Next-gen and mini Axoloti hardware discussion

#185

yes that is crystal clear. :slight_smile: but thanks for mentioning it again. so keep two usb c ports and the size as is !

#186

so that means we have an "analog" pass thru as well? or what is "to playback mixer" supposed to mean?

#187

Yes, analog pass thru is possible. See the codec datasheet for full details. There's a corresponding diagram for the output stage.

#188

This is great news and will give me the opportunity to get rid of my shitty self built audio mixers that I made for this purpose :sweat_smile:

What does auxilliary bypass mean? That the aux in is send striaght to the ouptut, bypassind ADC/DAC?

I'd still like to add that a audio mixer shield might still be a cool thing though. Maybe in combination with preamp shields for all us instrumental freaks that wanna hook like a mic, piezo, and say a synth all to the same input.

EDIT: One more question it seems you could have balanced in and the aux in at the same time. if thats the case could I have the onboard jacks for balanced I O and add the aux in via pins?

#189

@Blindsmyth Yes, so logically there are two input TRS connectors. The could be both stereo, both balanced mono or one of each. But yes you could switch them both to mono balanced and then still inject an aux signal from test points. There's a bit of subtlety here; it will be more obvious later on when you have the schematic, pinout and config objects in front of you.

More on aux bypass, so here's what the output stage looks like:

playback.png1703x1266 238 KB

So you can mix dry signal from the input stage back into playback. That's all that bypass means. This is something that is technically possible with the codec on the existing hardware; I'm not sure if people have exploited the feature much though. Think of a simple wet/dry fader on an effect except that the dry signal is never converted to digital.

#190

this is actually a great feature!!!

#191

Yes I agree I think for all guitar pedal builders, and people that build bigger more complex setups all of these features are gold!

#192

i would sure like that to be enabled on the axoloti as well, never have seen this feature, though i vaguely remember johannes talking about it some years ago.

#193

@urklang If you really want to go for small size, why do you use LQFP IC's instead of BGA like the Axoloti? For a open hardware board I see the benefit of LQFP in that it's easier to solder at home, but they do use a lot more board space than their BGA equivalents. I must say you're very good at efficiently using board space though.

I like the option to have balanced audio! Is that what are the extra 16pin IC's are for?
Oh, and is there by any chance jack detection in the headphone socket?

I prefer the usb C + A option, even with a slightly bigger board.

#194

@pierstitus Avoiding BGA is intentional. They would indeed help us achieve a more compact design but they require finer traces and tighter tolerances. This adds expense and complexity to the manufacturing process. Sticking with the LQFPs and more standard traces/tolerances makes the design more portable to different manufacturers and less error-prone.

#195

I see the point, I try to use LQFPs myself too when possible.

Another point, spacewise I'm personally not too attached to having the buttons on the front, and if they are two usb cables attached they will be quite hard to reach on that location. Not sure if you can really save space by moving the buttons, but if you can you have my blessing.

#196

in some situations those buttons are a livesaver if available from the front. i.e. hanging startup patch that can be skipped or entering dfu mode. it is nice to have them available even when in a case...

#197

proto.png1853x917 101 KB

First prototype is on its way to my lab ahead of schedule.

#198

oh baby yeah!! from 24 to 18th :slight_smile:

#199

I think it's amazing how your chosen fabricator managed to ship your product on a day that predates the day it started production:

  • Order shipped 18th September
  • Order started production 24th September

Production day hasn't even arrived yet, and already it has shipped :grin:

#200

Probably they just sent a box with a download-code for when the product is finally ready... :smiley:

EDIT: Yeah, progress!

#201

IMG_20190923_145754.jpg2851x2138 2.02 MB

Proto v1 has arrived!

#202

It looks very very nice :innocent:

#203

I'll second Blindsmyth, it does look very nice. In fact it looks a heck of a lot nicer than the CG image of it due to the alignment of the processor. I never said so previously, but the OCD in me absolutely hated to see the chip set at 45°, it looks much nicer the way you have it now!

Here's to hopefully a problem-free testing period ahead for you!

#204

@urklang

Look beautiful.

Keep up the good work.

Btw, what do you expect the price for the end user will be?