DIN sync

DIN sync, also called Sync24, is a synchronization interface for electronic musical instruments. It was introduced in 1980 by Roland Corporation and has been superseded by MIDI.

pin out

Definition and history

DIN sync was introduced in 1980 by Roland Corporation with the release of the TR-808 drum machine. The intended use was the synchronization of music sequencers, drum machines, arpeggiators and similar devices. It was superseded by MIDI in the mid-to-late 1980s.

DIN sync consists of two signals, clock (tempo) and run/stop. Both signals are TTL compatible, meaning the low state is 0 V and the high state is about +5 V. The clock signal is a low-frequency pulse wave suggesting the tempo. Instead of measuring the waveform's frequency, the machine receiving the signal merely has to count the number of pulses to work out when to increment its position in the music. Roland equipment uses 24 pulses per quarter note, known as Sync24. Therefore, a Roland-compatible device playing sixteenth notes would have to advance to the next note every time it receives 6 pulses. Korg equipment uses 48 pulses per quarter note. The run/stop signal indicates whether the sequence is playing or not.

If a device is a DIN sync sender, the positive slope of start/stop must reset the clock signal, and the clock signal must start with a delay of 9 ms.[1]

A detailed description on how to implement a DIN sync sender with Play, Pause, Continue and Stop functionality was published by E-RM Erfindungsbuero.[2]

Pinouts

DIN sync is so named because it uses 5-pin DIN connectors, the same as used for MIDI. DIN sync itself is not a DIN standard. Note that despite using the same connectors as MIDI, it uses different pins on these connectors (1, 2, and 3 rather than MIDI's 2, 4 and 5), so a cable made specifically for MIDI will not necessarily have the pins required for DIN sync connected. In some applications the remaining DIN sync pins (4 and 5) are used as tap and fill in or reset and start, but this differs from one device to another.

DIN sync pinout
Pin Purpose Notes
1 start/stop stop = 0 volt, start = +5 volt
2 ground
3 clock symmetric pulse wave 0/+5 volt, the positive slope determines the clock step
4 reset start optional; same voltages as start/stop; the reset is valid for the song mode of Roland machines
5 fill in optional; same voltages as start/stop; it activated the fill-in function of the TR-808 and TR-606

Some manufacturers offer DIN sync over a 3.5 mm TRS mini-jack connection. Similar to the MIDI standard over TRS minijack, the aim is to reduce space in the device with a smaller connector.[3]

DIN sync pinout over 3.5 mm TRS connector
Pin Purpose Notes
Tip clock symmetric pulse wave 0/+5 volt, the positive slope determines the clock step
Ring start/stop stop = 0 volt, start = +5 volt
Sleeve ground

Relation to other clock systems

Other clock systems

The MIDI interface uses the same 5-pin DIN connectors but is electrically not compatible with DIN sync. The MIDI protocol features a MIDI beat clock. MIDI beat clock also works with 24 ticks per quarter note. MIDI timecode is used for more general timecode synchronization applications.

Analog clock signals are equivalent to the clock signal at pin 3 of DIN sync interface. The clock rate is usually higher than the DIN sync's rate. Typical values are 48, 96 or 192 pulses per quarter note (examples: Oberheim DMX, DX, DSX; LinnDrum 1 and 2).

Analog trigger signals transfer a pulse per musical event. For instance, a trigger corresponds to a step of an analog sequencer or an arpeggiator, a step in a rhythm pattern. Typical analog triggers run at four pulses per quarter note.

Combining with other clock systems

The combination of DIN sync with a different clock system can be achieved either by converting the format or the clock rate (see list below) or by using a central unit (so-called master clock), which provides multiple clock formats. The approach with a master clock is usually chosen, especially if synchronization with absolute time is required, such as synchronization with a tape recorder or with video footage.

Typical devices which can act as a master clock and provide DIN sync include the Roland SBX-80, Roland SBX-10, Friendchip SRC, E-RM midiclock⁺ and Yamaha MSS1. Many drum machines which have DIN sync and MIDI clock outputs can act as master clock for those two formats.

Converting from and to other clock systems

Though DIN sync and MIDI clock have the same clock rate, they require a conversion of the format within a microprocessor or similar. The conversion from MIDI clock to DIN sync is available in many industrial devices. The conversion from DIN sync to MIDI clock can be performed by devices such as 'Sync-Split2' from Innerclock Systems, or D-Sync by Kenton Electronics. Also two no longer produced devices do this type of conversion: Roland SBX10, Korg KMS30. On September 1, 2014, Roland introduced the SBX-1 which provides MIDI to sync24 or sync48 conversion.

To get an analog trigger or clock from the DIN syncs clock signal one has to use digital frequency division or frequency multiplication. There are no dedicated industrial devices that provide a division. The Roland SBX10 can convert into a 48, 96, and 120 PPQN clock.

Devices

Some devices have a DIN sync input as well as DIN sync output, other devices have only a single DIN socket which sometimes can be switched between input and output.

