Over the next week I'm going to aim to assemble a test board to start playing around with using a linux SBC to process audio, and using an Arduino to display updates on a display and pass input parameters from stompbox switches.

While in future iterations I'd like to incorporate the XLR and jack inputs and outputs this testing setup will use an external interface mounted to the test board.

The Alesis io2 interface is perfect for this setup; it's plug and play, has XLR inputs and line inputs, has insert points for adding more effects if necessary and a headphone out. The added bonus is I have one spare :)

For the SBC I have opted for an Asus Tinkerboard. It's more powerful specs will help keep latency to a minimum.

I will look for various examples of software to try out; I'm looking for something I can run headless and preferably use Python to manipulate parameters (this will make using the arduino a lot easier).

Another nice feature would be to connect to the Tinker board to use a web interface for a more detailed user interface.

While a test rig I'd love to make this device look the part. I'd like to mount everything to a base plate and place a cover over the Tinkerboard and arduino, make cutouts for the switches, the lcd screen and also a small opening for the interface USB cable to pass through. Adding some panelmount sockets for ethernet and the two spare USB ports would be great for expandability and connecting for programming and updating.