UberClock is a smart MIDI master clock designed for synth jam sessions (up to 6 people). This master clock, and its MIDI distribution boxes, ensures that anyone in the jam session always -and automatically- start at the downbeat keeping everything and everyone nicely in sync. The Restart feature allows for an on-the-fly re-sync of all gear in case one or more participants start to run out of sync.

In addition to this project being a MIDI Master clock, it also offers a timer to keep an eye on how long you've been jamming. Just press the encoder's knob to reset the timer. PS: the timer refreshes every 5 seconds (no every second to keep "CPU power" available for the main clock functions). 

The clock also offers a rather unique feature of providing three random words whenever you press the encoder. The person operating the clock can use these word-combinations to offers inspiration to the participant in terms of the musical direction of the jam - so the jam keeps moving into different moods/atmospheres etc. There are over 3 million word-combinations possible - so plenty to play with. 

In the 360 video below you can see the clock in action at a synth jam session with 6 people (I am sitting front right). Have a look around and spot the UberClock (the Master Clock) and the six UberBoxes (Clock Distribution)

In the video below the UberClock has just been started (tapping the Re/Start button). You can see that all 6 UberBoxes run in sync with the UberClock. It also shows the beat count with the Blue led being count 1 (or downbeat)

In the video below the UberClock has Stopped (tapping the Stop button). You can see that all 6 UberBoxes keep running in sync with the UberClock. You can start/stop your own setup independent from the other participants; anyone can, but the start only ever takes place on the global downbeat so all gear -of all participants- are always in sync with each other. 

Below; some of the main DFRobot components used for this project

Shown below; how the PCBs (simple vero/strip boards anyone can build) are interconnected. We only show just one UberBox connection - but the remaining five are connected identically (OUT 2 → OUT6).

Please check out this project on my github page also.

Last but not least, some more images of the clock: