DIN Sync
The SYNC standard, often referred to as DIN Sync , sync24 or, more rarely, sync48 , defines an interface between electronic musical instruments. It was introduced in 1980 by the Japanese manufacturer Roland for the synchronization of sequencers , drum computers , arpeggiators and similar devices. The Roland company does not have an official interface definition. The following information is taken from the service manual for the Roland TR-808 rhythm machine.
“ DIN Sync” does not mean that the standard was developed by the German Institute for Standardization , only that it uses DIN connectors.
definition
The interface transmits between a transmitter (“master”) and a receiver (“slave”); the sending device determines the pace. In addition, signals for the “Start / Stop” function and optionally for “Reset-Start” and “Fill-In” are transmitted.
The SYNC standard uses a five-pin DIN connector according to DIN-45322. The assignment is:
- Pin 1 = start / stop (stop = 0 volts, start = +5 volts)
- Pin 2 = Ground
- Pin 3 = clock (square wave signal 0 / + 5 volts, symmetrical pulse width, the positive edge determines the clock time)
- Pin 4 = reset start (optional; technically like start / stop, the positive edge determines the reset)
- Pin 5 = Fill-In (optional; technically like start / stop, the positive edge activates the "Fill-In" function)
The clock signal (pin 3) delivers 24 pulses per quarter note on Roland devices. Some devices from the manufacturer Korg work with 48 pulses per quarter note. Theoretically, however, the assignment to musical patterns is not fixed.
If a device is a transmitter from DIN-Sync, the clock signal must be reset with the positive edge on the start line and restarted with a delay of 9 ms.
Relationship to other clock systems
Other clock systems
The MIDI interface uses the same connector, but is not electrically compatible with DIN-Sync. The MIDI protocol defines MIDI clock, which also works with 24 so-called "ticks" per quarter note (one tick corresponds to one nibble of the protocol).
So-called "analog clocks" correspond to the clock signal on pin 3 of the DIN sync interface. The clock frequency is usually higher than with DIN sync. Typical are 48, 96 or 192 pulses per quarter (examples Oberheim DMX, DX, DSX; Linndrum 1 and 2).
So-called “analog triggers” transmit one impulse per musical event. For example, a step in an analog sequencer or arpeggiator, a step in a rhythm pattern. Typically, analog triggers run with four pulses per quarter note.
Combination with other clock systems
The combination with other clock systems can either be done by converting the format and / or clock rate (see below) or by outputting different clock types from a central unit (so-called master clock). The latter is usually done in connection with a time-related synchronization, e.g. B. Synchronization with a tape machine or with video.
Typical devices for such master clock functions: Roland SBX80, SBX10; Friendchip SRC; Yamaha MSS1. Many rhythm machines that have both DIN sync and MIDI clock connections can act as the master clock for these two formats.
Conversion from and to other clock systems
DIN-Sync and MIDI-Clock have the same clock rate, but require a format conversion in a microprocessor or similar. There are many industrial devices for converting MIDI-Clock to DIN-Sync. For the conversion of DIN-Sync to MIDI there is currently the Sync-Split2 from Innerclock Systems, the RH301 from KOMA Elektronik and two no longer manufactured devices: Roland SBX10 , Korg KMS30 .
Analog triggers or clocks can be obtained from the clock signal of the DIN-Sync interface through digital frequency division or frequency multiplication. The RH301 from KOMA Elektronik should be mentioned as an industrial finished device.
Devices with DIN sync
Some devices have both a SYNC input and output, others only have a slot where you can switch between input and output. In a third variant, the signal direction is determined by the connector used.
| Manufacturer | model | Inputs / outputs | Conversion from or to other systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidlab | Bassline | In / Out switchable | |
| Adafruit | x0xb0x | In / Out switchable | |
| audio workshop | din2midi2din | In / Out | Conversion from MIDI to DIN-Sync and from DIN-Sync to MIDI |
| audio workshop | din-restarter | In / Out | Enables the synchronized start-up of a DIN-Sync device with continuous master clock |
| Doepfer | MSY2 | Just out | Conversion from MIDI to DIN-Sync, division factor adjustable between 1: 1 and 1:16 |
| E-RM invention office | midiclock⁺ | Just out | Switchable DIN socket between MIDI, sync24 or analog clock (4ppq) |
| E-RM invention office | multiclock USB | In / Out | converts in all directions between DIN-Sync, MIDI, Euro Rack and Audio Clock |
| Jomox | XBase09 | Just out | |
| Kawai | R-100 | In / Out switchable | |
| KOMA electronics | RH301 | In / Out | sync24; converts MIDI and analog clock to DIN-Sync and DIN-Sync to MIDI and analog clock |
| Korg | KMS-30 | DIN-Sync In / Out 1–2, TAPE Cinch In / Out, MIDI In / Out 1–2 | sync48 / 24 MIDI synchronizer |
| Korg | KPR-77 | In / Out switchable | sync48 (can be operated with sync24 devices if 32nd notes are programmed instead of 16th notes) |
| Korg | DDM-110 | In / Out switchable | sync48 (can be operated with sync24 devices if 32nd notes are programmed instead of 16th notes) |
| Korg | DDM-220 | In / Out switchable | sync48 (can be operated with sync24 devices if 32nd notes are programmed instead of 16th notes) |
| Novation | Drum station | Just out | |
| Roland | MC-202 | In / Out | |
| Roland | TB-303 | Only in | DIN sync-out is unofficially feasible if the DIN plug is not completely inserted into the socket, so that the automatic switchover to DIN sync-in does not take place |
| Roland | TR-606 | In / Out switchable | Trigger via tom programming |
| Roland | TR-626 | In / Out switchable | ? |
| Roland | TR-707 | In / Out switchable | Trigger via Rimshot programming |
| Roland | TR-727 | In / Out switchable | Trigger via Agogo programming |
| Roland | TR-808 | In / Out switchable | Trigger via programming of various instruments |
| Roland | TR-909 | Only in | Trigger via Rimshot programming |
| Roland | CSQ-600 | Just out | CSQ-Clock, Clock for CR-78 |
| Roland | MSQ-100 | In / Out | |
| Roland | MSQ-700 | In / Out | |
| Tama | TSQ-1000 | In / Out switchable |
[This list must be completed]
Web links
- Service manual for the Roland TR-808 (PDF; 6.6 MB)
- Sync Specifications (English)
- E-RM Inventions Office DIN sync implementation report (PDF; 0.2 MB; English)
- Roland
Individual evidence
- ↑ A symmetrical signal form is not essential. A detailed description of the signals and the timing with start, stop, pause and continue functionality can be found in the following document. E-RM Invention Office DIN sync report
- ↑ See Service Manual TR-808, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9
- ↑ http://www.florian-anwander.de/a100/sync2clock/index.html