Work in Progress: LinnStrument Backpack

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I'd love to have an all in one LinnStrument + synthesizer instrument. So, I'm making a synthesizer that attaches to the side of a LinnStrument using the shoulder strap screw holes. It powers the LinnStrument through the USB port and also receives MIDI through the same port. I want to make something that's fun to use and discoverable like an OP-1. To me that means lots of user feedback through a display/LEDs and minimal button combinations.

The synth engine is quite simple: (macro) oscillator -> filter -> amp -> effect 1 -> effect 2. I believe the expressiveness of the LinnStrument can make even simple synthesizers sound great. There are buttons for X, Y, and Z expression so you can easily edit those settings. You can set modulation targets by holding an expression button and wiggling a knob.

Last weekend I got simple synthesizer code and all the hardware working on battery power (I had a lot of help from a friend I met on YouTube). There is a lot of work yet to do to make the UI and make the synthesizer sound good. If you or anyone you know is good at DSP/embedded software please reach out, I'm looking for help!

If you have any wishlist features or synthesis methods please let me know so I try to can bake it in.

Lots of progress pictures and videos below. Thanks!

Imgur Galley:
https://imgur.com/a/OxFX1Bk

First Sounds:
https://youtu.be/pCOFwyP0I7M

Code Status:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WL5CzxYxkw
 
I got it all working in a self contained package and some basic menu pages!

https://youtu.be/ZF0p7ddREdU

One of my next steps will be to dial in the Z expression signal. I want to mix an AD envelope into the Z expression to give a bit of a “pluck” at the start of a note.

I feel like it’s easier to keep my Z control signals in code land and not the audio design tool land (ie I don’t want to use those DC blocks and mixer objects). This is because I want to be able to change the modulation targets and amounts in runtime using a mod matrix. Implementing that on the audio GUI would require hundreds of connections and dozens of mixers.
 
What a cool idea, great job. Never seen the Linnstrument until now.

When you say you're looking for help/collaborators, what kind of help do you need?
 
. I feel like it’s easier to keep my Z control signals in code land and not the audio design tool land (ie I don’t want to use those DC blocks and mixer objects). This is because I want to be able to change the modulation targets and amounts in runtime using a mod matrix. Implementing that on the audio GUI would require hundreds of connections and dozens of mixers.
If it’s any help, I think I’m on track to make AudioConnection objects properly reconfigurable, so they can be disconnected, reconnected to different sockets (not possible right now), created and deleted.

Cheers

Jonathan
 
Awesome h4yn! I'm keeping on eye on your dynamic audio object thread.

Thanks Wcalvert! The LinnStrument is great. I grew up a guitar player and got into synths when I was riding the bus multiple hours a day and wanted to play music. Trying to learn piano keyboard was really frustrating by LinnStrument "unlocked" synth for me instantly. I recommend watching this video "an evening with Roger Linn" on youtube if you want to hear his thought process behind Linny.

I'm looking for help with the software. I'm self taught so just slowly chugging along. It would be great to work with someone who has more experience with DSP and/or embedded programming then we could really cook with gas! I'd love to be able to focus more on the mechanical design and user interface design.
 
If you share your code on github or something, it would be a lot easier to offer suggestions. Although, the Linnstrument is really expensive so it might be hard to find people who actually have one to do "real" development with.
 
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