DIN sync


The DIN sync standard, also called Sync24, defines a synchronization interface for electronic musical instruments.

Definition and history

DIN sync was introduced in the early 1980s by Roland Corporation for the synchronization of music sequencers, drum machines, arpeggiators and similar devices. It was superseded by MIDI, in the mid to late 1980s.
The DIN sync standard consists of two signals, clock 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.
The DIN sync standard 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, so a cable made specifically for MIDI will not necessarily have the pins required for DIN sync physically connected via wires. In some applications the remaining pins are used as "tap", "fill in" or "reset and start", but this differs from one device to another.
PinPurposeNotes
1start / stopstop = 0 volt, start = +5 volt
2ground
3clocksymmetric pulse wave 0/+5 volt, the positive slope determines the clock step
4reset startoptional; same voltages as start/stop; the reset is valid for the song mode of Roland machines
5fill inoptional; same voltages as start/stop; it activated the fill in function of the TR-808 and TR-606

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

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.
"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.
"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 DIN sync with other clock systems

The combination of DIN sync with a different clock system can be achieved either by converting the format and / or the clock rate or by using a central unit, which provides multiple clock formats. The approach with a masterclock is usually chosen, especially if a synchronization with absolute time is required, such as synchronisation 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 DIN sync 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. For the conversion from DIN sync to MIDI clock there is at the moment only the device 'Sync-Split2' of the company Innerclock Systems. Also two no longer produced devices do this type of conversion: Roland SBX10, Korg KMS30. On September 1st 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 which provide a division. The Roland SBX10 can convert into a 48, 96, and 120 PPQN clock.

Devices with DIN sync

Some devices have a DIN sync input as well as DIN sync output, other device 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 out24/481PPS, DIN24, DIN48
ArturiaDrumbruteIn and out24/481PPS, 2PPQ, DIN24, DIN48 or analog clock
audiowerkstattdin2midi2dinIn and out24/48Conversion from MIDI to DIN sync and DIN sync to MIDI
audiowerkstattdin-restarterIn and out24/48Tool for synchronized start/stop of DIN sync devices
BehringerRhythm Designer RD-8In and outVariousMIDI In/Out/Trough and Sync Out
Detachment 3ArchangelIn and out24Conversion between MIDI & DIN, can output both simultaneously
DoepferM.A.U.S.I.Out onlyConversion 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
E-RM ErfindungsbüroMidiclock⁺Out only4, 24Switchable MIDI / sync out jack can be set up to output sync24 or analog clock
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
NovationDrumStationOut only24converts MIDI clock to DIN sync
RolandMC-202In and out24
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.
RolandTR-606In or out24The TR-606 has a switch on the back which selects DIN sync IN or DIN sync OUT.
RolandTR-707 / TR-727Out only24The TR-707 may even convert MIDI to DIN sync in certain modes
RolandTR-808In and out24The TR-808 has a switch on the back which selects DIN sync IN or DIN sync OUT.
RolandTR-909In only24
RolandCR-8000In and out24
RolandCSQ-600Out only12provides also the a special CSQ-Clock, and clock for the CR-78
RolandJupiter-8In only12for synchronizing arpeggio
RolandMSQ-100In and out
RolandMSQ-700In and out
RolandSBX-1In and out
SequentixP3Out only24MIDI Sync Out can be modified to output DIN sync24
Synthstrom AudibleDelugeIn and outVariousTrigger 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.