*Filter sounds surprisingly good. Haven't been producing for a while, so is that a diode ladder a moog filter? Sounded familiar, but it seemed creamy AND edgy...so maybe it's somewhere in between those 2. Or maybe it was a hard synch modulation making that sound?*
@@OMNI_INFINITY Please watch @synthetechs videos on that topic: ua-cam.com/video/9taujr3BouA/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/687XoUewvp8/v-deo.html The synth is 100% software, all the electronic parts you see are for the MIDI input and the audio board.
Thank you for the review Floyd! Greatly appreciated!! 😁 I hope to someday improve the BP Synth to be easier to build on a PCB with a OLED display and the ability to store PreSet patches.
It sounds fantastic! I would definitely buy a total system version, with display with a couple knobs especially. That way filter cutoff and filter envelope or resonance could be tweaked at once. 😁
Blackpill is cool indeed. It's super cheap and exposes the full functionality of STM32Fxxx. But note that this project is a digital synth that doesn't use any special hardware (only midi and DAC), so you can code comparable synth on any computer for 0$. My favorite audio server is JACK, it has a very simple c (there are bindings for other languages) api, but if you don't want text programming you can always use puredata.
Thanks for watching! This is correct, but I think the really low cost and small size of this synth makes it fun to build and learn. Plus you theoretically could fit it inside a midi controller keyboard to convert it to a "real" synth.
@@mr_floydstYup, these days one can build a lot of cool stuff with how cheap and powerful those microcontrollers are. I think that picoTracker project is really cool. I found out about it from your video (that's how I found your channel too). I wonder why I haven't found it earlier since I'm on the lookout for these handheld tracker projects. I guess those are just really niche and hard to find.
I mean, that kinda misses the point that people just like making stuff... and like having hardware that you can carry in your bag/pocket and not need a wifi connection to jam on. Sure, I *could* take my laptop and an installed copy of DEXED and a touch controller and blablabla... or I could just take my Volca FM2. I have yet to choose the laptop when faced with that decision.
Focused single use devices are much better for me personally because you don't have too many choices, and you can just turn them on and they work the same every time forever.
Great video and I like your soldering technique with the breadboard. One suggestion that would help amateurs like me is explaining _why_ you're making these connections. While hooking up the midi chip it wasn't clear why you need a resistor or a diode, or what the different legs of the chip did as you connected them.
Thanks for watching! You're right, that would add value to my videos - I'll try to do that in future. As I'm trying to push out one video every week at the moment, I have to cut corners at certain points though ;-)
@@mr_floydst Understandable. You don't have to go into great detail, just expand on "connect A to B" with a quick reason would make things very clear. For example, "connect A to B for ground" or "connect A to B to allow volume control from the X", etc. Keep up the great work!
@@soviut303 I hope Floyd doesn't mind the external link here, but I believe the information you are looking for is here: ua-cam.com/video/iiiMGXwyzqo/v-deo.htmlsi=wvXS7FmELhJFcuRC I tried creating Tutorials to explain how the code works but there has not been much interest as it can get pretty complicated and takes a bit of dedication to study and comprehend.
Disagree - that would be electronics 101. It would be beyond the scope of the video, same information would need repeating in every similar video. Instead go watch a video on the basics of circuit components - it’s akin to commenting on a calculus video “woah woah, slow down egghead. Can you explain the concept of ‘addition’ please”
@@Comonad Not why I'm asking; I'm asking for the rationale behind the steps. For example, bad programming tutorials say "write this line, then write this line" while good tutorials say "we define x here so we can use it in our loop here". That's not programming 101, that's explaining the rationale instead of just explaining the steps.
Thanks for watching - if you have the time or want to invest time into building stuff, at least it's a very cheap hobby compared to collecting hardware synths ;-) There is a company called Freenove that has a beginners set of electronic parts in a box along with some excellent tutorials and I can't recommend those enough. The other info can best be found on UA-cam. But yes, the ingenuity of some of these DIY projects still strikes me every time, people come up with the most interesting and intricate stuff.
I love your videos, Floyd! You occupy a great space of being quite technical but still accessible, perfect for a novice hacker to take interest in. I look forward to trying to build this.
Thanks! My aim is to provide explanations that are structured and filtered in a way that they're kind of consumable. In this case, I built on @synthetechs excellent work, you definitely should check his channel for more in depth Info. His video on how digital filters work is superb.
The "put everything in a protoboard and then solder the pins on" tip is a great one! I've dealt with a 3rd hand device and tape to get it done in the past - I'll do it this way from now on.
@mr_floydst That would be a fun watch indeed and especially interesting to see if they can handle instrument swapping on a single voice via tracker messages.
Good day Floyd Steinberg, what a wonderful creative video. So glad this was recommended. I loved listening to your demonstration. Phenomenal! Best wishes
Thank you very much! No, that's not pedantic, it's super helpful. I copied & pasted all the links and descriptions from my script, thus spreading the mistake all over the video. I've corrected it where possible. Thanks again!
I already built the Helios One synth, which is another $20 project - very fun. So I might just have to do this one too! I think I would only do it if I could include some of the parameters on the board instead of having to rely on an outboard MIDI controller.
