MIDI IN

This post will provide the information you need for setting up my Pi Zero HAT for MT32-Pi. Note that to run MT32-Pi, a Pi Zero 2W is required . The HAT will work with a regular Pi (3 or above) but obviously the form factor is designed to go with the Zero.  Four long screws and nuts are provided, with standoffs and washers. The standoff isn't quite long enough and so the washer goes alongside it between the boards to give the extra mm of hight.  Don't push the HAT all the way home, that'll help with the fiddly job of fitting the washer and standoff.  With the nuts fitted finger-tight, you may like to trim off the extra length. If I didn't supply an SD card containing the software, then you can find that here: https://github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi See Dale's instructions for creating your SD card here: https://github.com/dwhinham/mt32-pi?tab=readme-ov-file#-quick-start-guide You'll need to do some configuration of the file mt32-pi.cfg This is very easy, just open it...

 I've been wanting to design a tripod mount for e-ther for a long time. I find that the rubber feet grip the glass surface of the desk it's usually used on but it can still move around if the cables are heavy or not routed well. Users have asked for this too. After trying a 3D-printed design and lasercut acrylic, the latter worked best for me. The clear acrylic reminds me of those stands for model aircraft. "Ignore me", it says. It's easy to fit, it comes with the four screws you'll need. It has a brass insert for the standard tripod thread (1/4" x 20) and has an extra ring for reinforcement.  It's an optional extra when you buy an e-ther, I've priced it initially at an additional $4 US. At the same time, I had some crystal clear faceplates cut. I'll be honest, clear cases for electronics is not my bag but a lot of people like it and some have asked for this option with e-ther. So here it is. Here's e-ther with the tripod mount and a clear...

 Since I was given some Rakit kits one year for my birthday, I've been wanting to join two baby8 s to make a 16-step sequencer. I've returned to this project a number of times but never really got out of the starting gate. (Yes there are one or two published projects but part of the enjoyment of this for me is to work out how to do it myself from scratch.) Initially I attempted to use logic to direct 8 clock signals into one and then 8 into the other. But then hit on the idea of running them in parallel - offsetting them by inverting the original clock signal.  (This has the added advantage that it would be possible to 'swing' the rhythm by adjusting the duty cycle of the original clock signal). This is the furthest I've got with it so far. It makes an eye-catching and ear-splitting demo but there are still too many problems to solve. Some that I had predicted and some that I discovered along the way.  None of the challenges are unsurmountable but it requires more ...

I'd like to announce the new and improved e-ther 2. This information is available in video form here . If you're not familiar with e-ther, then it's a small theremin-like instrument with MIDI and audio out . At first glance the differences aren't obvious and indeed the big changes to the hardware are internal.  However, I hope you'll find the list of new features as exciting as I do.  Hardware-wise, I've put the microcontroller and DAC onto the main board.  Although this increases costs (for me, not for you), there are some big advantages. Besides looking more professional, the audio module is no longer a 'buy separately' optional extra. It's incorporated and the audio jack is just there if you want it.  The audio module used to fit below the board but with the audio capability now built-in, the profile is more compact. Most of the new features are down to firmware which means that a large proportion of what I'm calling 'e-ther 2' will be...

I really enjoy making music but the whole process is a bit agonising. Creativity doesn't come easily and this has led to a cycle of starting something and then worrying about it for a week, maybe adding to it but more usually not adding to it and letting it fall by the wayside with some guilt. Last Sunday I woke up with a chord sequence in my head, sat down in front of Logic and by lunchtime had piece that I was really happy with. (It took just as long to shoot some footage and make the video, but that's another story). I decided to try the same thing this week. I tried not to think about it too much beforehand and sat down on Sunday morning with a new empty project and no ideas. Once again something had taken shape by lunchtime.  I would like to work on some of those parts, do more with the arrangement and play the brass parts myself (electronic brass is never good!) and maybe I'll return to this project in the future and do all of that. But the point is that setting aside...

I first made e-ther because I wanted to play it as a theremin-like instrument. The ways that people are finding to use it is blowing me away.  Here's Josh explaining Granulator and using e-ther to control its parameters. It's hi-tec and very effective.  The movable piece of wood to hold the horizontal control is low-tec but equally effective! e-ther:  https://peacockmedia.software/e-ther/