There are a couple of things that should be added to your excellent review. First, you can configure up to 4 printers and easily switch between them. Obviously, you can only print to one machine at a time, but if you have different printer models, you can easily switch among them. Also, I have made some of my own modifications to my ender-6 which initially caused some problems. But via the web interface, I was able to change some settings in the configuration file that solved my problems quickly.
One thing I don’t understand is how much you need to change your Cura configuration to take advantage of the features offered by Sonic Pad. Is it just using a higher print speed on Cura, or do you have to change many other settings?
To add... I did this yesterday. My printer would not connect via the USB ports. I got another cable with my pad that is USB to serial and that is the only way my pad would talk to the printer. So if by chance these instructions don't work see if you got a second USB cable. It goes from standard USB-A to a box with to wire plugs. You have to remove the old display and plug that white plug into the USB to serial cable. Then when starting up you need to select connect with a serial connection instead of USB to USB. Then just remove the old display...it's. No longer connected.
I have 3 Creality printers. Sonicpad made firmware for all three but only one runs. The other two it won’t even connect after I flashed the firmware it compiled so it can’t read the printer.cfg. Yes, I did the serial port thing before compiling the firmware. Marlin is not old, it’s quite recent and gets updated all the time. It’s faster than the hardware so I can’t agree with the old software frame of mind. Small correction, the sensor is an accelerometer, not gyro based. Don’t expect any meaningful support from Creality, they just say they don’t support my configuration even though every single part on my printers is from Creality.
I just discovered this video & your review of the Sonic Pad is about the best I've seen. I've been flip-flopping about getting one a while. I've already got OctoPi running & installed the mriscoc Professional Firmware to my Ender 3 V2 to improve its functionality and UI. Although I'm an "older" developer, these days I want things to just work. I can get itch my developer itch in plenty of other was, so using the Sonic Pad to simplifying and speeding my 3D printing looks attractive!
An interesting review might be "How much faster can one really print with a Sonic Pad and an Ender 3 S1 Pro" or any other printer as far as that goes? All of the adds suggest faster printing and your review used 160mm/s. I have a Ender 3 S1 Pro and I can print at 100mm/s and 160mm/s doesn't seem like enough for the price?
Looks very interesting. Can you also setup modded printers like for example Ender 3‘s with 3rd party direct drives or other probes than the crealiy ones? Is it possible to limit the usable bed space or height as this is often different with other direct drives. It‘s a great price imo I just think the bed level mesh and other features in the web UI look very similar to Octoprint.
it IS possible to create custom firmware and modify config for existing but since SonicPad was designed to be "user-friendly" modifications are not easy and troubleshooting may be quite frustrating. I have CR10s PRO upgraded to PRO V2 with bltouch and TinyMachines firmware. Looks like bltouch ports are different and Klipper firmware keeps crashing hotend into bed during testing sequence :).
@@sasasasa-lx6cl That`s bad... I've got an Ender 3 with micro swiss NG and a EZable. That is possibley worse to get running. So I will not get the Sonic Pad at the moment. Thanks
Yes, as I mentioned above, I added a Creality Sprite and a 300 degree hot end. I has some crashing problems, But by editing the config file via the web interface, I ws easily able to make all the adjustments with respect to useable bed size reductions to correct the issues/
Excellent review. Clear, informative and detailed. I'm considering a Sonic pad but my Ender 3 v2 has been modded with a Mosquito hotend and Bondtech extruder. So the vanilla Ender 3 v2 profile already on the Pad won't play nicely as the x/y offset isn't default and the temperature tables are very different from the default. I'm wondering if a profile for my printer (with BL Touch support) is available anywhere. I've just started looking and asking around. I've contacted Tiny Machines who provided a superbly configured Marlin with my Mosquito / Bondtech assembly. Will also ask Bondtech and Slice Engineering. Anyways...just to say that the above setup works so well. Very impressed with the upgrade. It's just the amount of time prints take!
I, at one time had my ender-6 setup with the Bondtech DDX extruder with a CR Touch (functionally the same as a BL Touch) with a Creality 300 degree hot end and it worked fine. I has just a bit disappointed with the part cooling fan on the Bondtech extruder.
Hello! My Sonic Pad does not have an IP address in the WiFi menu, but does for the LAN. Chatting online with the Creality tech support they tell me that one cannot control the pad via a web browser??? Can you give some insight to this ?
