www.megadrum.info

Today I introduce a new ARM version of MegaDrum.
It will now be based on STM32F205RCT6 chip. Compared to the older STM32F103RCT6 version, it is running at higher clock frequency - 120MHz vs 72MHz. Faster speed will allow to reduce internal latency a bit more.

Which is all well and good but I, for one, am not going to fork out for another kit. I might be tempted if it was just a case of buying and replacing the chip, but it's not.

I can't help but think you are partially shooting yourself in the foot as, anyone buying the new version either has the old version sitting in the loft or sells it. If they sell it (there does seem to be recent cases) then the recipient is not buying one from you.

I really can't Fiona Bruce on 'Antiques Roadshow' being very impressed with my huge collection of Megadrums, in years to come.

airflamesred wrote:I can't help but think you are partially shooting yourself in the foot as, anyone buying the new version either has the old version sitting in the loft or sells it. If they sell it (there does seem to be recent cases) then the recipient is not buying one from you.

If they buy the new one and have an old one in the loft, that's 2 MDs they've bought from Dmitri. Win! Bringing out a new upgraded version will tempt those eager to have the latest and greatest to buy it. Win!

If you keep your current one and it dies at some point down the line, you can upgrade to a really powerful unit.

The only downside I can see is that it looks like the chips that allow DIY from scratch are gradually going to be phased out as the firmware gets more complex.

ignotus wrote:The only downside I can see is that it looks like the chips that allow DIY from scratch are gradually going to be phased out as the firmware gets more complex.

I'm trying to be very reasonable with this. As you can see with Atmega644, with all the new features I've introduced I'm still releasing new firmware versions for it even though the last time I built a module with this chip was 3 and a half years ago.

More speed is always good! And I can tell you that this is the case with the new module with the new processor.I am also guessing this will give us more opportunities to tweak and do even more advanced things in future MD firmwares!


Best Regards

Angr77

dmitri wrote:I'm trying to be very reasonable with this. As you can see with Atmega644, with all the new features I've introduced I'm still releasing new firmware versions for it even though the last time I built a module with this chip was 3 and a half years ago.

Don't get me wrong - I wasn't complaining at all. Your support and effort to keep these "old" versions with the same features as the newer ones is much appreciated. If it gets to a point where these chips can't handle the innovations, it'll just be a sign of how far this project has come. I'm more than happy with how it performs right now. I know people who stayed with the last unencrypted firmware because they couldn't see the point in upgrading - it does what they want. New improvements and features are just bonuses as far as I'm concerned... and let's remember they're for free! I can't imagine all the hours you've put into this -development + forum support- in return for peanuts and the occasional whinger, so I all I have is praise for sharing such a fantastic project.

@ Ignotus

exactly why we should buy a new one when it comes out to support Dmitri for all his work (he can't live off of the profits of the older model forever) and because he gives all the features for free and innovates new stuff all the time ..and without a full staff ...can you imagine all the book time it must have taken him to learn all this stuff?

soon as I get mine to work the way I want it too and work out my crosstriggering issues ... I will be upgrading too but lately time has been an issue with me

@ dmitri
The way you can handle this is make it easier for the ppl that have the ready made md to swap out their board ...solderless then they will upgrade ..and have only their old board sitting in the shelf .. which will be harder to sell (harder to sell just a board) ..now you have done the following

1. Sold the new product
2. Made it a little more difficult for a person to sell their old board.(sounds bad but really is not)
Unless they buy a new case and connectors .. not many will spend the money just to sell it and make less back ...companies do this all the time ..at least you give the customer a way to upgrade most companies don't (playstation xbox...wii ...ect...)

for instance who would not buy a board upgrade to their xbox 360 to make it into an xbox one for less the price of a full xbox one? .... ..but the ready made guys had you make it (like me ) cuz they don't have the knowhow to build it ... so it must be easy

that's a win ..win you win because you sold the new product and your happy... the customer wins because he did not have to buy a whole new unit and they are happy too cuz they saved money and if they do happen to sell their old board ..(for a lot less than what you sold it originally to them for (cuz now its a used older model) they really feel good because it offset the price of the new one

smiles all around

@ Everyone
And I agree the effort Dmitry puts in is staggering ..When does he sleep ....Humm mabe he's a zombie ..yea that's it .....a mad scientist, megadrum making .zombie ...Yikes LOL

Hi Dimitri
Sorry for reposting this question but the answer not is still clear to me. Can I just buy the new board and swap it out from my first gen 56 input megadrum that I bought from you?

If yes, how much would it be? And does this include the positionnal sensing stuff or is this a different addon still?

dwetmaster wrote:Hi Dimitri
Sorry for reposting this question but the answer not is still clear to me. Can I just buy the new board and swap it out from my first gen 56 input megadrum that I bought from you?

If it is Atmega1284 and up then yes, you'll just need to drill 4 more holes because the new main board dimensions are slightly smaller. If it's Atmega644 based then very old modules might not be compatible because they have different main board pinout.

If yes, how much would it be?

It's the cost of the Minimal kit (110GBP) minus 15% discount for all Atmega644/1284 modules/kits customers. 93GBP plus postage.

And does this include the positionnal sensing stuff or is this a different addon still?

Positional sensing addon board is optional extra which is 25GBP.