Create Digital Music and Reflex Audio have announced the availability of the MeeBlip SE, a new version of their open source + open hardware digital synthesizer.
Here’s what’s new in the MeeBlip SE:
- A more intuitive, playable control layout. The changes are subtle, but after lots of conversations with users, we worked to make each knob and switch the choice we liked best. (Of course, you can still modify those choices via our open source firmware, if you like.)
- Patch storage. Sure, it was a bit more “pure” never being able to store patches, but this is a digital synth, after all. Now, you can save and recall up to 16 patches right on the MeeBlip, using dedicated front panel load and save buttons. It’s especially nice for live performance.
- Variable pulse width. Instead of a fixed square wave, you can now use the dedicated PWM knob to adjust the timbre of the first oscillator. There’s also a “pwm sweep” switch for enabling an automated PWM envelope, of which we’ve grown rather fond. Hello, thick synth leads.
- Anti-aliasing. You can now use more pristine anti-aliased waveforms, or turn this off for other timbral effects. It gives you another option for coloring the MeeBlip’s sound.
- Control everything with MIDI. It’s simple: if there’s a sound parameter in the MeeBlip, there’s a switch or knob to play with it. And now, the reverse is true, too: if you see a switch or knob, you can control it via MIDI. At last, you can use a tracker or sequencer to program detailed MeeBlip sounds.
Here’s a intro video for the Meeblip:
The MeeBlip SE is available for $149.95 for a ‘quick build’ kit, or $129.95 for a hardcore DIY or DIE kit.
The MeeBlip SE looks cool, but I think I’ll avoid the DIE kit. 🙁
It’s cool that all of the SE’s parameters can be controlled via MIDI. There’s exec a TouchOSC template for it. Here’s a screenshot: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/113824/MeeBlipSE.png. Here’s the template: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/113824/MeeBlipSE.touchosc
Been waiting for this for ages…..