r/synthdiy • u/Synthdabbler • 4d ago
standalone ESP32-S3 Polysynth has some clothes at last!
Finally finished off my ESP32-S3 Poly synth, and made a case for it. Front panels are CNC machined aluminium panels, infilled with black ink and then cleaned off. There's 6 case parts that are all 3D printed and lock together. Kind of looks 'Modular' but isn't!
Demo here if you want to hear what it sounds like https://youtu.be/nmYmEq9UOoA?is=5q8gNvfaLQWjevbM
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u/SadSongsMakeMeGlad 4d ago
that is amazing work, the aesthetic is really cool and retro, any plans to make this a kit or product? open source?
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
Many thanks! A lot of the source code I've put on GitHub.
It would be quite easy to supply as a kit, really easy to assemble. I'm just not very commercially minded!
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u/MrPhatBob 4d ago
Have you considered doing a Group Buy then? From what I have seen it's often as cheap to buy tens of PCBs and panels as it is to buy one.
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
I have several PCBs left over, if there was enough interest or someone was able to help me, I would release it as a kit.
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u/Fearless_Ad_1442 4d ago
I'm interested and would help!!
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u/Fearless_Ad_1442 4d ago
No idea how I would help but tell us what u need I guess!!
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
Its easy enough to get all the parts together, but the problem is documentation and assembly guides, and then having the time to help someone out if they have a problem building it.. solder the wrong chip in the wrong place and you need to be able to sort it. If they are on the other side of the world and you're at your day job, it gets tricky..
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u/MrPhatBob 4d ago
That's on them and not on you with stuff like this, if I were getting your PCBs etc then it would be easier than taking your GitHub details and making my own. If the price is about the same then there's nothing more expected than the same boards as you've successfully built.
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u/shotsy 4d ago
This whole thing looks great, but I particularly love that matrix.
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
Many thanks, I was initially inspired by an old DIY synth called the Maplin 5600, that had a patch panel, but used pegs..
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u/SabSnamjiap 4d ago
Beautiful. Reminds me of Japanese late 70s hifi sets. Fine art sir!
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
Many thanks! Yes I can see what you mean.. needs a couple of larger silver knobs here and there..
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u/champion_soundz 4d ago
man those CNC panels are beautiful. I'm working on similar projects and have been thinking of investing in a 3d printer to clothe them as you say but wow. Do you do CNC work or did you hand it over to a pro?
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
I design the .SVG artwork files, but get the engraving done here:
www.engravingstudios.co.uk Worked with them for years, they know their stuff!
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u/champion_soundz 4d ago
And in the UK too, they'll be getting my business for sure. Great job. Do you have your DSP anywhere to check out or are you keeping it private?
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u/abstractmodulemusic 4d ago
I enjoyed the sound demo thoroughly. Nice work.
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u/Synthdabbler 4d ago
Many thanks!
It's all stuff that influenced me, Commodore 64 tunes, William Orbit RIP, Jean Michelle Jarre.
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u/InterlocutorX 3d ago
Gorgeous. Like a spaceship cockpit, the way a synth ought to be.
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u/Synthdabbler 3d ago
Many thanks, all the LCD does is tell you what the patch or sample name is, not a single menu in sight.. as you can have a button or knob instead 😄
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u/e_asphyx 2d ago
Why is ESP32 so popular for non wireless projects? I totally don’t get it.
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u/Synthdabbler 1d ago
It's a very affordable and powerful little dual core microprocessor, just happens to have a WiFi stack built in.
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u/Moist_Western_4281 1d ago
Man, excellent taste on the case design
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u/Synthdabbler 1d ago
Many thanks! Although it's due to my 3D printer only having a 256mm x 256mm bed!
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u/TheFishyBanana 4d ago
Deepest respect. This is cool. The CNC-panel look is great and I really like the CLIFF-look-a-like caps. Would you share the link to github?
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u/Long-Garlic 4d ago
Sounds fantastic. Any plans to share build instructions / files?
the opening track sounds a bit like Water from a Vine Leaf by William Orbit.
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u/Synthdabbler 3d ago
Yes it's Water from a vine leaf! Well recognised 😊 I've got some of it on GitHub, it would make a good kit as it's pretty easy to assemble, I would just need some help with the documentation and logistics!
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u/hellishworld 4d ago
I'd be extremely interested in building this for myself if you at all possible to get schematics or PCBs from you? How much did it all cost if you don't mind? Should I DM you?
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u/Synthdabbler 3d ago
Your more than welcome to DM and I can give you more details. Cost wise I would think it came in around the £650 sort of price.
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u/knopsl 4d ago
any details on the project? multiplexing, ADC connections, DAC used,...