Replace the long usb input cable with a right angle USB-A to USB-C. There needs to be a way of changing the default Preheat settings. Not everyone uses 200 PLA and other “Favourites” would be better. Updating speeds or Z heights are not instant on the pad if it is busy doing something else - but quicker via the console. A screen protector would have been nice.
default preheat settings are quite easy to change, also adding more preheat profiles is possible (current firmware in 2024), speed and z is also easily changed. Screen protector was actually on the pad when i unboxed it
off topic: have you heard or tested the TOPDON - TC001 which is a 200 GBP infrared camera module for android with a 256 x 192 sensor it capable of recording temp development. Have seen a review already which showed the big advantage of the big sensor but would like your experience cause you had purchased one last year with a bit lower resolution if I remember right, but i could no longer find on the channel via search cause thermal nor ir / camera / infrared showed me 1 result or I simply over looked that.
Great review. Thanks Ian - I enjoy your drone content too and will be signing up as a Patreon. I have an Ender 3 Pro with a 4.2.2 motherboard, I saw on your video that my machine is preconfigured on the Sonic Pad. However, I'm in the process of adding a sprite extruder and CR-touch. Is it easy to add these modifications to the standard E3 Pro on the Sonic Pad so it provides the right firmware to e.g. achieve a higher extruder temp?
Hi just set up the Sonic pad on the Ender 5 S1, Does setup stop you from using the printer itself? I've noticed the printer touch screen is just blank and doesnt react even without sonic pad connected. Is this a normal thing or can it be reversed if necessary? one of the main problems I had was the z touch for auto leveling when it came to the calibration was, the nozzle is nicely on the bed surface area but the actual sensor hanging off the bed surface area resulting in no touch and a nozzle to bed clash and nasty sounds (couldnt find anything regarding this after everything else was done correctly..) I had to move the bed plate cover offcentre just to accomodate the touch. Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you for the review and your honest opinion! Also nice to see some results of printing some files. But one questions remains for me… if you decide to get back on Marlin on the Ender, do you have to upload the firmware back to the printer again? Keep up the good work 🙏
Flashing back your old firmware is a problem. If you have a copy, fine. If you don’t have a copy you have to find one “somewhere” or compile your marlin firmware yourself. This is not trivial or easy.
It will very likely become part of their printers in the future. I prefer they release it this way, as an ad on first, for those of us with older printers.
Pretty interesting indeed, Ian! Fantastic review! 😃 The S1 I'm definitely going to get (as soon as I can). This device... Who knows in the future. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Having sourced, printed, assembled, configured and tuned a Voron 2.4 with Klipper on a Raspberry Pi + ADXL345 (accelerometer) and Input Shaping - I can't help thinking that the Sonic Pad is a bit expensive for what it does. A Raspberry Pi (yes, I know there is a shortage atm) and an ADXL345 (about USD 2) will get you the same print improvement MINUS the pretty touch screen (there are alternative options). Granted, it takes a bit more effort to set it up yourself. Still, I think it's something to be considered if you are technically inclined.
tried the Pi klipper method, got the sonic pad 2 days ago. not the same. yes, the pad is costly and could be reproduced quite easily, but this is an all in one package. got it for under a 100 swiss francs. A pi 5 8gb plus a touchscreen would cost me more than that at the moment
Really like the video and the product seems cool. Though I'm very interested in how hard/easy it will be to get working with non-Creality printers. Thanks for the vid, you got a like and sub from me!
It 100% makes life easier overall and the speed bump is nice. I’m not going to say you NEED this but if you want to improve your printing workflow and don’t want to mess with an RPI ect then I think it’s somewhat of a bargain.
HELLO , I HAVE BEEN CONCIDERING THE SONIC PAD, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYONE THAT HAS APPLYED THE SONIC PAD TO A CR-10 SMART PRO AGAIN A CR-10 SMART PRO , THAT COMES WITH THE WIFI BOX, , DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE THE SONIC PAD SUCCESSFULLY WITH A CR-10 SMART PRO , THEN I WOULD ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE MOVE , TO PURCHACING THE SONIC PAD , I DO LIKE MY CR-10 SMART PRO , I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE BENEFITS OF THE PAD LIKE I HAVE ON MY PRUSA MK3S+ WITH A REAP PAD WITH REASPBERRY PI , ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRCIATED , THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO EXUSE THE ALL CAP , I AM VISIONED IMPAIRED IT HELPS ME SEE WHAT I AM TYPING . I AM NOT YEALLING AT YOU.
Some of the hardware is being upgraded. The computation for all of the movements is being offloaded from the stock weak MCU to the Sonic Pads 64 bit CPU. This is a huge leap in processing power. That allows for much more accurate movements. It also allows for complex algorithms such as input shaping and pressure advance which can improve print quality significantly. That is how the printer is able to print 2 or 3 times faster and still achieve the same quality. So yeah, the Mustang still isn't a Ferrari, but it's now supercharged and running NOS.
