The World's smallest synth!

by **MarkOne** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 12:18 pm

I love this kind of thing...

Engineering challenge, or what? A fully operational synth that's built into a DIN plug and takes its power from the MIDI port.

Doesn't actually sound terrible either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvVS8guBsY

by **The Elf** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 12:58 pm

I have also been watching this and I actually feel like buying, if only to show my support. It actually sounds OK for what it is, similar to a cheap FM chip-synth, and I can imagine using it to add a bit of spice to any MIDI rig.

AFAIK the Trueno still holds the claim for smallest *analogue* synth, running on a USB 'dongle'. It was present at last year's Synthfest, and I really couldn't resist. It was a nice idea, but tuning was disastrous, and the software was flaky, which was a shame. I really hope they bounce back with a better Trueno model.

by **BillB** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:17 pm

Unless I missed it somewhere, can't see what type of FM implementation it is.
Voice modes:
POLY: 16 voices, one oscillator per voice, mono LR audio output
POLY-STEREO: 8 voices, one oscillator per voice, stereo audio output
MONO: 1 voice, 16 oscillators layered, mono LR audio output
...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op - I would guess 4.

All credit to them for pushing this particular envelope.

Only one minor problem for UK synthnerds. Delivery will be in December - and they want to know whether it will be to an EU or non-EU destination... :headbang: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :headbang:

by **ManFromGlass** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:50 pm

Cripes! I just dropped my synth into my beer! Oh no!
Quick bartender - another beer and the hell with the gig! :mrgreen:

by **The Elf** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:28 pm

BillB wrote:...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op - I would guess 4.

I think the video mentions 2-op.

by **BillB** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:50 pm

The Elf wrote:
BillB wrote:...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op - I would guess 4.
I think the video mentions 2-op.

Aah thanks, I haven't had time to view it all.

by **Folderol** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:51 pm

Absolutely fascinating... on all fronts :bouncy:

by **Arpangel** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 3:02 pm

My hat is well and truly off, AMAZING!!!!!

:beamup:

by **Martin Walker** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 8:19 pm

Wow - now that's CLEVER, and WELL-ENGINEERED! :clap:

Martin

by **blinddrew** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 10:58 pm

:clap: :clap: :thumbup:

by **N i g e l** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:15 pm

BillB wrote:...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op

dont forget 8 op [88 alg]

by **BillB** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:08 am

N i g e l wrote:
BillB wrote:...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op

dont forget 8 op [88 alg]

In a MIDI plug? That would be really impressive :D

by **Zukan** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:40 am

by **BillB** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:59 am

Zukan, emoticons are just not good enough for you, are they? :bouncy:

by **Zukan** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 11:45 am

Lol...not anymore. I wish we had a GIFs section...

by **Wonks** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:14 pm

But if you're happy posting selfies, then stick with them. ;)

by **ManFromGlass** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:41 pm

Badum Tish!

by **MarkOne** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 4:55 pm

BillB wrote:
N i g e l wrote:
BillB wrote:...doesn't really explain whether it is 2-op, 4-op, or 6-op

dont forget 8 op [88 alg]

In a MIDI plug? That would be really impressive :D

I got the feeling that the biggest issue for the design was the tiny current available in the MIDI current loop. He had to select a controller carefully to get the power/performance ratio he needed. He kind of mentioned there were loads of ARM chips with the built-in audio DAC and lots of different RAM/ROM combinations.

He set himself some strict design limitations and worked within that envelope. I do wonder if he had allowed himself the luxury of an external power input how far he could have pushed the synth algorithms.

by **The Elf** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 5:09 pm

MarkOne wrote:I do wonder if he had allowed himself the luxury of an external power input how far he could have pushed the synth algorithms.

Nooooooooo!!!!!! ;) :lol:

by **Folderol** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 6:43 pm

The Elf wrote:
MarkOne wrote:I do wonder if he had allowed himself the luxury of an external power input how far he could have pushed the synth algorithms.
Nooooooooo!!!!!! ;) :lol:

Scaredy cat :lol:

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The World's smallest synth!