan a MIDI input/output module is required. The connection to ClockMan is achieved by the VMC bus. To read DIN-Sync the built in DIN socket is used.
Further details can be found in the online user manual
  • Width: 8HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 140,- Euros (excl. VAT)

Buy it here


The picture shows a preseries version. The final version will have minor changes only.
MIDI-ITO

A simple module, which provides MIDI input, output and thru. The module is connected with a bus cable to the VMC.
  • Width: 6HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 80,- Euros (excl. VAT)


Buy it here


   
MIDI-3IT

A module with MIDI input and thru; the input can be routed to three different busses. So it is possible to control up to three VMCs or similar modules from one MIDI source without the necessity to switch the MIDI channel on the keyboard. Controlling multiple busses at the same time is possible too.
  • Width: 6HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 80,- Euros (excl. VAT)

Buy it here


 
The picture shows a prototype with some test wiring, the old name and simple mounting holes! The dimensions for the regular module are the same
MIDI-OOO

A module with three separate MIDI out sockets, for the three possible busses of this system.
  • Width: 6HP
  • Depth: 40mm
  • Price: 70,- Euros (excl. VAT)
Buy it here

   
MIDI-ITOs

Same as MIDI-ITO, but with 3.5mm sockets only. Due to the mountingposition of the multipin connector it is deeper than the other modules.

Width: 2HP
Depth: 45mm
Price: 70,- Euros


Buy it here

   
MIDI-INV

A simple passive module, which converts from the official pin assignment according to MIDI specification, which is used by Korg, MakeNoise and the VMC-System, to the non-standard pin assignment used by Arturia and Novation.

Width: 2HP
Depth: 25mm

Buy it here

   


All modules are available as "mechanical kit": You receive the fully soldered pcb plus the frontpanel, knobs, nuts and washer. You have to mount the frontpanel yourself (there is a ridiculous legal reason for this). If you want to solder the modules yourself, the frontpanels and PCBs are available separately.

How to buy:

To order please use the ORDER PAGE . I don't accept orders on other communication channels (phone, messenger services, private or public messages in forums...). Orders are valid only if they are confirmed by me in written form (email or letter).

Price List:

Module Complete Panel PCB
VMC-1 190,- 35,- 15,-
CLOCKMAN 140,- 30,- 15,-
CLOCKBOY 140,- 30,- 15,-
MIDI-ITO 80,- 25,- 10,-
MIDI-3IT 80,- 25,- 10,-
MIDI-OOO 70,- 25,- 10,-
MIDI-ITOs 70,- 15,- 10,-
MIDI-INV 50,- 15,- 08,-

All prices in Euros without VAT (ohne Mehrwertsteuer), without shipping.

If the buyer is in the European Union and cannot provide a VAT-ID, I have to bill the german VAT (19%).
If the buyer is not in Germany but in the European Union and has a VAT-ID registered on his name, the prices are without VAT.
Buyers outside the European Union don't have to pay VAT. But keep in mind that you will have to pay your local taxes and customs fees.

Documents:

Various downloads

  • eagle_libraries.zip . I use some slightly modified libraries for eagle:
    • ArduinoNanoV30_lgdDrills.lbr: the original library uses small drills for the pins, which do not fit standard pinheaders -> I changed the diameter of the drills
    • PJ3410_sockets.lbr: all libraries for the PJ3410 I found had the milling for the pins at the wrong position -> I corrected this
    • lcd_dem16216.lbr: -> removed two mounting holes, that I do not want to have on the VMC-1 board; also I moved the origin marker of the display to the center
    • con-hirschmann_nognd.lbr: the MIDI-3IT and the MIDI-OOO use a version of the MAB5SV socket without ground pin -> I removed the ground pin
    • con-hirschmann_gnd2normal.lbr: the MIDI-ITO, VMC-2, ClockMan, and ClockBoy use a version of the MAB5SV socket with ground pin not defined as power pin
  • download this zip-file and unpack it
  • copy the five files from the resulting folder to the libraries folder of your eagle installation
  • enter "use *" in the command line in eagle to reload the libraries.

Licenses

All modules are Open Hardware under the condition of creative commons license "cc by-nc-sa 4.0". 
All software is Open Software under the condition of creative commons license "cc by-sa 4.0".
Software derived from Emilie Gillets MIDI-Pal will be under the condition of GPL.
Sourcecodes like files for the pcbs and the frontpanels will be published here and on github.
The files were created with eagle 6.6.0 and can be handled in the free version of eagle.

Availability

  • PCBs and panels are usually in stock. If I run out of stock, it takes around two to three weeks to produce new pcbs or panels.
  • The 2HP modules MIDI-ITOs and MIDI-INV will be produced only on demand. Delivery time will be up to four weeks depending on the suppliers for the panels and pcbs.
  • Complete modules are stocked only to a certain number. Sometime they have to be assembled on demand. Usually it takes one week to complete an order (I have a 40hour/week dayjob too)
  • I ship once a week (usually on wednesday). I ship with assured and tracked parcels by DHL (this is german postal services - don't mismatch with DHL international). This will be delivered usually with your national postal services. For shipping rates please check https://www.dhl.de/en/privatkunden/pakete-versenden/weltweit-versenden/preise-international.html
  • For packaging I reuse material that came in. I think this is the most ecological way to avoid waste.

Suppliers

My suppliers are:

Terms and Conditions of Business - Returns & Warranty

Buyers from Germany please read the "Geschäftsbedingungen" .
Buyers from outside of Germany please read at least the abstract "Terms of Services" .




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