XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 6

Expanding on my previous posts, I thought it might be interesting to see how I might be able to add some additional IO to the MIDI Synth. This is an exploration of some options there. Part 1 - Getting started and getting code running. Part 2 - Swapping the ESP32-C3 for a SAMD21 to get USB … Continue reading XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 6 →

XIAO USB Device to Serial MIDI Converter

Having recently revisited the CircuitPython USB to Serial MIDI Router as part of XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 2 it reminded me I didn't really have a simple Arduino USB device to serial MIDI for the XIAO. So this is filling that gap. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. … Continue reading XIAO USB Device to Serial MIDI Converter →

USB MIDI to Serial and CV/GATE

This project uses my Arduino Pro Mini MIDI USB CV PCB for a USB MIDI to Serial MIDI and CV/GATE device that has a CV/GATE that is compatible with my Korg Volca Modular. It takes MIDI NoteOn/NoteOff and translates them into CV that can be used to set the pitch of a CV/GATE synth. IMPORTANT: … Continue reading USB MIDI to Serial and CV/GATE →

Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 6

One last thing I definitely wanted for my PicoDexed was the option for PWM output. This post is by way of a short coda detailing how to do PWM on a Raspberry Pi Pico. Part 1: Building Synth_Dexed for the Pico. Part 2: Assessing the performance and analysis of the Pico audio library. Part 3: … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 6 →

Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 5

Ok, ignore my last comment about Part 4 being my last post on this topic. I thought I ought to pull together all the hardware notes on how to build one as I haven't really written that down anywhere. So this shows the connections required between the Pico, I2S DAC and MIDI IN. Part 1: … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 5 →

Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 4

I was going to leave things at Part 3 blog-wise, and just get on with filling in the gaps in code now, but I've come back to add a few more notes. But this is likely to be the final part now. Recall so far, I have: Part 1 where I work out how to … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico Synth_Dexed? – Part 4 →

Raspberry Pi Pico Capacitive Touch

I've now done a number of projects using capacitive touch, using a range of methods from native IO handling to the use of the MPR121 and off-the-shelf boards. Typically native IO methods require testing a response between a signal on one IO pin being received on another, with the timing of that response affected by … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico Capacitive Touch →

XIAO SAMD21, Arduino and MIDI – Part 8

This post brings together some custom PCB designs for use with a Seeedstudio XIAO SAMD21. Other parts in this series: Part 1 - Introduction to the XIAO SAMD21 and some projects to get started. Part 2 - Looking at accessing additional serial ports and using them for MIDI. Part 3 - Mozzi FM synthesis using … Continue reading XIAO SAMD21, Arduino and MIDI – Part 8 →

XIAO Pi USB MIDI Device PCB – Part 2

Here are the build notes for my XIAO Pi USB MIDI Device PCB. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. I am not responsible for any damage to expensive instruments! These are the key tutorials for the main concepts used in this project: XIAO SAMD21, Arduino and MIDI 3V3 … Continue reading XIAO Pi USB MIDI Device PCB – Part 2 →

XIAO Pi USB MIDI Device PCB

One thing missing from a MiniDexed build is USB device support. The Raspberry Pi will act as a USB host to USB devices, but the MiniDexed can't be plugged into another USB host. Some versions of the Raspberry Pi (notably the zero and 3A+) support USB On The Go (OTG) which means they can act … Continue reading XIAO Pi USB MIDI Device PCB →