Tag: audio

  • Work in progress Glitch Delay

    So I’ve been beavering away on a new Eurorack effect based on the Teensy board again!

    Added a very rough demo, which starts with a dry loop, then entirely wet glitch effect. Dials from top to bottom are

    1. Glitch window size
    2. Glitch window speed
    3. Feedback
    4. Dry/Wet mix

     

     

    The effect is sort of a cross between my previous AudioFreeze project and a digital delay. Is consists of a delay line with a write head and a read head. The difference being the read head is basically looping a tiny buffer behind the write head. This is implemented using 2 read heads which crossfade between each other to avoid popping. The window (the size of which is controlled by pot 1) moves (forwards only currently due to lack of buffer size) through the buffer at a speed controlled by pot 2. There’s a certain element of randomness added too each time the loop restarts. It then has to jump over the write head as it cycles through the buffer.

    Next stage is to extend the buffer time by adding more memory chips to my Teensy based board. I should hopefully be able to extend the time time from ~0.5s to around ~7s. This should give a lot more time to hear glitches repeat before the write head loops back around and the play heads have to skip over it.

    https://github.com/cutlasses/GlitchDelay

     

  • Making PCBs

    So, I’m ready to progress with my AudioFreeze project, and move from breadboard prototype to permanent module. I didn’t relish the thought of transferring the circuit to Vero board, it would be possible but fiddly. I toyed with the idea of fabricating my own (see http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Etch-a-PCB/), but a friend made me aware that you can get very low (10 or so board) runs of unique PCB designs factory manufactured for around £25, so roughly £2.50 a board.

    I downloaded Eagle Light Edition, PCB CAD software. It’s free for non-commercial hobbyists to use (with a maximum board size 100mm x 80mm, which is fine for my needs). To say it has a steep learning curve is an understatement, its UI is rather non-standard, thankfully I had someone very patient to mentor me and get me started (thanks Jason!)

    It took me a couple of iterations, but the board design is now finished, let’s hope it works! Just a 3 week agonising wait for them to be delivered from Hong Kong!

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-28 at 11.53.30 Screen Shot 2016-05-28 at 11.53.06