chuck
New Member
Posts: 40
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Post by chuck on May 13, 2022 15:18:49 GMT
I need to know more about these 1/3 height tile modules and their carrier adapter that Robert shows near the end of this Superbooth 2022 video!
I'd love some technical information in particular! Robert mentions that the idea was community inspired... is there a thread somewhere? |
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Post by admin on May 13, 2022 18:25:06 GMT
Hi, Indeed the idea for the 1/3 and 1/2 tiles was first expressed here in the forum by XODES. However at the time he couldn't make it work financially to produce them. Robert has since been in touch with him and they came to agreement that Robert is now producing the base module and that anyone can produce those tiny tiles that will fit. So far Robert, Wonkystuff and Keurslagerkurt have prototypes of these tiles in the making. |
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Post by pt3r on May 13, 2022 18:42:46 GMT
Oh this looks like an ideal format for some ideas that I've been toying with.
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Post by solipsistnation on May 13, 2022 19:28:48 GMT
edit: cool that they worked it out together.
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Post by dizzeesatchel on May 13, 2022 19:33:20 GMT
Robert producing the base seems like a great and sensible solution!
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Post by tIB on May 13, 2022 20:33:23 GMT
Oh bingo! I had high hopes for the mini format back when - really hopeful I can consolidate some crucial but overly space hogging (they really aren't, buy I have a smaller system) functions into a row of three. Look forward to seeing what comes of this module wise, and hope for a dual sample and hold, noise, signal amp... I could go on!
Edit: and I will - logic... Dual logic would be killer!
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Post by maydonpoliris on May 13, 2022 22:04:20 GMT
Great idea for simple utilities that don't need lots of functionality. like how they just clip in and out too
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Post by robertlanger on May 14, 2022 6:36:46 GMT
Oh bingo! I had high hopes for the mini format back when - really hopeful I can consolidate some crucial but overly space hogging (they really aren't, buy I have a smaller system) functions into a row of three. Look forward to seeing what comes of this module wise, and hope for a dual sample and hold, noise, signal amp... I could go on! Edit: and I will - logic... Dual logic would be killer! Great to hear you like the idea, and thanks for the "wishlist" - yes, even shrinking existing modules to this size makes sense! #smallisbeautiful |
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XODES
New Member
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Post by XODES on May 15, 2022 9:55:57 GMT
Things changed a bit on my side since then as I no longer rely on sub contractors for some of my simpler products, meaning I should be able to make some AE modules (whether micro or full scale!  ). Even though I'm trying to keep prices fair, as everything would be manufactured in France, I'll obviously not have the same prices as products assembled in Asia. |
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Post by turbotodd2k on May 15, 2022 15:47:34 GMT
Having this will open up a space for all sorts of utility modules I imagine. And for lovers of small racks will be a godsend along with the new modulators and xmix modules.
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Post by robertlanger on May 16, 2022 9:04:23 GMT
Things changed a bit on my side since then as I no longer rely on sub contractors for some of my simpler products, meaning I should be able to make some AE modules (whether micro or full scale! ). Even though I'm trying to keep prices fair, as everything would be manufactured in France, I'll obviously not have the same prices as products assembled in Asia. I hope people will consider this and appreciate your production ethos (which is great IMO, although I decided to go another route...) Guys,have you heard me ?!? :-) |
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Post by keurslagerkurt on May 16, 2022 15:03:29 GMT
Great idea for simple utilities that don't need lots of functionality. like how they just clip in and out too Exactly, the clipping in and out, will make for some great flexibility without needing to get the screwdriver out (which always is such a bummer). This is really a great time for small racks together with the crazy function-packed Modulator & XMIX modules. Also chuck , the dimensions of the base board are not yet set in stone. I need to alter my PCB prototype because the base board got updated  of course these changes are positive changes by Robert to make the board more sturdy & functional! And once the base board gets released, my kit will follow very soon, and i'm sure Robert will share the technical details at that point. |
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Post by pt3r on May 17, 2022 7:44:48 GMT
Will there be a DIY platform for the tiles as well? I really like the DIY module for more permanent projects since I don't have the faintest idea on how to get from circuit design to pcb.
