ArcSyn-0 - polysynth built with a Raspberry Pi Zero
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 799 posts since 25 Apr, 2011
After making my bat detector I decided to try something more ambitious for my next Raspberry Pi project - so I designed and built a 6-voice polyphonic synth, the ArcSyn-0.
There are dual oscillators plus sub-osc per voice (combine oscillators using mix, hard sync or ring mod), dual loopable envelopes per voice, LP/HP 24dB filter per voice, LFO, arpeggiator, mono/poly/unison mode, stereo delay, phaser, stereo chorus, distortion, oscilloscope waveform display, save/load presets in non-volatile memory. Built-in keyboard, joystick, speakers, serial MIDI input.
It was great fun to design and build, and sounds nice too - IMHO
More info on the project here: http://jaggedplanet.com/synthesiser.asp
First couple of recordings:
Sequence1.mp3 - A Berlin-school-inspired piece based around an arpeggiated sequence, consisting of seven tracks recorded and mixed in Audacity. A bit rough around the edges, but it shows some of what the synth can do.
Undulations.mp3 - I used the looping envelope generator as a kind of sequencer, and set it going with 4 notes played at fairly long intervals - then twiddled knobs for 15 minutes! It's a kind of relaxing, hypnotic piece.
Happy days!
There are dual oscillators plus sub-osc per voice (combine oscillators using mix, hard sync or ring mod), dual loopable envelopes per voice, LP/HP 24dB filter per voice, LFO, arpeggiator, mono/poly/unison mode, stereo delay, phaser, stereo chorus, distortion, oscilloscope waveform display, save/load presets in non-volatile memory. Built-in keyboard, joystick, speakers, serial MIDI input.
It was great fun to design and build, and sounds nice too - IMHO
More info on the project here: http://jaggedplanet.com/synthesiser.asp
First couple of recordings:
Sequence1.mp3 - A Berlin-school-inspired piece based around an arpeggiated sequence, consisting of seven tracks recorded and mixed in Audacity. A bit rough around the edges, but it shows some of what the synth can do.
Undulations.mp3 - I used the looping envelope generator as a kind of sequencer, and set it going with 4 notes played at fairly long intervals - then twiddled knobs for 15 minutes! It's a kind of relaxing, hypnotic piece.
Happy days!
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- KVRAF
- 1869 posts since 21 Feb, 2004 from somewhere! anywhere!
Wow! That sounds fantastic!
Very impressive - I wish I had the skills (i.e.patience to learn how) to code.
Do you make your code available? or should we wait for the Behringer clone
Very impressive - I wish I had the skills (i.e.patience to learn how) to code.
Do you make your code available? or should we wait for the Behringer clone
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 799 posts since 25 Apr, 2011
Thanks Knockman - I wish I had your woodworking and UI skills! Out of interest, what do you use for the lettering on your projects, for example your Hougaku Conductor mod?
I don't think the code in my synth is in a fit state for public consumption, so we'd better wait for the clones to materialise But if anyone has specific questions about the code then I'd be happy to answer.
I don't think the code in my synth is in a fit state for public consumption, so we'd better wait for the clones to materialise But if anyone has specific questions about the code then I'd be happy to answer.
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- KVRAF
- 1869 posts since 21 Feb, 2004 from somewhere! anywhere!
I have two methods for lettering - inkjet printer decals which are fiddly but look better if enough care is taken to get them aligned, or printing the whole panel on paper and adhering it to the enclosure - this works best for dark backgrounds and light lettering such as the Hougaku Conductor but you need to take care since the paper can expand, easily tear when using water based glues. I've started using a contact adhesive.
In both cases, I spray them with a matte acrylic lacquer but the decals can react to the lacquer and bleed so it's best to seal them beforehand.
The upshot of all this is making the enclosures takes longer than anything else.
In both cases, I spray them with a matte acrylic lacquer but the decals can react to the lacquer and bleed so it's best to seal them beforehand.
The upshot of all this is making the enclosures takes longer than anything else.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 799 posts since 25 Apr, 2011
Thanks knockman, that's useful information. I wasn't aware of that inkjet-printable decal paper, I'll have to get myself a few sheets. Definitely agree that making enclosures is a time-consuming business!
- KVRAF
- 7745 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
Wow, really impressive. Sounds good too.
Re: lettering, you may want to have a look at waterslide transfers too, I know people who use them on DIYguitar pedals with great results. Inkjet or laser varieties.
Re: lettering, you may want to have a look at waterslide transfers too, I know people who use them on DIYguitar pedals with great results. Inkjet or laser varieties.
- KVRAF
- 1611 posts since 17 Jul, 2001 from Milan, Italy
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 31 Oct, 2019
It looks great. Also I like the demo songs.
- Beware the Quoth
- 33159 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
Very nice. And interesting to find out about Circle.
(and like Autodafe I'd be interested in the schematics too)
(and like Autodafe I'd be interested in the schematics too)
my other modular synth is a bugbrand
- KVRAF
- 2338 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
Nicely done, but ArcSyn-0 (to me) was not the best choice for name. Anyway, I guess this one is not going commercial? Because in that case there is already an ArcSyn (plugin) from SPC Plugins.
i9-10900K | 128GB DDR4 | RTX 3090 | Arturia AudioFuse/KeyLab mkII/SparkLE | PreSonus ATOM/ATOM SQ | Studio One | Reason | Bitwig Studio | Reaper | Renoise | FL Studio | ~900 VSTs | 300+ REs
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 799 posts since 25 Apr, 2011
Thanks for the comments I am not going to make this commercial, it was purely for fun and a learning exercise - but it is a shame that the name ArcSyn has already been used. I only discovered that after I had named mine!
Regarding schematics, it was very much made up as I went along so I don't have any - but the peripherals are all pretty standard connections and protocols so it should be fairly clear how to wire them up if you try to make something similar. Experimenting is half the fun anyway Likewise, the code is not really in a state where I'd be proud to release it, as it's a bit cobbled-together.
Circle is highly recommended if you are interested in doing this kind of thing, it made it so much easier to get started.
Regarding schematics, it was very much made up as I went along so I don't have any - but the peripherals are all pretty standard connections and protocols so it should be fairly clear how to wire them up if you try to make something similar. Experimenting is half the fun anyway Likewise, the code is not really in a state where I'd be proud to release it, as it's a bit cobbled-together.
Circle is highly recommended if you are interested in doing this kind of thing, it made it so much easier to get started.