Thanks Floyd, some more info about picotracker. The software is a port of LGPT *piggy tracker* that was made for Game Park handhelds like the GP2x and GP32 decades ago by Marc, but the picotracker devs are are further developing it. You can config the button layout to be almost the same as LSDJ that LGPT was heavily influenced by but the select button was dispersed to two shoulder buttons on the Game Park models, so having it back in a gameboy style format the two select buttons is a little weird. The audio out put is very loud, and needs an inline volume control to safely use with headphones. Otherwise it's a fun little tracker. It's limited and clunky compared to the M8 ( my prized possession ) and one might say the same about LSDJ at this point but there is a lot of shared heritage here. If you want to get into handheld sample based tracking on the cheap this is great and great way to get your friends or family into tracking.
The skill, labor, and risk of total loss involved in soldering that ribbon connector is likely a significant source of price difference. Amazing project!
Actually once you've had practise a few times, even someone with less than great soldering skills like me can solder the LCD pretty quickly 😅 The kits listing I put up on tindie I've now decided to provide the LCD already soldered on to help people and also make it easier to test that both PCB and LCD work as the manufacturers of these don't seem to be stellar at their QA! 😅
Love to see the Aussie representation in this video! Avrilcadabra is awesome and so is CoreElectronics! I have a Dirtywave M8 but I might have to order one of these kits from Maks Makes! Also, sick track at 13:23 !
Thanks for watching - yes, Australia seems to be the continent of all things tracker! (And I think I need a Therapsid synthesizer, thanks Avrilcadabra) :-/ :-)
Gotta say, this is pretty neat! I already have a Polyend Tracker Mini and a Dirtywave M8 so I don’t need this, but this looks like it could be a ton of fun to play with. I think I’d print keycaps that are labeled for the functions associated, but otherwise it looks pretty cool!
Very interesting project, during the build portion it really shows how important it is to tune your 3D printer before shipping to avoid tolerance issues!
Thanks for watching! I guess you're right - but I don't own a 3D printer yet, but as this channel continues to get ever more "DIY", perhaps I should. And then I'll remember your advice. ;-)
Thanks! That track was made with external instruments only, (to show the MIDI sequencing) with the bass drum sound coming from the picoTracker. The picoTracker is a relatively simple sample playback device, you can't achieve this kind of sound quality with it on its own. The instruments used were "Dreadbox Nymphes", a 6 voice analog synth that happened to have a black friday sale, "Source Audio collider" reverb pedal, and "Reface DX", one of Yamaha's mini fm synths.
I've pinned this, sorry for the copypasta ;-) For everyone asking how to get the kits, it roughly works like this (please feel free to correct me or suggest other companies) 1.) PLEASE watch the whole video, especially my "verdict". 2.) Find at least 5 people who'd like to build this. 3.) Download the schematics from democloid's page github.com/democloid/picoTracker/tree/master/fritzing 4.) find a company that offers 3D printing and PCB making you trust. (I once got sponsored by PCBWay and the parts they sent me were of high quality, so I have no problem recommending them) 5.) everyone pays a fraction of the cost 6.) receive the parts, everyone starts building. ;-) If you don't know what to upload to services like PCBWay, please watch my video on LMN-3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EEqLA-CZeUM.html, I've explained the process there.
@@mr_floydst That's great! It's not exactly "under $50" as the kit costs $70 and shipping to my country is $20, almost doubling the somewhat "click baity" price you mentioned, but it's a nice sequencer non the less. Do you know if it'll export and/or import its sequences in standard .mid file format?
@@meneerjansen00 Yeah, that's right - the $50 price tag can only be achieved when buying the parts seperately (and having a 3D printer at hand), or finding a group of people to order at companies like PCBWay with. MIDI import/export isn't possible (yet). Perhaps join the project's Discord server and share your ideas?
I just need something that syncs to midi and sequences midi in live conditions (with the said instrument in the pre-hear/monitor before bringing it in) . . even better yet, record and quantize in real time what I play into a 16-32-64 step pattern loop. Bonus points if it can do it polyphonic, another point if you can alter SWING after recording of the single channel and confirmed kill if it can do it into and from multiple devices to their dedicated channels. Any LIVE techno artist would kill for one, because you would no longer have to have preset patterns for everything. You'd just make the phrases live and keep transforming from one loop to another as soon as you'd get bored of the bass line, hook, main synths, drums.
@@silverlight2004db This one could potentially do it for 50 but firmware probably would need a lot of work. There wasn't much said about the midi part itself. Midiphy would be a lot more interesting if it wasn’t so expensive, for 300 you can get circuit tracks with two synth engines, 4 sample tracks AND two polyphonic midi tracks. Of course you don’t get the flexibility of the multiple audio outputs, which is why any device with a single output is a mere groovebox. Looking at you, MPC one and Elektron 👀
@@pirateradioFPV fair enough, it is relatively pricey, but it's a very sophisticated midi looper and sequencer as well as a 3x4 midi interface and the build quality is high, which explain the higher cost...
