The firmware is still in process, and will be released as open source on completion. The synth is recognized as a midi device via the usb cable and a driver for OSX, WIN & Linux, so you can track or control it from your favorite midi software. Testing is happening on PureData, but I will verify a wide range of software on release. The USB/Serial FTDI connection will allow future modules such as a midi Din and DC power module or control from an Arduino or other microcontroller.  Stay tuned!

Toggle, press & release, software LED control, and 4 ADC potentiometers. Shutdown, test & LED_intensity now working.

And… Here’s the source code!

There are minimal build instructions included for the expert/tinkerer and a detailed pin-out explanation. Again, your Duemilanove won’t fit in there! Details on kit ordering below…

Other relevant info? Powered via usb, so the battery compartment is empty. The “Play button” does nothing, though there is a free pin on the Arduino if you really need a 65th button. Remember it’s mass production quality: Not bad for the $$ but it’s small and a bit clicky. Call it a “gateway Monome” you’ll likely want bigger/better after a bit. — but I’m pretty happy with it.

Kits? I will be creating a Bliptronic-to-Monome clone conversion kit with PCB, FTDI cable, and all parts (no Arduino needed) including the 4 Potentiometers over the next 3-4 weeks. These kits will cost $68+shipping. I am doing a limited pre-order here to (raise bulk-purchase money and keep the price down) set to ship mid March.

I’ve finally got a working port of the Arduinome 3.2 software working with Monome apps on the Bliptronic 5000 hardware available from Think Geek.  This version recognizes in Arduinome Serial as a40h-501. It’s using the same FTDI cable I use to program the Arduino, and everything is running very smoothly at 57600 as with Arduinome.

I’ll be releasing this code in a week or so, as I still have some large holes in it. If a current Monome or Arduinome owner could pass me a little info, I’ll finish the code, and add 4 adc potentiometers in the missing holes.

If someone could explain the effect/use of the following serial commands, they should be an easy addition to the code:

“led_Test,” “shutdown,” and how does “led_intensity” work? I currently have it controlling a full row at once, which does not seem really useful.

Drop me a line in the forum, or via email.

Total project cost:

Bliptronic: $49, Arduino parts, FTDI cable, etc.. at about $40 – though bulk ordering could get that price down significantly). I already had everything in my workshop. So… a <$100 mini_Monome? yep. I’ll have another in a couple weeks.

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I’m excited to say that the first build just got to the point of audio output!

YM2149_test1 <– sample mp3!

Wear headphones!

This sample file is one minute of random register writes in order to demonstrate tone, frequency range, noise, panning, on-board level control of the 3 channels(L,R,Both) and some nice accidental effects.No effects or filtering were used.  It is NOT a song (though some of my seldom heard tunes are not much more coherent!)

The current parts count is an FTDI cable +8 components +10 resistors.

I’ve moved toward an only slightly more expensive direction than my original idea. This one will use an Atmel chip running Arduino code.  This will allow anyone who wants to swim in the code to do so by swapping chips, without imposing the expense of an entire Arduino on everyone else.

Next step is proto-board & board layout.  I’ll be continuing software for some time before the Alpha release.

Squeezed in a tiny proto-board where the speaker was. Flexible FTDI out to save some $$ and still have usb linking and power. The existing knobs are NOT analog potentiometers, though now I have plenty of cabinet space for 3 knobs (I have 3 analog pins open) a power switch and a reset button.

Samuel Hurst  has taken the dive right into porting the Arduinome code, and was kind enough to post his process in this forum, where a few of us are sharing notes on progress.

I’ve finally gotten to tearing down the Bliptronic 5000 that arrived hear from Thinkgeek. There are enough reviews out there that all I need to say is crappy sound in a really cheap ($50) hackable 64-button LED matrix package with a nice enclosure.

After a bit of investigating, I’ve found that with the combination of this and an Arduino (I’ll be using all the pieces from the Breadboard Hack-a-rino as that’ll fit nicely into the case), This will amount to a full working Arduinome controller in a nice enclosure for under $100!

So here is the important parts to get us started:

This blurry picture shows the correct IC identifications mis-reported elsewhere on the net do to globs of glue on the board.

U3: 74HC595D serial in/parallel out shift register w/ latches.

U5 & U7: HC164 serial in/parallel out shift register

What does this mean? It means we can read 64 buttons and light 64 LEDs uniquely with only a few pins.

What Pins?

Here they are. On the top of the board (not the pinout side) I’ve numbered the pins using the capacitor C26 as a reference.

How does it work?

U7 is controlled via pin 13 in order to send power to the buttons one ROW at a time. While each row is powered, Pins 2-5 & 14-17 are checked ( via digital read()). If power is detected, a button is pressed.

To light the LEDs power is sent to entire columns via U5 (also controlled by Pin 13 at the same time).

U3 is used to allow LEDs to light via pins 11 & 12. If a pin on U3 is LOW, power can flow and a specific LED is lit. Otherwise it is not. I’m guessing at this point that the pins are simple flashed row & column at a time faster than persistence-of-vision, tricking us into thinking that the LEDs are lit constantly.

I should have code out over the next couple of weeks to test all of this. If someone tests it sooner, please email me & I’ll post it here to keep all the info in one place. I’ve also opened a forum topic on this site for others doing the same work.

Hopefully I’ll have my video synths running off of this in the near future. It’d make an excellent controller for the A_SID synth or for anyone hacking around with the Ym chips/SID chips or just trying to control Ableton, or Max/MSP on the cheap.

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How are there any VJs in the US when our color looks so crappy compared to PAL??

He’s also adding a bottom enclosure to keep it away from the various liquids that sometimes get spilled when you play out.

A whole stage show in a backpack!

Christoph’s website expresses some frustration in expressing a seemingly simple project to beginner level users. The reality is that his excellent (and well documented code) are a little tough for a beginner at electronics and coding.  I’ve hoped that my pre-flashed chips, added instructions, sample Processing code and beginner breadboard building plan make it a lot easier to understand and use.

Since my recent A_SID workshop at Blip Festival 2009, I feel that I’m on the right track. Within a week, Sebastian Tomczak (a.k.a. Little scale) has released Arduino code and a Max/MSP patch to control the little chip via MIDI.

Here’s a demo video of a quick routine running the chip from Ableton. Thanks Sebastian! I’m sure this will help others!

His board was one of the first 3 special custom graphic versions I created to raise funds for microcontrollers for the rest of the run.
Thanks for the video Kevin!

piggy midi stoner jam #1 – pocket vblank board test from Kevin Gondek on Vimeo.

It looks like I will also be doing a workshop on the A_SID Breadboard Synth Kit: a DIY single-chip emulation of the C64’s sound chip (MOS 6581).  The workshop will be on Friday the 18th from 2-5pm before the show, and be limited to 15 people. Price will be announced on the Blip festival website soon.