The Macchiato Mini Synth is a versatile 8-bit synthesizer that you can build and mod yourself! It features a built-in 13-note capacitive-touch keyboard with 2-note polyphony, MIDI IN, and eight control knobs for shaping your sound.
The Oscillator waveform can be switched between: Sine, Triangle, Saw and Square, while the octave range can switched over 4 octaves. Expression can be added with an adjustable Attack/Decay envelope and MIDI control over Pitch Bend, Modulation, Velocity, Volume and Portamento. Macchiato also features a built in low-pass filter with LFO modulation and controls for LFO Rate, Depth and Cutoff Frequency. LFO shapes available are Sine, Saw, Ramp and Square. Audio is routed to either a 3.5mm TRS or TRRS male jack or the 1″ built-in speaker.
This synth kit can be completed in a single evening – it’s an easy build and suitable for ages as young as 13 (with supervision).
FEATURES
- Capacitive Touch Keyboard, 13 keys, 2-note polyphony
- MIDI IN to control your Macchiato with any MIDI device:
- Responds to Pitch Bend, Modulation, Velocity, Volume and Portamento
- Wave Shape Select: Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square
- 4-Octave Shift: C2-C3 through C5-C6
- Adjustable Attack & Release
- LFO Shape Select: Sine, Saw, Ramp, Square
- Adjustable LFO Rate, Depth and Cutoff Frequency
- Volume Control
- LED Power Indicator
- 1″ On-board Speaker
- Audio Out — accepts 3.5mm (1/8”) TRS or TRRS male jack
- ISP Header for PC connection (to upload software updates/mods)
- Requires 9V DC power from battery or centre-negative wall adaptor
INTERNAL SOFTWARE
The Macchiato Mini-Synth incorporates the Mozzi Sound Synthesis Library for Arduino by Tim Barrass, and is covered by the Creative Commons Attribution / Non-Commercial / Share alike License.. The Macchiato code was written in the Arduino environment and is available open-source on the Github page. Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the synth. Find detailed instructions in the README.md file on Github.
DOWNLOADS
- Macchiato Mini Synth Assembly Manual
- Macchiato Quick Start Guide and Reference Manual
- Cardstock Cabinet Template (Your Macchiato includes this template, but if you need another, here it is. Requires 11×17 printer!)
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Here’s everything you will need to build The Macchiato Mini Synth kit:
- Digital multimeter, able to measure resistance
- #2 Philips screw driver
- Steel ruler or straight edge
- Soldering iron, 15-50 watt
- Wire strippers
- Flush cutters or small diagonal cutters
- Clamp or vice to hold the printed circuit board while soldering (optional, but handy)
- Solder sucker or solder braid – optional, but very handy
- Solder
To build the plastic cabinet kit, you will need the following:
- X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
- Steel straight edge
- Scissors
- Some medium and fine sandpapers (180, 240 and 320 grit)
- Plastic cement
- Super Glue
- A few binder clips
To make your own cabinet using the provided template, you will need the following:
- Card Stock from Zeppelin Design Labs, or from a craft store; or a Cereal Box
- Steel Ruler or Straight edge
- X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
- Several push pins or thumbtacks
- Scissors
- Butter knife
- A few small binder clips or large paper clips
- Rubber cement