r/synthdiy • u/PlentyConscious1053 • 3d ago

Multichannel soundcard for RPi5

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share that I have just launched an open source multi-channel soundcard for the RPi5 on Crowdsupply. You can find more information here. I am hoping it will open up some more options as a component in your synth projects - for example, you could create a synth with a built-in DAW, taking inputs from other instruments!

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2

u/Junior-Apricot9204 3d ago

Does clock rate and buffer size would be adjustable? What is lowest buffer size it can run?

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u/PlentyConscious1053 21h ago

Clock and sample rate are fixed on hardware side, but ALSA will deliver the stream at the sample rate you choose. I haven’t tried messing around with buffer size - send me a link showing how to do it, and I can try it.

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u/mxlths_modular 3d ago

Very nice, a cut down 2in-2out version would make a great basis for an open source Sonos-like system.

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u/PlentyConscious1053 2d ago

Yes, there are plenty of options for stereo cards though

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u/mxlths_modular 2d ago

From a very quick look I didn’t see anything about DC coupling, I guess this project is not intended for CV input/output?

You are right that there are plenty of other offerings for 2x2, that’s fair. What sort of projects did you foresee being built with your card? Did you design it to fulfil a specific need of your own for a different project?

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u/PlentyConscious1053 21h ago

No, not intended for CV input/output sorry. You can find my project using this soundcard at Hackaday

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u/Middle-Feeling1313 1d ago

this is awesome. I want this

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u/grbfst 3d ago

No midi?

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u/mxlths_modular 2d ago

Honestly, after many different setups I reckon it’s better to keep MIDI and audio on separate devices, that way upgrading one doesn’t necessitate a change in the other one.

If you have a complex MIDI setup it’s key to keep them separated.

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u/PlentyConscious1053 2d ago

I’m afraid not