ArduinoComponentSketches

Collection of sketches for ATTiny that can be used to replace logic blocks in your circuits. Mostly, these are squarewave sketches so they can easily be used in lunetta-like circuits running 0 to 5 volts. There are plenty of PWM/Analog sketches though too.

Arduino Component Sketches

Objective

Create a library of Arduino sketches that can be loaded on ATTiny AVR micro controllers to use in lo-fi synth/noise circuits.

They can either replace a block of logic or create a new type of circuit altogether. The intent is not to create a synth on a chip, but rather to have a series of building blocks to create richer devices with an actual lower device count. Rather than write the code to tailor the circuit, these are a prewritten library of sketches that can be used to plug into your breadboard or whatever. Kinda like if you discovered a whole new series of CMOS chips like the 4000 series.

Of course, these are really 8-bit microcontroller chips with limitations such as speed, quantization and code quirks.

I am focusing on ATTiny85, 84 and 2313 for the most part. Again, these are components, not full blown synth on a chip things. But you can get a lot of sound from a minimal part count.

Similar works

There are other plenty of projects out there with similar concepts. I draw inspiration from everything and hope that in some little way, someone can draw inspiration from my ramblings.

MiniMoSynth A Formfactor and open source/open hardware design to make ATTiny Blocks. Certainly the closest to what I have here. I do not really have a consistant strategy nor a consistant input like these little blocks. Check em out.

Rad-fi System from Bleep Labs Uses Arduinos as building blocks for Synths on a breadboard. A collection of ATTiny micros with these sketches would be completely compatible with this system.

Bastl Kastle uses 2 ATTiny85s that can be programmed with other features.

Electric Druid has some AVRs and others as building blocks. For example, an LFO.

Moffenzeefmodular has a project called MSG. One of these sketches has made its way into that. Neat! If your not solder/hardware inclined, just get this and stick that that form factor. Looks solid, if its not sold out.

https://noisio.de/de Not sure, but there appears to be projects in the same direction

https://github.com/strickyak/jerboa-attiny85-mod-synth Jerboa Modular Synth blocks. Very similar goals to this.

Background

Background

Requirements

Ability to program ATTiny chips. This only requires an arduino uno, a breadboard and a handful of ATTiny85s to get started. There are plenty of sites that walk you through those steps. If you have only unos or nanos, these sketches might be workable, but keep in mind that in many cases, Im using chip specific timers and interrupt pins. Translating to nano/uno is certainly a workable problem that will tech you a LOT should you want to go that route.

Requirements

In some cases, a few extra parts might be needed like a small PWM filter or R2R ladder. These will be kept at a minimum unless the focus of the sketch IS an interface chip ( think optical encoder, Digital Pot controller and so on)

Form Factor and Design notes

There are SOME common layout patterns, but alas, I tend to play more to the strengths of the GPIO as each sketch needs it.

• Clock inputs are usually int0 ( pin7 ), because that is where rising/falling interrupt is.
• Analog writes are usually on pins 5/6 because that can be set to be FAST.
• I generally do not use delay() or millis(), prefering to write my own so i can choose timers.
• Older sketches use more counters rather than DDS. Feel free to pick and choose the best parts.

Formalized Form Factors

There are a few that I have made Modular Circuit boards from

:sparkler: Sequencer FF - This is a format used by the Turning Sketch. It has 1 Pot, 2 Digitalish inputs ( one is usually a clock ) and 2 outputs. One is Usually PWM filterd and the other a trigger out.

:moyai: - TODO

:rooster: - TODO

System

I have a numbering system so I can halfway keep these things in order. Its more of a guideline.

Numbering System

ATTiny85 sketches

ATTiny84 sketches