Seems like trackers like this one are not too far off your vision here. Democloid (this projects developer) is thinking about adding MIDI in support, so perhaps hop onto the Discord server and share your ideas! discord.com/invite/xmytWNp7
@@silverlight2004db Well, it's only relatively pricey. The price pyramid for these things is rather big and wide, top end going for ~2000€ . . so a cheap alternative does raise the eye brows of the hardware community. Starting at 300€ the midiphy is probably half-way a charity project for the people running it, because the market is so very niche.
For everyone asking how to get the kits, it roughly works like this (please feel free to correct me or suggest other companies) 1.) You can buy the kit here www.tindie.com/products/maksmakes/picotracker-kit/ OR 2.) Download the NEW schematics here: github.com/democloid/picoTrackerPortable-case 3.) PLEASE watch the whole video, especially my "verdict". 4.) Find at least 5 people who'd like to build this. 5.) find a company that offers 3D printing and PCB making you trust. (I once got sponsored by PCBWay and the parts they sent me were of high quality, so I have no problem recommending them) 6.) everyone pays a fraction of the cost 7.) receive the parts, everyone starts building. ;-) If you don't know what to upload to services like PCBWay, please watch my video on LMN-3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EEqLA-CZeUM.html, I've explained the process there.
Do they support those fritzing files? (I mean PCBway?), because it seems we have to download the fritzing software (not free, mandatory donation). Not that the measly 8euro is anything expensive, it's just that it demands that to even check out the process... (which I am against when it comes to "free" software), in my world you try first, then donate. Not the other way around, donate first - then try.
@@ndguardian Ah sorry about that, I initially didnt think anyone in US would be interested as postage is a bit expensive from down here in Aus, but I've added US as a shipping option now if you are still interested to get one.
@@mksln hey no worries! I was more calling it out in case anyone else in the US was interested so they knew which route to go. Figured shipping would be a little expensive and just wanted to temper people's expectations accordingly.
Hm, I've always wanted the M8 but too stingy to give 500$ and wait forever to get one, so this appeals to me a lot. I do have the LAB to build this, even got the 3D printers and probably screens too, and even the pico... Should make for a nice christmas project. Kinda wanna build this now.
For clarity when M8's are available you buy direct from stock and it arrives in (like 5 days to Australia), just people often decide to get one when none are in stock and have to wait for a new batch.
There was a black friday sale for these on Thomann's recently, so now I have one. Sold my S-1 and J-6 to fund this which might or might not have been a good idea. ;-)
Veryvery nice job dear Floyd. Is there a live Mode to play just a drumkit ( base, snare, highhats..) with few fingers? Thats musst be fun to play Drums with some musicians 😂
Instead to mess around with the hardware, another option is to buy an Anbernic handled console for the same budget and much more powerful than a RPi pico... However, it is still a very cool build ;-)
The best way to get the kit kind of works like this: 1.) Find at least 5 people who'd like to build this. 2.) Download the schematics from democloid's page github.com/democloid/picoTracker/tree/master/fritzing 3.) find a company that offers 3D printing and PCB making you trust. (I once cooperated with PCBWay and the parts they sent me were of high quality, so I have no problem recommending them) 4.) everyone pays a fraction of the cost 5.) receive the parts, everyone starts building. ;-) If you don't know what to upload to services like PCBWay, please watch my video on LMN-3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EEqLA-CZeUM.html, I've explained the process there.
It's a cheap battery powered one by a company named "Toolcraft", and it isn't available for purchase any more, sadly. I really like the LED which highlights the spot you're working on, it's super helpful. I haven't found that on other battery powered irons so far. One battery charge usually is enough for small DIY projects like this one.
No, the project is very much alive. It's just that making and shipping the Kits proved to be too much work. Please join the project's Discord to learn more about recent updates.
This is great. I don't see provided STL files for a user to customize the buttons or case. Having icons on the buttons would help and add to the accessibility.
The buttons are still being tested. I had to switch my printed ones out as they were unstable. But if you ask maks I'm sure he would share the file with you
Thanks for sharing! Yes, that was a fast fix. ;-) I'll do a stealth picoTracker update video soon when comparing this box to an "Ambernic RG35xx" handheld linux gaming console running a tracker software.
@@mr_floydst i'm glad that this project got new iteration, i even managed to run LGPT on my Nokia N95. The best Nokias are models with qwerty keyboard and horizontally oriented screen, for N95 i installed additional program that allows to rotate screen manually. Biggest challenge is to sign the app or hack the phone to bypass certificate check.
