Introducing Pipo Interfaces

A Sneak Peak into Pipo modules video upload by Pipo Interfaces

"Video produced by Tom Bouchet

Music: "Transition" by Alex-Productions (CC BY 3.0)"

Press release follows:


Pipo Interfaces brings a new versatile toolkit for creative sensing and audiovisual interactions in real-time.

Developed by creative technologist Rupert Renevier, Pipo is a range of electronics modules that connect sensors to computers, and are meant to simplify creative interactivity between people, real-world objects, and digital creation.

Whether you're performing, designing experimental MIDI instruments, or interested in making installations, Pipo builds the foundations of an accessible and adaptable open source toolkit.

When digital experiences become sensible and tangible, they allow for greater engagement and connection. The idea of using sensors for audiovisual applications and arts is far from being new, but still requires building custom solutions on Arduino or Raspberry Pi, which tends to be complex, time-consuming, and therefore not easily accessible to most.

Pipo wants to unlock the creative potential of real-time sensing, and lower the technical barrier to it, by proposing tools that connect the physical world to the digital in a straightforward fashion.

The Pipo recipe is simple: small affordable modules, wireless capabilities, and an intuitive yet powerful user interface. All Pipo modules can be used alone or in combination, fixed, worn on the body, embedded in objects, etc... All Pipo modules have mounting holes to augment all kind of projects and casing will be made available.

The first 3 modules of the family are Pipo Motion, Pipo Range and Pipo Analog.

Pipo Motion is dedicated to sensing movement: orientation, acceleration and magnetic field, thanks to an advanced 9 axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). It allows for relative and absolute orientation.

Pipo Range is an accurate distance sensing unit which can be used to detect hands, obstacles, objects, or people (up to 3m). It can be used the same way as a theremin, or as a people proximity sensor for eg.

Finally, Pipo Analog, a versatile Input/Output device. On one side it has 8 capacitive touch inputs to create original touch buttons (for eg: with wires, metallic tape, vegetables, conductive paint, etc...)

On the other side it has multiple analog voltage inputs/outputs (up to 8). With these you can acquire and use any external buttons, specialized analog sensors modules, knobs or control servo motors, drivers, etc...

Beyond these three first sensing modules, Pipo Interfaces carries a vision for a whole creative ecosystem for many more input and also output modules. It has a strong anchor towards open source development and wants to create a strong user community connection.

Pipo modules can all send standard MIDI and/or OSC data wirelessly for maximum compatibility.

The connectivity is made through WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or USB and every module has an onboard battery charger, so that whatever idea you have, you can test it quickly and have it communicate to your audiovisual software in a matter of seconds (no matter your operating system).

All the settings can be tuned in the field through a web interface hosted on every module.
No need for an app or software, just open any web browser on your mobile. This interface allows you to set various settings like sensing parameters, ranges, and to adapt the incoming and outgoing data streams to your needs, quickly and easily.

You can for example eg fine tune the midi output, choose a note scale, channel, etc...

On a technical level, the project is developed with PlatformIO and the Arduino framework to make it easy for people to hack, modify, upgrade their pipos, or build their own custom Pipos. The software is open source, and the project runs on the Esp32-s3, one of the most versatile and powerful IoT chips around.

Pipo will launch as a pre-order campaign to fund the first production run. If you like Pipo, you can support it by entering your email address on the campaign page, it means a lot ! By doing so, you will also be notified of the launch date, so that you can be among the first people to get yours.

The launch date is pending on gathering a critical mass of people who want to see the project going live, so subscribing helps the project move forward.

All this happens on CrowdSupply, a platform dedicated to launching open source projects:

https://www.crowdsupply.com/pipo-interfaces/pipo

LMZ NM3

video upload by LMZ

DIY synths by LMZ. This might be the first video on the site featuring a guy performing while holding a potted plant. A few designs follow:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Erica Synths and Moritz Klein Introduce EDU DIY FM Drum Eurorack Module

via Erica Synths

"Introducing an FM Drum circuit that fuses analog punch with metallic tones of FM synthesis. This DIY kit offers a wide range of sounds for your patches, from kicks to toms, metallic clangs and more – a great addition of versatile, rhythmic elements to your system!

