Introducing the meeblip se
by James Grahame
Peter and I started work on meeblip se about four months ago, based on a few ideas we had kicking around and some great feedback from users. The design retains the hands-on interface of the original, with the addition of features that make it more powerful (like an adjustable PWM waveform) and easier to use (patch storage).
meeblip se will be available in two versions:
1. A new front panel and pre-programmed microcontroller for existing MeeBlip owners — all the new features except programmable patch storage (there are no save/load switches on the original). Available soon for $25 [Update: We're adding a few last minute features based on some interesting feedback and feature requests].
2. New meeblip se hardware that includes patch save/load and midi channel buttons, power switch on the front panel, and an easier-to-assemble design (the I/O board now mounts directly to the back panel and connects to the main board with a single ribbon cable). There are also a few board tweaks to reduce noise.
The ‘rock horns’ panel design is gone (some loved it, others loathed it) and we’ve rearranged the controls to allow users to tweak the LFO and filter without having to use the ‘knob shift’ switch (which has been moved to the extreme right, so you can find it without looking).
New features:
- Sixteen patch memories (accessed by tapping the save/load button and flipping one of the sixteen front panel switches)
- Two envelopes – a dual-mode A/D or A/S/R amplitude envelope and an A/D envelope for the filter
- Bandlimited oscillators (with optional raw waveforms, if aliasing is your thing)
- Dual-mode PWM waveform on oscillator A. Select either a pulse wave with user-programmable width, or sweep the pulse width with user-programmable sweep speed
- New triangle waveform on oscillator B
- Filter envelope amount has been added to the front panel
- Extended MIDI parameter control
- A redesigned front panel
The new se hardware will be available in a few weeks for the same price as the original — $139, including multi-volt power adapter. You can pre-order a unit from the first batch by submitting a request on our contact page. We’ll be shipping directly from the USA to reduce shipping costs and increase delivery speed.
Peter Kirn
James Grahame
Sounds like a great update, thanks! Will we also have to wait until the 8th to download the firmware to update it ourselves?
Damon
We're aiming to make the new firmware available for download on or before the 8th.
Looks like the bees knees. After I get a piston Honda thus is next on the list.
Are you planning on having the SE available in the DIY Hacker Kit form factor?
@Andrew: Yes, there will be a hacker board version.
Amazing! I came across this site a few days after you guys declared war on Canada Post… I've been chomping at the bit for news on the SE ever since. I'll be pre-ordering one today!
Demos ! Want to here these newer OSCs !!!
Looks amazing. Exactly what I need for my Keyboard-version of the MeeBlip.
By the way, I really like the new design of the front panel.
Get my in for one hacker-kit.
[...] James Grahame ha desvelado los detalles del próximo sintetizador MeeBlip SE, una nueva versión del sintetizador de código abierto MeeBlip. Según dice Grahame, el diseño tiene la misma interfaz que el original, con algunas mejoras muy interesantes. [...]
[...] Grahame has released details on the upcoming Meeblip SEsynthesizer – an updated version of the Meeblip open hardware [...]
Yay a power switch!!
No midi dip switch anymore?
The midi dip switch isn't needed anymore. Tap the 'midi' button, then toggle one of the 16 slide switches to choose a new channel. MeeBlip will remember the last setting when powered off.
I want to try the new features on my beeblip replica. I add a LM386 to the audio output and a MIDI out port. When and where can I download the new SE firmware?
Update: We're adding a few last minute features based on some interesting feedback and feature requests].
Oh do tell !
How's this going? I'm so excited! I missed out on ordering one before, but I'm getting the SE.
The SE is nearing completion. We received a sample of the front panel overlay earlier this week. It has a metallic silver background which looks absolutely fantastic, but we discovered that glare caused the white text to become almost invisible at some angles.
We had to make a few tweaks and it's been resubmitted for production.
Apart from that, everything's on track. The circuit boards are scheduled for assembly and we'll roll out the software soon.
I'm a bit out of the loop. Does this iteration support USB Midi?
No USB MIDI. The ATMega chips simply aren't powerful to manage a USB stack and real-time synthesis.