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I'm trying to build this Midi2CV (control voltage for analog synths) using a Arduino Nano:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3IhhFL3PrLELLODB3

I was hoping to use this Nokia screen too for settings and debugging purposes, but I just realized there's only one hardware serial port on 328p and software serial seemed to be doomed for MIDI:

SoftwareSerial too slow for MIDI?

So I have three peripherals:

  • DAC (MCP4822)
  • Nokia 5110 screen
  • MIDI

I've gotten both the DAC and screen to work fine on normal pins so I'm thinking I'm good with just using the hardware serial for MIDI and the DAC and screen can use software. Or am I in for a world of pain without getting a more powerful chip with more hardware serial ports? And if so, what's the recommendation? (shoestring budget)

Viktor Hedefalk
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1 Answers1

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Of your three functions (DAC, screen and MIDI) only one (MIDI) actually uses UART.

The other two devices are SPI devices which, while it is a serial protocol isn't UART (serial is a concept not a protocol).

Connect the DAC and screen to the SPI port (you can share SCK, MOSI and MISO, but select different CS pins) and you have the UART pins (0/1) available for MIDI use - as long as you don't want to use the USB connection which is linked directly to those pins.

Majenko
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