We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

NB! All kits in these series are simple and come with extensive user manuals which can be downloaded separately, therefore we will not provide customer support in case your DIY build fails to function or similar."

Designing an FM Drum circuit from scratch (kick, tom, bell & cymbal)

video upload by Moritz Klein

Chapters
00:00 Intro & Sound Demo
01:46 Triangle VCO
05:56 Tri To Sine Waveshaper
07:17 VCA
11:20 Decay Envelope
12:28 Gate To Trigger Converter
14:00 VCO Reset
15:26 Pitch Envelope
18:44 Attack (Distortion & Click)
21:38 FM
25:00 XOR Pulse
27:36 High Pass
30:05 Decay CV
31:20 Tune CV
34:08 Final Demo & Outro



Build your own FM Drum as a DIY eurorack kit: https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-k...

"While trying to fix a broken TR-909, I came up with a DIY analog FM Drum circuit that combines the punchy character of the 909 with the metallic textures of FM synthesis. It comes with four different modes:

• 909-style kick/tom
• Metallic bell/gong
• Ring mod cymbal
• FM cymbal

The FM Drum is the final drum voice in my DIY drum machine series (for now). If you want to build along, here's the bill of materials:"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Theremon+ [First Look]

video upload by MoShang

"The Theremon+ is the successor to the kit-built Theremon by Groovesizer. While the original was limited to a single voice, the Theremon+ adds a second wavetable-based voice with an arpeggiator, and a drum section with various styles and 4 kits. The original was intended exclusively for the DIY market, but the plan is to sell the Theremon+ fully built. We hope to offer the Theremon+ at the same price point as the original (around US$130) - would you back it on Kickstarter? https://groovesizer.com"

The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research Introduces ILSE

video upload by The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research



via The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research

"Ilse the Eurorack synth voice in one DIY module is making warm but harsh Berlin Techno / Surgeon style stabs.

Ilse is an elegantly minimal, yet fully functional synthesizer voice in a compact 10 HP Eurorack module. The only thing you need to let it meow is a CV source to trigger its 1V/Oct frequency input (or a MIDI to CV converter and a MIDI sequencer) . Because it has a low part count it is ideal for Eurorack beginners or entry-level DIY projects.

Ilse is named after a cat, living in the legendary “Villa” in Weimar, Germany. The “Villa” was a place where a community lived and came together. Many underground concerts and parties took place here before the house got sold, renovated, and the mayor moved in. We created the graphics on the aluminum face-plate in her memory. Ilse (the synth) makes great acid sounds, so it was only logical to illustrate a cat tripping. Turn the knobs to make her look around or roll her eyes.

Ilse is designed to be affordable, easy to build, yet flexible, and feature rich. It is a synthesizer voice for your Eurorack, but can even be driven without a rack using two 9V batteries (not included).

Ilse is fully open source (KiCad schematic and layout is available in a git repository) and inspired by Syntherjack’s single-chip synthesizer Totoro. Check out his website with nice explanations, e.g. on the filter (we use the same filter on Ilse). We extended the design for external voltage control on filter, oscillators and LFO. Unlike Totoro, Ilse is designed around a unique oscillator design, which integrates the exponential conversion directly into the oscillator core. This results in an efficient circuitry saving you build time, parts and costs.

PCB and face-plate are manufactured in the EU. Kitting was done by our friends from Befaco in Barcelona. Complete assembly manual can be found in our forum.

Technical specifications

Functions

Two saw tooth oscillators
Bridged-T low pass filter with resonance control
Triangle LFO with speed control, and routing to filter and/or oscillators
Simple mixer and detune for oscillators
Controls

LFO Speed, Filter Modulation, Osc Modulation
Filter Cutoff, Filter Resonance
Tuning, Osc2 Detune
Osc1/Osc2 (Filter in)
Output volume
Input/Output

1V/Oct CV for oscillators (0-5V)
Gate (0-5V)
Filter cutoff (0-5V)
External filter input
Volume controlled output
LFO Speed (linear, via solder pad on back, 0-8V)
Oscillator 2 detune (linear, via solder pad on back, 0-8V)
Current draw per Eurorack rail

+12 V: 22mA
-12 V: 18mA
+5 V: NC
Dimensions

50mm wide (10HP), 128.5mm high (3U), depth in rack: 23mm, overall thickness: 43mm"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Erica Synths EDU DIY Labor Scope

"This DIY.EDU Labor add-on, featuring the oscilloscope, the voltmeter, the spectrometer and the tuner, turns the Labor into self-contained electronics development and experimentation station.