Thanks for watching! Please follow Blaines' UA-cam channel (@synthetech) to see exactly that happen. Personally, I'm learning KiCad at the moment (after the friendly folks over at PCBWay counseled me a bit) ;-) I'm also planning to invest my UA-cam earnings into a 3D printer this year.
The most work went into sourcing all the parts. Assembling it takes 30 to 60 minutes, and there was no debugging required (the firmware is readily compiled and only needs to be uploaded)
@@mr_floydst Thanks for the answer! But I meant, (Is it difficult to mess around with the setup: Measuring voltage, current, etc.!? 06:23 Testing and setup"!!! Will an amateur cope with this (I can only solder). English according to the translation and Google autotranslation.
This is really interesting. I recently tried to solder my squishbox kit but it didn't quite work and I'm feeling daunted by desoldering and resoldering better. This kit looks a bit more forgiving and affordable.
Second set of eyes in a reddit DIY forum might help you save it. I run a hot iron between joints that are close in addition to the brief reheat. Desoldering only if, eg, a diode, IC, electro cap is in backward.
Thanks for watching! Check the description ;-) These are "Grid" controllers by a company named InTech - here's a video I made some months ago: ua-cam.com/video/4Xj_NJi-4mM/v-deo.html
It really depends on how long you take to solder. ;-) I don't know how much breadboards were 25 years ago, but you can get them relatively cheap on the net...
I'm not a mac user but you can use STM32 IDE on mac with no problems. You can of course program it without an IDE, but that will be a lot harder for beginners. And if you are an absolute beginner these things support arduino and micro/circuit python. But if you want to go with the python route I recommend rpi pico since python requires more memory.
STM32 IDE supports MacOS. Of course you can program it without it, but it would be super hard if you have no c/embedded experience (With IDE you still have to know what's going on, but it provides libraries and init code generation). If you're an absolute beginner and want to play around these things support Arduino and circuit/micro python. If you opt for the python route I recommend RPi pico, because python requires more memory.
While I used DeFuse to flash the BP in my tutorial since it was so simple and easy to explain to use.. I have seen on ST's site that DeFuse was replaced with "STM32CubeProgrammer" which does have a Mac version you can use. STM32CubeProgrammer will load "USB DFU" files like DeFuse does apparently. But I have not yet used it myself.
ST's "STM32CubeProgrammer" for Mac may work instead of DefUse. I chose to use DefUse because it was so simple to explain vs. STM32CubeProgrammer which is used for many formats/methods to read/write to ST products. It's worth taking a look at if Mac is your only option.
I was tracking up to 7:26. Could you explain what you plugged all that stuff into? I see USB, a computer program, a keyboard, and the black box with the dials on it.
This is a MIDI controller, and the computer stuff briefly shows its setup app. You can use any MIDI controller (keyboard) that has some knobs on it. After setting up the knobs according to the list on the right (or in the BP synth docs), you don't need a computer. Just connect the keyboard/midi contoller to the synth via the 5 pin MIDI port.
What in your opinion are the best CC channels to address for the 8 encoder knobs on my midi controller for a beginner to get some noticable and interesting sound changes.
Please look up the numbers in the document: Filter cutoff frequency - to change the "brightness" of a sound Resonance - to create that whistling sound LFO depth and speed - used for creating periodic modulations like vibrato and tremolo Attack and release - make sounds begin and end slowly or abruptly.
Nice budget synth! I think I have the most parts and have to order for about 5€ to build one 🙂. The next step would be a little pcb and housing. Is there anything out there?
Great video and very well explained. Can you use this set up to load mp3/wav files and by pressing a button, that is mapped to the sound you uploaded, get an output ? Example. 4 buttons, each has a different sound for a different situation that plays out on a speaker ?
Hi, thanks for watching! No, that's not the right box for that. Please take a look at my older video: ua-cam.com/video/3Ak2o5ZDI9I/v-deo.html - this is what you're looking for.
Thank you for this, i love it and will certainly try it. Is there any information about the sampling rate and bit resolution of the DAC in this particular setup?
Thanks to a sponsorship, I now have a very bright studio lighting setup to counter the ever-gloomy northern skies - so the framerate should be better in coming videos ;-)
Shared to my Twitter firends :) Nice. I am electronics engineer, actually, by education, and, I was hobbying starting around 6th grade at school or so ;-)
Thank you very much! That's great to hear! Engineering is a subject that takes a lot of skill and dedication (if you're going for the Bachelor/Master title)
Thanks for watching! Please follow @synthetech for updates on this project - and I have an upcoming video on that topic. (It may take some more weeks to publish)
thanks for the tutorial. made it on a piece of printboard I had but for some reason my dac isn't working. it does receive the digital input from the blackpill, all lines are checked with a scope but there's no audio on the jack, also no audio on the line out pins. don't know if it's just a faulty dac or some other issue.
@@mr_floydst don't have anything to test it. But after making some extra ways to test and measure (a dedicated gnd for the scope gnd and a few jumpers to set sf0 sf1 and mute to either high or low) it must be the DAC itself. The amp part works but it doesn't convert the din signal to proper audio. Did a bit of experimenting with the din straight to the R-out on the DAC and the synth and different keys are recognisable. Going to order me a new one I guess. Glad to make it all swappable on header connectors. Thanks for your help!
