For mobile viewers: MicroDexed Touch (www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/MicroDexed_Capacitive_Touch_64970fee.html ) is the evolution of MicroDexed (which I talked about on this channel some 2 years ago). Here, I'm building the official kit (sponsored by #pcbway pcbway.com/g/4nkLCf ) and take the new live sequencer for a spin. TOC: 00:00 intro 00:28 hi 00:56 building 08:54 basics 12:50 live sequencer 18:32 addendum 19:13 conclusion 20:14 ambient jam Links Project Website: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch PCBWAY: www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/MicroDexed_Capacitive_Touch_64970fee.html Enclosure Top: www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41066 Enclosure Bottom: www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41065 PCB Enclosure Top: www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41358 PCB Enclosure Bottom: www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41357 Build Instructions: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Build-Instructions Changelog: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Changelog BOM: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/current-BOM-(Bill-of-Materials)-for-MicroDexed-touch My old MicroDexed video (breadboard version): th-cam.com/video/ZFvrbFw_cPg/w-d-xo.html That electronic parts identifier: arnowelzel.de/en/m-tester HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/ floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/ th-cam.com/channels/NmTQerbBm8AFzXYYvs1ywQ.htmljoin Join us on Woody Piano Shack's Discord server: discord.gg/CCHgUeU6qa Get 7% off on DistroKid with this link distrokid.com/vip/floyd PayPal.me www.paypal.me/alexselck Shop a Huge Selection of Synths and Drum Machines at PerfectCircuit.com! link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/3-262870-263009-9759 Here's what I have in my setup at the moment. Want to have that, too? Please use the followings links and support me: Yamaha EX5 www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=yamaha+ex5 Kasser Synths Arcade www.tindie.com/products/kassersynths/dafm-synth-arcade-ym2151/ Intech GRID: intech.studio/ MPC One, Novation PEAK, Reface DX, Source Audio Collider, Strymon Iridium, Zoom MS 70 CDR, Donner N-25, Akai EWI USB, Zoom R20, Zoom H5, Yamaha MT7, Roland Aira: www.thomann.de/de/thlpg_3wyepuh6gg.html Some bands / artists I've been following for a long time are (among others) Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Pet Shop Boys, Archive, A-Ha, Yes, Porcupine Tree, John Mellencamp, Jean-Michel Jarre, Metallica, Peter Gabriel and Perturbator. So my music will kind of sound like those (without ever reaching the greatness of those artists, of course). :-)
Thanks for your feedback - in theory, as this is an Open Source DIY project, you could replace the screen with a bigger one (though Teensy has its limits so you can't attach a 4k display here) If Dirtywave M8, Blackbox 1010 ... type of devices aren't your cup of tea, then MicroDexed certainly is not for you.
It is intended to be as small as possible, you can put it in your pocket. No question that a full DAW is much feature rich and easier to operate when you are at your PC. However you can mirror the MDT Display to a Web Browser Remote.
Lots of fun on this small box! Please do more videos showing all the features. Meanly using more natural sounds and samples, and also plugging in a guitar or a mic.
Thank you for teaching us about the greatest Teensy synth. I ordered a set of boards and hope the creator gets a cut. Thanks to your video I built the board in a few hours from Amazon parts. I may build a custom case.
You may find that using the teensy to hold the pins in place while soldering makes that part easier. There’s nothing wrong with either your iron or soldering.
Also to mention would be the mixer and fx section. Many synths in this price range have no fx 😂. The last song is one of the most amazing demos on MDT I have found so far on TH-cam. Thanks!
very cool idea. but for those who for whatever reason cant build one, the volca fm 2 is basically a mini dexed. you can load and edit sysex files from the free dexed plugin
I'd argue that having the MDA electric piano, braids, 2 sample players and 2 virtual analog synths on top plus having the live looper and a complete tracker type sequencer is what you'd miss out on, then ;-) You can order an assembled version at PCBWay. You'll find that on the first link in this video's description.
@@SpeccyMan I also have a Volca FM, unfortunately the first version - It is great but the 4 digit segment display really requires a lot of guessing or learning what parameter it currently shows
the Backbox is a commercial product (i have one:_) ) and it is great but i find it lacking that it only play samples, no synthesis at all. Technically i am sure it is more professional.
