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A Quarantined Small World
03/28/2020 at 01:08 • 0 comments
Stay safe through these crazy times! -
3D Printed Body
03/05/2020 at 00:05 • 0 commentsBeen a while since an update, so I apologize! Starting to CAD up the body, and printing prototypes with PETG.
Final construction will be sealed, sanded, painted, and looking pretty.Keys will be metal the holes are just for M3 fasteners.
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Onboard Synth Development - Teensy Audio Library
11/18/2018 at 04:00 • 0 commentsThe Teensy Audio Library is pretty amazing. https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_Audio.html
It allows for 16-bit 44.1kHz audio from a microcontroller. I'm using it to develop a synth onboard that doesn't make you want to cringe.Here's the block diagram:
The hardest part of the synthesizer is the effort to smooth out the amplitude changes and pitch bends. Take a listen to these samples:
https://soundcloud.com/jeff-m-hopkins/open-woodwind-project-onboard-synth-demo-teensy-library
https://soundcloud.com/jeff-m-hopkins/we-three-kings
All sound is produced onboard the synth, including the reverb. I'm still actively developing the code base, but so far so good!
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Onboard Synth Work
11/01/2018 at 01:16 • 0 commentsI want an onboard synthesizer for computer free playing, but along with pitch bends.
Utilizing an ATtiny85 for some onboard synth development:
The sound is an analog chorus sound (juno ish) with a decent low end and allows for 1V/octave input through 5 octaves.
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Reason Synthesizer
10/21/2018 at 20:41 • 0 commentsMost of the time I use Reason as my main synthesizer while playing. I'm including my analog synthesizer patch in the files section. Even those with other woodwind controllers should easily be able to use this patch to create great sounding music.
Reason offers a free 30-day trial, but even after that, you can load the patch and play live without issue (just can't save files from the DAW). Free Reason Trial
Great synth station for keyboards and live audio as well!
There will be some rack extensions that you need to install also, so hit me up if you need some help with this.
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Schematics
10/21/2018 at 20:25 • 0 commentsThe actual schematics for this project are super simple. Three breakout boards and a Teensy 3.2 were used.
Originally a lower power microcontroller was used, as nothing in this project really requires the Cortex M4 or advanced feature set of the Teensy 3.2. However the project was transitioned over to this development board in the hope of one day creating a great sounding synthesizer on the same chip.
Breakouts for the MPR121 and BNO055 were used because I had them handy, but when the kit is developed I plan on having them native to the PCB. While MPR121s are at end of life, they are still readily available, and if become hard to source it would be easy to switch to another capacitive touch IC.
This schematic does not show the wireless serial connection, but for those who have an amateur radio license in the US, they can utilize the APC220 which is a really superb option for this project.
My prototype also has two pull-down resistors on SDA and SDL, but were not needed when using the breakouts from adafruit, but add them in if you are having trouble with your I2C.
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Preparing for the Hackaday Prize!
10/19/2018 at 02:10 • 0 commentsWe were lucky enough to get this project into the semifinals of the 2018 Hackaday Prize!
Because this was the last of the 5 challenges it means that I now only have a few days to prepare for the final round...
There is a list of things that I need to do for you guys and not a lot of time (particularly with my work load here at SpaceX).
1. Write up a full schematic / block diagram of the hardware
2. Draw an updated flow chart of the state machine
3. Show block diagram of the Reason Synth (and upload to files)
4. Write build instructions
5. Write initial checkout / power on procedure
6. Last but not least, make a new 2-5 minute video better describing my project.
Peace of cake.
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The Challenge
09/08/2018 at 04:37 • 0 commentsIn the digital instrument market today there are very limited options for MIDI woodwind controllers. This project aims to bring a DIY opensource version up to the plate that the average maker can create and play. This could eventually be a great project in school curriculum for those technologically inclined musicians beyond the standard robot classes.
We are flooded with MIDI keyboards, matrix controllers, drum sets, but those who wish to harness the dynamic response of breath are left lacking in options. This open source instrument should be a source to many hackers who would like to implement an intuitive and configurable instrument.
In the end I wish to offer up kits (laser cut files and pre-programmed microcontrollers) to those who would like to build their own instrument.
Project Goals:
- Create an electronic aerophone (MIDI woodwind controller) that is intuitively playable.
- Easily re-created by the average maker and is not just a music making gadget.
- Inexpensive and easily adaptive to new sensors and fingering modes
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IMU Roll to Distortion
09/05/2018 at 20:33 • 0 commentsAdding additional effects to IMU roll axis.... Sounding pretty good!
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Example of some Smooth Analog Jazz
06/30/2018 at 14:19 • 0 comments