@@mr_floydst Today my new dac boards got delivered and the synth istantly started working :) Just finished making a simple midi cc map for Native instruments Maschine plus so the synth can be used in full effect on the Maschine plus. fun stuff!!
@@mr_floydst I first came to know of them while watching a diy guitar pedal creator some time ago. I thought, that’s nifty. You can plan and layout your circuit (neither of which I’ve ever done) while being able to disable it fairly quickly if if things go wrong. I’m more of a residential electrician so while I can read a schematic I can’t necessarily properly understand it plus you don’t really solder in this trade. Fortunately one thing that does translate, I feel, is troubleshooting which I am pretty darn good at. I’m rambling… Anyhow Ty for the encouragement.
Thanks! I don't remember that movie's soundtrack, but need to rewatch anyway. I always thought that movie deserved more praise for it's style and story.
Hi, I'm not sure how the prices can be so cheap overall, but the STM32F411 is cheaper than the whole board: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806006882616.html
Here you go www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0BK95J4TV This will not only test your resistors, but tell you what you're looking at (diode, capacitor, resistor...) and if it's still ok
Do yoy have any suggestions for Arduino? I have Arduino Micro, PAM8403 D -amplifier with 16 ohm speaker, MIDI -input with optoisolator, all connected to power switch and 9V battery place. The only thing I need is a working program, since i want it to work with Alesis Vortex 2 -MIDI controller.
Hi, thanks for watching! Arduino by itself isn't the best platform for synthesizers. Please take a look at the Teensy 4.1, which is compatible, but brings enough extra functionality to create fully implemented polysynths. The most promising project that's playable via MIDI I found online is this projecthub.arduino.cc/CesarSound/arduino-midi-poly-synth-minisy-musical-instrument-6ad352 Also, the Mozzi Library sensorium.github.io/Mozzi/
I'm a total newb and wanted to pair the BP Synth with an arduino midi controller and a keyboard without a pc connected. What would be the easiest way to do this? I've coded the CC numbers into the arduino code but when I connect them together using Y cable it doesn't respond as well as if it's just the keyboard and BP Synth. Any suggestions? Hopefully it's something I can build. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for watching! If I understood your desciption correctly, you've built a MIDI Y cable? I guess that won't work because a Y cable will divide the current (halving it effectively in this case), that's why you MIDI connection becomes unreliable. You need to build a MIDI in for your Arduino and merge the input from your keyboard to the Arduino's MIDI output in software.
I need that stuff for recording my video, all my viewers need is a MIDI controller and some kind of headphone/audio system. It's very likely my viewership has those at home already. If you're really totally new to synths, a suitable battery powered speaker is around $10 and a MIDI keyboard with some control knobs can be found from $10 upwards ;-) www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805128076352.html
A MIDI keyboard/controller with 5-Pin DIN jacks is needed. That $10 link was not for a controller, it was for a sustain pedal.. typical bait 'n switch aliexpress listing. They keyboard was $60 and it only had USB connection. 😞
My apologies for that. One should never answer mails and comments late at night, it only leads to misunderstanding :-) As @synthetech said. You need a MIDI keyboard if you don't already have one. If a low price is important, search for e.g. the Arturia Keystep on ebay, which has the 5 pin MIDI connectors.
Yes - at least at the moment. The Blackpill has some inputs to read potentionmeters and similar components, so one could add some hardware knobs in theory. Please follow @synthetech here on UA-cam to learn about updates.
STM32 is what I started with and I have used not only the F411 but also tinkered around with F407 and F405's. The F407 actually has it's own built in 12 bit DAC but it can only swing from 0v to 3v unlike the DAC module in the project that can create true audio at -3v to +3v. Porting between the F4 ST family is very easy.. porting across to Pico and Esp32 would require a lot more effort. I did attempt to post tutorials showing how the code works with links Open Source examples for each tutorial focus.. unfortunately the interest in the Code Tutorials is miniscule compared to the Synth Build vids.
Hi, thanks for watching! All the links are both in the comments and the video's description ;-) BlackPill is here: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001456186625.html
I don't think so (but perhaps @synthetech can chime in one more time?) You have the choice between the one shown in this video and the PCM5102A, though, see ua-cam.com/video/JzFKG6iIFms/v-deo.html
Yeah I get it, I speak with an accent. As long as the UA-cam speech-to-text bot picks up what I'm saying correctly, I kind of don't care enough to change my ways. Thanks for understanding. :-)
@@mr_floydst nobody's wrong! I had a good friend in college from SA who said it that way. Took me back, hearing it. Somehow in the States, the 'L' is silent.
Hi, thanks for watching - the colors of the wires are chosen randomly here (except for the + / - wires were I sticked to the red/black scheme). All the connectors are labeled, and with a magnifying glass, you should be able to decipher them.