Bigger screens exist, but for anything above 320x240 resolution, you'll have to scale down screen refresh rate. Example: protosupplies.com/product/project-system-for-teensy-4-1/ You can assign more knobs, Teensy has 10 analog input pins that can be used for potentionmeters. But in order to make these changes, you'd have to redesign the enclosure, redesign the PCB and make changes to the firmware source code as well. www.pjrc.com/teensy/pinout.html
As long as the display controller and screen resolution stays the same you probably can add a bigger display, however it will never fit the default enclosure. I think i have seen 3.2". Using anything different is hard since for the Teensy, this is the only one available with highly optimized code. About buttons, there is a connector at the bottom side for 4 cursor keys, 2 modifiers and 2 action buttons. (like a NES Gamepad). You also can attach a PC-USB NES like gamepad to the Host USB Port and use it without any modifications.
The code is very bound to the Teensy Microcontroller, i don't see this coming any time soon. But the code is open so everyone has the possibility to try converting it.
Latency, i have not measured recently. I think you will not feel any noticable delays. Polyphony is hard to tell, 2x16 voices dexed, 2 voices microsynth, 8 voices braids, 16 voices epiano + 8 drum/sample channels. I think it can do 32 or so voices polyphony without hickups. Maybe it can do more but i don't want to overpromise. As long as no samples are involved, polyphony is not really an issue that i have noticed as a brick wall. Global Effects are 2 delays and 1 reverb + special effects for epiano and braids like flanger or chorus. Dexed can be split by MIDI notes, all others can be split by MIDI channel (or added together). You can extend the delay times to 1 - 2 minutes with an additional psram chip.
Thanks for watching. The answers you are seeking are here: th-cam.com/video/lRuAY8x_yso/w-d-xo.html (Plus, there's a maintained list on my channel homepage www.youtube.com/@mrfloydst - click the "about" link)
ive looked everywhere for an "electronic parts identifier". please, please can you tell me where i can get one. im becoming more colorblind and finding resistors is becoming a real hassle. love the video, id love to see more about this device. im building one myself, cuz i have most of the stuff laying around to make one.
(Sorry, I misunderstood your question at first) It seems these are available in Europe only. Perhaps join MicroDexed' discord server and ask if someone needs them as well and then place a batch order...
I would guess 120-140 Euro but it really depends on your location, taxes etc. and if you have anything of the parts available, want the SLA printed enclosure and so on.
Have the BOM ready since your first video but it did not cut for me w/o pcb and enclosure. So grateful to @positionhigh for the release of the files at pcbway. But then what are you doing with the remaining four pcbs? :) One more question: how would you compare it to DirtyM8?
The M8 has a far more complex sequencer with uncountable settings per step. MDT has velocity per step but everything else is assigned to a track, not to a single step. MDT has 6 OP FM, M8 has 4 OP. The M8 can do onboard sampling and playback from SD Card, MDT can't do that.
@@stonedrecluse2833 you can "try out" both (with some compromises) very "cheaply". M8 calls it Headless-Mode, we call it Remote-Console: Basically you have just a Teensy and connect it via USB to your PC with a Webbrowser. You operate it in the Webbrowser with PC Keys and have Audio over USB. It is limited but worth a try. You can even use the same Teensy, just reflash the firmware.
You can buy a partly populated board here: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Troubleshooting-Guide-and-FAQ But there's still a lot of work to do on that one. Perhaps someone can build you one? Best is to join Microdexed' Discord server.
I'm afraid it doesn't, but (like the M8), you can install the software on a Teensy and then use an external screen on your computer to try it. In that case, all you need is the Teensy SBC.
@@mr_floydst Floyd, you can drive my attention to anything mate. In fact I was thinking, what could you do with an uConsole? I have one and I'm very curious!
Pardon - can you please elaborate which video or feature list you're referring to? @positionhigh has a lot of videos on his channel, so maybe you'll find what you're looking for over there.
@mr_floydst I might have misunderstood but at one part you said you didn't want to re-explain the feature set of this device because you had an older video explaining that.
