Special Stage Systems has introduced the Ming Micro – a portable 8-bit video synthesizer, with NTSC composite output, integrated chiptune synthesis, SD card slot, USB and MIDI control.
They call it “The ultimate pixel art instrument.”
Here’s the official video intro:
Ming Micro is a USB-equipped portable video synthesizer that generates retro computer graphics in realtime.
Drawing inspiration from the 8-bit era of personal computers and videogame consoles. Every engine parameter is controllable via standard MIDI CC and Pitch Bend messages, from large-scale object properties all they way down to individual pixel placements.
Four main elements make up Ming Micro’s graphics engine:
- Sprites — small moveable objects that can be freely positioned anywhere on the display
- Tiles — graphical blocks that are positioned on a 10 x 12 grid to compose scenes
- Tile Maps — diagrams that specify which Tiles get drawn in which grid locations
- Palettes — color definitions used to render the Tiles and Sprites
Each element contains parameters for shaping its presentation in the final scene. For instance, each Sprite contains an X and Y location, as well as a bitmap index to control its graphical content and animation. All four systems and their corresponding parameters combine to create the final video stream.
For maximum authenticity, Ming Micro outputs NTSC composite video at 240p / 60 fps, the same format and resolution used by classic videogame consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System (SMS). Compared to computer-emulated pixel art, Ming Micro’s output has a natural softness and a variety of subtle analog artifacts native to the format.
Integrated Audio Synthesis
In addition to its primary video capabilities, Ming Micro also contains a simple digital audio synthesizer, providing two square wave generators and a dual-mode noise generator. The audio synthesizer can be used in conjunction with the graphics engine to create audio-visual patches, or in isolation as a standalone sound generator.
In order to use Ming Micro, you need to have:
- A NTSC composite video display capable of displaying 240p signals (such as an old CRT television set, or most composite-equipped LCD monitors and projectors)
- And at least one of the following:
- A USB-enabled computer (for use with Ming Micro’s built-in USB MIDI interface)
- Physical MIDI hardware capable of transmitting CC messages (for use with Ming Micro’s MIDI DIN port)
The Ming Micro is being produced via a Kickstarter project. Pricing starts at US $175 for a DIY version and $200 for an assembled version.
not a bad price for what you get here BUT gawd can’t wait for this trend of looking forward from the back of the bus is done…!
continue playing children! 🙂
Can’t wait for people to grow up enough that what other people enjoy doesn’t affect them!
I agree totally – 8-bit sounds are like shrieks to the ear, he’s just added a poke in the eye. I don’t see a big market for this, most sadists have these bases covered already.
Isn’t this just a Raspberry Pi Zero, made with 80’s tech, being sold for 50 times the price?
people who are instrument traditionalists say the same things about synths in general –
They don’t. I have never heard a traditional instrumentalist respond to synths like that, it is usually, wow that sounds great can I have a go. Maybe it is the playing they are complaining about, because I don’t get that – i never get that.
8-bit sounds were bad in the 80’s. And it was never purposeful. that shrill sound didn’t come from technology, it was a result of a lack of technology – 8-bit was all they had.
composite? these tool could be interesting if they find a way to scale the 240p signal to a HDMI output.
These days all VJ hardware and software use HDMI, SDI or DVI, que expenses to add a composite to HD scaler its not an option.
Does this mean no way to run to a semi-modern projector? I usually use HDMI to do this.
i can confirm this composite-to-hdmi converter works great with Ming Mecca/Micro 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01170LWYY
only caveat is it stretches the image from 4:3 to 16:9, but i think most projectors should be able to force the aspect ratio back to 4:3. ymmv!
Getting over these toys what I want is an octotrack video synth
wow – judging by all the negative comments here i almost didn’t even watch the video. i’m glad i did because this thing looks fantastic! all the graphics and sprites are completely customizable, which is a huge plus. to be honest i’m only interested in the video capabilities of this and i think it’s worth it just for that alone.
It is really cool looking.
The video shows that this thing has really surprising depth to it.
This product is ideal for “Techno Ritualistic Summits?” Good grief, is the Kickstarter still open? Must possess!