MiSTer FPGA Forum

Hi, I've made a mt-32 pi hat based on the information found on this page https://github.com/chris-jh/mt32-pi-midi-hat
The sdcard is configured, cfg file is configured and both mt32 installer and update scripts work fine on the MiSTer.
The hat connects to a raspberry pi 3B (first gen) as I could not procure a 3A+, I use a digital IO board on the MiSTer.
I also use one of the tested usb cable "CY black right-angle A-A"
I encountered 2 issues upon testing the hat.\

1. The hat does not draw power from the user port, I have to rely on the external power supply to power on the raspberry pi.
Upon which the pi + hat seems to work properly as a stand alone device.

2. The Pi hat is not being recognized by the MiSTer even after using the external PSU.

This thread viewtopic.php?t=4274 seems to have some similarities with the issue I have here but the pi hat I use does not have an on/off switch.

I may have missed something?

*edit: I tried with Pi 4B but same outcome.

Does your digital IO board have the P6 and P7 headers populated?

You're kidding, right?

Please tell me you're not connecting that cable between one of the Pi's own USB ports and the MiSTer's user port and expecting it to work.

MiSTer HATs have their own special connector just for MiSTer. The HAT in your photo is not for this purpose, it's for standalone use as a traditional MIDI device using MIDI cables.

^ Ooof, missed that- definitely not going to work =D

d0pefish wrote: ↑Fri Jul 08, 2022 3:56 pm You're kidding, right?

Please tell me you're not connecting that cable between one of the Pi's own USB ports and the MiSTer's user port and expecting it to work.

MiSTer HATs have their own special connector just for MiSTer. The HAT in your photo is not for this purpose, it's for standalone use as a traditional MIDI device using MIDI cables.

I wish I was kidding, I build the wrong board
Is there a board listed in the custom hardware that is compatible with the Mister? https://github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi/wik ... m-hardware

Something to keep in mind is that mt32-pi is not specifically a MiSTer add-on even though it's becoming a common use case for it. That's why the custom projects on that page have the MIDI port to use mt32-pi as a substitute for a real MT-32 (or General MIDI synthesizer). None of them were made with MiSTer in mind. As for boards to make a MiSTer compatible hat, I have seen the bare PCB available on MiSTerFPGA.co.uk for sale. https://misterfpga.co.uk/product/mister-mt32-pi-pcb/ The board design may be available elsewhere but I never looked into it myself since I was always interested in completed hats (which they and other MiSTer sellers do offer).

All may not be exactly lost for your completed hat. Since the mt32-pi works just like an MT-32 would, you could in theory still use your build with MiSTer. But this is where I lack in personal knowledge and can only suppose if it would work. I've seen a converting board to use real hardware with MiSTer such as in this video: https://youtu.be/qUz5-hW1n0U?t=1442 but I don't know if you could instead just use a compatible MIDI to USB cable to go from the MIDI port on the hat to the User I/O port on the MiSTer. But you do have to be mindful when buying a cable as not all of them work properly with mt32-pi. See the mt32-pi's page for USB MIDI interfaces to get an idea for cables: https://github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi/wik ... interfaces I can vouch for the Roland UM-ONE mk2 cable since I have successfully used that one to hook a mt32-pi to a MIDI keyboard. I would definitely recommend searching around a bit to see if anyone has been able to use real hardware with MiSTer with just a MIDI to USB cable rather than that converting board in the video. My mt32-pi hats are MiSTer orientated with no MIDI ports so I unfortunately can't test to see if it would work.

Thanks for the explanation and pointing out the possibilities to use the board with MiSTer, I ended up purchasing the pre-build pi hat from misterfpga.
The board I built might still be useful with the Amiga 500+, will look into it.