Resources for this project: MINIDEXED github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed Audio hat ("soundcard"): raspiaudio.com/ LC Display: bit.ly/3L6NF8N Rotary encoder: bit.ly/3KSts6o GPIO expander: amzn.to/3M8Kduf You can also buy one of the sets by Freenove: amzn.to/3rtuvBR - these will get you a lot of components useful for synth projects.
i admire your patience :)) programming a TX816 with a single knob is quite audacious! programming my TX81Z from the front panel already drives me nuts, so kudos!
Sadly I'm too busy to build this so I have to enjoy yours vicariously! I do like the matter-of-fact way you describe creating FM patches - too many people stress themselves about programming FM when it's actually not that hard.
@@LeviathaninWaves it's so disappointing the Opsix doesn't have a full DX7 mode - ADSR envelopes are so limiting after DX7 envelopes. If it had been DX7 compatible I'd already own one but it isn't so Korg missed an easy sale.
@@unclemick-synths I didn't realize Opsix only uses 4 stage envelopes, that's insane given how many features they advertise for it. They must've been trying to save on costs and/or appealing to a rookie audience (probably modern Electronic/Dubstep musicians). I have a Reface DX and I love it, but I also feel like they oversimplified things a bit. I think the beauty of FM synthesis is in it's complexity.
It's really not hard to grasp, but only when you had a little practive you start seeing the possibilities. This patch here was barely scratching the surface. :)
Ah, I’m glad I found this ! I heard about it a few weeks ago and then wasn’t able to find it again. As an owner of 7 x DX7 mk1s and 2 x DX7IIFD’s, I’m really interested in this project. Time permitting, I want to give it a go.
Excellent FM pad. Have you messed around with Sunvox recently? The developer recently added a new FMX module that has 5 operators, tons of waveforms, and a ridiculous amount of modulation options. Really good if you like the modular approach and trackers.
there's a similar project called microdexed touch that has 2 encoders, a touchscreen and a tracker sequencer also packed with minisynth and some other stuff. very cool too! you should check that out if haven't yet :)
I'm having no joy with the encoder. Maybe I pulled my copy of the image from github at a bad time? In any case, I'm really diggin' these videos on RPi music. I'm stacking a minidexed, mt32-pi, and RPi midi host along with a RetrocadeSynth to serve as my midi research lab. Inspired!
I'm now thinking of replacing my Raspberry Pi security cam with an ESP32-Cam board so that I can repurposed the Pi as a bare metal synth. That's how desperate this chip shortage has become
I understand the history of navigating with very limited input but is it possible to expand user experience with more controls? One hacky way could be a separate controller that simply records and stores your inputs and can then play them back in one click. Would a tool like that be useful? Are there many series of inputs that you find yourself using consistently? Or are there too many short basic short series’ of inputs that very only slightly and are more similar than not? Furthermore If that is the case, a macro playback wouldn’t make sense… would a little box with 12 buttons each set to different macros help or speed up workflow or make it more fun? There are other ways but this is a way that would simply send input signals and the minidexed would just read them the same as if you were just using the ‘manual’ encoder method. It wouldn’t need to integrate further than that.
I think the minimalist interface is more the result of first getting the sound right (as this is a relatively new project). I agree, a better UI would take this to the next level. (I also think the perfect FM UI has yet to be created). Perhaps post your ideas here: github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed/discussions Best regards!
Would be interesting exercise to compare the time it takes to do the same sound design using just a Korg Volca FM with no uploading of settings from Dexed PC applications
I think minidexed would win - the menu is built very flat & logical. I know I cracked that joke "so you don't have to" but please don't be offended by that ;-). I think the video shows you can get the results you're looking for.
Do you think adding a second button to the user interface would make it better? It looks a little fiddly having to rely on double clicks on the encoder so I'm planning on building a version of this with a separate back button.
Hi! That's a good idea, why didn't I think of this myself? All you need to to is to connect a button to the gpio ports that "listen" to the encoder's button.
When this is sysex compatible with DEXED, it'll be a game changer... editing through a letterbox has never appealed to me (and I owned a Korg Wavestation and SR in the 90s!)
For some reason, I kind of enjoyed the experience. The menu tree is very linear and moving from one entry to the other is done quickly. Of course, having a mechanical UI with faders and encoders would take this to another level.
@@litz13 If you saw how many DX100's/27/21/7/9/5's we got back at Yamaha with the factory presets still intact, you'd see that very few actually ever did any real programming on them
@@mr_floydst premade kits that you can buy with all the materials included .. or even products that are already put together that you can just buy haven’t been able to find any yet
Sound design on the device itself seems rather pointless. Or am I missing something? Isn’t this WAY easier to do on the computer and send the patch to the device?
