Circuits

The Tulip Creative Computer is an impressive open-source project that transforms the ESP32 microcontroller into a complete music synthesizer workstation programmable in MicroPython. This exciting platform brings together the power of modern microcontrollers with the accessibility of Python programming to create a versatile tool for electronic music creation. What Makes Tulip Special At its core, Tulip runs on the ESP32-S3, a powerful dual-core microcontroller with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. What sets Tulip apart from other synthesizer projects is its commitment to being a fully programmable creative computer. Rather than offering a fixed set of features, Tulip gives you a complete MicroPython environment where you can write your own synthesizers, sequencers, and audio effects from scratch. ...

The Raspberry Pi Pico has emerged as an incredibly capable platform for DIY MIDI synthesizers, offering dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processing power, generous GPIO, and affordable pricing around $4. Its combination of processing capability, built-in PWM and I2S audio output options, and native USB support makes it ideal for music electronics projects ranging from simple monotimbral synthesizers to complex polyphonic instruments. Why Pico for MIDI Synthesis The RP2040 microcontroller at the heart of the Pico provides several advantages for audio synthesis. Its dual-core architecture allows one core to handle MIDI input and user interface while the other dedicates itself to audio generation, ensuring glitch-free performance. The Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines can handle timing-critical tasks like generating PWM audio or managing protocols without burdening the CPU cores. ...

The ESP32 microcontroller has proven remarkably capable for real-time audio digital signal processing, and the YummyDSP library makes this power accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike. This open-source framework provides a collection of audio processing building blocks optimized for ESP32, enabling you to create guitar pedals, studio effects, synthesizers, and audio tools with professional results at a fraction of commercial product costs. What is YummyDSP YummyDSP is a lightweight, efficient DSP library specifically designed for audio effects processing on the ESP32 platform. Unlike general-purpose DSP libraries that try to do everything, YummyDSP focuses on real-time audio with low latency and clean implementation of essential audio processing blocks. The library handles the complexities of I2S audio interface configuration, buffer management, and efficient arithmetic while providing an intuitive API for building effect chains. ...

The PicoADK (Pico Audio Development Kit) v2 represents a significant evolution in affordable audio synthesis hardware, leveraging Raspberry Pi’s latest RP2350 microcontroller to deliver professional-quality audio capabilities in a compact, maker-friendly package. This development board combines powerful processing, dedicated audio hardware, and thoughtful design choices that make it an excellent platform for building synthesizers, effects processors, and experimental audio instruments. The RP2350 Advantage At the heart of PicoADK v2 sits the RP2350, Raspberry Pi’s newest microcontroller featuring dual ARM Cortex-M33 cores running at 150MHz. Compared to the RP2040, the RP2350 brings substantial improvements critical for audio applications: doubled on-chip SRAM (520KB vs 264KB), hardware floating-point unit on both cores, and optional RISC-V cores for specialized processing. These enhancements translate directly into more sophisticated audio algorithms, larger wavetable storage, and headroom for future expandability. ...

GreatScott! has earned its place among YouTube’s most respected electronics channels, with nearly 2 million subscribers tuning in for clear explanations, practical projects, and Scott’s infectious enthusiasm for all things electronic. For audio DIY enthusiasts, Scott’s channel offers a treasure trove of projects ranging from basic amplifiers to sophisticated digital audio systems, all presented with the clarity and attention to detail that made the channel famous. Let’s explore some of the best audio-related projects and what makes GreatScott! such a valuable resource for learning audio electronics. ...

Short demo of a small MXR Phase 45 clone that was built using the “Smoothie” PCB. This is a short demo video of a small two-stage phaser that was built based after the MXR Phase 45 circuit. Homemade Franken caster will be playing through Fender Pro junior amp, which demonstrates what the dry signal sounds like.

This short video contains some useful advice on some starting options for building your own guitar pedals! I’m going to give a plug to my tutorial series, where there’s eight videos and they go through etching the board all the way to painting the box. Not only will you be soldering everything onto the PCB, which will give you an introduction to the electronic components, but you are going to be wiring it up as well. ...

I found a great beginner’s project, the MadLab Junior Theremin, as a cheap electronics kit available on Jameco! Build and Demo Video Here’s a video from Youtuber 3DSage that shows off a nice build tutorial along with the functionality of the Junior Theremin: Theremins are extremely cool to play around with, but are bulky and a bit expensive. The MadLab Junior Theremin is a stripped-down version of the famous proximity-controlled instrument. One key difference is the lack of a volume control antenna, but the pitch control aerial/antenna is way more interesting! Simply move your hand closer to the antenna and listen to how the pitch changes. ...

YouTube channel LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER has a great in-depth video review of the classic 8 step sequencer. He discusses concepts such as control voltage and he also shows how he assembles his own circuit. Very cool stuff! For another great 8 step sequencer circuit with an in-depth explanation, check out this link: </posts/8-step-sequencer/>.