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 + 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."

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"

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..."

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."

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."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #6

video upload by Arman Bohn

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

Song #6 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

Droning ...

The Dirtywave M8 is playing randomized, droning chords.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is providing some heavily filtered, low end chaos via two bytebeat algorithms (one left/one right).

I'm using the Phantasmal Force Micro MIDI controller as a "keyboard" to play and hold single notes on the MT32-pi (which is running a soundfont set to a electric piano instrument).

All of this is routed through the NTS-3 for some reverb."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #5

video upload by Arman Bohn

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

Song #5 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

A short interlude.

The Phantasmal Force is sending four generative sequences to the MT-32 pi, triggering some sound fonts. It is also sending multiple CC LFOs to the NTS-3 to modulate the delay settings - creating a warbly "underwater" feel.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is droning on a nice spiral visual.

I'm playing GREAT CONJUNCTION with the Phantasmal Force as well - using a button in NOTE MODE and turning the knob to play notes within Mixolydian/C."

Distropolis Goods Prismatic Spray Desktop Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

You can find demos featuring the Prismatic Spray in additional posts here.

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Chill granular meditation music w/ Prismatic Spray, monome norns, Phantasmal Force, 1010 lemondrop

video upload by Arman Bohn

"This is one of my favorite pieces I’ve made for a long time. I had it running for around 40 hours this week. The Norns is running my “pixels” script, which is generating some sine wave blips. It is also sending MIDI note data to the Prismatic Spray which casts a haunting melody over the top. Everything is running through the lemondrop, which chops and slices and dices."

Great Conjunction FM Fragment Synth Prototype

video upload by Arman Bohn

Great Conjunction FM synth prototype - it’s working! #synthwave #chillwave


"This is one of my favorite pieces I’ve made for a long time. I had it running for around 40 hours this week. The Norns is running my 'pixels' script, which is generating some sine wave blips. It is also sending mini note data to the Prismatic Spray which Casts a haunting melody over the top. Everything is running through the lemondrop, which chops and slices and dices."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #2

video upload by Arman Bohn

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

A version of song #2 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

The Phantasmal Force is sending MIDI clock to the RK-006, which syncs everything.

It starts with GREAT CONJUNCTION playing the motif from the end of song #1, and then I bring in two more sequences (all of which are playing the internal YM2413 FM synth).

The M8 provides some basic percussion, and a bass drone.

The PF is also sending CC LFO messages to GREAT CONJUNCTION to modulate some of the FM parameters for the first sequence.

The Prismatic Spray MKii protoype held together for the show. I use the second half of the song to explore a bytebeat algorithm in stereo.

This song continues the same meter, root and scale as song #1 ... it is basically song 1A.

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

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #5 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

See this post for additional details and demos.