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 It was introduced in 1980 by Roland Corporation and has been superseded by MIDI.
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 It was superseded by MIDI in the mid-to-late 1980s.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]
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.
| 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]
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Company | Model | In / Out | PPQN | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abstrakt Instruments | Avalon | In and out | 24 | Conversion between MIDI & DIN sync, can output both simultaneously |
| Acidlab | Bassline | Switchable | 24 | |
| x0xb0x | Switchable | 24 | Converts DIN sync to MIDI and MIDI to DIN sync | |
| Arturia | BeatStep Pro | In and out | 24/48 | Provided over TRS connector. 1PPS, DIN24, DIN48 |
| Arturia | Drumbrute | In and out | 24/48 | 1PPS, 2PPQ, DIN24, DIN48 or analog clock (Note: Arturia Drumbrute offers DIN sync, Minibrute does not appear to support DIN) |
| Arturia | Drumbrute Impact | In and out | 24/48 | Provided over TRS connector. 1PPS, 2PPQ, DIN24, DIN48 or analog clock |
| audiowerkstatt | din2midi2din | In and out | 24/48 | Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync and DIN sync to MIDI (sync24/sync48) |
| audiowerkstatt | din-restarter | In and out | 24/48 | Tool for synchronized start/stop of DIN sync devices (sync24/sync48) |
| Behringer | RD-8 | In and out | Various | 1 PPQ, 2 PPQ, 4 PPQ, 24 PPQ, 48 PPQ. Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device. |
| Behringer | TD-3-(MO) | In only | Various | 1 PPQ, 2 PPQ, 4 PPQ, 24 PPQ, 48 PPQ. Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device. |
| Detachment 3 | Archangel | In and out | 24 | Conversion 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 | |
| MCV-24 | Out only | Up to 24 | Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync, a division factor can be set | |
| MSY2 | Out only | 1.5 to 24 | Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync, a division factor can be set between 1:1 and 1:16 | |
| Analog Four / Analog Four MKII / Analog Keys | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| Analog Rytm / Analog Rytm MKII | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| Analog Heat | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| Digitakt | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| Digitone/Digitone Keys | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| Syntakt | Out only | 24/48 | MIDI Out jack and/or MIDI Thru jack can be set up to output DIN sync24/sync48 | |
| E-RM Erfindungsbüro | Midiclock⁺ | Out only | 4, 24 | Switchable MIDI / sync out jack can be set up to output sync24 or analog clock (4 PPQN) |
| Future Retro | Mobius | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI to DIN sync conversion |
| Future Retro | Revolution | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI to DIN sync conversion |
| XBase09 | Switchable | 24 | ||
| R-100 | Switchable | |||
| Kenton Electronics | Pro-2 | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion |
| Kenton Electronics | Pro-4 | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion |
| Kenton Electronics | Pro-2000 / Pro-2000 mkII | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion |
| Kenton Electronics | Pro Solo mkII | Out only | 24 | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion |
| Kenton Electronics | Pro Solo mk3 | Out only | Various | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync conversion |
| Kenton Electronics | D-SYNC | In and out | 24/48 | Provides MIDI clock to DIN sync / DIN sync to MIDI clock conversion |
| KOMA Elektronik | RH301 | In and out | 24 | sync24; converts MIDI & analogue clock to DIN sync and DIN sync to MIDI and analogue clock |
| KPR-77 | Switchable | 48 | ||
| DDM-110 | Switchable | 48 | ||
| DDM-220 | Switchable | 48 | ||
| SQ-64 | Out only | 4/12/24/48 | Provided over TRS connector, rate configurable on the device. Sync in does not support run/stop. | |
| MAM | SQ-16 | Out only | 24 | x0x style MIDI sequencer |
| Midronome | Midronome | Out only | 1-24 | MIDI Master Clock with sync24 output[4] |
| Out only | 24 | converts MIDI clock to DIN sync | ||
| In and out | 24 | Two outputs | ||
| Switchable | Various | |||
| Out only | 24 | |||
| In only | 24 | The 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 |
| 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 | |
| CR-8000 | In and out | 24 | ||
| CSQ-600 | Out only | 12 | provides also the a special CSQ-Clock, and clock for the CR-78 (12 PPQN) | |
| JSQ-60 | Out only (2x) | 24 | ||
| In only | 12 | for synchronizing arpeggio | ||
| MSQ-100 | In and out | |||
| MSQ-700 | In and out | |||
| SBX-1 | In and out | |||
| Sequentix | P3 | Out only | 24 | MIDI Sync Out can be modified to output DIN sync24 |
| Sequentix | Cirklon | Out only | 24/48 | Use SYNC port |
| 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. |
| Tama | TSQ-1000 | Switchable | this 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.