Converting between MIDI and DIN Sync

Find out how convert between MIDI and DIN Sync so you can sync your vintage Roland sequencers with your DAW or MIDI equipment.

Some Roland sequencers and synths (such as the MC-202, TB-303, TR-606 and TR-808) pre-date MIDI, so could only be synchronised with other equipment using DIN Sync at 24 clocks per quarter note (Sync24).

Note that some Roland equipment (eg TB-303) only has SYNC IN, some (eg TR-606, TR-808) have a single SYNC socket that can be switched between INPUT and OUTPUT, while others (eg SH-101) have separate SYNC IN and OUT Sockets.

Kenton offers a range of options to sync these synths with MIDI:

For current Kenton products:

  1. Bi-directional sync with the Kenton D-Sync
  2. Sync using a Kenton Pro Solo Mk3 MIDI to CV Converter
  3. Sync using a Kenton Pro KADI MkII MIDI to Digital drum machine interface
  4. Sync using a USB Solo (not currently available)

For discontinued Kenton products:

  1. Sync using a Pro Solo MkI
  2. Sync using a Pro Solo MkII
  3. Sync using a Pro 2000
  4. Sync using a Pro 2
  5. Sync using a Pro 4

1. Bi-directional sync with the Kenton D-Sync

Which products do I need?

You can sync your synth to your DAW or MIDI sequencer using the Kenton D-Sync.  You will also need 1 or 2 DIN SYNC leads.

Connecting the D-Sync

Connect the DIN SYNC lead from the SYNC OUT on the D-Sync to the DIN SYNC socket on your synth. Set the TR-808’s sync switch to INPUT.  Your synth will play in time with the MIDI Clock. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

If your synth or sequencer has a SYNC OUT, or can be switched to SYNC OUT, the D-Sync can also convert DIN SYNC to MIDI Clock, so you can also have your sequencer provide the master clock for your MIDI equipment. Connect the DIN SYNC lead from the SYNC IN on the D-Sync to the SYNC OUT socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to OUTPUT.

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-606/808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-606 or TR-808.

2. Sync using a Kenton Pro Solo Mk3 MIDI to CV Converter

Which products do I need?

You will need a Pro Solo Mk3 MIDI to CV Converter, and a DIN SYNC lead.

Connecting the Pro Solo Mk3

Connect the DIN SYNC lead from the MIDI Thru/Sync 24 socket on the Pro Solo to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

Configuring the Pro Solo Mk3

Use the following settings on your Pro Solo Mk3:

ParameterSetting
P90 – Socket Select[S24] Sync 24
Configuring the Pro Solo Mk3 for use with DIN Sync

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-606/808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-606 or TR-808.

3. Sync using a Pro KADI MkII MIDI to Digital drum machine interface

Which products do I need?

You will need a Pro KADI MkII MIDI to Digital drum machine interface, and a DIN SYNC lead.

Connecting the Pro KADI MkII to the TR-808

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the Pro KADI to the SYNC socket on the your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

Configuring the Pro KADI MkII

Use the following settings on your Pro KADI MkII:

ParameterSetting
H – Clock Pulse Divide Ratiod2 (24 cpqn)
Configuring the Pro KADI MkII for use with Din Sync

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-606/808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-606 or TR-808.

4. Sync using a USB Solo (not currently available)

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the USB Solo to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

There is nothing to configure for the USB Solo.

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-808.

5. Sync using a Pro Solo MkI

You will need a 1 x 5 pin DIN plug to 2 x 3.5mm jack plug to convert the CV and Gate outputs of the Pro Solo MkI to DIN Sync on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

To put the Pro Solo MKI into Sync Mode, you should power it on whilst holding down the INC button.  Then setup the Pro Solo MkI as follows:

ParameterSetting
K – Clock pulse divide ratio[d2] 24 cpqn
L – Positive / Negative edge[Pv] Positive (default)
Configuring your Pro Solo MkI for use with DIN Sync

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-808.

6. Sync using a Pro Solo MkII

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the Pro Solo MkII to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

Use the following settings on your Pro Solo MkII:

ParameterSetting
P42 – Thru / Sync 24 / Aux 2+3 select[Sy] Sync 24
Configuring your Pro Solo MkII for use with DIN Sync

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-808.

7. Sync using a Pro 2000

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the Pro 2000 to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

Use the following settings on your Pro Solo Mk3:

ParameterSetting
SYNC Clock Divide[1] 24 cpqn
SYNC CLOCK Polarity[+ve] Positive (default)
Configuring your Pro 2000 for use with DIN Sync

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-808.

8. Sync using a Pro 2

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the Pro 4 to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

There is nothing to configure for the Pro 2.

Sync using a Pro 4

Connect a DIN Sync lead from the Sync 24 socket on the Pro 4 to the SYNC socket on your synth. If you have a TR-606 or TR-808, set its sync switch to INPUT.

There is nothing to configure for the Pro 4.

See Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-808 at the bottom of this page for more information on syncing your Roland TR-808.

Using MIDI Clock with your Roland TR-606 or TR-808

If you are running the TR-606/808 over DIN Sync, ensure you set the sync switch on the back of the TR-606 to INPUT. Don’t forget to switch it back to OUTPUT again when you’ve finished, otherwise the TR-606/808 won’t run.

For the TR-606 to run correctly from MIDI / DIN sync, you will need to use Pre-Scale setting number 1 (quarter notes). To set Pre-Scale – set pre-scale switch to 1 – set Mode Switch to Pattern Write mode – select the pattern you want to change – press start button – press function button until change is heard – press stop – reset to pattern play – done.

For the TR-808 to run correctly from MIDI / DIN sync, you will need to use Pre-Scale setting number 3 (quarter notes). To set Pre-Scale – set pre-scale switch to 3 – set to pattern write 1st part – select the pattern you want to change – press start button – press clear / pre-scale button until change is heard – press stop – reset to pattern play – done.

DIN sync leads use different connections from MIDI leads. If a MIDI lead has all its pins wired, then it will work for DIN sync, but many MIDI cables only have the connections required for MIDI.  Kenton provides a range of DIN Sync leads

If you have any problems with MIDI / DIN Sync, read Solving MIDI clock problems