For mobile viewers: MicroDexed Touch (www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/MicroDexed_Capacitive_Touch_64970fee.html ) is the evolution of MicroDexed (which I talked about on this channel some 2 years ago). Here, I'm building the official kit (sponsored by #pcbway pcbway.com/g/4nkLCf ) and take the new live sequencer for a spin. TOC:
00:00 intro
00:28 hi
00:56 building
08:54 basics
12:50 live sequencer
18:32 addendum
19:13 conclusion
20:14 ambient jam
Links
Project Website:
codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch
PCBWAY:
www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/MicroDexed_Capacitive_Touch_64970fee.html
Enclosure Top:
www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41066
Enclosure Bottom:
www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41065
PCB Enclosure Top:
www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41358
PCB Enclosure Bottom:
www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/manufacture/?type=2&reffercode=Project&projectattid=41357
Build Instructions:
codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Build-Instructions
Changelog:
codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Changelog
BOM:
codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/current-BOM-(Bill-of-Materials)-for-MicroDexed-touch
My old MicroDexed video (breadboard version):
th-cam.com/video/ZFvrbFw_cPg/w-d-xo.html
That electronic parts identifier:
arnowelzel.de/en/m-tester
HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL
www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg
floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/
floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/
th-cam.com/channels/NmTQerbBm8AFzXYYvs1ywQ.htmljoin
Join us on Woody Piano Shack's Discord server: discord.gg/CCHgUeU6qa
Get 7% off on DistroKid with this link distrokid.com/vip/floyd
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Shop a Huge Selection of Synths and Drum Machines at PerfectCircuit.com!
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/3-262870-263009-9759
Here's what I have in my setup at the moment. Want to have that, too? Please use the followings links and support me:
Yamaha EX5 www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=yamaha+ex5
Kasser Synths Arcade www.tindie.com/products/kassersynths/dafm-synth-arcade-ym2151/
Intech GRID: intech.studio/
MPC One, Novation PEAK, Reface DX, Source Audio Collider, Strymon Iridium, Zoom MS 70 CDR, Donner N-25, Akai EWI USB, Zoom R20, Zoom H5, Yamaha MT7, Roland Aira:
www.thomann.de/de/thlpg_3wyepuh6gg.html
Some bands / artists I've been following for a long time are (among others) Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Pet Shop Boys, Archive, A-Ha, Yes, Porcupine Tree, John Mellencamp, Jean-Michel Jarre, Metallica, Peter Gabriel and Perturbator. So my music will kind of sound like those (without ever reaching the greatness of those artists, of course). :-)
The "please stand by" trailer is gorgeous
Thanks :-)
The small form factor and tiny touch screen make a typical Daw look like much more fun to use.
Thanks for your feedback - in theory, as this is an Open Source DIY project, you could replace the screen with a bigger one (though Teensy has its limits so you can't attach a 4k display here)
If Dirtywave M8, Blackbox 1010 ... type of devices aren't your cup of tea, then MicroDexed certainly is not for you.
It is intended to be as small as possible, you can put it in your pocket. No question that a full DAW is much feature rich and easier to operate when you are at your PC. However you can mirror the MDT Display to a Web Browser Remote.
But one cannot put daw in a pocket.
This one fits. Literally.
@@mr_floydst ... its limits ... (Floyd, the possessive pronoun has no apostrophe. A common mistake. It's is the contraction of "it is".)
Yep, my bad. :)
Lots of fun on this small box! Please do more videos showing all the features. Meanly using more natural sounds and samples, and also plugging in a guitar or a mic.
Thanks! I'll do - but I still have a couple of obligations to fulfill, so it might take some weeks ;-)
@@mr_floydst no worries my friend, take your time. And thank you for that. 👌😉
I’ll like to see how to use live seq for example. There is a little tutorial but when I use it it always load demo tune. 😅
Intro tune reminds me of "Prince of Bel Aire" Excellent! :D
Thanks for watching - that wasn't intentional, but now that you said it, I totally hear it. ;-)
Cute that you are using a RefaceDX to control MicroDexed.
I build one yesterday! now to learn how to use it properly
Thank you for teaching us about the greatest Teensy synth. I ordered a set of boards and hope the creator gets a cut. Thanks to your video I built the board in a few hours from Amazon parts. I may build a custom case.
Thanks for watching! If you bought the PCBs at PCBWay using the shop link, the creator will get a share. This is a great box to own, so musical.
You may find that using the teensy to hold the pins in place while soldering makes that part easier. There’s nothing wrong with either your iron or soldering.
Now that you said it that seems to be the natural thing to do ;-) Thanks!
Brilliant video ... I probably need to find time and get some soldering skills ... that little thing is a band in a box 😎
Thanks for watching - the soldering itself isn't too hard if you use solder with "preinstalled" flux (as shown in the video)
Amazing project
I have it running on a breadboard and ordered pcbs (needed different design, will share)
Nice! Yes, please share once you've finished the project.
Also to mention would be the mixer and fx section. Many synths in this price range have no fx 😂. The last song is one of the most amazing demos on MDT I have found so far on TH-cam. Thanks!
very cool idea. but for those who for whatever reason cant build one, the volca fm 2 is basically a mini dexed. you can load and edit sysex files from the free dexed plugin
I'd argue that having the MDA electric piano, braids, 2 sample players and 2 virtual analog synths on top plus having the live looper and a complete tracker type sequencer is what you'd miss out on, then ;-)
You can order an assembled version at PCBWay. You'll find that on the first link in this video's description.
