"Bliptronome_V2" Bliptronic-Arduinome firmwarereleased

arduinome

- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
Hey all!
After a long couple of days, I've released the "Bliptronic 5000-to-Arduinome" conversion firmware! A final test video with 4 ADCs, source code, and pre-purchase info for a kit version is available here:

http://www.straytechnologies.com/bliptronome-v2-tests-kits-and-code-released/

Be aware that a full sized Arduino Duemilanove won't fit in here. For that reason, the PCB is not a "shield" but a minimal Arduino on a custom board.

The source code includes a full pin-out, and enough build instructions to get an intermediate builder going.
enjoy & let me know what you think!
- CommentAuthorAmoeba Fertile
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
man o man.. your dope
- CommentAuthoregon77
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
This is really cool! Ordered 2. Looking forward to getting it working!
- CommentAuthormapmap
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
just preordered a kit.
awesome!
- CommentAuthorghd
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
just ordered one. contact me at unfretted1@ gmail.com
looking forward to the grand experiment!
- CommentAuthorcantaloop
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
+1
- CommentAuthorJP
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
Ordered two.

1 I'm planning on seeing if I can get a Eurorack faceplate made and install it in my modular with a usb cable coming out the front.

:-D
- CommentAuthorJP
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=175583

:-D
- CommentAuthormaersk (dovemouse)
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
this is cool :)
- CommentAuthorMatrix
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
Is there a pad replacement kit for this thing? Those aren't pads, they're more like toggle buttons. Great job on the project but I don't see why most wouldn't just get a Launchpad. Though its a little cheaper, you have to facter in the time you would have to spend to put it together, and the buttons.
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
Thanks all for the support on this! It was originally a selfish pursuit as I just couldn't commit the bigger price-tag amount just to see if I'd like the creative process of a matrix controller.

@Matrix - I know it seems trivial to most, but the extra $100 difference may be enough to make it ok for "newbies" to try. At worst, people can see if they like the paradigm and maybe save up for a big boy. I explain it to a lot of people as a "gateway Monome." And I know this isn't for everyone.. but to me, build time is time really understanding how the tools work.

@JP - rackmount! yes! There is something nice about the portability of it. Maybe that's just my chiptune side talking. :)
- CommentAuthormapmap
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
matrix, have you seen a launchpad in person? that thing is comically HUGE. it is about the size of a 256.
the bliptronic has the same footprint as a 64 but with 4 pots.
- CommentAuthorghd
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
matrix- Isn't it great to have all these options! launchpad, monome, arduinome and now a rewired blip. Pick your poison, I love it.
I'm mainly doing the blip to brush up on my soldering skills. In the wise words of Napoleon Dynamite "you gotta have skills. Gosh."
- CommentAuthorcantaloop
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
i got 2 launchpads, quiet nice, got a gig yesterday with a stepper and mlr.
i mean, a launchpad isnt really a monome or a arduinome cause of sending midi, not osc.
i always getting some led problems and troubleshooting.i mean it is great to play monome patches through the launchpad, but i think u better go with osc and monome/arduinome-serial.
i right now order stuff for my first arduinome`s and i think this is a good way to start dealing with soldering and building an arduinome.

@vblank
hope u get my purchase.u can find my email in my profile.greetz:)
- CommentAuthorJP
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2010
I have a launchpad it's great for launching clips in ableton, I also have a monome kit, monome 256, arduinome, viewnome, etc etc.

I've been very excited about the prospect of the blipnome due to the VERY low cost of entry, and the fact that it's housed in a perfect case. It's perfect as a gateway monome, or as a spare, or for kids, or for hacking to pieces and adding to a eurorack. ;-)
- CommentAuthorrud
- CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2010 edited
@vblank: So, I dived in and gave it a try, so far :
- LEDs are working and can be triggered from monome_test.mxb
- Buttons are not responsiv, I probably forgot something somewhere.

Also note, in my case, touching the audio jacks randomly lits some LED's, I guess
I will have to remove the audio jacks ..

