Radio Music - build pics

Some build pics of the radio music module by Music Thing Modular

These aren't official and I'm in no way affiliated with Music Thing M.
These are just my notes to help trouble shoot, should I run into any probs.
As you can see, I purchased this as a kit from Thonk.

When I first built this, initially it didn't work as I hadn't installed the firmware correctly.

But it's actually a really easy module to build, and I recommend it for a beginner.
There are 2 PCBs

 I usually start with the lowest profile components first.

 When soldering the jacks, button etc, use the faceplate to align everything correctly.

These are headers to connect the two PCBs

It uses a teensy 3.1 0r 3.2

Installing LEDs

You can solder the teensy directly to the pcb, however, using headers makes it easy to remove & test the teensy, away from the module.

The physical build is done.
Next install some audio files to a SD card (32GB).
FAT 16 or 32 is OK
The file structure is this:

16 folders numbered 0 to 15.
They can contain RAW and WAV files (up to 48 in each folder)
No more than 330 files in total.
download this: Empty SD Card File Format

 I use audacity
Audacity - (Windows, Mac, Linux) - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
 
Format: Mono, 44100
Encoding: "Signed 16-bit PCM"

Github details
https://github.com/TomWhitwell/RadioMusic/wiki/SD-Card%3A-Format-%26-File-Structure


 Firmware
This is where I initially made a mistake.
You can either install the firmware onto the teensy with it plugged into the module
or seperate from the module.

On the underside of the module you need to cut between the two gold tabs when you finally plug the teensy in.

However, don't do this if you plan to first install the firmware with the teensy unplugged.
It's easiest to do it this way.

Once you cut between the tabs, then you will have to make all future firmware updates/ changes
with the teensy connected to the module, and the module receiving power from your modular synth.

Actually installing the firmware is easy.
You can download the software here:
https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/loader_win10.html

The program is just a simple excutable file
teensy.exe

 Go to:
File ---> Open Hex file
The file is:
Radio_Music_2017.2.hex

Go to
Operation, then Program

Links
+ Firmware
+ Teensy
+ PJRC
+ Music Thing


This is a Buchla 272e
I've added this pic as it's probably the inspiration for the Radio Music module.
Don was so forward thinking.
Imagine sampling a radio and using it in a live performance.
As you have probably worked out, the Radio Thing module isn't a radio. But it instead can use radio samples.

The 272e is actually a radio

In fact, there are 4 stereo radios.
Tuning is voltage controlable.
Each radio has a ASR envelope generator and a Sample & Hold.

Also google John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen for more info.

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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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