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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 6, 2023 1:00:37 GMT
We did it!
As always, big thanks to keurslagerkurt for doing all the work to kick things off and inspiring the whole project.  I hit a few bumps along the way, made three separate prototypes, melted a button or two with the soldering iron and destroyed at least one Pico with poor power delivery. But ultimately crammed all the EuroPi functionality into a 2U AE format (what a squeeze!)
Under the hood - I tried in vain to find two-sided board in the correct size and ended up fudging it by using bits of thin protoboard cut to shape and mounted back-to-back where I needed to solder something in 'backwards'. It worked a lot better than i expected actually. The red board is from the official TW DIY kit and was left over from something else but turned out to be a godsend; it's double-sided and has central power and ground rails so it was perfect for mounting the op-amps on.
Rear side is a million times neater than previous attempts. I knew the amps and Pico needed to be detachable & mounted on headers for space reasons but it took a while to figure out a good way to do it.
Sideways. It's tight! The bus connector only just fits below the op-amp board. I didn't measure that bit when planning, so phew! The whole thing ends up sitting ever so slightly higher than an official TW module, but not so much that it looks silly.
So far it all seems to work really well. I'd love to see some other people build the same - maybe when i'm confident in this build we could put together a kiCAD layout so people could order PCBs?? That would simplify the build a lot, as most of the complexity comes from using wire to route connections here and there. Otherwise there really isn't a crazy amount of parts needed, off the top of my head:
Pico OLED 2x knobs 2x momentary push buttons 3x op amps + chip holders Various resistors - a £5 box of mixed values will have everything needed Nice AE pin headers x2 Generic pin headers for connecting the boards and making a plug for the bus cable (Pi Hut has a bag with a bunch of sizes which is perfect, just cut em up if needed)
6x 1nf caps Legs & screws and whatnot for mounting
That's about it!! I'll draw up my version of the schematic when i get the chance.
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 7, 2023 23:40:23 GMT
An extra little touch - Tangible Waves themed bootsplash
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 8, 2023 15:35:38 GMT
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 8, 2023 16:04:54 GMT
 wowow frndo I didn't realise yours was so complete also! And it looks way more legit than mine, nice work!! How did you get on with calibration? I found at first that it stalled a bit expecting higher voltages, but I tweaked the calibration script to replace references to 10v with 5v, and after that the precision calibration process worked like a charm. Let me know if you want the code for that custom boot image too  |
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 8, 2023 17:48:24 GMT
wowow frndo I didn't realise yours was so complete also! And it looks way more legit than mine, nice work!! How did you get on with calibration? I found at first that it stalled a bit expecting higher voltages, but I tweaked the calibration script to replace references to 10v with 5v, and after that the precision calibration process worked like a charm. Let me know if you want the code for that custom boot image too No! yours is much better finished, even from version 1! Imagine that the front face of mine is made of cardboard and painted by hand. Actually, I didn't quite understand what happened with the calibration, but what I deduce is that the system assumed that the 5v were the total voltage, and there the calibration ended without errors (after few tries); I don´t modify the code, because I did not understand it; but if you want to share your modified code, that would be great! I have not noticed so far problems with the calibration...about the leds, I choose discard them; I didn't even try it, because the whole circuit made me complex and in AEM the space in the circuit is very important. |
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Post by MikMo on Mar 8, 2023 20:16:31 GMT
Looking great.
What is that module to the left of the €π, the one with the LED matrix ?