So you're arguing the real cost of e.g. a guitar pedal is the pedal itself plus the guitar? And a set of piano note sheets isn't $10 but you have to consider the cost of the piano as well? ;-)
In case you're just starting, you'll need to add the cost of a midi keyboard and some speakers or headphones on top. A decent MIDI keyboard can be bought from $40 up new (look up the RockJam MK, for example), and a set of speakers perhaps from $10 up. You'll also need a USB power adapter ($15 and up) But for beginners, I'd really recommend buying a small synth with a keyboard instead of a DIY synth. Second hand, preferably. The Yamaha Reface series is quite nice, as is the Roland JD-XI or the Novation Mininova. Those are relatively cheap on the used market and while more expensive, may be better suited for the needs of someone new to synths. Hope that helps...
Well, he at least would have been at least as funny as your comment. Here's my macro ---------------------------------- Yeah I get it, I speak with an accent. As long as the UA-cam speech-to-text bot picks up what I'm saying correctly, I kind of don't care enough to change my ways. Thanks for understanding. :-)
Hi, thanks for watching! I only made the video, the synth is by @synthetech. I think he's already working on the next step to turn this into an actual product, please follow his channel if you're interested in updates.
You could.. but you'd also have to provide support for your product. Behringer is kinda hard to compete with when they have $49 and $99 synths with mini keyboards and a few controls built in.
Please subscrive to Blaines' YT channel (and get the firmware over there): ua-cam.com/channels/tlJGGQGuSFxayNWko_KhAg.html
BlackPill STM32F411 board (I bought the F411 25M HSE) de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001456186625.html
UDA 1334A DAC module de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004932558176.html
5pin midi socket de.aliexpress.com/item/33030129792.html
6N137 optocoupler de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004249645464.html
220 and a 10k ohm resistor de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004525936064.html
1N4148 diode de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004333197874.html
Jumper wires de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005990715944.html
Breadboard de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001456586666.html
Electronic component tester and identifier www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0BK95J4TV
*Filter sounds surprisingly good. Haven't been producing for a while, so is that a diode ladder a moog filter? Sounded familiar, but it seemed creamy AND edgy...so maybe it's somewhere in between those 2. Or maybe it was a hard synch modulation making that sound?*
@@OMNI_INFINITY Please watch @synthetechs videos on that topic: ua-cam.com/video/9taujr3BouA/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/687XoUewvp8/v-deo.html
The synth is 100% software, all the electronic parts you see are for the MIDI input and the audio board.
Thank you for the review Floyd! Greatly appreciated!! 😁
I hope to someday improve the BP Synth to be easier to build on a PCB with a OLED display and the ability to store PreSet patches.
Thanks for giving me an interesting topic to talk about! :-)
That sounds awesome
It sounds fantastic! I would definitely buy a total system version, with display with a couple knobs especially. That way filter cutoff and filter envelope or resonance could be tweaked at once. 😁
I adore these mini synth / midi projects
Thanks! :)
Blackpill is cool indeed. It's super cheap and exposes the full functionality of STM32Fxxx. But note that this project is a digital synth that doesn't use any special hardware (only midi and DAC), so you can code comparable synth on any computer for 0$. My favorite audio server is JACK, it has a very simple c (there are bindings for other languages) api, but if you don't want text programming you can always use puredata.
Thanks for watching! This is correct, but I think the really low cost and small size of this synth makes it fun to build and learn. Plus you theoretically could fit it inside a midi controller keyboard to convert it to a "real" synth.
@@mr_floydstYup, these days one can build a lot of cool stuff with how cheap and powerful those microcontrollers are. I think that picoTracker project is really cool. I found out about it from your video (that's how I found your channel too). I wonder why I haven't found it earlier since I'm on the lookout for these handheld tracker projects. I guess those are just really niche and hard to find.
JACK is amazing because it comes native with the majority of Linux Distributions, so you always have it available by default for audio projects.
I mean, that kinda misses the point that people just like making stuff... and like having hardware that you can carry in your bag/pocket and not need a wifi connection to jam on. Sure, I *could* take my laptop and an installed copy of DEXED and a touch controller and blablabla... or I could just take my Volca FM2. I have yet to choose the laptop when faced with that decision.
Focused single use devices are much better for me personally because you don't have too many choices, and you can just turn them on and they work the same every time forever.
Great video and I like your soldering technique with the breadboard. One suggestion that would help amateurs like me is explaining _why_ you're making these connections. While hooking up the midi chip it wasn't clear why you need a resistor or a diode, or what the different legs of the chip did as you connected them.
Thanks for watching! You're right, that would add value to my videos - I'll try to do that in future. As I'm trying to push out one video every week at the moment, I have to cut corners at certain points though ;-)
@@mr_floydst Understandable. You don't have to go into great detail, just expand on "connect A to B" with a quick reason would make things very clear. For example, "connect A to B for ground" or "connect A to B to allow volume control from the X", etc. Keep up the great work!
@@soviut303 I hope Floyd doesn't mind the external link here, but I believe the information you are looking for is here: ua-cam.com/video/iiiMGXwyzqo/v-deo.htmlsi=wvXS7FmELhJFcuRC
I tried creating Tutorials to explain how the code works but there has not been much interest as it can get pretty complicated and takes a bit of dedication to study and comprehend.
