It’s a new golden age for synth lovers, past meeting the future and so on. At least, we have a stunning number of wonderful toys. And the DIY community is coming up with a number of particularly special creations.
Take the terrific open source PreenFM, an original, 6-operator FM synth that’s entirely open source hardware (code and schematics).
On Sunday, we learned what creator Xavier Hosxe has in store for the new model:
PreenFM2 status
What’s new in the firmware ?
. Stereo (per carrier operator)
. Multitimbral * 4
. 8 to 16 voices (twice preenFM1)
. Midi over USB (in and out). Din5 still available.
. DX7 sysex bank import (don’t expect miracle but a good starting source to create new source).
. 4 steps envelope (level + time / DX7 like)
. Full floating point engine
. Huge number of preset banks (stored on USB stick)
. 27 FM Algorthms (schemas show up on LCD)
. Dedicated bootloader (3 ways of flashing new firmware : USB stick, sysex, DFU).
Same hardware as the original PreenFM except :
. DC 2.1mm for 7.5V or 9V wall adapter.
. Pins available for expansion
. USB stick to store presets, DX7 sysex files, firmware.
. STM32F4 based (168 or 192Mhz when supported by the chip)
. 2 audio jack
. Real DAC : 2 x 18bits (12+6)
On track for a release in October/November
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