I remembered why I stopped watching your videos when I reached the part where you pronounced the Z axis as Zee. You should be proud of your native dialect and not start talking like you're an American!
@@MadRC if I slice from cura and put it on a usb drive nothing comes up. Do I need to do anything special, different extension or enable it somewhere or should work like any other printer? Thanks for writing back.
Do your homework and research before buying. Pay special attention to all of the posts about bed leveling issues. It's great for some printers while only claims to support others. I had major leveling issues after using this thing, while the original firmware was fine. It doesn't matter how careful you are setting thing up, it will ignore you z and level setting and trash your build plate if you have a printer it wasn't tested on, like the cr-10 smart. My printer was fine when I got it, but now with the sonic pad, it's a complete nightmare.
There are a couple of things that should be added to your excellent review. First, you can configure up to 4 printers and easily switch between them. Obviously, you can only print to one machine at a time, but if you have different printer models, you can easily switch among them. Also, I have made some of my own modifications to my ender-6 which initially caused some problems. But via the web interface, I was able to change some settings in the configuration file that solved my problems quickly.
You can batch print now from the selection screen
It is not obvious you can only print from one, so please retract your wording
ive had my s1 for 2 years now. its been perfect. i just had to replace the build plate. got a sparkly holo replacment
One thing I don’t understand is how much you need to change your Cura configuration to take advantage of the features offered by Sonic Pad. Is it just using a higher print speed on Cura, or do you have to change many other settings?
To add... I did this yesterday. My printer would not connect via the USB ports. I got another cable with my pad that is USB to serial and that is the only way my pad would talk to the printer. So if by chance these instructions don't work see if you got a second USB cable. It goes from standard USB-A to a box with to wire plugs. You have to remove the old display and plug that white plug into the USB to serial cable. Then when starting up you need to select connect with a serial connection instead of USB to USB. Then just remove the old display...it's. No longer connected.
I have 3 Creality printers. Sonicpad made firmware for all three but only one runs. The other two it won’t even connect after I flashed the firmware it compiled so it can’t read the printer.cfg. Yes, I did the serial port thing before compiling the firmware. Marlin is not old, it’s quite recent and gets updated all the time. It’s faster than the hardware so I can’t agree with the old software frame of mind. Small correction, the sensor is an accelerometer, not gyro based.
Don’t expect any meaningful support from Creality, they just say they don’t support my configuration even though every single part on my printers is from Creality.
Hi, can you explain how to connect the web user interface of the Creality pad 2 to the Mac book
I just discovered this video & your review of the Sonic Pad is about the best I've seen. I've been flip-flopping about getting one a while. I've already got OctoPi running & installed the mriscoc Professional Firmware to my Ender 3 V2 to improve its functionality and UI. Although I'm an "older" developer, these days I want things to just work. I can get itch my developer itch in plenty of other was, so using the Sonic Pad to simplifying and speeding my 3D printing looks attractive!
An interesting review might be "How much faster can one really print with a Sonic Pad and an Ender 3 S1 Pro" or any other printer as far as that goes? All of the adds suggest faster printing and your review used 160mm/s. I have a Ender 3 S1 Pro and I can print at 100mm/s and 160mm/s doesn't seem like enough for the price?
Looks very interesting. Can you also setup modded printers like for example Ender 3‘s with 3rd party direct drives or other probes than the crealiy ones? Is it possible to limit the usable bed space or height as this is often different with other direct drives.
It‘s a great price imo I just think the bed level mesh and other features in the web UI look very similar to Octoprint.
it IS possible to create custom firmware and modify config for existing but since SonicPad was designed to be "user-friendly" modifications are not easy and troubleshooting may be quite frustrating. I have CR10s PRO upgraded to PRO V2 with bltouch and TinyMachines firmware. Looks like bltouch ports are different and Klipper firmware keeps crashing hotend into bed during testing sequence :).
@@sasasasa-lx6cl That`s bad... I've got an Ender 3 with micro swiss NG and a EZable. That is possibley worse to get running. So I will not get the Sonic Pad at the moment. Thanks
Yes, as I mentioned above, I added a Creality Sprite and a 300 degree hot end. I has some crashing problems, But by editing the config file via the web interface, I ws easily able to make all the adjustments with respect to useable bed size reductions to correct the issues/
@@philipershler420 Mods like EZable probe, Microswiss hotend and a TH3D board... i guess that might be a bit of a challenge?