Disagree - that would be electronics 101. It would be beyond the scope of the video, same information would need repeating in every similar video. Instead go watch a video on the basics of circuit components - it’s akin to commenting on a calculus video “woah woah, slow down egghead. Can you explain the concept of ‘addition’ please”
@@Comonad Not why I'm asking; I'm asking for the rationale behind the steps. For example, bad programming tutorials say "write this line, then write this line" while good tutorials say "we define x here so we can use it in our loop here". That's not programming 101, that's explaining the rationale instead of just explaining the steps.
It isn't my scene, but I'm still super interested in cool stuff like this. I'm jealous of people who can design and build things like this.
Thanks for watching - if you have the time or want to invest time into building stuff, at least it's a very cheap hobby compared to collecting hardware synths ;-) There is a company called Freenove that has a beginners set of electronic parts in a box along with some excellent tutorials and I can't recommend those enough. The other info can best be found on UA-cam.
But yes, the ingenuity of some of these DIY projects still strikes me every time, people come up with the most interesting and intricate stuff.
Been a good while since I stopped by and sorry for that. But, wow what a great video to return on. This is fantastic Floyd.!!
No worries! ;-)
I love your videos, Floyd! You occupy a great space of being quite technical but still accessible, perfect for a novice hacker to take interest in. I look forward to trying to build this.
Thanks! My aim is to provide explanations that are structured and filtered in a way that they're kind of consumable. In this case, I built on @synthetechs excellent work, you definitely should check his channel for more in depth Info. His video on how digital filters work is superb.
The "put everything in a protoboard and then solder the pins on" tip is a great one! I've dealt with a 3rd hand device and tape to get it done in the past - I'll do it this way from now on.
Thanks! I lifted that tip straight from Blaine's video ;-) It's really a good idea.
I usually do this using veroboard instead. But being careful with timing the breadboard will work just as well.
Thanks for an inspiring upload again, Floyd! I haven't discovered this synth implementation before. I will have to try it out now.
Thanks for watching!
Cool!!!
Next step adding a lcd display and a memory for presets! 😁
Good idea! Please follow @synthetechs channel to see exactly that happen!
Just ordered all the components, looking for to building it as a first step project to learn audio circuits.
Thanks for watching and all the best with your built! :)
I like that congested crunchy wall of diginess. Reminiscent of the MOS tech sound. Would definitely be worth making a module or 4
Thanks for watching! Oh, I guess I have one more thing to investigate, then. :-)
@mr_floydst That would be a fun watch indeed and especially interesting to see if they can handle instrument swapping on a single voice via tracker messages.
Good day Floyd Steinberg, what a wonderful creative video. So glad this was recommended. I loved listening to your demonstration. Phenomenal! Best wishes
Thank you kindly!
Cool. Not wishing to seem pedantic, but it's STM32F411, not ST32F411 (STM not ST). Spelling it correctly makes it easier to google.
Thank you very much! No, that's not pedantic, it's super helpful. I copied & pasted all the links and descriptions from my script, thus spreading the mistake all over the video. I've corrected it where possible. Thanks again!
I already built the Helios One synth, which is another $20 project - very fun. So I might just have to do this one too! I think I would only do it if I could include some of the parameters on the board instead of having to rely on an outboard MIDI controller.
Thanks for watching - I'll take a look at the Helios One, too. :-)
Think I'm going to try this one
Thanks for watching!
I still have my Ploytec PL2 (squared) somewhere. That's got a nice grungy lofi sound and even works off MIDI power.
Thanks for pointing that out - will take a look at it!
Brilliant
Thanks for watching!
I would love to see how you might take this particular project from breadboard to "finished" project.
Thanks for watching! Please follow Blaines' UA-cam channel (@synthetech) to see exactly that happen.
Personally, I'm learning KiCad at the moment (after the friendly folks over at PCBWay counseled me a bit) ;-)
I'm also planning to invest my UA-cam earnings into a 3D printer this year.
1) How long did it take you to assemble the synthesizer? 2) How long did it take to debug?
The most work went into sourcing all the parts. Assembling it takes 30 to 60 minutes, and there was no debugging required (the firmware is readily compiled and only needs to be uploaded)
@@mr_floydst Tester and identifier of electronic components - can you do without it? It is not available. Or just measure with another tester?
Hi! Yes you can do without that. All resistors have color coded rings that identify them hirophysics.com/Labsheet/resis-codes/resis-codes.html
@@mr_floydst Thanks for the answer! But I meant, (Is it difficult to mess around with the setup: Measuring voltage, current, etc.!?
06:23 Testing and setup"!!! Will an amateur cope with this (I can only solder). English according to the translation and Google autotranslation.
This is really interesting. I recently tried to solder my squishbox kit but it didn't quite work and I'm feeling daunted by desoldering and resoldering better. This kit looks a bit more forgiving and affordable.
Thanks! Often, all you need to do is to add a drop of flux to your soldering joints and then reheat briefly. :-)
Second set of eyes in a reddit DIY forum might help you save it. I run a hot iron between joints that are close in addition to the brief reheat. Desoldering only if, eg, a diode, IC, electro cap is in backward.
Amazing what you can get for 20 bucks! We live in a sci fi future- just not the one I imagined as a kid.
We pretty much have all the Star Trek gadgets now, only the warp drive and the transporter beam is still nowhere to be seen.
