oscilloscope and tuner will be included in ESP32 module as basic firmware
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Not a module idea but a kit idea could sell a kit for a simple east coast synth another for west coast synth and possibly a simple monophonic analogue fm style synth kit. I think this format of modular could be great for demonstration in the class room explaining how a Synthesizer and the various styles of Synthesizer function. Another idea might be to sell multiple of these kits in education bundles so people in the classroom can get a hands on experience rather than it just being explained to them.
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This one I canât see many people having a use for apart from my haha. An Arduinoboy/teensyboy to cv. My thought for this one is lsdj for the gameboy actually has a version for midi out combined with this module the system would have an affordable and versatile tracker (if you have a gameboy that is haha).
The ESP32 module probably covers that already (MIDI to CV/gate conversion).
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Do we know how many outputs there are going to be on the esp-32 for midi yet? I was thinking a dedicated module with a built-in link port for the gb but definitely think id be the only one to use this module𤣠haha
Can you show how to interact with the gameboy?
And what is teensyboy/arduinoboy? Is it cartridge or clone of gameboy?
the software I use mostly is lsdj which is essentially a tracker for the gameboy. it can be run on any gameboy you just need to flash it to a cart and can even be ran on those emulation consoles.
The Arduinoboy was developed by trash80 way back for the use of midi for the gameboy. It works with a number of different programs the gameboy has to offer. I have an Arduinoboy made by catskull electronics. Cool thing with the catskull electronics one in particular is it connects to the board directly rather than using a port meaning all the variations of the link cables over the years
Lsdj makes use of most features midi in, clock in/out and is the only software i known that utilises the midi out function to sequence external hardware (a specific version of lsdj is needed though) definitely the cheapest way to get a hardware tracker
Other software i know of:
.Nanoloop 1 (gb), 2 (gba) and mono (gb) both use midi clock in/out
. Stepper (gba) is one of the newer programs uses midi clock in/out
.mGB uses midi in to play or sequence the gameboy
Also a lot of these programs can use analogue clocks over the link port and lsdj can even be controlled using a modified computer keyboard that uses ps2
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A simple tuner, similar to the one LMNC has in his oscillator modules:
It would just have one input, one seven-segment digit to show which note it recognises and three LEDs for âtoo flatâ - âabout rightâ - "too sharpâ.
The ESP32 module probably could do this easily, but it does so much already: how much can it do at the same time?
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Been on another one of my 8bit binges. Even went to all the effort of digging out my c64 for some of that sid chip goodness. Then i remembered the absolute ballache of remembering how to use all of the software for it. Was thinking a sid chip module would be very welcomed by me. Could have it come with something like the kung-fu sid installed what could be swapped out for a genuine sid chip.
Iâm sceptical about a SID module, mainly because the SID requires a microcontroller and lots of firmware to work. Not exactly modular-friendly.
But a bitcrusher / sample rate module could be fun: A/D-converter â interrupt/ground an adjustable number of least significant data lines for bitcrusher effect â D/A-converter. Clock input, to determine/reduce the sample rate. If A/D and D/A chips that work without a microcontroller are still being made, that is.
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Iâm tempted to do a 556 APC once I get my kit in. Like, sure, we have a full VCO, but the crunch of an APC could be fun.
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Recently been having the dreaded symptoms of GAS haha. Paticularly for a kastle 2 wave bard and the zeptocore. Would love to see sample player/recorder maybe a po33 killer 
as the other two i mentioned are just sample players but very interesting ones.
Another thought I had is maybe some sort of royalty or licensing scheme. Microrack could possibly approach other companies that might not want create microrack modules themselves as it would be to much of a side quest for them but instead allow microrack to produce their modules in microrack format and pay them a royalty on each module sold or something like that. Iâm not a business person so this might be a logistical nightmare haha.
Would love to see some further collaboration with tangible waves maybe producing each otherâs modules in both formats?
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Not a module idea but a few ideas for future kits.
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Recently I believe cinematiclaboratory asked at the dmf for the team to build him an buchla music easel inspired kit for him to review. I think the concept of selling kits that are inspired by notable modular synths is great. Personally sometimes I want to try a synth purely for itâs functionality and I think this would be a great way to do just that. Obviously the cult classics like the moog system 55, buchla music easel, roland system 700, ems synthi etc. Could do some more modern stuff as well like the range of moog semi modulars such as the dfam and the Erica synth Pico system would be great especially with the mention of a possible Collab.
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Buying kits and pre built systems are some of the most cost effective ways to get a load of modules all at once and itâs the same for microrack. One unfortunate thing with this is these pre built systems typically wonât have the modules you want or will have modules that you donât. There should be something like custom systems where you can put a system together of your own or buy a load or modules all at once and receive a similar discount that youâd receive if youâd bought a pre built system. Sometimes you just get the urge to buy 20 vcos or vcas (never enough vcas! Haha)
Just a simple vca and a simple Clock instead of the osc as Clock lfo
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Building on that, Iâd like a system clock with built-in divisions. Jakeâs Custom Shopâs Master System Clock might be a good reference.
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We will plan to made simple atmega-based module for processing gate/clock: multiplier, divider, probability for external clock and clock source itself, of course!
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And yes, simple LM13700-based VCA (actually dual) in progress too!
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thank you
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I would like to see a Bluetooth module for input (keyboard, musicâŚ) and output (speaker, headsetâŚ).
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The MIDI/ESP32 module has integrated Bluetooth, so the only remaining task is implementing the firmware.
We donât plan to do this in the near future, but maybe with help from the community weâll make it happen.