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Project Log #18: Many improvements. Experiments with BTooth MIDI

A project log for The Digi-Gurdy and Digi[Nerdy]Gurdy

MIDI electronic portable practice hurdy-gurdy: It's always in tune.

xenonjohnXenonJohn 11/02/2020 at 14:303 Comments

Many improvements to the code. 

- Strange extra click sounds all removed. Generally smoother sound.

- Buzz sound is now at same pitch as the (virtual) trompette string.

- 2 melody strings one octave apart.

- 2 screen display options: Original with notes on stave plus also a Do, Re, Mi style notation.

- Remembers your last-used setup. Useful with bs-16i on an iPhone.iPad as that also will remember your last used settings.

Hardware improvements.

Have changed the right hand 3D printed motor/crank housing design to include two 5 pin sockets to accept MIDI devices. When used with a Yamaha MD BT-01 Bluetooth MIDI transmitter you can link to the iPad or phone wirelessly. When in wired (to phone) mode, as in the previous versions, the DG is powered by the phone up the USB cable. When in wireless BTooth mode, you need to plug the now unused USB cable into something else to power the DGurdy. Initially I tried a large phone power bank in a holder on the left hand end. However, as the power draw of the DG is low, I have now redesigned the left hand end main 3D print so it accepts a smaller 18650 cylindrical battery and charger module from a smaller phone power bank. This fits internally within the DG and is a very neat solution. The USB cable can still be hard wired to a phone or iPad as before so you now have both options for connecting to your device, a) wired via USB cable or b) Bluetooth, if you buy a Yamaha module or similar later on plus the battery cell for the left hand end (readily available all over the world).

Discussions

XenonJohn wrote 11/03/2020 at 12:11 point

Thanks for comment. Modified .stl files, with wiring diagram and example sources for a suitable battery, MIDI socket etc have been added to the project files 2/11/20.

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XenonJohn wrote 11/02/2020 at 22:45 point

Many more to come over the winter. May design a Tenor version.

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jose miguel wrote 11/02/2020 at 20:50 point

Very interesting upgrade.

Thanks again John for improving project.

José Miguel

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