Sweet diy project for sure.
Thanks for watching!
Im always a bit 'meh' with these types of microcontroller/sbc based synths (except for Dexed stuff) but this one sounds awesome.
Thanks for watching! I agree - this one has a certain character, plus every detail is accessible to MIDI CC.
Hey, very nice video as usual! Whats the name of those modular midi controllers? they look super cool!
Thanks for watching! Check the description ;-) These are "Grid" controllers by a company named InTech - here's a video I made some months ago: ua-cam.com/video/4Xj_NJi-4mM/v-deo.html
Hey Floyd,
What’s the recording device that can be seen at the upper left hand side at the end of the video?
Thanks for watching! That's my Zoom R20.
Surprised the bread board doesn't melt from being used as a soldering jig. Those are a lot more expensive than 25 years ago.
It really depends on how long you take to solder. ;-)
I don't know how much breadboards were 25 years ago, but you can get them relatively cheap on the net...
Another amazing video! Thanks! Has anyone used a Mac to do the BlackPill programming successfully?
Thanks for watching! I hope one of my viewers can answer this (I have no Apple Mac here)
I'm not a mac user but you can use STM32 IDE on mac with no problems. You can of course program it without an IDE, but that will be a lot harder for beginners. And if you are an absolute beginner these things support arduino and micro/circuit python. But if you want to go with the python route I recommend rpi pico since python requires more memory.
STM32 IDE supports MacOS. Of course you can program it without it, but it would be super hard if you have no c/embedded experience (With IDE you still have to know what's going on, but it provides libraries and init code generation). If you're an absolute beginner and want to play around these things support Arduino and circuit/micro python. If you opt for the python route I recommend RPi pico, because python requires more memory.
While I used DeFuse to flash the BP in my tutorial since it was so simple and easy to explain to use.. I have seen on ST's site that DeFuse was replaced with "STM32CubeProgrammer" which does have a Mac version you can use.
STM32CubeProgrammer will load "USB DFU" files like DeFuse does apparently. But I have not yet used it myself.
ST's "STM32CubeProgrammer" for Mac may work instead of DefUse. I chose to use DefUse because it was so simple to explain vs. STM32CubeProgrammer which is used for many formats/methods to read/write to ST products.
It's worth taking a look at if Mac is your only option.
Cool! Looks like Stranger Things music , awesome!
Thanks for watching!
I was tracking up to 7:26. Could you explain what you plugged all that stuff into? I see USB, a computer program, a keyboard, and the black box with the dials on it.
This is a MIDI controller, and the computer stuff briefly shows its setup app. You can use any MIDI controller (keyboard) that has some knobs on it. After setting up the knobs according to the list on the right (or in the BP synth docs), you don't need a computer. Just connect the keyboard/midi contoller to the synth via the 5 pin MIDI port.
This would make for a nice synth to drive with a wind controller.
You're right! Got to give it a try.
What in your opinion are the best CC channels to address for the 8 encoder knobs on my midi controller for a beginner to get some noticable and interesting sound changes.
Please look up the numbers in the document:
Filter cutoff frequency - to change the "brightness" of a sound
Resonance - to create that whistling sound
LFO depth and speed - used for creating periodic modulations like vibrato and tremolo
Attack and release - make sounds begin and end slowly or abruptly.
You should look into the daisy seed
Thanks for watching - yes, that's on my list.
Nice budget synth! I think I have the most parts and have to order for about 5€ to build one 🙂. The next step would be a little pcb and housing. Is there anything out there?
Mr. Synthetech just announced he's working on it! (See his channel for more details, I guess) ;-)
Great video and very well explained. Can you use this set up to load mp3/wav files and by pressing a button, that is mapped to the sound you uploaded, get an output ? Example. 4 buttons, each has a different sound for a different situation that plays out on a speaker ?
Hi, thanks for watching! No, that's not the right box for that. Please take a look at my older video: ua-cam.com/video/3Ak2o5ZDI9I/v-deo.html - this is what you're looking for.
Interesting and efficient enough for me.
I’ve been using nano for applications and sound generation modules. gonna investigate blackpill
Thank bud 💡
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this, i love it and will certainly try it. Is there any information about the sampling rate and bit resolution of the DAC in this particular setup?
Hi, thanks for watching - I guess this video has the answers you're looking for: ua-cam.com/video/iiiMGXwyzqo/v-deo.html
16 Bit stereo at 32Kbps. Same as the old Roland Sound Canvas and other 90's era synths.
As you say sounds very nice indeed, I may 'try' to have a go at this myself (Non DIY guy) :)
Go for it! :-)
good night, mr. floyd, i enjoyed your video. although the shutter speed of the camera was distracting.
Thanks to a sponsorship, I now have a very bright studio lighting setup to counter the ever-gloomy northern skies - so the framerate should be better in coming videos ;-)
Shared to my Twitter firends :) Nice. I am electronics engineer, actually, by education, and, I was hobbying starting around 6th grade at school or so ;-)
Thank you very much! That's great to hear! Engineering is a subject that takes a lot of skill and dedication (if you're going for the Bachelor/Master title)
@@mr_floydst Bachelor in my case. But, that was super long ago :) I am 56 since Friday :D
Oh, a belated happy birthday, then! :)
@@mr_floydst Thank You! 😄
That's quite impressive. I'm now thinking polysynth.
