ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) It's a "General Midi" wave-table board. You are able replay the sounds of it via the MIDI interface - therefore the audio out cinch ports. At first I actually wanted a 6.35mm jack (proved their durability since 1878!), but I was afraid the tip would touch the Dream Blaster board, so I went with the second best thing, i.e. RCA Cinch. BTW I really detest 3.5mm jacks with a passion. If they break, there's nothing you can do about them as they are completely sealed. Also, lots of time TRS (tip ring sleeve) aren't spaced well enough. This sounds interesting (no pun intended). I might be tempted to bring the prototype to the ABBUC JHV next Saturday so we can have some interesting sounds Edited October 24, 2017 by ivop 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) Here's the latest revision: * Added pin headers for external PS, TTL MIDI signals and all audio signals. By supplying 5V/GND to the board and connecting an audio amp, you can use the board as a stand-alone Wave Blaster host. Connect +12V/-12V for boards that need it. If Audio In is supported, this will be mixed with the WB audio. TTL MIDI OUT, if supported, could be routed to a second THRU port. * Removed power plane over analog part, now has ground plane on both sides. You can clearly see the separation between digital (GND and Vcc plane) and the analog part (both GND). * Some updates to the silkscreen Any more suggestions? Edited October 24, 2017 by ivop 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Ivo I was going to ask you if you could make provisions on the board for using a "headphone connector" instead of the cinch connectors, since the first doesn't stick out as much as the latter. Which is nice when traveling to meetings. But Micheal's header can be used to connect a "headphone connector" to your interface. I guess the level is the same as the one used with cinch connectors and your interface can handle somebody accidentally pressing the volume up or down buttons on a headphone cable? Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Ivop that is a thing of beauty for sure! Thanks for incorporating my suggestion. - Michael 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) @Mathy: Wave Blaster boards deliver Line Level audio without any volume control. It needs an amplifier and external speakers for that. You can connect a headphone, but the volume level is quite low. Edited October 24, 2017 by ivop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Ivo I might be tempted to bring the prototype to the ABBUC JHV next Saturday so we can have some interesting sounds That would be nice. Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Ivo @Mathy: Wave Blaster boards deliver Line Level audio without any volume control. It needs an amplifier and external speakers for that. You can connect a headphone, but the volume level is quite low. I didn't expect "volume controle", but it would be nice if pressing "volume up" or "volume down" wouldn't harm the hardware. That's what I was asking about. A couple of years ago, I bought a small portable power bank/external speak via iBood. It comes with a converter cable to connect it to any device with a headphone plug. So that's covered! :-) Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) I didn't expect "volume controle", but it would be nice if pressing "volume up" or "volume down" wouldn't harm the hardware. That's what I was asking about. As far as I know, volume buttons/wheels on the cable are just potentiometers (analog for wheels, digital for buttons). If there are more options, like prev/next track or play/pause, there's an extra ring on the 3.5mm plug. Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve --> Left, Right, Commands, and Ground. The command ring is probably something serial, like one-wire or something. When plugged in a socket that has no provision for the extra ring, it will be connected to GND, similar to stereo plugs in mono sockets back in the day (the right channel is grounded). Edit: most of the time it's not a good idea to connect headphones to line level outputs because of mismatching impedance, unless you have a high-end high impedance headphone of course External speakers are fine, as they are powered and contain an amp. Edited October 24, 2017 by ivop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Ivo How much work would it be to add a small convertor? Either by you or by plugging a small board into "Michael's" header? Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irgendwer Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) I would like to, but I'm not sure how to accomplish that. I have done some 3D modelling in the past (drew my whole house incl. furniture 10 years ago in SketchUp 5 or 6, just for fun), but never something for 3D printing. I'll look into it, but can't promise anything. If anybody could help on where and how to start, that would be appreciated! After using "SketchUp" for some projects, I discovered OpenSCAD (http://www.openscad.org/). It is much more useful for 3D-modelling of to be printed parts. If you parametrize your models cleverly, dimension changes are no obstacle any more. Additionally direct STL export is included and works without hassle. Edited October 24, 2017 by Irgendwer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) @Mathy: I'm not 100% sure what you mean by converter, but if you mean a line level to headphone, yes, that would be possible. You can find several DIY headphone amp schematics on the internet which could be adapted to "Michael's header". Another option is to buy one. They range from €10,= incl. shipping from China, to several hundred euros for high-end gear. https://www.bax-shop.nl/hoofdtelefoon-versterkers?o=product_price It all depends on the quality of your headphones. Earbuds? go for the China option. 500 euro Sennheiser? look elsewhere Edited October 24, 2017 by ivop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 After using "SketchUp" for some projects, I discovered OpenSCAD (http://www.openscad.org/). It is much more useful for 3D-modelling of to be printed parts. If you parametrize your models cleverly, dimension changes are no obstacle any more. Additionally direct STL export is included and works without hassle. Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely look into it. Currently I'm investigating FreeCAD. Managed to import my board, including components, but the learning curve for its parametric design is pretty steep. There are some good YouTube tutorials though, so we'll see. But I'm going to call it a day for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Ivo Yes, "line level to headphone" that's what I meant. I was hoping some company offered a small PCB for that. "$10" sounds fine, but I try to avoid cheap Chinese no-brand electronics. But do we really only need a convertor when using a headphone and not when using something else that has a headphone plug? Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gozar Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Would this work for background music in games? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 It would work GREAT if people would write for it. Not only this device. If the programmers would write for MIDI, it would work with all MIDI interfaces and synthesizers. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 But do we really only need a convertor when using a headphone and not when using something else that has a headphone plug? If that something with a headphone plug expects line level, then yes, no converter is needed. Would this work for background music in games? Yes, it can, but like Kyle22 says, people have to write it. Or patch existing games. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 Work In Progress: 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matej Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 So 2x waveblaster edition fo me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 So 2x waveblaster edition fo me... Thanks for the interest! When I'm going to actually sell these, I'll open a new pre-order thread. UPDATE: Today, I have ordered new REV B prototype boards. Should be shipped in 4-7 days and should take 3-7 days to get to my doorstep! Enclosure is still WIP, but I'll probably have one printed here locally to see if it actually fits like it does in FreeCAD 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matej Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Love your case.When you will send me 3d cad file.I can do xe air stripes and text on it.I am cad engineer... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matej Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Cant wait to play with Raster Midi tracker and waveblaster.This will make new soundcard for Atari. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndary Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 add me to the list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michomis Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Just want to let you know I am also interested. So I wait for pre-order thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndary Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 here is a video showing a demonstration of the interface https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IV_fsTP5Y 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 here is a video showing a demonstration of the interface https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IV_fsTP5Y Now I want one for sure! - Michael 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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