@@McLogo76 I guess I don’t get your snarky comment
Can you able to use a Lazer cutter with the sonic pad if I decide to put one on my printer
So can you do more then one printer with the one sonic pad
Excellent review. Clear, informative and detailed.
I'm considering a Sonic pad but my Ender 3 v2 has been modded with a Mosquito hotend and Bondtech extruder. So the vanilla Ender 3 v2 profile already on the Pad won't play nicely as the x/y offset isn't default and the temperature tables are very different from the default. I'm wondering if a profile for my printer (with BL Touch support) is available anywhere. I've just started looking and asking around. I've contacted Tiny Machines who provided a superbly configured Marlin with my Mosquito / Bondtech assembly. Will also ask Bondtech and Slice Engineering.
Anyways...just to say that the above setup works so well. Very impressed with the upgrade. It's just the amount of time prints take!
I, at one time had my ender-6 setup with the Bondtech DDX extruder with a CR Touch (functionally the same as a BL Touch) with a Creality 300 degree hot end and it worked fine. I has just a bit disappointed with the part cooling fan on the Bondtech extruder.
Hello! My Sonic Pad does not have an IP address in the WiFi menu, but does for the LAN. Chatting online with the Creality tech support they tell me that one cannot control the pad via a web browser??? Can you give some insight to this ?
ok lookss good sounds good but does it run on a Creality D1 ?
after the autolevel do you have to do anythng in cura so it uses the automesh?
Hello got the sonic pad. Keeps saying endstop 0 and won’t home. Got any pointers??
Replace the long usb input cable with a right angle USB-A to USB-C. There needs to be a way of changing the default Preheat settings. Not everyone uses 200 PLA and other “Favourites” would be better. Updating speeds or Z heights are not instant on the pad if it is busy doing something else - but quicker via the console. A screen protector would have been nice.
default preheat settings are quite easy to change, also adding more preheat profiles is possible (current firmware in 2024), speed and z is also easily changed. Screen protector was actually on the pad when i unboxed it
off topic: have you heard or tested the TOPDON - TC001 which is a 200 GBP infrared camera module for android with a 256 x 192 sensor it capable of recording temp development.
Have seen a review already which showed the big advantage of the big sensor but would like your experience cause you had purchased one last year with a bit lower resolution if I remember right, but i could no longer find on the channel via search cause thermal nor ir / camera / infrared showed me 1 result or I simply over looked that.
I understand you can hook up to for printers onto one box, but are you limited to only using one
Printer at a time?
You can use it for 4 printers at a time at most
Great video thanks. Does the Beagle camera work with it?
Hi, can you use a normal USB to USB-C cable, I don't have the small adaptor?
Yea absolutely
Does it enhance print quality if you print with normal print speeds?
Great review. Thanks Ian - I enjoy your drone content too and will be signing up as a Patreon. I have an Ender 3 Pro with a 4.2.2 motherboard, I saw on your video that my machine is preconfigured on the Sonic Pad. However, I'm in the process of adding a sprite extruder and CR-touch. Is it easy to add these modifications to the standard E3 Pro on the Sonic Pad so it provides the right firmware to e.g. achieve a higher extruder temp?
How long did it take before it dawned on you that you can use a different USB C cord that adapter is stupid these no need
when i try to use it the movement does not work any tips
Hi just set up the Sonic pad on the Ender 5 S1, Does setup stop you from using the printer itself? I've noticed the printer touch screen is just blank and doesnt react even without sonic pad connected. Is this a normal thing or can it be reversed if necessary?
one of the main problems I had was the z touch for auto leveling when it came to the calibration was, the nozzle is nicely on the bed surface area but the actual sensor hanging off the bed surface area resulting in no touch and a nozzle to bed clash and nasty sounds (couldnt find anything regarding this after everything else was done correctly..) I had to move the bed plate cover offcentre just to accomodate the touch. Am I doing something wrong?
This problem can be fixed by editing the Configuration file by was of the web interface.
Thank you for the review and your honest opinion! Also nice to see some results of printing some files. But one questions remains for me… if you decide to get back on Marlin on the Ender, do you have to upload the firmware back to the printer again? Keep up the good work 🙏
Yes, you should be able to flash marlin firmware back on your board and you should be good.
Yes flashing back to the original firmware is very easy.
Flashing back your old firmware is a problem. If you have a copy, fine. If you don’t have a copy you have to find one “somewhere” or compile your marlin firmware yourself. This is not trivial or easy.
does this work with the ender 3 not the v2 one
Yes
The only thing that can save a CR10 Smart.