Thanks for watching! Please follow @synthetech for updates on this project - and I have an upcoming video on that topic. (It may take some more weeks to publish)
thanks for the tutorial. made it on a piece of printboard I had but for some reason my dac isn't working.
it does receive the digital input from the blackpill, all lines are checked with a scope but there's no audio on the jack, also no audio on the line out pins.
don't know if it's just a faulty dac or some other issue.
Can you test the DAC with another setup? This one is fairly common in DIY projects...
@@mr_floydst don't have anything to test it. But after making some extra ways to test and measure (a dedicated gnd for the scope gnd and a few jumpers to set sf0 sf1 and mute to either high or low) it must be the DAC itself. The amp part works but it doesn't convert the din signal to proper audio. Did a bit of experimenting with the din straight to the R-out on the DAC and the synth and different keys are recognisable. Going to order me a new one I guess. Glad to make it all swappable on header connectors. Thanks for your help!
@@mr_floydst Today my new dac boards got delivered and the synth istantly started working :) Just finished making a simple midi cc map for Native instruments Maschine plus so the synth can be used in full effect on the Maschine plus. fun stuff!!
I really got get me a breadboard for tinkering and experimentation.
Please do - at around $2 (or something), it's an investment you won't regret ;-)
@@mr_floydst I first came to know of them while watching a diy guitar pedal creator some time ago. I thought, that’s nifty. You can plan and layout your circuit (neither of which I’ve ever done) while being able to disable it fairly quickly if if things go wrong. I’m more of a residential electrician so while I can read a schematic I can’t necessarily properly understand it plus you don’t really solder in this trade. Fortunately one thing that does translate, I feel, is troubleshooting which I am pretty darn good at. I’m rambling…
Anyhow Ty for the encouragement.
Nice work. Very Daft Punk Tron
Thanks! I don't remember that movie's soundtrack, but need to rewatch anyway. I always thought that movie deserved more praise for it's style and story.
I wonder how they sell the blackpill board so cheap. The STM32F4 alone costs more than the entire board.
Hi, I'm not sure how the prices can be so cheap overall, but the STM32F411 is cheaper than the whole board: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806006882616.html
Hi, do you have a link to the component tester used to test the resister?
Here you go www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0BK95J4TV
This will not only test your resistors, but tell you what you're looking at (diode, capacitor, resistor...) and if it's still ok
Always nice to see Floyd Steinberg dithering about with synths.
Thanks for watching! Yep, if there's only black and white left, Floyd-Steinberg can be very helpful ;-)
Power? 5v to the BP power pin?
Easiest way is to plug in a USB type C cable.
Im looking for a project to use a launchpad mini as a synth controller without a pc, can you help?
Hm, I guess Microdexed ( codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch ) might be worth a look?
How to make sd card sample player midi sampler?
There's a project named SamplerBox, and here's a video with all the infos you need: ua-cam.com/video/3Ak2o5ZDI9I/v-deo.html
Do yoy have any suggestions for Arduino?
I have Arduino Micro, PAM8403 D -amplifier with 16 ohm speaker, MIDI -input with optoisolator, all connected to power switch and 9V battery place. The only thing I need is a working program, since i want it to work with Alesis Vortex 2 -MIDI controller.
Hi, thanks for watching!
Arduino by itself isn't the best platform for synthesizers. Please take a look at the Teensy 4.1, which is compatible, but brings enough extra functionality to create fully implemented polysynths.
The most promising project that's playable via MIDI I found online is this projecthub.arduino.cc/CesarSound/arduino-midi-poly-synth-minisy-musical-instrument-6ad352
Also, the Mozzi Library sensorium.github.io/Mozzi/
@@mr_floydst Thanxs for the info.
I'm a total newb and wanted to pair the BP Synth with an arduino midi controller and a keyboard without a pc connected. What would be the easiest way to do this? I've coded the CC numbers into the arduino code but when I connect them together using Y cable it doesn't respond as well as if it's just the keyboard and BP Synth. Any suggestions? Hopefully it's something I can build. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for watching! If I understood your desciption correctly, you've built a MIDI Y cable? I guess that won't work because a Y cable will divide the current (halving it effectively in this case), that's why you MIDI connection becomes unreliable.
You need to build a MIDI in for your Arduino and merge the input from your keyboard to the Arduino's MIDI output in software.
that was awesome bro, but how much with aqll the other gear included? 💣💣💣
I need that stuff for recording my video, all my viewers need is a MIDI controller and some kind of headphone/audio system. It's very likely my viewership has those at home already. If you're really totally new to synths, a suitable battery powered speaker is around $10 and a MIDI keyboard with some control knobs can be found from $10 upwards ;-) www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805128076352.html
A MIDI keyboard/controller with 5-Pin DIN jacks is needed. That $10 link was not for a controller, it was for a sustain pedal.. typical bait 'n switch aliexpress listing. They keyboard was $60 and it only had USB connection. 😞
My apologies for that. One should never answer mails and comments late at night, it only leads to misunderstanding :-)
As @synthetech said. You need a MIDI keyboard if you don't already have one. If a low price is important, search for e.g. the Arturia Keystep on ebay, which has the 5 pin MIDI connectors.