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Post by keurslagerkurt on May 17, 2022 8:48:18 GMT
Will there be a DIY platform for the tiles as well? I really like the DIY module for more permanent projects since I don't have the faintest idea on how to get from circuit design to pcb. You mean like using protoboard like the DIY-module? I'm not sure if it makes that much sense, because personally I think its hard to fit protoboard & THT components in such a small space. It was already close to fit my supersimple sub circuit into the 1/3 space on PCB. (Its one IC, one transistor, a couple of resistors & diodes) Tbh basic PCB design is fairly easy and learnable by a few youtube videos. Of course, if its no fun to you, it does not make sense to learn it in your spare time |
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Post by pt3r on May 17, 2022 8:56:13 GMT
I hear you on footprint issues, I remember the struggle I had to fit my micro arduino pcb in the DIY module wafer, and realise that surfacemount and custom pcbs are eventually the way to go.
It seems like I will have to go down the rabbit hole of pcb/circuit design videos and probably also surface mount soldering.
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Post by keurslagerkurt on May 17, 2022 11:15:14 GMT
I hear you on footprint issues, I remember the struggle I had to fit my micro arduino pcb in the DIY module wafer, and realise that surfacemount and custom pcbs are eventually the way to go. It seems like I will have to go down the rabbit hole of pcb/circuit design videos and probably also surface mount soldering. To be honest I think you'll notice that between THT perfboard and THT PCB you will already have a HUGE space saving. There is a great AE module template that Wonkystuff provided on the forum here as well to get you started. I myself do not like SMD soldering, its too prone to mistakes (from me) and its way harder to debug as well. So when I do SMD now, I order a presoldered prototype from JLCPCB. But I mostly avoid SMD myself. If you could use any help at any point, shoot me a message! |
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stora
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Post by stora on May 17, 2022 15:48:29 GMT
Do you have a link to the template ?
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Post by keurslagerkurt on May 18, 2022 18:50:12 GMT
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Post by jreign on May 18, 2022 21:50:29 GMT
XODES looking forward to what you bring! Wondering would it be possible to design a BCI for zdsp cards for the multiFX module, in tile format? I don't have the fx module yet so can't tell if it's possible. Keeping the dry/wet would be great also.
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XODES
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Post by XODES on May 19, 2022 7:15:34 GMT
XODES looking forward to what you bring! Wondering would it be possible to design a BCI for zdsp cards for the multiFX module, in tile format? I don't have the fx module yet so can't tell if it's possible. Keeping the dry/wet would be great also. Even though it is possible, and I originally planned on doing it for pretty much anything I'd be interested in, I simply won't do it. When I showed the latest addition to this family of adapters this winter, I had a message from the company making the original system within the next half hour, and I won't go much into details yet let's say I was gently asked not to go further with these... I don't think there actually is something wrong with these legally speaking, as I'm not copying the algorithms, yet based on what happened in the past with most if not all alternatives to this company's specific cables, I simply won't play with fire. If you're into DIY, you can check this topic. BTW, due to the high price of the cards (in AE standards), it might just not make much sense for most users... unless they realize that they just don't buy a piece of hardware, but basically pay royalties to the algorithms authors. What's amusing is that the original product is confusingly described as somewhat "open source"... I've had another product in the works for the DSP used in all these products, and that shouldn't be as controversial, so if it ever comes to life, it could be adapted to pretty much anything (and it should indeed fit in 1/3 format for the multifx)!  |
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Post by jreign on May 20, 2022 5:48:08 GMT
XODES all good, just a thought that kinda made sense, but I can see how tiptop could be bothered. I just love to save space as much as possible haha the zdsp is huge. Keep up the good work!