Will report here when I can figure what is wrong

Alson note, I'm using a Seeeduino, I unsoldered the black headers, and it fits well in the case (had to trim ONE mounting pole from the plastic case ..)

Edit: It works ! My mistake was to do : Btn_x > Resistor > Arduino_pin_x, whereas the good combo is Btn_x > Arduino_pin_x AND Arduino_pin_x > resistor > GND
Doh !

Great job vblank !

Ps: This really makes me want to add a bluetooth module in and use the battery pack to power it !
Siince I got the hardware part working (search for "wireless" in the forum) .. Anyone could recompile ArduinomeSerial (osx) with IOBluetooth support in the serial part ? (I think I narrowed it down if someone is interested ..)

Oh, and I'll upload pics soon !
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010
Very Cool!
Did rearranging the resistors also resolve the audio jack problem? sounds like you have a power going to the audio ground somewhere. I just disconnected the audio pigtail completely inside.

Glad to here someone else got it rolling!
- CommentAuthorrud
- CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010 edited
@vblank : I had a short between two switch pins (behind the Bliptronic PCB), because I reused the headers from the Seeeduino to make a female "plug" for the PCB male headers .. But magic multimeter saved me once more !

Regarding the audio plugs, since they are not used, I decided to remove them... "just in case"...

Here are some pics of the result (note I still need to add the ADC) : http://rudb.blogs.new-net.org/2010/02/23/bliptronic-5000-to-arduinome-mod-complete/

I'm also thinking it would rock to add an accelerometer in addition to the 4 ADC, I wonder if a light version of the "16 ADC" mod (search forums) could fit inside ..

Also need to find something to do with the 4 audio jack holes :p
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010
Nice! Can't wait to see the pots on it. Now if only I had time to use mine!
- CommentAuthorrud
- CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010
4x ADC added, pics here : http://rudb.blogs.new-net.org/2010/02/24/bliptronic-arduinome-mod-complete-epilogue-4-adc-addon/

Ps: Would you add any resistor between the ADC's ?
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010
I didn't put resistors on mine, but I know they are susceptible to noise. Adding the resistors will decrease signal range a bit, so I've not made a concise decision on which way to go on that. Let us know what you decide!
- CommentAuthorMatrix
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
mapmap -
Yea, I've owned a Launchpad since the day they came out. I also own a 128 and a Lemur so I think I can make a good comparison. Yea, the buttons are big, AND? You think that's a bad thing? When the Launchpad was first released there were some bugs when running monome apps on it which is expected with anything new. But now, it runs them beautifully. I use it with MonomEMU and it works perfectly. Plus, new patches can be designed for its 3 color LED grid.
- CommentAuthorJP
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
The awesome thing, is you don't have to get it. That's OK. It's choices that makes all this stuff so exciting.
- CommentAuthorST8
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
So i'm wondering if anyone knows where we can get these in europe without paying double the price (57 euro on juno) or paying 38 dollars delivery?
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
In France, I paid 50$ + 33$ shipping + 27 euros for taxes.

So, 88 euros or 120 $ in total !
- CommentAuthorST8
- CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010 edited
I'm thinking 5v arduino pro mini and bluetooth module like rud suggested. I recon i should be able to program the pro mini with another arduino, bypassing the need for an ftdi cable.

EDIT: the pro mini doesnt provide enough power, maybe moderndevices RBBB (rated 300mA)? Anyone know what the power drain of the bliptronic is?
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010
As the RBBB is a kit (one I like quite a bit!), you can replace the regulator with a L7805 to allow a little more amperage.
I suspect the Blip won't need more than that, or I would have fried a few Atmega chips by now.
- CommentAuthorcantaloop
- CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010
do you get my order vblank?think i did twice, want only one.u shipping to germany?

bhertel79@gmail.com

greetz
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010
Hi Cantaloop!
If you didn't get a paypal receipt, then the kit is not ordered. I am shipping a few to Germany, but did not find that email in my sale list. I'll email you directly to verify.
- CommentAuthorcantaloop
- CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010
thx for the mail! send it next week:)
- CommentAuthortimpossible
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010 edited
vblank, I just placed my order for the Bliptronome Kit. Right after ordering the Bliptronic from ThinkGeek. I used coupon code GeekPuzzler during checkout at ThinkGeek to get $10.00 off an order of $40.00 or more. So my Bliptronic is getting shipped to me for $47.08 USD.