CompanyModelIn / OutPPQNRemark
Abstrakt InstrumentsAvalonIn and out24Conversion between MIDI & DIN sync, can output both simultaneously
AcidlabBasslineSwitchable24
Adafruitx0xb0xSwitchable24Converts DIN sync to MIDI and MIDI to DIN sync
ArturiaBeatStep ProIn and out24/48Provided over TRS connector. 1PPS, DIN24, DIN48
ArturiaDrumbruteIn and out24/481PPS, 2PPQ, DIN24, DIN48 or analog clock (Note: Arturia Drumbrute offers DIN sync, Minibrute does not appear to support DIN)
ArturiaDrumbrute ImpactIn and out24/48Provided over TRS connector. 1PPS, 2PPQ, DIN24, DIN48 or analog clock
audiowerkstattdin2midi2dinIn and out24/48Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync and DIN sync to MIDI (sync24/sync48)
audiowerkstattdin-restarterIn and out24/48Tool for synchronized start/stop of DIN sync devices (sync24/sync48)
BehringerRD-8In and outVarious1 PPQ, 2 PPQ, 4 PPQ, 24 PPQ, 48 PPQ. Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device.
BehringerTD-3-(MO)In onlyVarious1 PPQ, 2 PPQ, 4 PPQ, 24 PPQ, 48 PPQ. Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device.
Detachment 3ArchangelIn and out24Conversion between MIDI & DIN, can output both simultaneously
Doepfer M.A.U.S.I. Out only Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync, a division factor can be set
DoepferMCV-24Out onlyUp to 24Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync, a division factor can be set
DoepferMSY2Out only1.5 to 24Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync, a division factor can be set between 1:1 and 1:16
ElektronAnalog Four / Analog Four MKII / Analog KeysOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
ElektronAnalog Rytm / Analog Rytm MKIIOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
ElektronAnalog HeatOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
ElektronDigitaktOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
ElektronDigitone/Digitone KeysOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
ElektronSyntaktOut only24/48MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48
E-RM ErfindungsbüroMidiclock⁺Out only4, 24Switchable MIDI / sync out jack can be set up to output sync24 or analog clock (4 PPQN)
Future RetroMobiusOut only24Provides MIDI to DIN sync conversion
Future RetroRevolutionOut only24Provides MIDI to DIN sync conversion
JoMoXXBase09Switchable24
KawaiR-100Switchable
Kenton ElectronicsPro-2Out only24Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion
Kenton ElectronicsPro-4Out only24Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion
Kenton ElectronicsPro-2000 / Pro-2000 mkIIOut only24Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion
Kenton ElectronicsPro Solo mkIIOut only24Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion
Kenton ElectronicsPro Solo mk3Out onlyVariousProvides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion
Kenton ElectronicsD-SYNCIn and out24/48Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync / DIN sync to MIDI clock conversion
KOMA ElektronikRH301In and out24sync24; converts MIDI & analogue clock to DIN sync and DIN sync to MIDI and analogue clock
KorgKPR-77Switchable48
KorgDDM-110Switchable48
KorgDDM-220Switchable48
KorgSQ-64Out only4/12/24/48Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device. Sync in does not support run/stop.
MAMSQ-16Out only24x0x style MIDI sequencer
MidronomeMidronomeOut only1-24MIDI Master Clock with sync24 output[4]
NovationDrumStationOut only24converts MIDI clock to DIN sync
RolandMC-202In and out24Two outputs
RolandMC-4SwitchableVarious
RolandMPU-401Out only24
RolandTB-303In only24The TB-303 has a switch in the DIN socket, which disables the internal clock and enables the external DIN sync. DIN Sync out can be achieved unofficially, if the DIN connector is inserted not completely in the socket.
Roland TR-606 In or out 24 The TR-606 has a switch on the back which selects DIN sync IN or DIN sync OUT.
Roland TR-707 / TR-727 Out only 24 The TR-707 may even convert MIDI to DIN sync in certain modes
Roland TR-808 In and out 24 The TR-808 has a switch on the back which selects DIN sync IN or DIN sync OUT.
Roland TR-909 In only 24
RolandCR-8000In and out24
RolandCSQ-600Out only12provides also the a special CSQ-Clock, and clock for the CR-78 (12 PPQN)
RolandJSQ-60Out only (2x)24
RolandJupiter-8In only12for synchronizing arpeggio
RolandMSQ-100In and out
RolandMSQ-700In and out
RolandSBX-1In and out
Sequentix P3 Out only 24 MIDI Sync Out can be modified to output DIN sync24
STG Soundlabs Time Suite In only 24
Synthstrom Audible Deluge In and out Various Trigger in via 3.5mm tip; trigger out on Gates 3 and 4 for start/stop and clock respectively.
TamaTSQ-1000Switchablethis is trigger sequencer which provides six trigger tracks

Note that sync48 devices can be combined with sync24 devices if 32nd notes are programmed instead of 16th notes.

References

  1. See service manual TR-808, Fig.8 and Fig.9
  2. E-RM Erfindungsbuero DIN sync report
  3. Beatstep Pro review
  4. "Midronome technical specifications". Retrieved 2022-02-20.
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