Mikael
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 9, 2023 10:03:28 GMT
Looking great. What is that module to the left of the €π, the one with the LED matrix ? Mikael It’s a adaptation of freaq fm (meebleeps) |
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Post by keurslagerkurt on Mar 9, 2023 10:05:46 GMT
Incredible work from both of you, these look so great! Really really happy to see these two supernice finished modules, and super proud that i have helped a little with this with my breadboard explorations! Loving these nice square buttons from both of you as well. I think it would be really nice to have some Github/drive/.. collection of the different files & some build tips/guides/FAQs/.. For example, having the modified calibration script from dizzeesatchel sounds like something that could help all future possible builders! And of course, sharing custom Pi scripts to use for AE specifically, sounds great as well. And of course that custom TW loading screen One question to both dizzeesatchel and frndo : how do you connect & upload/communicate? Do you need to access the Pico micro-usb connection from the side? Or from somewhere else? This was actually one of the reasons I kinda stopped with converting the breadboard build to a real module, i was having a headache thinking about how to make the micro-usb accessible from the front (Grains-style). I'm really not great (and importantly don't enjoy) searching/sourcing super specific weird parts for these kind of tasks. |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 9, 2023 10:53:38 GMT
keurslagerkurt the way i did it you have to take the module out of the rack to access the pico on the rear, similar to the Ornament & Crime. This is how the OG europi handles it, and because it has a menu system anyway you don't have to reprogram every time you want to change scripts like you do with Grains or Core.ae. The other advantage of this is not needing to consider what happens if the module receives both bus power and power from the USB connection at the same time (there are ways to deal with dual-powering situations, but it requires more hardware) My knowledge of Github is limited to downloading other people's files BUT i'm keen to learn it better so I can host my adapted firmware there, for sure. I'm also trying to build a personal website atm and will probably put my DIY stuff on there with building tips and whatnot. Between us we could probably hand all this knowledge over to robertlanger and nudge him to make an official version  but i love the DIY ethos!
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 9, 2023 11:40:57 GMT
btw frndo i'd be VERY interested to hear more about your Freaq FM adaptation!! |
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 9, 2023 19:32:06 GMT
Incredible work from both of you, these look so great! Really really happy to see these two supernice finished modules, and super proud that i have helped a little with this with my breadboard explorations! Loving these nice square buttons from both of you as well. I think it would be really nice to have some Github/drive/.. collection of the different files & some build tips/guides/FAQs/.. For example, having the modified calibration script from dizzeesatchel sounds like something that could help all future possible builders! And of course, sharing custom Pi scripts to use for AE specifically, sounds great as well. And of course that custom TW loading screen One question to both dizzeesatchel and frndo : how do you connect & upload/communicate? Do you need to access the Pico micro-usb connection from the side? Or from somewhere else? This was actually one of the reasons I kinda stopped with converting the breadboard build to a real module, i was having a headache thinking about how to make the micro-usb accessible from the front (Grains-style). I'm really not great (and importantly don't enjoy) searching/sourcing super specific weird parts for these kind of tasks. Thank you for the schematics! The communication with the Pi Pico was done with a very short cable that I left on the side of the rack; It does not look very good, but it is practical to edit from python. I totally agree with the github, I got a lot of information for various modules, from here on the forum; but it would be of great help, for someone just starting out in electronics, like me. I also have no experience in uploading code to github, but I can help with anything! |
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 9, 2023 19:42:02 GMT
btw frndo i'd be VERY interested to hear more about your Freaq FM adaptation!! Of course! I am a bit shy and English is not my mother tongue. I also have no experience in electronics (a few months ago I didn't even know how to read a schematic). I took the code from the github of meebleeps; the freaq FM is designed to be a kind of volca; use an arduino pro micro 5v (the memory is used almost to the maximum, with which it gives some errors); then I followed the github schematic. I made the mistake of doing it on a single-sided board; however it can be synchronized... and I'm still adjusting the CV control of the parameters. github.com/Meebleeps/MeeBleeps-Freaq-FM-Synthfeel free to ask me anything! |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 10, 2023 12:05:29 GMT
I also have no experience in electronics (a few months ago I didn't even know how to read a schematic). Seems like you're a fast learner looking at the photo of your rack! Super impressive! The FM thing is very appealing as my next project - i was posting somewhere on here recently about how it would be great to have a CV-controllable multi-operator FM module after watching a video about the ALM Akemie's Castle eurorack module. The CV control is key - i had a Volca FM but sold it recently, all that menu diving to get a decent sound was too frustrating. I see you have half the number of knobs compared to the original - not surprising considering the space restrictions - looks like you're using a slider switch with each one so each knob can control two parameters, is that right? Do you happen to have a link for the LED matrix you used? I'm guessing the big chip to the side of it is part of the LED component... I couldn't find a BOM on the Meebleeps github, so hard to know exactly what parts are being used. |
