ECE297DP Saturday Sounds / Firmware discussions

Let's make noise! (Spring 2018 version)

The effects boxes are here and available for students enrolled in the Saturday section of ECE297DP. This term, we'll be spending about an hour each week discussing the process of developing firmware within the constraints of existing hardware.

We're also exploring Pure Data (Pd), a graphical programming language particularly well suited to synthesizing, playing, modifying, and generally honking around with audio. The concepts from Pd will largely transfer to the programming of the effects boxes.

So come down and play! We have some open seats on Saturday afternoons, 2:30 - 4:30, in Euler's Good Room. Bring your laptop.

Here are some interesting links:

• Download Pure Data (Pd)

• Pure Data tutorials - cheetomoskeeto

• Pure Data cheat sheet

• The Github repository of Chuck's work on the OpenEffects box, and its documentation

• Chuck's PureData patches for this class, including (in externals) the output~ abstraction

• The OpenEffects Project - the source of the open effects boxes

• The boxes are powered by Teensy microcontrollers from Paul Stoffregen

• ... and use the same chip found on the Teensy Audio Shield

• A graphical web tool which generates the starting framework for Teensy audio effects

Other interesting links:

• Onyx Ashanti - beatjazz performer with self-built audio processing

• Gordon Reid's Synth Secrets

Finally:

I have been developing a blog site using the UMass Create service. I intend to explore its usefulness as a build log tool and as a way to document project efforts. The service is available to anyone in the UMass community, and I encourage students to use it to create a web presence that will show prospective employers the breadth and depth of their work!

See you on Saturday!