@@mr_floydst I agree. I own a Volca FM2 and would still like one of these.
@@SpeccyMan I also have a Volca FM, unfortunately the first version - It is great but the 4 digit segment display really requires a lot of guessing or learning what parameter it currently shows
Since you have mentioned it, of couse you also can edit banks with the dexed plugin for mdt.
It's beautiful, great work and demonstration!
Thank you very much!
This is awesome. On the top of my diy list! Would love to see more content on this little box. Thanks for covering so many open source projects
Thanks for watching - and yes, this is awesome. ;-)
Again a super nice DIY hardware video from you 👍 and the ambient-track at the end is absolutely great and beautyful .
Thank you very much!
I like that you're using the Yamaha DX to play this little box of wonders. 👍
It wasn't intentional ;-) But yes, it all started with Yamaha.
I’m waiting for some parts to arrive, great video as ever. Thanx for sharing! Love at first sight with microdexed touch 😍
Thanks for watching!
Maybe I missed something, where can you buy the hardware parts for this little thing?
@@DickvanDrie Please take a look at the video's description text, the BOM and PCB/enclosure links are there.
This is the 1010Music Blackbox I really wanted.
the Backbox is a commercial product (i have one:_) ) and it is great but i find it lacking that it only play samples, no synthesis at all. Technically i am sure it is more professional.
Dexcelllent!
Thanks!
(yet another) great project and inspiration! Please: What is the automatic parts identifier? Looks like a kit as well.
Thanks!
arnowelzel.de/en/m-tester
Vielen Dank, schönen Gruß in die Heimat (wohne ganz woanders inzwischen)
I wonder what modification shall be made to build it with a bigger screen and more buttons and knobs for the synths
Bigger screens exist, but for anything above 320x240 resolution, you'll have to scale down screen refresh rate.
Example: protosupplies.com/product/project-system-for-teensy-4-1/
You can assign more knobs, Teensy has 10 analog input pins that can be used for potentionmeters. But in order to make these changes, you'd have to redesign the enclosure, redesign the PCB and make changes to the firmware source code as well.
www.pjrc.com/teensy/pinout.html
As long as the display controller and screen resolution stays the same you probably can add a bigger display, however it will never fit the default enclosure. I think i have seen 3.2". Using anything different is hard since for the Teensy, this is the only one available with highly optimized code.
About buttons, there is a connector at the bottom side for 4 cursor keys, 2 modifiers and 2 action buttons. (like a NES Gamepad). You also can attach a PC-USB NES like gamepad to the Host USB Port and use it without any modifications.
cool ambient
thanks!
A tablet-sized version would be nice.
The code is very bound to the Teensy Microcontroller, i don't see this coming any time soon. But the code is open so everyone has the possibility to try converting it.
That screen peel bro!
;-)
Yaaaas! That was so funny! 😂
Nice! Some questions: Latency? Polyphony? Effects? Configurable split/layering?
Latency, i have not measured recently. I think you will not feel any noticable delays. Polyphony is hard to tell, 2x16 voices dexed, 2 voices microsynth, 8 voices braids, 16 voices epiano + 8 drum/sample channels. I think it can do 32 or so voices polyphony without hickups. Maybe it can do more but i don't want to overpromise. As long as no samples are involved, polyphony is not really an issue that i have noticed as a brick wall. Global Effects are 2 delays and 1 reverb + special effects for epiano and braids like flanger or chorus. Dexed can be split by MIDI notes, all others can be split by MIDI channel (or added together).
You can extend the delay times to 1 - 2 minutes with an additional psram chip.
Your channel is very interesring Floyd. It would be even more interesting to know what you kept ...and what you sold on.....
Thanks for watching. The answers you are seeking are here: th-cam.com/video/lRuAY8x_yso/w-d-xo.html
(Plus, there's a maintained list on my channel homepage www.youtube.com/@mrfloydst - click the "about" link)
@@mr_floydst Ah cool! I can't wait to see what you will review next. We all like cheap stuff that is useful! That MicroDexed looks well tempting!
Nice synth and what a beautiful ambient jam!
Many thanks!
Lovely stuff. How much in total did it cost roughly?
