MIDI IN

 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/

I haven't gone out of my way to send free stuff to influential Youtubers. I don't always enjoy those videos. When someone has bought the product, the review is way more genuine. I've enjoyed Kale's videos for a long time, He enjoys building, collecting and experimenting with musical instruments from didgeridoos to modular synth components.  I was delighted when he ordered an e-ther with no prompting from me. Here are his unboxing and his first experiments with the device.

 The default configuration for MIDISID  looks fine and is functional. I have fitted wooden cheeks to my own, which gives it a look and tilts the top forward, making it a little easier to use when you're sitting back from it. MIDISID was designed from the start with 'bring your own box' in mind. It's a modular design, the top and bottom parts are easily separated and connect with a 4-way jst-sh cable. In my head I saw it being used in a sloping-top case. Paul of Bad Dog Designs has come up with a different solution. It achieves the same goal - tipping the controls and screen forward. It's a 3D print in two parts. It takes zero effort to fit - MIDISID just drops in. I don't know whether he has made the design files public but  please contact him  if you're interested. Update Nov '23 The current version of MIDISID is now larger, has a tilted front and custom side supports: Owners are still being creative with enclosures. Here's a beautiful one from  @k