Black Pill Synth (BP Synth)

C

craigyb

Well-known member
I have been looking at the Black Pill synth for several years, looked like a very versatile little monosynth.

So I searched for a suitable cheap midi controller and found this M-Audio Axiom 25 for very little money.

Its modular inside so you can throw away all the bits you dont need. So its stripped down to the MIDI board, modwheels and transpose buttons.

Then I created a controller based around a Teensy 4.0 that I had spare to send CC messages and midi notes etc from the Axiom and Teensy to the Black Pill Synth.

So its two processors in one synth, The Teensy 4.0 managing patch memories, midi, front panel, displays etc and the STM32F411 for the synth sound module.

 
craigyb said:
I have been looking at the Black Pill synth for several years, looked like a very versatile little monosynth.

So I searched for a suitable cheap midi controller and found this M-Audio Axiom 25 for very little money.

Its modular inside so you can throw away all the bits you dont need. So its stripped down to the MIDI board, modwheels and transpose buttons.

Then I created a controller based around a Teensy 4.0 that I had spare to send CC messages and midi notes etc from the Axiom and Teensy to the Black Pill Synth.

So its two processors in one synth, The Teensy 4.0 managing patch memories, midi, front panel, displays etc and the STM32F411 for the synth sound module.

Click to expand...
I love what you’re doing with the hardware.

Do you have any build tips? Best parts to use etc?

Which switches and pots are you using?

I love the idea of reusing an existing controller, I’ve seen your builds but where do you start?

The panel looks great do you fabricate and place that on top? I’m assuming you resolder the cables to the teensy where you want them? But how do you power the teensy and program?

Waiting with baited breath and now deciding which controller I use.

So far I was about to build just the panel and have to attatch a controller but this looks way better.

So far I have a teensy 4.1 for synth, pcm for audio out, and esp32 waveshare display for graphics.

I’m currently building the BOM for my pots and power so I’m a perfect spot to dissect a midi controller?
 
Can't really offer you any advice, my builds are always one offs and customized to suit, depends how you want to approach things. I use protoboard and fine wire for my builds, that might not be suitable for you, maybe you want to make a PCB or something. There are 3 tutorials on my channel of how I go about assessing my projects and builds, a lot of it is guessing and hoping it will fit, then making changes if necessary, hence why I use protoboard because it's faster to develop and make changes.

Choosing a midi controller is a bit of a gamble, the Axiom paid off because it's modular inside and you can disconnect anything you don't need, I just reset it to factory so there are no strange things set before dismantling it. The CME range are the same. A simple midi board inside you can use without the controls attached, can't say that of many others as I don't know what's inside them. Although I have been successful with MidiTech controllers in the past.

I used a Teensy 4.0 because I needed something smaller than a T4.1, but of course I had to add an SD card which took up more room, but it allowed me to orientate things front to back as I needed. A 4.1 would have given me more flexibility but not fitted. An ESP-32 S3 would have been alright because of the extra UARTs.

Panels are just printed paper stick over the original panel, I print and laminate them for strength so they hide bigger holes underneath. I also use a printout as a drilling template.

In this build everything is powered from a simple DC-DC converter 12v in to 5v out, that goes to the Teensy/Panel and the Black Pill board. The midi controller shares the same 12v input and regulates down to 5V on its own board.

Parts are predominantly from AliExpress, buttons, encoders, dc-dc boards, protoboard, knobs, displays etc. only the Teensy and the Axiom are sourced locally because of what they are. Resistors and caps etc I buy through TME or similar.

I used RK-09 style 10k lin pots with 18mm D shafts, these seem to be the best height to situ through a front panel. The buttons are PB86 style again all from AliExpress.
 
Great thanks for that.

I will also be using protype board and AliExpress this is a build for me. The project already has a hardware free version for others to use.

I have plenty of local parts from previous orders and might just buy a cheap second hand controller that fits my size requirements.

Will be checking out your other videos when I’m not supposed to be working
 
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