Axoloti – an open platform for making custom hardware synthesizers and audio processing systems – is now fully funded on IndieGoGO, with about two weeks to go in the campaign.
The Axoloti platform lets you create patches using a visual patch browser and then run them on the Axoloti Core. The Axoloti Core, shown at the top of the page, is a circuit board with stereo audio in- and output, audio analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters and a microcontroller, suitable for digital audio processing.
All connectors are on one side to make it easy to build your own tabletop device, rackmount, stompbox or something else.
Here’s the official introduction to Axoloti:
The next video demonstrates how to set up a synth patch:
Here’s a demo of a ‘Hoover’ style patch on the Axoloti:
And here’s an example of an Axoloti beatslicer patch:
Once you’ve created a patch and loaded it to the Axoloti, you can use the hardware ‘brain’ to create custom synthesizers and audio devices.
The Axoloti supports a variety of hardware controls, including:
- pushbuttons
- potentiometers
- LEDs
- LDR light sensors
- FSR pressure sensors
- Flex sensors
- Sharp GP2Y0A* infrared distance sensors
- Servo motors
- Accelerometers
See the project site for details.
via Lukree
This is really interesting platform if it really delivers what it promises.
Has anyone any experience of similar platforms with for example Arduino?
Though it isn’t cheap, but it offers a unique combination of digital modular, portability, and hardware hackability that make it special. Will be watching this closely!!
Seriously – 50 quid for a programable hardware audio platform with io, SD storage and sample playback, midi, midi over usb…free graphical patcher a la nord modular type patching…you want a lot for your money if you think this is expensive, it is half the cost of most software virtual instruments….you can play this as an effects processor or synth as hardware, no computer required once it is patched!
right 60 euros is very cheap for what it does !! put this device in a red metal case, call it “Nord modular G4” and you can sell it 2000 $
Have a look at the videos and watch the CPU meter at the top of the editor screen. For 80euro you’re essentially getting a micro modular with what seems to be about 4 times the processing power and the ability to add your own custom control layout.
Just thinking about it makes it hard for me not to up my pledge amount and claim 2 of them 🙂
I was lucky enough to spot this before it got funded, it’s quite a big risk for the price, but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll keep wishing for a G3.
The comparisons to Nord Modular are a bit narrow. This isn’t just another platform for emulating modular subtractive synthesis, it can be any audio device the specs and your inventiveness will allow. Or any combination of devices, for that matter.
This seems highly similar to the Patchblocks project that I funded last year, except the hardware is more open and there’s more I/O. I’m tempted, but not 100% sure of the software difference if much at all. Can anyone clarify who knows both projects?
The processor in Axoloti Core is faster and more powerful (180 MHz ARM Cortex M4 vs. 72MHz M3), with much more RAM (256kB vs. 8kB) and flash memory (1MB vs 32kB) . Axoloti uses 24-bit samples at 48 kHz, while Patchblock uses 10-bit samples at 20 kHz.
Axoloti spec from https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/axoloti-a-digital-audio-platform-for-makers,
Patchblocks from http://wiki.patchblocks.com/index.php/Patchblock
like this very much, especially the open source nature and support for external hardware control pots. As a Nord G2 modular owner ,I get a deja vu response when i see the GUI and certain features, .THowever this is different as the Nord G2 developments stopped 2007-2009[.Axoloti should be fully commended for resurrecting some of the Nord concepts ,and giving them a 2014-2015 context ,especially for the “maker community” and making it FUN. look forward to getting my hands on some of these in the future.
I like so ideas 🙂 Is it possible to controll parameter (cutoff or whatever) via midi?
Yes, there are MIDI In objects for MIDI CCs, aftertouch, pitch bend, note on/off. These can be wired up to control whatever you want.
This is really neat, I want to know if you can program using different languages and stuff utilizing the hardware.