I'm sharing this because I've been considering building an Arduinome for some time now. I'm familiar with the Arduino, and have been using it for RGB LED lighting projects.

From that experience I've been wanting to build an Arduinome for a couple months, and have done research on where/how to find the various shields to attach to my Arduino and Arduinome enclosures in North America.

Your work/product came just in time, as a newbie since I was on the verge of becoming overwhelmed on where to buy what, and what to buy, or just to stick with my current hardware (which I think is inhibiting my musical exploration).

You mentioned: "the extra $100 difference may be enough to make it ok for "newbies" to try. At worst, people can see if they like the paradigm and maybe save up for a big boy."

This is exactly me. I can't wait for my new gear to arrive, and to document and share the experience!
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010
timpossible!
Thanks for your kind words.
As I've mentioned, I teach at a local university, and lead workshops for artists and musicians to learn these new technologies, and I am very sensitive to price and the learning curve!

I look forward to seeing what comes of this for you.
I suspect you'll be part of why open-source works; eventually helping others get in over there heads, and go places they've never been.
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010 edited
hello! i'm a "I know what I'm doing & I wanna Do it NOW!!!" folk

i'm trying doing a bliptronome with a duemilanove arduino board. i flashed and connected everything according to the picture posted on the website.

the serial is correctly changed, but the board isn't recognize into Arduinomeserial. Could it be because i didn't change the ComPort value to 57600 ? I don't know how to proceed ?!

cheers

Alrick

note: FTDI drivers are installed, pots are not connected to the board (for the moment, i need to buy 4 of them).
- CommentAuthorMudo
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010
...

Are you reflashed the fdti chip properly into "monome" one?

The step about serial number in arduinome process...

...
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010
Mudo is right Alrick!

You need to rename the FTDI firmware to be called something like "a40h-501"
a40h series devices are then recognized by Arduinome serial.
Here's a great step-by-step on how to do that using FTDI's free "MPROG" program.
http://blog-desorden.blogspot.com/2009/02/arduinome-phase-3-programming-arduino.html
I believe the Arduinome build site has this info as well.
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010 edited
yes yes, i've already done that. that's my first arduinome. i've already built a 40h kit and i own a lovely 256. i proudly named my blipnome a40h-555 with Mprog (and with "pirate rename" under MacOsX, just to test).

just didn't understand this line in the info.txt :

"Verify your Com Port is set to 57600"
- CommentAuthorvblank
- CommentTimeMar 23rd 2010
"Verify your Com Port is set to 57600"

Is a setting already in the firmware. For Windows people, they need to verify the setting in "device Manager" is at least that speed. I believe OSX uses a faster speed by default. Is it still not visible in ArduinomeSerial?
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeMar 24th 2010
i will check that tonight ! keep you informed :)
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeMar 24th 2010
'lo!

so, the blipnome is now recognised by arduinomeserial ! i had to reload some kext under OSX after using Pirate Rename to change the serial.

Now, debugging ! Lights are OK and successfuly controlled via monome_test. But button press not working at all. Can someone tell me where should i look ? I double checked every solder joint. Wich pin on the arduino board is controlling the button press ? An analogic ? A digital ?

cheers!
- CommentAuthorAlrick
- CommentTimeMar 25th 2010
i started debugging the whole thing last night. I unsold every connection and reconnect everything but got the same problem : the led matrix is fine (i can activate each led individually in monome_test) but the buttons don't work.

When everything is connected to the arduino board, i've got a continuity between the ground and the +5V, but no continuity between +5v and the ground when the bliptronic isn't connected to the arduino. Is that normal ?

I don't know where to look now. I've got strange lights movements when I shake the all thing, but i double and triple checked every solder joint and it I followed exactly the instructions in the attached picture.
- V2_PinConnections.jpg

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"Bliptronome_V2" Bliptronic-Arduinome firmwarereleased