Features
The 3-channel oscilloscope. Two channel inputs are available on female connector, the third channel is hard wired to the audio output of the Labor.
Lissajous curves visualizer.
The voltmeter, 10V range, 0.1V accuracy.
The spectrometer, with configurable representation.
The chromatic tuner.
NB! The DIY.EDU Labor Scope is intended for use exclusively with the Labor platform, and other applications and modifications may lead to permanent damage of the instrument."

Emute uSeq - Live Coding & Modular Mashup - LSPXPO 2025

video upload by sonicstate

"Emute Lab Instruments is a new project, based at the University of Sussex, and coming out of the Experimental Music Technologies Lab research group.

Nick spoke to Dimitris about their first creation, the uSeq module, which bridges live coding and modular synthesis.

Rather than relying on laptops, uSeq uses a Raspberry Pi Pico to handle code expressions, translating them into control voltage (CV) and gate signals. Its design emphasizes accessibility, featuring an open-source platform that's DIY and budget-friendly.

The module has three CV and three gate outputs, coupled with a user-friendly coding language called *ModuLisp*. This setup allows you to manage multiple code patches and switch between them using onboard controls. Aiming to move beyond traditional code interaction, Dimitris is exploring vocal control methods, aligning with live coding's evolving narrative.

Available both as a DIY kit and a ready-made module"

via Emute Lab Instruments

"uSEQ is a eurorack module that brings livecoding into your modular system. Fundamentally, it’s an extremely flexible voltage generator and processor. It has a set of CV and pulse inputs and outputs, but instead of having a fixed set of controls and functions, you can choose how voltages are generated by livecoding them. This means that you can control uSEQ’s behaviour with the vast possibilities of creative coding, using a simplified programming language specialised for music. uSEQ is great for sequencing, waveform generation, and waveform processing. You can use it as a live performance tool, or configure it for specific functions.

To use uSEQ, hook up a computer via the USB port, load up the editor in your browser and start playing."

Emute Lab Instruments - Myriad multi-oscillator - LSPXPO 2025

video upload by sonicstate

"Emute Lab Instruments is a new project, based at the University of Sussex, and coming out of the Experimental Music Technologies Lab research group.

Chris showed Nick their latest creation, Myriad a new multi-oscillator module.

This prototype featured nine oscillators organized into three banks with a hybrid analog-digital synthesis design, aimed at creating dynamic sounds. Chris explained the module's CV-controllable parameters, including pitch, spread, and octave control, designed for rich tonal diversity. An integrated wave-shaping and overdrive circuit added depth and distortion, with LEDs indicating the overdrive status.

It should be available soon through Signal Sounds and Thonk.

More Info:
https://www.emutelabinstruments.co.uk"

TM32 DOS MIDI Synth with Roland MT-32, CM-32L and General MIDI

video upload by PhilsComputerLab

"TM32 is Serdaco's latest external MIDI synthesizer! It's very compact, runs mt32-pi and great for DOS games with compatibility of Roland MT-32, Roland CM-32L and General MIDI.

Disclosure: Serdaco sent me this product for free to create a video review. I am not getting paid, but I do get to keep the product.

Use PHILSCOMPUTERLAB discount code for 5% discount on any purchase!

Buy the TM32: https://www.serdashop.com/TM32
Buy the PicoGUS: https://www.serdashop.com/PicoGUS
Buy the DB15MIDI: https://www.serdashop.com/DB15MIDI
Buy the MIDI cable 1m: https://www.serdashop.com/MIDI-Cable-1m
Buy the MIDI cable 1.5m: https://www.serdashop.com/MIDI-Cable-1.5-m

🛠 Resources 🛠
Software for SD card: https://www.serdashop.com/TM32
ROM files: https://archive.org/details/mame-versioned-roland-mt-32-and-cm-32l-rom-files
500 SoundFonts Collection: https://archive.org/details/500-soundfonts-full-gm-sets
GeneralUser GS SoundFont: https://schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php
SoftMPU: https://bjt42.github.io/softmpu/"

"TM32 is a MIDI synthesizer that supports General MIDI / GS SF2 soundfonts and optional MT32 emulation

The software is based on the open source MT32Pi, with a tweaked configuration for excellent live performance, preloaded with default GeneralUser GS soundfont.

Complete fully built and tested unit, including enclosure.

You can download the sd card files here.

TM32 is the successor to MP32L which is still available until end of stock.

Features :

High Quality Stereo DAC, 3.5mm stereo line out

Standard DIN MIDI input

Micro SD card slot for MT32Pi based software

USB-C connector for power (for 5V 2A adapter)

Uses Pi zero 2W, 512 mbyte of RAM

High quality enclosure with TM32 led glow logo, dimensions : 81mm x 75mm x 26mm , 74g

Supports SF2 soundfonts up to 400mbyte, 16 part multitimbral (all 16 midi channels)

Optional support for MT32 emulation (need to supply your own ROM files on the micro sd card)

128 voices polyphony

Low latency

Switch between soundfonts with the press of a button"

CLICK FOR MORE »

AI Synthesis Releases new Eurorack High Power Supply

video upload by AI Synthesis

Press release follows.

Portland, OR, USA March 12, 2025 – AI Synthesis has announced the Eurorack High Power Supply

The Eurorack High Power Supply is a low-noise solution for powering large, power hungry systems. The Power Supply supplies a total of 5 AMPs (5,000mA) of +12v power, 2.5 Amps (2,500mA) of -12V power, Ground, and 400mA of +5V power to your modules via 12 shrouded connectors, and multiple chain points to other distribution boards. Four LEDs indicate status of the four power rails, and the Power Brick is included. The Eurorack High Power Supply uses super quiet DC to DC converters to turn one powerful DC brick into four reliable, quiet, power rails:

+12V A: 2.5 Amps
+12V B: 2.5 Amps
-12v: 2.5 Amps
+5V: 400mA
Headers 1-6 Draw their +12V from +12VA, and Headers 7-12 draw their +12V from +12VB.

“In the year 2000, I was in college and obsessed with modular synths, but could barely afford to eat. I knew it was possible to build your own synth, but there wasn’t anyone, or anywhere to turn to for advice. In the past decade, much more information has been published online, and in 2013 I started down my path to DIY modular. Even with all of the information online, there still lacked a single, simple, comprehensive guide for those looking to build their own synthesizer. I want AI Synthesis to be that guide. Prior to building my own synth, I was a dreamer, after building my modular, I felt I had awoken. I want to help others do the same.”

-Abraham Ingle

Founder, AI Synthesis

In addition to providing step by step build instructions, schematics, and circuit explanations, the site also includes a guide for getting started in modular synthesis, and a series of DIY Guides, with information regarding how Resistors actually work, and how to integrate a $26 scope into your Eurorack system.

T-16 Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer (based on ARP 2600) - DEMO #001

video upload by Nitecaller.

"The T-16 is a custom semi-modular synth largely based on the analog circuits of the original ARP 2600 and ARP Odyssey, with additional modifications and modules.

Here's an initial sound exploration I recorded shortly after completing the project (with no added effects or processing).

Special thanks to Stefan Hambleton for helping with the build of this instrument!

Check out my music: linktr.ee/nitecaller"

"After two years of designing, soldering, assembling and a looot of troubleshooting, this mighty thing is finally finished (aside from some minor tweaks). I can’t really believe it yet, but it’s extremely exciting nonetheless. I’m not entirely sure what to do now that it’s done, but I suppose it is time to start making some cool sounds and writing new music? Anyway, stay posted for more T-16 content!

And big thanks to @hot.chip5 @alyndyh and @xavier.joseph.dlmh for the help and support along the way."

Inquisitor. Clip 1 noise box and crackle box style synth. Handmade electronic instrument.

video upload by OmBotCult

Clip 2. Inquisitor. Noise box and crackle box style synth. Handmade electronic instrument.

video upload by OmBotCult

"Inquisitor. Touch metal contacts to mix crackle box synth style lots of squeaky creeks and miss used radio sounds. Built in delay/ echo/ reverb, feedback monster circuit built in with contact mic and volume control for noise amp built in.Low pass filter. On/Off switch for the contact mic. Pluck, scratch, thumb, and thump sounds and use the touch contacts to control and mix the sounds."

See the OmBot label below for more.

Modu-Grain: The Ultimate Granular Synth for MODULOX BRAIN | Open-Source software & MIDI-Ready!

video upload by RaspiAudio



"🎛️ Introducing Modu-Grain: The Granular Synth for MODULOX BRAIN! 🎛️

🔗 More info & get yours here: https://raspiaudio.com/produit/brain

We're thrilled to introduce Modu-Grain, a powerful granular synthesizer for the MODULOX BRAIN, designed for music creators and sound designers! 🎶

🧠 What is MODULOX BRAIN?
The RASPIAUDIO team has spent two years developing an open-source audio synthesizer platform. Our vision? A versatile hardware unit capable of running multiple applications. This week, we're releasing the Granular Synthesizer, with more to come, including Sampler, VA, and FM. Our open-source code on GitHub allows the community to create and share new applications!

⚡ Why Modu-Grain?

Comes with pre-recorded samples
Four-voice polyphony for rich sound layering
Adjustable sound parameters (grain size, density, envelope, random playback, sample duration)
Real-time waveform visualization and boundary adjustments
Live sample recording via built-in mic or external input
Customizable real-time effects: Filter, Delay, and an assignable LFO
MIDI support for integration into any setup

💾 How does it work?

Precompiled firmware available in our [app store] (apps.raspiaudio.com)
Community-driven: Modify, enhance, and expand features!
🔧 MODULOX BRAIN Specifications:

24-bit DAC & ADC resolution
320x240 color screen
Headphone jack + onboard mic & speaker
MIDI in/out (3.5mm jack) + USB-C MIDI
Expandable via magnetic connectors for MODULOX devices (Knob, Touch, Slide)
Nano pad anti-slip bottom for stability

🎛️ Accessories Included:

3.5mm jack to MIDI DIN RX-TX + sync cable

🚀 Join the Open-Source software Revolution!
MODULOX BRAIN is more than a synthesizer—it’s a platform for endless sonic exploration. Download the firmware, modify it, and create your own instruments!

🔗 Get started now: https://raspiaudio.com/produit/brain

🔗 Explore the source code: [GitHub Link] (apps.raspiaudio.com)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

TeensyMix Synth - DIY 8 Voice Synthesizer

video upload by Saturn Dust

"TeensyMix synth is an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer based on the Teensy 4.1 development board. It is designed to be an easy build with just an LCD display and a digital to analog converter. An Akai MIDImix is used to control the synthesizer. The MIDImix is a compact and afforable MIDI based mixing controller with 24 dails, 9 sliders and 19 buttons with LEDs.

All sound parameters of the synthesizer can be controlled directly using these dials, sliders and buttons. No complicated menus and pages of parameters to scroll through!

Code and schematics are available for free on GitHub:
https://github.com/phjanderson/TeensyMixSynth"

Analog audio FX: Pipeline Distortion, build

video upload by RS-Elc

"Demonstrating a simple circuit that provides flexible and dynamic signal distortion as a sound effect for synthesizers and gitars. Basics explained in my movie : Pipeline distortion, basics. Here the build version is shown with sound examples. Note that for the sound examples the input is just a basic sinewave, all harmonics and modulation come from the distortion effect. (no other effects are used).

More details and build info can be found on Elektor Labs:
Basics (prototype):
https://www.elektormagazine.com/labs/...
Build: (PCB design):
https://www.elektormagazine.com/labs/...

See all my projects on Elektor Labs:
https://www.elektormagazine.com/labs/...
And on my personal website: www.RS-elc.nl"

Minichord - A Tiny DIY Omnichord With a Big Sound

video upload by HAINBACH

"I love the Omnichord, so when I was asked to give feedback on the prototype of the Minichord, an instrument very much inspired by it, I could not say no. Spoiler: its a fantastic little synthesizer that goes beyond what was and is possible with its venerable Japanese ancestors."

ACME XP60 - Oberheim Xpander Clone In the Works

Spotted this one on Amazona.de.

The following is Google translated from the article:

"The ACME XP60 has set itself an extremely ambitious goal: the polyphonic synthesizer is to be nothing less than a 'faithful replica' of one of the greatest vintage classics: the Oberheim Xpander. The project by developer Markus Malik, who has so far offered modifications, replacement boards and repairs, is actually already in an advanced phase.

ACME XP60 - a compact Xpander

Admittedly, given the name ACME, you might think that the whole project is just another hoax report that comes around every year. But the XP60 is real and the electronics of the prototype are ready, although according to Malik there is still some need for optimization in the layout of the circuit board and the power supply.

Like its role model, the XP60 is also a six-voice analog synthesizer. However, the design is smaller, because the device, which actually has a desktop format, also fits in a 19" rack.
Not only the structure of the sound generation was adopted, but also the operating concept with the three displays. One improvement, however, are the controls with LED rings, whose colors can be customized.

For the sound generation, modern counterparts (clone chips) of the CEM3374 (Dual VCO) and CEM3372 (VC Mix-VCF-VCA) circuits used at the time are used. As a reference, developer Markus Malik was able to build the voice cards for the prototype with original oscillator ICs. In blind tests with mixed operation, no differences could be found between the original and clone chips.

There were also attempts to discretely recreate the circuit of the IC with transistors, but despite adjusted values, there were no satisfactory results in terms of temperature stability and FM, so this approach was not pursued further.

Doepfer, among others, has shown that the implementation of the complex multimode filter with its 15 different filter types can be successful with the A-106-6 XP VCF module.

Initially, no new firmware was written, but the original OS was used during development. The firmware is very complex, as envelopes, LFOs and other modulation options are also implemented using software. Tom Oberheim's consent was requested for the use of the firmware.

If the original firmware is retained, this will also entail certain restrictions, as it does not include parameter control with MIDI CCs, for example, but only Sysex. The developer may not be able to avoid creating his own OS sooner or later.

A small series of 50 units is planned initially, but a continuation is not ruled out. Information on the release, distribution and, above all, the price of the ACME XP60 cannot be given at this time, as there are too many factors that could still influence this.

So there is still a lot to do and we will report on the further progress of development."

DIY Analog-Hybrid Synthesizer with Rene Schmitz Vakuum-Tube VCF

video upload by Andreas Remshagen

"At first I wanted to build a complete vacuum tube synthesizer but I had problems with the vacuum tube VCO and the correct intonation over several octaves. That's why I decided to build two AS3360 chip VCOs and run them through a vacuum tube mixer. I used Rene Schmitz's vacuum tube filter as the VCF. ADSR, VCA and ring modulator run on AS chips. The envelope curve display is done via a Toyo 6E5 Magic Eye"

CESyL (Custom Engineered Synthesizer and Lightbox)

video upload by Dasma Tech

"happy birthday to my very own synthesizer :)

My own Custom Engineered Synthesizer & Lightbox

I hope you enjoy my little story :)"

AIRLOOP | Jamming With My Synth and Keyboard

video upload by Dasma Tech

"A cool jam and more information on the synthesizer workflow!

Gear used:

Launchkey 61 Key MIDI Keyboard
CESyL (Custom Engineered Synthesizer and Lightbox)"

#Jamuary 29th 2025 - "Faint Signals"

video upload by Captain Credible

"No clue how the #norns works yet but it definitely lives up to my expectations!"

Top left:

Midimalism™ USB midi controller

"He a very smol boi.
He is a tiny USB MIDI controller with 2 knobs, to buttons and one mini jack input for DIY sensors and shit.

To make a DIY sensor connect a potentiometer or construct some other voltage divider. The tip of the minijack is +5V, the sleeve is GND and the ring is where the voltage is measured by the midimalism and turned sent to your pooter as MIDI data. DONT SHORT +5V AND GND, midimalism might probably maybe die."