Yes, of course. At the time of making this video, it wasn't possible to save the sound, so I wrote down the numbers on a piece of paper. Analog saving. This was just an experiment and I apologize for wasting your precious lifetime :-)
Makes you realise how overpriced synths are eh , I use dexed , it’s free and it works fine on my GPD pocket 2 with a little M audio pro mini keyboard , I’ve stopped buying synths , I don’t think I’ll ever buy another hardware synth , software is fine , this is after over a year of working solely with an MPC one , being able to sample any sound and use it as a polyphonic keyboard sound was a game changer for me
@@mr_floydst Have you checked out Thomann's own brand saxes? I picked up their TAS-180 (entry level alto sax) and it's pretty decent for the money IMO! As long as it's in good functioning order, the actual sax seems to be a lot less important than the reed/mouthpiece. Also, love the Nokia watch, had no idea they were a thing!
Have you tried recompiling minidexed bare metal from scratch? Or tried to read the source code so you could improve the interface by adding more potentiometers and make sound design a bit less painful? Good, fast, cheap - pick two!
@@bornach who, me? I _did_ indeed look at the source code, but with the intention to find a way to save patches. It's there in the original DEXED, so it _should_ be possible for a lesser programmer like me. ;-) Didn't invest a lot of time yet, though.
On the topic of sampling on a bare metal Raspberry Pi, I was looking into what hardware would need to be added. I'm not sure bare metal circle (github) supports USB microphones as yet. The good quality I2S audio input hats cost more than the Pi itself. Perhaps I should look into combining a Teensy audio board with a bare metal Pi.
Resources for this project:
MINIDEXED github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed
Audio hat ("soundcard"): raspiaudio.com/
LC Display: bit.ly/3L6NF8N
Rotary encoder: bit.ly/3KSts6o
GPIO expander: amzn.to/3M8Kduf
You can also buy one of the sets by Freenove: amzn.to/3rtuvBR - these will get you a lot of components useful for synth projects.
i admire your patience :)) programming a TX816 with a single knob is quite audacious! programming my TX81Z from the front panel already drives me nuts, so kudos!
Thanks! The best/worst part was saving didn't work at the time I recorded this...
@@mr_floydst ouch i feel your pain haha well at least it was recorded ^_^"
And our friends are all aboard
Many more of them live next door
And the band begins to play 😄
Great video. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you!
Well done as always Floyd! Keep up the great work!
Thank you kindly!
Sadly I'm too busy to build this so I have to enjoy yours vicariously!
I do like the matter-of-fact way you describe creating FM patches - too many people stress themselves about programming FM when it's actually not that hard.
I agree. Although the interface makes a big difference in efficiency.
@@LeviathaninWaves it's so disappointing the Opsix doesn't have a full DX7 mode - ADSR envelopes are so limiting after DX7 envelopes. If it had been DX7 compatible I'd already own one but it isn't so Korg missed an easy sale.
@@unclemick-synths I didn't realize Opsix only uses 4 stage envelopes, that's insane given how many features they advertise for it. They must've been trying to save on costs and/or appealing to a rookie audience (probably modern Electronic/Dubstep musicians). I have a Reface DX and I love it, but I also feel like they oversimplified things a bit. I think the beauty of FM synthesis is in it's complexity.
It's really not hard to grasp, but only when you had a little practive you start seeing the possibilities. This patch here was barely scratching the surface. :)
Ah, I’m glad I found this ! I heard about it a few weeks ago and then wasn’t able to find it again. As an owner of 7 x DX7 mk1s and 2 x DX7IIFD’s, I’m really interested in this project. Time permitting, I want to give it a go.
Thank you and good luck with this project!
Very cool sound design tutorial, I’m fine with FM synthesis , but I’m sure this helped lots of people
Glad you enjoyed it!
This fantastic..i want to build one to attached my yamaha kx5..your thought n recommendations needed..thanx
You could try the RasPi Zero 2 WH, which - with a little bit of luck - could fit _inside_ the compartment. ;-)
Brilliant!
Thanks!
Excellent FM pad.
Have you messed around with Sunvox recently? The developer recently added a new FMX module that has 5 operators, tons of waveforms, and a ridiculous amount of modulation options. Really good if you like the modular approach and trackers.
I havn't, but I really should. :-)
very cool video. I just built one of these, the external DAC is a must. I wish there was a Pi Hat that had the display and a few knobs on it.
Thanks for watching! I'll try to keep up with this project in the future - they've got some great things coming.
there's a similar project called microdexed touch that has 2 encoders, a touchscreen and a tracker sequencer also packed with minisynth and some other stuff. very cool too! you should check that out if haven't yet :)
@@sCealt You're not going to believe this :-) th-cam.com/video/ZFvrbFw_cPg/w-d-xo.html
@@mr_floydst ohhhh nice! :)) will watch this! thanks!
0:26 21K? Nice! Congrats!
Thanks! 😃
I'm having no joy with the encoder. Maybe I pulled my copy of the image from github at a bad time? In any case, I'm really diggin' these videos on RPi music. I'm stacking a minidexed, mt32-pi, and RPi midi host along with a RetrocadeSynth to serve as my midi research lab. Inspired!
