Synthesizer Modules and Projects
Powculator mini rompler
Clock Skipper module in Pocket Rack format
MiniMidi folding Midi/CV keyboard (in progress)
LMN-3 open-source portable synth
Synthesizers and Modules
I got really interested in synthesizers about a year ago, specifically modular standards like Eurorack. Matt Colville is a bad influence.
I've only learned PCB design in KiCad less than a year ago, but I'm super pleased with what I've made from scratch already. The Powculator is a sample-based mini rompler with a simple sequencer. It can take audio and sync in (inspired by the Pocket Operator series) and mix that with its own sound for output to a stereo jack or a built-in speaker. It's all powered by a cheap Raspberry Pi Pico. I also just finished a module to drop into my existing synth setup that I'm calling a Clock Skipper. Rather than build a full gate sequencer that produces its own output functions, the Clock Skipper takes any arbitrary wave and mutes it if the corresponding switch is turned off or allows it through unchanged if the switch is on. Great for simple drum beats.
I'm also working on a folding Mini Midi keyboard to be built on a rigid-flex PCB. My design inspiration was to see if extremely cheap 5mm push-buttons could feel nice to press and play with a 3d-printed flexture plate on top. That part was a success, and now I'm just working on a functional version that actually outputs Midi notes. I'm putting jacks for other I/O options like CV/Gate and Audio In, but I might not bother implementing them.
Once finished, I plan on open-sourcing all of my designs.