I answered that questions at around 1:20 ;-)
@@mr_floydst oh apologies
ive looked everywhere for an "electronic parts identifier". please, please can you tell me where i can get one. im becoming more colorblind and finding resistors is becoming a real hassle. love the video, id love to see more about this device. im building one myself, cuz i have most of the stuff laying around to make one.
Hi! It's in the videos description and in the pinned comment: arnowelzel.de/en/m-tester
There's a similar device on Amazon: amzn.to/3V9L9V8
@@mr_floydst thanks! love the content.
Anyone know where I can find the low height female sockets in the USA? Ive looked (not detailed) on all the usual places.
(Sorry, I misunderstood your question at first)
It seems these are available in Europe only. Perhaps join MicroDexed' discord server and ask if someone needs them as well and then place a batch order...
Great video! Is that a USB C Teensy at 2:32? Looks different than the one installed at 7:32 ... Thanks!
You've got a keen eye :) That's a PicoADK. I shot that after assembly and didn't want to remove the Teensy
@@mr_floydst Not keen, just seen my share of Teensies! Was hoping there was some secret new version on the horizon!
I think i can fit my build under $100.
But I have a 3d printer and many small parts just in my drawer
That's great! Most of us have plenty of parts in the drawers (but sadly, mostly the wrong parts most of the time, haha)
I would guess 120-140 Euro but it really depends on your location, taxes etc. and if you have anything of the parts available, want the SLA printed enclosure and so on.
Have the BOM ready since your first video but it did not cut for me w/o pcb and enclosure. So grateful to @positionhigh for the release of the files at pcbway. But then what are you doing with the remaining four pcbs? :)
One more question: how would you compare it to DirtyM8?
The M8 has a far more complex sequencer with uncountable settings per step. MDT has velocity per step but everything else is assigned to a track, not to a single step. MDT has 6 OP FM, M8 has 4 OP. The M8 can do onboard sampling and playback from SD Card, MDT can't do that.
@@positionhigh great thanks for the comprehensive reply. It seems I may need both :)
@@stonedrecluse2833 you can "try out" both (with some compromises) very "cheaply". M8 calls it Headless-Mode, we call it Remote-Console: Basically you have just a Teensy and connect it via USB to your PC with a Webbrowser. You operate it in the Webbrowser with PC Keys and have Audio over USB. It is limited but worth a try. You can even use the same Teensy, just reflash the firmware.
Yes :) M8 is fantastic. And you can use a Teensy 4.1 and your computer browser to run the M8 headless if you want to try it out.
She’s a beaut
The design of the box and the UI does look the part indeed :-)
Any shop selling built and ready versions? I am not handy enough :)
You can buy a partly populated board here: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Troubleshooting-Guide-and-FAQ
But there's still a lot of work to do on that one.
Perhaps someone can build you one? Best is to join Microdexed' Discord server.
@@mr_floydst thank you, will check it out. You are awesome!
Does microdexed work on raspberry pi with touch screen
I'm afraid it doesn't, but (like the M8), you can install the software on a Teensy and then use an external screen on your computer to try it. In that case, all you need is the Teensy SBC.
Can you comment the pricelist its so damn unreadable as a Star wars Text 😢
Hi, the BOM is available as an Excel file on the project's page. The Grande total for me was roughly 210.
Hi, thanks! Where do you find the 3d-print files?
You'll find the links here: codeberg.org/positionhigh/MicroDexed-touch/wiki/Build-Instructions
Thanks, it's printing as we speak! :D
The JT-4000 Killer?
Only if it were sold already built.
I'm pretty sure those can coexist in harmony! ;-)
Hardly. It is a totally different machine.
I somehow think it is using something very similar.
th-cam.com/video/PMPWkohA0Qg/w-d-xo.html
you decide.
th-cam.com/video/PMPWkohA0Qg/w-d-xo.html
All the cool DIY projects require teensy, which are almost impossible / overpriced x5 to buy from Spain :S
I'm sorry to hear that. May I draw your attention to PicoADK oder Electrosmiths Daisy Seed? ;-)
@@mr_floydst Floyd, you can drive my attention to anything mate. In fact I was thinking, what could you do with an uConsole? I have one and I'm very curious!
Can we get a link to the video with the features listed?
Pardon - can you please elaborate which video or feature list you're referring to? @positionhigh has a lot of videos on his channel, so maybe you'll find what you're looking for over there.
@mr_floydst I might have misunderstood but at one part you said you didn't want to re-explain the feature set of this device because you had an older video explaining that.
@@koalemos1679 Ah, ok! Here it is: th-cam.com/video/ZFvrbFw_cPg/w-d-xo.html
@@mr_floydst Cool, thanks!