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Post by solipsistnation on May 20, 2022 16:48:35 GMT
When I showed the latest addition to this family of adapters this winter, I had a message from the company making the original system within the next half hour, and I won't go much into details yet let's say I was gently asked not to go further with these... [...] BTW, due to the high price of the cards (in AE standards), it might just not make much sense for most users... unless they realize that they just don't buy a piece of hardware, but basically pay royalties to the algorithms authors. What's amusing is that the original product is confusingly described as somewhat "open source"... I've had another product in the works for the DSP used in all these products, and that shouldn't be as controversial, so if it ever comes to life, it could be adapted to pretty much anything (and it should indeed fit in 1/3 format for the multifx)!
Really, they asked you to stop? They sell those little cards for enough that it seems like having more people interested in them wouldn't be a bad thing. They're sort of open source, sure, assuming you can get the custom programmer hardware and so on. I looked at that briefly but it seemed quite expensive and they were out of stock anyway... (I see they're in stock now, but like $200+ -- www.signalsounds.com/tiptop-audio-numberz-digital-audio-lab-programmer-z-dsp -- so that makes it a thing for people writing algorithms for sale rather than hobbyists, I think, even in the Eurorack world.) That DSP chip seems really nice, so if you get that going that would be awesome. 8)
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XODES
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by XODES on May 23, 2022 7:02:26 GMT
They're sort of open source, sure, assuming you can get the custom programmer hardware and so on. I looked at that briefly but it seemed quite expensive and they were out of stock anyway... (I see they're in stock now, but like $200+ -- www.signalsounds.com/tiptop-audio-numberz-digital-audio-lab-programmer-z-dsp -- so that makes it a thing for people writing algorithms for sale rather than hobbyists, I think, even in the Eurorack world.)
You actually don't need their programmer to program cards if you're able to make you own adapter. For the algorithms, you should easily find info on the web to do it via a cheap board based on a Cypress chip, that directly works with SpinAsm. Alternatively, one could even get the official FV1 dev kit, or hack something with the development PCB available from PedalPCB (would still need to make some sort of adapter for the card with both solutions though).
The other part of the programmer (which is not mandatory if you're not using it with alternate platforms that do not use a screen) actually is based on a PicKit (it's unclear if it was licensed from Microchip) yet any SPI capable programmer should do, as it only is about writing text. |
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Post by Kyaa on May 23, 2022 23:15:47 GMT
XODES looking forward to what you bring! Wondering would it be possible to design a BCI for zdsp cards for the multiFX module, in tile format? I don't have the fx module yet so can't tell if it's possible. Keeping the dry/wet would be great also. Even though it is possible, and I originally planned on doing it for pretty much anything I'd be interested in, I simply won't do it. When I showed the latest addition to this family of adapters this winter, I had a message from the company making the original system within the next half hour, and I won't go much into details yet let's say I was gently asked not to go further with these... I don't think there actually is something wrong with these legally speaking, as I'm not copying the algorithms, yet based on what happened in the past with most if not all alternatives to this company's specific cables, I simply won't play with fire. If you're into DIY, you can check this topic. BTW, due to the high price of the cards (in AE standards), it might just not make much sense for most users... unless they realize that they just don't buy a piece of hardware, but basically pay royalties to the algorithms authors. What's amusing is that the original product is confusingly described as somewhat "open source"... I've had another product in the works for the DSP used in all these products, and that shouldn't be as controversial, so if it ever comes to life, it could be adapted to pretty much anything (and it should indeed fit in 1/3 format for the multifx)! I'd say create a module for AE that similarly allows users to swap out different preset cards for the MULTIFX module, but leave the interface generic enough that another enterprising individual could create an adapter for the zDSP cards. |
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).
of course these changes are positive changes by Robert to make the board more sturdy & functional! And once the base board gets released, my kit will follow very soon, and i'm sure Robert will share the technical details at that point.