What brand/model is the midi controller you're using to control the synth?
Those are "Grid" controllers by inTech: ua-cam.com/video/4Xj_NJi-4mM/v-deo.html
What is the little MIDI control surface?
Those are "Grid controllers" by inTech.
Surely you need the midi controller to make this work?
Yes - at least at the moment. The Blackpill has some inputs to read potentionmeters and similar components, so one could add some hardware knobs in theory. Please follow @synthetech here on UA-cam to learn about updates.
That reminds me of Re-birth SOOO much.
Thanks for watching!
Only in STM ??? Why not on Pi pico or Esp32? The Github respositorie?
I'm only reporting on these projects - I'm sure @synthetech can answer these questions...
STM32 is what I started with and I have used not only the F411 but also tinkered around with F407 and F405's. The F407 actually has it's own built in 12 bit DAC but it can only swing from 0v to 3v unlike the DAC module in the project that can create true audio at -3v to +3v.
Porting between the F4 ST family is very easy.. porting across to Pico and Esp32 would require a lot more effort.
I did attempt to post tutorials showing how the code works with links Open Source examples for each tutorial focus.. unfortunately the interest in the Code Tutorials is miniscule compared to the Synth Build vids.
WOW
Thanks for watching!
what version of blackpill board can use? thanks
Hi, thanks for watching! All the links are both in the comments and the video's description ;-)
BlackPill is here: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001456186625.html
i mean the variants 8 mhz or 25mgz with add memory or no@@mr_floydst
I bought the F411 25M HSE variant.
Would any DAC work well?
I don't think so (but perhaps @synthetech can chime in one more time?)
You have the choice between the one shown in this video and the PCM5102A, though, see ua-cam.com/video/JzFKG6iIFms/v-deo.html
I've only tested with the two that Floyd mentioned. @@mr_floydst
Soulder, baby!
Yeah I get it, I speak with an accent. As long as the UA-cam speech-to-text bot picks up what I'm saying correctly, I kind of don't care enough to change my ways. Thanks for understanding. :-)
@@mr_floydst nobody's wrong! I had a good friend in college from SA who said it that way. Took me back, hearing it. Somehow in the States, the 'L' is silent.
I'm getting a _Love, Death, and Robots_ vibe here...
Thanks! I just hit some keys on the keyboard and changed filter cutoff frequency and resonance, as I usually do. ;-)
This is awesome I'm pretty much in love with this idea but colors are not my friend. I am going to get some one to help me out lol.
Hi, thanks for watching - the colors of the wires are chosen randomly here (except for the + / - wires were I sticked to the red/black scheme). All the connectors are labeled, and with a magnifying glass, you should be able to decipher them.
Your channel rules, Floyd. Just sayin'. Always relevant to my interests.
Thanks!
Got the right name Cubase user here
Thanks for watching! :-)
What a weird accent, where you're from?
Btw, supercool project!
This means my efforts to mask my real accent have been successful? :-) ok please guess
Bravo 👏
Thanks for watching!
Imagine what $100 or $200 put in this project would do.
Thanks for watching - @synthetech is already planning the next step. Please follow his channel to stay updated!
and how much did the controller cost ? fake $20 cost
So you're arguing the real cost of e.g. a guitar pedal is the pedal itself plus the guitar?
And a set of piano note sheets isn't $10 but you have to consider the cost of the piano as well? ;-)
@@mr_floydst when starting from scratch yeah
In case you're just starting, you'll need to add the cost of a midi keyboard and some speakers or headphones on top. A decent MIDI keyboard can be bought from $40 up new (look up the RockJam MK, for example), and a set of speakers perhaps from $10 up. You'll also need a USB power adapter ($15 and up)
But for beginners, I'd really recommend buying a small synth with a keyboard instead of a DIY synth. Second hand, preferably. The Yamaha Reface series is quite nice, as is the Roland JD-XI or the Novation Mininova. Those are relatively cheap on the used market and while more expensive, may be better suited for the needs of someone new to synths. Hope that helps...
And Dont forget to show your electric bill >:[
Borat? Is it you?
Well, he at least would have been at least as funny as your comment. Here's my macro
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Yeah I get it, I speak with an accent. As long as the UA-cam speech-to-text bot picks up what I'm saying correctly, I kind of don't care enough to change my ways. Thanks for understanding. :-)
You could make these and sell at least 50,000 of them for 99 dollars. Probably sell more and for higher.
Hi, thanks for watching! I only made the video, the synth is by @synthetech. I think he's already working on the next step to turn this into an actual product, please follow his channel if you're interested in updates.
You could.. but you'd also have to provide support for your product. Behringer is kinda hard to compete with when they have $49 and $99 synths with mini keyboards and a few controls built in.
AHHHHRRRRGGHHHH! I just bought a Novation MiniNova! .·´¯`(>▂
I want to buy a Mininova one day as well, so congrats on you new synth! :-)
Very nice Mr S :)
Thank you kindly!