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 10, 2023 17:12:05 GMT
I also have no experience in electronics (a few months ago I didn't even know how to read a schematic). Seems like you're a fast learner looking at the photo of your rack! Super impressive! The FM thing is very appealing as my next project - i was posting somewhere on here recently about how it would be great to have a CV-controllable multi-operator FM module after watching a video about the ALM Akemie's Castle eurorack module. The CV control is key - i had a Volca FM but sold it recently, all that menu diving to get a decent sound was too frustrating. I see you have half the number of knobs compared to the original - not surprising considering the space restrictions - looks like you're using a slider switch with each one so each knob can control two parameters, is that right? Do you happen to have a link for the LED matrix you used? I'm guessing the big chip to the side of it is part of the LED component... I couldn't find a BOM on the Meebleeps github, so hard to know exactly what parts are being used. I make a clarification. It is not a CV-controlled (v/oct) oscillator; it's more of a kind of groovebox; that can be synchronized and I'm working on controlling the parameters. Right, I made bad decisions, and had to cut the potentiometers in half, with switches. I think the correct size for the module is 3U and a double side protoboard. This is the led matrix that I found in my country (very cheap) uses the Chip Max7219; and again a bad decision to put it on above to the protoboard; it's very tall (matrix led and chip). I can´t remember if I finded a BOM; but my inexperience, make that I experimenting all the time; and the miracle (sometimes) occour...jajajaja. articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-1103576637-modulo-matriz-de-puntos-8x8-led-chip-max7219-arduino-hobb-_JM#is_advertising=true&position=1&search_layout=grid&type=pad&tracking_id=926608c3-fbdc-4bfa-9f09-ed6568d5401a&is_advertising=true&ad_domain=VQCATCORE_LST&ad_position=1&ad_click_id=N2IzMzVmMjgtNGQ5NC00OTg2LWI5ZjQtMTRjMmM5NDU3YWRi |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 10, 2023 20:04:12 GMT
Ah of course you're right, i watched a bunch of videos and still didn't quite grasp that its a self-contained unit really, producing its own sequences. It's a shame that there isn't a v/octave feature... or at least a cv out so you could use the generative sequences elsewhere, there's a midi out option i suppose... Shame! i really want those complex FM tones |
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Mar 10, 2023 20:12:21 GMT
Ah of course you're right, i watched a bunch of videos and still didn't quite grasp that its a self-contained unit really, producing its own sequences. It's a shame that there isn't a v/octave feature... or at least a cv out so you could use the generative sequences elsewhere, there's a midi out option i suppose... Shame! i really want those complex FM tones yeah! it´s a shame! I make another module, of the genius mind of Hawigo; it´s a triple oscillator..additive, chords and FM..don´t have all the complexity and control, but sounds great github.com/Testbild-synth/HAGIWO_arduino_oscillator |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 11, 2023 12:41:07 GMT
ahhh yeah the HAGIWO stuff is crazy... very inspiring! I want to build his wii nunchuck controller module!!
edit: interesting actually, his design has the nunchuck communicate via I2C... the stock europi includes an I2C expansion socket on the rear for connecting to other modules (i didn't include that in my version, but it would be trivial)... so this could easily be a EuroPi script, could even use one of those new 1/3 size modules just to host a socket for the nunchuck to plug into, hmm!
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Mar 15, 2023 11:01:42 GMT
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Post by keurslagerkurt on Mar 16, 2023 15:07:34 GMT
Supercool find!!! However, I still need my nunchucks for Mariokart  |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Apr 2, 2023 14:12:05 GMT
first time PCB designing...this is probably not going to be the most organised routing ever...
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Post by waporwave on Apr 2, 2023 16:31:40 GMT
Best of luck! It was definitely a challenge for me. I'm receiving my PCB on wednesday, I realize I haven't really talked about this much on the forum (I just happen to use discord more) but my module is basically the same thing, a PICO in AE, with some DACs for output. Mine's in 1U but I don't have nearly as many buttons or knobby sort of things.
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Apr 3, 2023 7:36:34 GMT
Nice job squeezing a Pico into 1U!
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Post by waporwave on Apr 4, 2023 17:21:31 GMT
it's not too bad! just needs a dedicated PCB really. You could also do it by handwiring all of the connections with wires, and having a bunch of wires hanging below the module lol
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Apr 23, 2023 13:19:27 GMT
father & son
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frndo
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Post by frndo on Apr 26, 2023 1:07:36 GMT
father & son
Amazing work!! Please share your pcb design!! I’ts perfect! |
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wowow 
but i love the DIY ethos!
