Here’s a video showing off the play modes of the Groovesizer RED – if all goes to plan we’ll be releasing the RED in the coming week. The kit will be priced at US$80 – postage included.
The Groovesizer RED is a DIY 16-step sequencer and granular synth. It’s based on the original Groovesizer mk1 Arduino project. It features 16 LEDs (one per step), 5 potentiometers, and 5 buttons, MIDI input and ouput on 5-pin DINs, MIDI sync in and out, and audio out (mono) on an 1/8″ jack. There are 32 user locations for saving patterns and patches. Up to 4 patterns can be chained together to create a 4 bar pattern. Note entry can be quantized to one of 12 pre-defined scales. Patterns can be triggered and transposed via MIDI. Notes can also be entered via an attached MIDI keyboard.
Tag Archives: synthesizer
Groovesizer [RED] – (Mk1 Kit) prototype
So here’s what the first kit-built Groovesizer mk1 looks like – hmmm, managed to mess up the design on this one a little, but that’s what prototypes are for. The finished kits will look 99% like this.
UPDATE:
These are VERY close to release now! To prevent confusion, I’ve decided to rename this little box Groovesizer [RED], or just “Red” will do. Though it’s based on the mk1 it’s got enough tricks up its sleeve to deserve its own name.
Delta V111 Demo
Here’s a demo of the Delta V111 firmware.
Drums are from Cakewalk Sonar and a touch of reverb, delay, and stereo chorus have been added.
With the exception of a couple of hitches, it was pretty straightforward to replace the DAC-based sound engine of the Groovesizer Alpha with the PWM-based granular one of Peter Knight’s Auduino. It positively drips with character and squelchy goodness. All the sequencer features of the Alpha firmware have been retained. These include:
– 32 step sequencer
– step ties, rests, and slides
– MIDI sync (in and out)
– 112 save locations for patterns
– saved patterns are chainable
– record movements of pot 1 with the option to send recorded automation out as MIDI cc data
– random pattern creation (chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic)
– accents
Coming soon: Groovesizer mk1 kits
The original Groovesizer mk1 is still getting quite a bit of attention, so I’ve decided to offer it in kit form, too. I wanted to keep it simple and as close to the original as possible, but at the same time I couldn’t resist improving on some of the shortcomings of the first design. I’ve added two shift registers so that now there is an LED for each of the 16 steps – with some pins to spare broken out on an expansion header). I’ve also added a MIDI input alongside the output, so that it can be played as a standalone instrument, or synced to external devices.
Some prototype boards are being fabbed as we speak. It should be a great beginners kit with a low parts count and price. 
Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo – Proof-of-concept firmware videos
The proof-of-concept firmware for the Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo will go up on the site today or tomorrow. I’ve uploaded first look videos to YouTube:
Bravo:
Charlie:
Delta:
Echo: