Prismatic Spray - bytebeat adventure synth!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Tabletop bytebeat synth w/ 9 knobs, 6 buttons, code looper, analog filter, time skip, slomo, visuals & full USB/TRS MIDI implementation.

I’m making small batches of these in various colors available here:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

The manual can be downloaded here

Prismatic Spray can be purchased here"

Additional demos followed by pics and details form the Tindie page:

"Prismatic Spray is a deeply explorable bytebeat synth that implements many novel features. It includes a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation. Highlights include but are not limited to:

A Full User's Manual

Yup. You won't just get a link to a github repository and some hex. Prismatic Spray comes with a multi-page instruction manual to guide you in your explorations (it is approximately 8.5" x 5.5" if you are searching for frames). This manual is written in the tongue of old and should be incomprehensible to anyone not familiar with first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

Chromatic Tuning

Prismatic Spray is tuned to a western 12 tone chromatic scale. You can play it like any other synth. No horsing around with cycles and Hertz. Prismatic Spray is adjustable through about 6 octaves from the dark blue knob on the front panel. The full range of MIDI notes is available when using MIDI via USB or TRS-A.

Looping

Prismatic Spray can be set to loop over any region of a bytebeat equation. The start and end points are adjustable after the loop has been set. At the tightest settings, Prismatic Spray becomes almost granular sounding. Irritatingly granular.

Visualizations

Prismatic Spray can display a visual representation of the current bytebeat audio output in real time on the 1.5" color display. Alterations to the bytebeat equation using the knobs will effect the patterns and colors of the visualization. There is also a regular menu with actual useful data to look at if you hate cool graphics.

Analog Filter

Are things sounding too wonderful? Can't take any more bristling fizzles? Prismatic Spray has an analog filter to roll out as much high end as you'd like. Like pretty much all of it.

40 Bytebeat equations

Prismatic Spray has 40 bytebeat equations to explore. Each equation has three variable to adjust (along with pitch, time skip and a kind of 'time stretch-ish' effect). You can get lost. I heard a voice talking in there once. It was saying "YaaaaYaaaaYaaaaYaaaa".

Over 30 presets

Okay ... that's not a lot to brag about, but the non-volatile memory inside the Prismatic Spray is limited. You get ~30 preset slots for saving your favorite crusty, ear splitting zapazoids.

A Case

Yay! You don't have to worry about shorting anything out, snapping the PCB in half or breaking off a protruding component! Prismatic Spray comes fully enclosed in a 3D printed case (available in various colors). The glowing innards of the Prismatic Spray are clearly visible (mostly with the clear case) while the unit is in operation.

Prismatic Spray has the following controls:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Prismatic Spray II available now!

video upload by Arman Bohn



"You can find it here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/products..

The Prismatic Spray II has been released!

Prismatic Spray II is a deeply explorable, stereo bytebeat synth that implements many novel features. It includes a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation. The Prismatic Spray II is an evolution of the original in the following ways:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Prismatic Spray II - exploring the stereo engines

video upload by Arman Bohn

"You can find my devices here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Prismatic Spray II should be released VERY soon.

In this video, I take a look at the stereo bytebeat engines of the Prismatic Spray II and some features such as the filter and various visualizations.

I'm using a little mini PC to view the visualizations via Web Serial from the Prismatic Spray II via USB. There is NO video output from the synth - it is sending serial data that a compatible browser is interpreting and displaying.

I'm also using an OMX-27 MIDI keyboard from ‪@nevetsokyeron‬ to show that the synth can be played chromatically from an external MIDI keyboard."

Prismatic Spray + Hologram Microcosm jam #1

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Prismatic Spray on sale now for 20% off!

Through 11/27/23!

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

Finally took a minute to just run my Prismatic Spray through my microcosm. They’re not tempo synced, but it is such chaos it doesn’t really matter.  the Prismatic Spray provides the core of the sound and the microcosm adds a layer of magic."

Prismatic Spray II - incantation #11 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My devices (including the Prismatic Spray II) can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

I'm working on the first firmware update for the Prismatic Spray II. There a some fixes, a few changes (new incantations 11, 13 and 39) and a new feature (described below).

Early in the video, you can see me hold RESET (yellow button) and press one of the ENGINE buttons (gray). You can now reset the RUNES (A, B, C) of any incantation to the DEFAULT settings intended by the original creator of the incantation. This helps pull your wanderings back to some kind of center (maybe).

The color bar visualization is simple, but can be pleasing with certain incantations. I'm really liking how it vibes with incantation 11!

I'm hoping to release this update this week!"

Harmonic halls of noise - Prismatic Spray, norns “pixels”, 1010music lemondrop and TX-6

video upload by Arman Bohn

"The Prismatic Spray provides most of the sonic textures here. The notes it plays are controlled by a single pixel grooving along on the screen on the norns. The sound is then chopped up by the lemondrop and played back at various octaves. The Norns also provides five channels of sine wave drones. Everything is mixed in the TX-6.

You can pick up the Prismatic spray on my tindie shop:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."

Prismatic Spray firmware 1.3

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Here we discuss Prismatic Spray firmware version 1.3.

Prismatic Spray firmware 1.3 includes the following features:

1) improved knob precision
2) preset save confirmation
3) now responds to MIDI CC 123 “ALL NOTES OFF”

Firmware updates can be found here:
https://armanbohn.com/blog/support/"

Prismatic Spray chaotic chords an melodies.

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Prismatic Spray through the 1010bluebox for delay/reverb. Playing around with some notes/chords. The Prismatic Spray will be back in stock in about a week or two. #jamuary2023 #diy #synth #bytebeat #tinysynth #tinystudio #generativemusic"

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #24 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Batch #3 of the Prismatic Spray is going up tonight 12/11/2022:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #24 test.

Glitching Gifts
Dizzying Displays
Infinite Incantations"

Prismatic Spray II demo video 1

video upload by Arman Bohn

"You can get on the waitlist for the Prismatic Spray II and check out my other things here:

https://distropolisgoods.com/

Hey -

It's been a while. Life is a bit crazy.

Prismatic Spray II is almost ready. Found a few more little bugs today and fixed them. Almost ready to order the printed manual!

I'm just noodling around here. I stumbled on to this rhythmic pattern that I really liked so I start with it running on both the left and right engines. I start to change the right side while leaving the left side plodding along.

Eventually, you can see me switch up the bytebeat incantation for the right side and things start to get wacky. You get a little look at one of the visualizations towards the end.

I'll post the manual before too long - but feel free to ask me about the PSII in the comments."

Chompi sampler - first play w/ Prismatic Spray

video upload by Arman Bohn

"I backed the Chompi and received mine few weeks ago. I haven’t had a chance to test it out until now.

A quick perusal of the manual, online and off I go!

I’m using the Phantasmal Force to trigger that initial note.

The prismatic spray feeds some sound into the Chompi and then I start turning some knobs.

I have no idea what I’m doing.

My Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth can be found here:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."

Prismatic Spray - rotary control overview

video upload by Arman Bohn

"In this video I go over the general function of each of the nine knobs on the Prismatic Spray.

The Prismatic Spray is available for purchase here:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."

Prismatci Spray II

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My devices can be purchased here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Prismatic Spray II should be out in a few days!

Let's take a look at some more of the new features in the Prismatic Spray II.

I have the new web serial visualization feature running on a Mac this time. I did a screen recording and comped it into this video to demonstrate the possibilities of web serial display & visualizations.

I start by showing how the DETUNE knob works and can create a "chorus" type effect between the two bytebeat engines.

I move on to the SLOW DOWN knob and show how you can slow the bytebeats down and even freeze time - allowing for wavetable-ish type control over the sound. (You can also accomplish this by creating very small loops with the looping feature).

MIDI PITCH BEND is shown with the help the Phantasmal Force micro MIDI controller.

GLIDE allows for some portamento action between notes.

The analog FILTER runs in stereo and is also MIDI controllable.

I finish up with an explanation of the PITCH SCALING feature, which can stretch bytebeat playback determined by a user-specified root note.

Whew!"

MIDI out test Great Conjunction prototype into the Prismatic Spray through Hologram Microcom

video upload by Arman Bohn

"It’s been a while. I’m back. Here is yet another in the seemingly endless prototypes of the Great Conjunction. I’m testing the out from the sequencers of the GC, feeding the output of the first sequencer via MIDI into the Prismatic Spray. All of this is getting beautified by the Hologram Microcosm."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #8 - K.K. Cruisin' Synthchill Cover Animal Crossing

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Song #8 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

I ended my set with a cover of the K.K. Slider song "K.K. Cruisin'" which is a family favorite. My first experience with K.K. was in Animal Crossing - New Leaf back when it was released for the Nintendo 3DS.

I didn't have a vocoder with me in Japan, so I just sang out into the room with no mic.

---------

The M8 is doing most of the heavy lifting here: bass, drums and sending MIDI notes to the Prismatic Spray MKii.

I'm using the Phantasmal Force (tiny white MIDI controller) to send chords to GREAT CONJUNCTION (purple box). Channel 1 of GREAT CONJUNCTION is in 'keys' mode, while the other two channels playback a some randomized sequences which cause some CONJUNCTIONS and offset modulation to the FM key sound.

The Prismatic Spray MKii comes in to mimic the 'vocals'. M8 is handling the note playback via MIDI and I'm just playing the A and B runes/knobs.

For this recording - I sang through a BOSS VE-500 to get that K.K. robo-dog sound.

It was a great way to end the set with a upbeat feel!"

Prismatic Spray (back in stock 01-24-23)

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Another batch of Prismatic Spray!

Back in stock on 01-24-2023

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."

See the Distropolis label below for addtional demos.

Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth - looping tutorial

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Let's talk about some features of the Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth including playing notes via a MIDI source, MIDI equation reset, and looping bytebeats."

Prismatic Spray MKii updates!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Sign up for the waiting list at www.distropolusgoods.com

Prismatic Spray MKii should be available this summer!"

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #3

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
www.distropolisgoods.com

Song #3 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

I start with the Prismatic Spray MKii searching around for something showing some fireworks on a new visualization I've been working on...

Then I use the Phantasmal Force to start a sequence on the M8 (which is also MIDI clocked by the PF). I use the PF to unmute various tracks on the M8.

The M8 is also send CC messages to the Prismatic Spray to slowly modulate parameters A, B & C.

It starts in A# - and then moves up a half step to B. The meter gets an extra beat som now we are in 5/4.

Again ...
My guiding principle was - start at A# in 4/4. For each following song, add a beat and move up a half-step chromatically."

Drone vibes w/ monome norns (pixels), Prismatic Spray, Phantasmal Force

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Crushin’ drone vibes with the Phantasmal Force MIDI controller guiding the norns running my script 'pixels' which in turn is blasting sine waves and sending MIDI notes to the Prismatic Spray. The Bluebox provides epic reverb walls."