If it’s made by Creality, why don’t they just make it part of they printers ?
Probably will happen in the future.
It will very likely become part of their printers in the future. I prefer they release it this way, as an ad on first, for those of us with older printers.
@@Big.D. I agree, and if the printer breaks, at least you can move It to your new printer.
Serious? You have to ask ?
$$$$
They now have some of the features built in to the newest ender 3 printers. Like the ender 3 v3 KE I believe.
Pretty interesting indeed, Ian! Fantastic review! 😃
The S1 I'm definitely going to get (as soon as I can). This device... Who knows in the future.
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Having sourced, printed, assembled, configured and tuned a Voron 2.4 with Klipper on a Raspberry Pi + ADXL345 (accelerometer) and Input Shaping - I can't help thinking that the Sonic Pad is a bit expensive for what it does. A Raspberry Pi (yes, I know there is a shortage atm) and an ADXL345 (about USD 2) will get you the same print improvement MINUS the pretty touch screen (there are alternative options). Granted, it takes a bit more effort to set it up yourself. Still, I think it's something to be considered if you are technically inclined.
tried the Pi klipper method, got the sonic pad 2 days ago. not the same. yes, the pad is costly and could be reproduced quite easily, but this is an all in one package. got it for under a 100 swiss francs. A pi 5 8gb plus a touchscreen would cost me more than that at the moment
Really like the video and the product seems cool. Though I'm very interested in how hard/easy it will be to get working with non-Creality printers. Thanks for the vid, you got a like and sub from me!
Brilliant video 👌
Great review!
After using it … if it hadn’t been sent to you… it it enough of an improvement for you to purchase it? Or is the stock s1 good enough?
It 100% makes life easier overall and the speed bump is nice. I’m not going to say you NEED this but if you want to improve your printing workflow and don’t want to mess with an RPI ect then I think it’s somewhat of a bargain.
HELLO , I HAVE BEEN CONCIDERING THE SONIC PAD, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYONE THAT HAS APPLYED THE SONIC PAD TO A CR-10 SMART PRO AGAIN A CR-10 SMART PRO , THAT COMES WITH THE WIFI BOX, , DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE THE SONIC PAD SUCCESSFULLY WITH A CR-10 SMART PRO , THEN I WOULD ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE MOVE , TO PURCHACING THE SONIC PAD , I DO LIKE MY CR-10 SMART PRO , I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE BENEFITS OF THE PAD LIKE I HAVE ON MY PRUSA MK3S+ WITH A REAP PAD WITH REASPBERRY PI , ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRCIATED , THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO EXUSE THE ALL CAP , I AM VISIONED IMPAIRED IT HELPS ME SEE WHAT I AM TYPING . I AM NOT YEALLING AT YOU.
Che bel pelo
$118 Amazon Prime Day, USA
There are sooooo many fake comments on this video
like 95
It is a bit of marketing hyperbole.
You can't make a mustang perform like a Ferrari simply by updating the software.
Some of the hardware is being upgraded. The computation for all of the movements is being offloaded from the stock weak MCU to the Sonic Pads 64 bit CPU. This is a huge leap in processing power. That allows for much more accurate movements. It also allows for complex algorithms such as input shaping and pressure advance which can improve print quality significantly. That is how the printer is able to print 2 or 3 times faster and still achieve the same quality. So yeah, the Mustang still isn't a Ferrari, but it's now supercharged and running NOS.
You can if you change out the motor!!
By the way...its ZED axis - not ZEE axis. We're UK , not Americans
I remembered why I stopped watching your videos when I reached the part where you pronounced the Z axis as Zee. You should be proud of your native dialect and not start talking like you're an American!
You should also stop posting nonsense like a carrot, that’s some proper native welsh for you 😉
Then go back to not watching, freedom of speech is a great thing. BTW like me you have absolutely no content on your account.
Is there a way to print from a USB drive if for some reason you can't get online?
Yes absolutely
@@MadRC if I slice from cura and put it on a usb drive nothing comes up. Do I need to do anything special, different extension or enable it somewhere or should work like any other printer? Thanks for writing back.
As long as you can get the Sonic Pad connected to the printer, you can print from the Pad.
Do your homework and research before buying. Pay special attention to all of the posts about bed leveling issues. It's great for some printers while only claims to support others. I had major leveling issues after using this thing, while the original firmware was fine. It doesn't matter how careful you are setting thing up, it will ignore you z and level setting and trash your build plate if you have a printer it wasn't tested on, like the cr-10 smart. My printer was fine when I got it, but now with the sonic pad, it's a complete nightmare.