Part of The definitive guide to open source hardware projects in 2009
Music – Music is one of the largest categories: synthesizers, guitar amps, MP3 players to an arcade MIDI device. These projects not only are open, they’re musical (one of the old forms of “open information”) so that’s twice the goodness rolled in to one.
Daisy MP3 player
Can’t find an open source MP3 player? Neither could we. Here’s an idea: Build your own. Daisy is an easy-to-build, pocket-sized open source MP3 player.
Price: $114.95
Visit the project page
Buy one @ Maker Shed
1 bit groove box
The Bit Box. Music Synthesizer using one-bit algorithms based on The One-Bit Groove Box. This goes way beyond square waves and PWM. It continuously incorporates the newest research into 1-bit signal processing from the Ph. D. research of Noah Vawter at MIT.
Price: See parts list
Visit the project page
Arduinome, Formerly the Arduino Monome project
Clone of the Monome, using the easy to find Arduino, and learning a little bit about shift-registers and multiplexors among many other things along the way (Photos, PCB files and OSH license not found, but it appears OSH, email sent)
Price: Review parts list
Visit the project page
Aurora 224
Aurora 224 – Open source DJ mixer, mix audio video & color.
Price: Group orders
Visit the project page
AVR SYNTH
The AVR SYNTH is a monophonic “virtual analog” synth based, originally, on the Atmel AT90S8535 microcontroller and was designed by Jarek Ziembicki. His aim was to check to see if a simple micro could be used for sound synthesis purposes. And the result? The AT90S8535 managed to do all the tasks: front panel switches and pots services, receiving and processing MIDI messages, and sound generation.
Price: See parts list
Visit the project page
Firefly
The Firefly is a tube-based guitar amplifier popularized on ax84.com (a tube amp community and forum). The Firefly PCB was created so even the beginner to tube amps can succeed.
Price: $19.00
Visit the project page
Minty MP3 player
DIY MP3 player. Tired of not being able to find cases for your projects? Stuck with those hideous ABS plastic RadioShack boxes? Try those ubiquitous tin boxes, not only do they block EMI, they come with free mints! Fresh breath and fresh design in one.
Price: See parts list, about $25
Visit the project page
MIDIfighter
DJTechTools Midifighter device. Melds music and buttons mashing.
Price: $125.00
Visit the project page
Where’s the party at b-bit sampler
WTPA is a very full featured 8-bit sampler kit. WTPA, as a KIT, is designed to the following aesthetic ends: to be a good and clear example of fairly “traditional” analog (low noise, relatively low frequency, high headroom, good routing, sensible ADCs and DACs etc) and digital (clean low level code, parallel memory architecture, I/O expansion via latches, various serial communication protocols) circuit design, and is catered to the determined (though not necessarily experienced) kit-builder who really, truly wants to learn more about how electronics work and how to get better at their craft.
Price: See site
Visit the project page
x0xb0x
The x0xb0x is not just another MIDI-controlled TB-303 clone. x0xb0x is a full reproduction of the original Roland synthesizer, with fully functional sequencer. The sequencer can be programmed just like the original 303 (ok its actually a little easier, we think) and can be used to control other synthesizers via any of its various output formats. 128 banks of track memory and 64 banks of pattern memory are stored in onboard EEPROM, no battery-backup is needed!
Price: $350
Visit the project page
ADVERTISEMENT