That sounds like a powerful DIY setup! :)
I'm now thinking of replacing my Raspberry Pi security cam with an ESP32-Cam board so that I can repurposed the Pi as a bare metal synth. That's how desperate this chip shortage has become
I understand the history of navigating with very limited input but is it possible to expand user experience with more controls? One hacky way could be a separate controller that simply records and stores your inputs and can then play them back in one click. Would a tool like that be useful? Are there many series of inputs that you find yourself using consistently? Or are there too many short basic short series’ of inputs that very only slightly and are more similar than not? Furthermore If that is the case, a macro playback wouldn’t make sense… would a little box with 12 buttons each set to different macros help or speed up workflow or make it more fun? There are other ways but this is a way that would simply send input signals and the minidexed would just read them the same as if you were just using the ‘manual’ encoder method. It wouldn’t need to integrate further than that.
I think the minimalist interface is more the result of first getting the sound right (as this is a relatively new project).
I agree, a better UI would take this to the next level. (I also think the perfect FM UI has yet to be created).
Perhaps post your ideas here: github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed/discussions
Best regards!
Ooooo!!! Nice!
Thanks!
Would be interesting exercise to compare the time it takes to do the same sound design using just a Korg Volca FM with no uploading of settings from Dexed PC applications
I think minidexed would win - the menu is built very flat & logical. I know I cracked that joke "so you don't have to" but please don't be offended by that ;-). I think the video shows you can get the results you're looking for.
Yellow Submarine!
In the town where I was born
Do you think adding a second button to the user interface would make it better? It looks a little fiddly having to rely on double clicks on the encoder so I'm planning on building a version of this with a separate back button.
Hi! That's a good idea, why didn't I think of this myself? All you need to to is to connect a button to the gpio ports that "listen" to the encoder's button.
@@mr_floydst I will report back if I get it working!
I'd like it to support small touch screen display so we have mini Kodamo FM
There is another project based on teensy which does that - I'll have a video on that next month! codeberg.org/dcoredump/MicroDexed
@@mr_floydst Thats definetly an intresting project! Looking forward to see your video on it.
When this is sysex compatible with DEXED, it'll be a game changer... editing through a letterbox has never appealed to me (and I owned a Korg Wavestation and SR in the 90s!)
When it comes to FM synthesis, that is perfectly understandable.
Code was checked in yesterday for preliminary support. I've been waiting on this myself, too.
For some reason, I kind of enjoyed the experience. The menu tree is very linear and moving from one entry to the other is done quickly.
Of course, having a mechanical UI with faders and encoders would take this to another level.
Well it worked for three decades for people on the real keyboards ...
@@litz13 If you saw how many DX100's/27/21/7/9/5's we got back at Yamaha with the factory presets still intact, you'd see that very few actually ever did any real programming on them
please make some kind of hardware for sunvox if possible. and compare it with m8
I will take a look at sunvox in the future!
Can you save patches to a file?
Hi, thanks for watching! Yes, you can save our creations to a .syx file, see github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed/wiki/Menu
are there any nice kits for MINIDEXED ?
What do you mean by this? Sound kits, or 3D printed kits?
@@mr_floydst premade kits that you can buy with all the materials included .. or even products that are already put together that you can just buy haven’t been able to find any yet
@@mr_floydst I mean prebuilt kits so I can just buy one preassembled etc. Not sure if I have the skills to build one myself.
Please look at this thread: github.com/probonopd/MiniDexed/discussions/165
Sound design on the device itself seems rather pointless. Or am I missing something? Isn’t this WAY easier to do on the computer and send the patch to the device?
Yes, of course. At the time of making this video, it wasn't possible to save the sound, so I wrote down the numbers on a piece of paper. Analog saving.
This was just an experiment and I apologize for wasting your precious lifetime :-)
@@mr_floydst you are forgiven 😄💜
Makes you realise how overpriced synths are eh , I use dexed , it’s free and it works fine on my GPD pocket 2 with a little M audio pro mini keyboard , I’ve stopped buying synths , I don’t think I’ll ever buy another hardware synth , software is fine , this is after over a year of working solely with an MPC one , being able to sample any sound and use it as a polyphonic keyboard sound was a game changer for me
Thanks for watching! I think most synths are priced very fair (I just happened to browse the prices for saxophones last night, oof). ;-)
@@mr_floydst Have you checked out Thomann's own brand saxes? I picked up their TAS-180 (entry level alto sax) and it's pretty decent for the money IMO! As long as it's in good functioning order, the actual sax seems to be a lot less important than the reed/mouthpiece.
Also, love the Nokia watch, had no idea they were a thing!
Have you tried recompiling minidexed bare metal from scratch? Or tried to read the source code so you could improve the interface by adding more potentiometers and make sound design a bit less painful?
Good, fast, cheap - pick two!
@@bornach who, me? I _did_ indeed look at the source code, but with the intention to find a way to save patches. It's there in the original DEXED, so it _should_ be possible for a lesser programmer like me. ;-) Didn't invest a lot of time yet, though.
On the topic of sampling on a bare metal Raspberry Pi, I was looking into what hardware would need to be added. I'm not sure bare metal circle (github) supports USB microphones as yet. The good quality I2S audio input hats cost more than the Pi itself. Perhaps I should look into combining a Teensy audio board with a bare metal Pi.