DIN Sync (TR606)

[staticseven]

Hi guys
I've had a TR606 for years now. Never used it live, only ever recorded and/or sampled it. I'm looking at building it into my live rig. It'll be a few bits and bobs all synced up over MTC. The 606 only has a DIN Sync input. I'll be honest, I've got no idea how that stuff works. Whats the cheapest way to get this thing to lock to MTC?
Thanks
Liam.x

[Syn303]

You will need a Midi > CV interface if you want to control the 606 via MTC.

Midi > CV units out there are from Kenton, Phil Rees both UK and a small Canadian manufacturer.

[nathanscribe]

I'll partly agree with mr 303 there, but just to add that not all MIDI to CV interfaces include DIN Sync24. Ones I have used that do, include the Kenton Pro Solo and Groove Electronics M2CV. I also use a Philip Rees box that is dedicated to Sync24 (MDS I think it's called) and does nothing else. You can find any and all of these 2nd-hand if you search, but they're not all common - and only Kenton are still in the business of making these things. Korg's old KMS-30 does the job too. Doepfer I think still make a dedicated Sync unit but I've never tried it.

[staticseven]

I've also seen that you can get mod kits for these guys that will allow midi inputs. What would you guys recommend? Buying a converter or modding it?

Ive got to show my ignorance as well. I have a general understanding of CV over bantam but not over DIN. Same idea or is DIN Sync something totally different?

[staticseven]

Doepfer I think still make a dedicated Sync unit but I've never tried it.

Been looking at the MSY2 from Doepfer. Looks perfect for what I need. The fitted mod kit and this are the same price (£80) so I'm really tempted by the Doepfer instead of letting someone inside my 606.
Good call!

[Solderman]

I have a general understanding of CV over bantam but not over DIN. Same idea or is DIN Sync something totally different?

Din Sync doesn't use CV, but instead uses TTL pulses. Three of the cable pins are used in all cases, these essentially being for clocks, start and stop. Indeed they are included on numerous Midi to CV converters, but to convert Midi Clocks to Din Sync, not Midi Time Code.

Some Midi cables are usable, but only if all of the pins are actually connected. Only way I know of to be sure is to use an Ohm meter and check both ends of the cable for each pin.

I've also seen that you can get mod kits for these guys that will allow midi inputs. What would you guys recommend? Buying a converter or modding it?

I modded my TR606 about 7 years ago, and never considered adding a Midi kit. I can't speak to whether it would benefit or not, but it's much much easier to go the Midi Clocks to Sync24 route. If you will be using the 606 live, you may however want to consider looking into Robin Whittle's memory expansion mod. It's certainly costly, but the ability to copy a pattern to another bank, while the pattern is running, could be very useful.

[leonidspaul]

Since we're on this subject, is there a way of slaving a TR707, which in turn is sycn'ed to the TR606, from a master sequencer MPC2500. In other words when i press play on the MPC i want the 707 and 606 to start at the same time. I read on the manual that the DIN Sync will not transmit a signal if MIDI in is being used. Is getting a DIN converter the only way around this? Thanks.

[Altitude]

Since we're on this subject, is there a way of slaving a TR707, which in turn is sycn'ed to the TR606, from a master sequencer MPC2500. In other words when i press play on the MPC i want the 707 and 606 to start at the same time. I read on the manual that the DIN Sync will not transmit a signal if MIDI in is being used. Is getting a DIN converter the only way around this? Thanks.

Yup, 707 cannot be used as a clock to sync converter. You need a dedicated device.

[ronmcdonald]

Sorry to drag up an old subject, but the answer to syncing your 707 to a MIDI and DIN sync set-up is that you use it as the master, i.e. set your MPC to receive the MIDI clock source from the 707. It will then act as the master tempo for the 606 and the MPC.