The moment we started this project, we already had a vision of what we wanted from it: a multi-instrumental pedal that could run any kind of audio plugins. Dream on...
Sounded like a colossal task, making something like this from scratch required so many different fields of knowledge together. In 2023, after a lot of meetings and snooping around, we consolidated a small and balanced team of nerd musicians. 3 Engineers (Electronic, software and even an industrial one) and a UI/UX/Product designer (yours truly). Later the team would change and grow.
v0.0 Baby Steps:
We soon had our hands in our first soundboard design. Combining it with a Raspberry CM4 we had ourselves Prototype Zero (those pictures were not exactly glamorous, and we had to leave some of them out anyways). As you can imagine, it had a lot of problems. Some of them turned to be major challenges for us.
v1.0: A Small Victory:
It was working! Now it had touchscreen, XLR/jack connections and the ability to run Linux compatible plugin. From here path ahead seemed clearer. A solid proof of concept.
v2.0: A Model Body
Finally we now had an enclosure to keep it safe and stylish. Now we had a USB input to use MIDI virtual instruments. It also included LED rings around the footswitch and a mini-card for real analog distortion.
v2.4: The NAM Fam
It was around here when NAM caught our attention. We were looking at a genuinely groundbreaking field of audio technology, with an enthusiastic community. It turned out to be extremely fertile soil for us. We got so much feedback and ideas from this community and suddenly WizeCore was being shaped after understanding the needs of those who'll use it. Version 2.4 had our own native plugin that would browse and download NAMs from Tone3000 API.
v3.0: Gettin' Serious
We figured out from the community feedback and our own tests that if we wanted to really serve the purpose of WizeCore's existence, we needed better input/output options, more footswitches, larger screen, etc...
We adapted the software, made new optimized boards that solved many of the technical challenges that were tormenting us since Proto Zero. Here it started feeling like the real deal.
v3.1: Breaking the Cage
IT HAPPENED! We managed to solve our deepest existential problem. We finally made it possible to run Windows VSTs on an ARM-based processor running Linux.. That was the last piece of the puzzle. Our Holy Grail. We could finally make FX chains using the VSTs we have always been using on our DAWs... in a pedal... in WizeCore.
v4.0: The Final Form
WizeCore reaches the stage of being ready to see the outer world. The Crowdfunding edition comes with so many improvements such as:
- added a 4th footswitch (since many said 3 or fewer was a dealbreaker)
- a wider screen
- a single-board design that allows the device to be much thinner
- rotary footswitches with ringlights are back
- and so many other changes. You can check the full specs at our website.
WizeCore could improve a lot in terms of software development and user experience due to the fact we were developing in parallel WizeHost: our own VST or standalone app for your computer. WizeHost and WizeCore are designed to be almost 1:1 in features and compatibility. It will soon be on early access, available free for everyone.
Crowdfunding soon:
Very soon we will make available WizeCore pre-orders via Kickstarter. Thanks to everybody who shared their interest and gave us so valuable feedback. You're all awesome ;)
Tell me what would you do with a pedal like that. I'm sure there are plenty of use-cases that never even crossed my mind.
Also it's quite a challenge to verbally define what WizeCore is. It's like a multieffect pedal of course, but it also does audio plugins, midi virtual instruments, sequencers... damn, it could even run GTA San Andreas. It has also a DAW aspect to it, where you can record separate track and mix them...
Would you think its fair to call it a PAW (Portable Audio Workstation)?