Well, one could ask more politely, but there are some ways to get this under $50: 1.) follow this guide (as linked in the video's description) democloid.com/2023/04/20/picoTracker.html 2.) find a couple of friends / people that want to build this and issue a batch order of the components. I linked Maks' kit offer because people asked me to!
@@mr_floydst pu-pu-pu... Okay, it looks like the neural network video translator from Yandex (and it’s already at least three years old) has room to grow) And I should have double-checked the information before writing a comment)
I don't get the whole $50 claim here. when I go to the website, I'm seeing $135. (most likely still a solid value, but a hell of q lot more than $50.) otherwise, this seems like a pretty simple build & a fun device for making bunches of music.
@@mr_floydst There's an example on the adafruit page to use the macropad as launcher for ableton, and seems not too bad even if the screen is small, I have one and I think can be good.. I wanted to port the code to the macropad so I did a quick look at the github but I didn't find any configuration file to remap the button and screen pins, do you know if this file exist? And, last question sorry 😁 can you point me to some nice USB midi sequencer? USB because I'm using the neuma studio raspberry pi midi host
unfort the screen on the macro pad is too small for the UI and you would also need to be able to add trs jacks, midi uart, batt charging and a dac and at the point you basically have the picotracke 🙂
Yes I used lgpt a bit on a rg280v before I came across the picotracker and for me being able to do midi which was not possible on the anbernic was big selling point for the picotracker, plus it's fully open hardware! 😊
Why, oh why did I sell my A1200?! This is so ridiculous in it's programming. A simple port for a keyboard and the same key-settings as Protracker would be a winner. Now it's a confuser. (My 2 cents)
I found it not so bad, to be honest. Enter+Up increments by 10 / an octave. The only thing that is _really_ annoying is naming an song, everything else is quickly done.
@@80Jay71 insofar that converting 200 floppies to images is painful? or is there a bug that makes UAE crash when dealing with a certain number of floppy images?
@@mr_floydst I probably should have watched the video before commenting; I got a bit excited but it's still cool. Hope it does well. Australia seems to be the place as of late for diy type instruments. Appreciate the info good sire
Soldering the LCD ribbon cable is not for unexperienced "tinkerers". I heard there'll be a hardware revision somewhen down the line, though. Organizing a "ready to use" shop (and building all those kits) is a lot of work. Perhaps join their Discord server discord.com/invite/xmytWNp7 and ask there. I guess someone is willing to help you!
Thanks for watching! That's the price for Maks' premade kit. You can also download the schematics and 3D print the case, order the PCBs... and you'll land around $50 then. As I'm getting a bit weary of posting this over and over again, I'll just change the thumbnail, tomorrow. ;-)
That's right. But it's still relatively early days for this project - some software synths seem to be in development. Join their Discord server if you want to follow the project (it's a nice crowd there)
I just checked them and they seem to be ok? I used a free URL shortening service because bit.ly wants to earn money with their service now and I don't use them often enough to open yet another account.
@@mr_floydst the little keyboard pad that is used in this kit with the switches . It would be perfect for a m8 ! And it’s I think the same if not similar layout
@@mastermachetier5594 thats not the intention at all. The M8 headless is intended to give people the opportunity to try before deciding if they want to buy an M8, **not** to undercut the M8 and rip off Trash80 who has obviously put his heart and soul into making the M8 such an amazing instrument!
actually sorry about that, I thought I had enabled shipping to Uk as well but ooops, forgot about recent history! 🙂 I've enabled UK shipping if you are still interested in getting a kit,
it is a port of LGPT, some features have been removed/disabled like sound font support and tuned feedback to make it work on the pico, but they have midi working which was always a difficult task on lgpt and they are working on further developing features.
Oh, I get it, you mean the links in the videos description. I used a free link shortening service - changed it to the original links now. Thanks for mentioning that.
@@-Deena. sure but there are already 2 alternative key mappings available, so that restricts people somewhat. And then alot of touch typists prefer to have blank caps keyboards, so I guess it comes down to personal preference.
"Under $50" I'd suggest to revise that since it actually is about $100 unless you can conjure it up using the holy spirit and some phat magick. About $100 since the kit is $70 + $20 shipping, and you'll need solder, flux, tape etc.
You can get it for that $50 price tag if you find a group of people that are willing to make a batch order at some PCB developing service. I included the link to the kit because people asked me to...
@@mr_floydst I think $50 is still quite optimistic, I've done batches of electronics ordering PCB's and components etc, unless you find some way to get a large number of people together to do it at once. Then someone would have to manage and coordinate it all for free or so, and split and ship the kits which will add to the final price tag. Not to mention the risk of something going wrong, like missing parts in some shipments. Forgot to add, you'll be hit with import duties too. To me for $100 roughly it's still a good deal. Will probably get one, maybe even 2 lol.
@@noth606 $50 is not optimistic, its simply the base cost *if* you ordered all the parts yourself or as a group buy to get at least 5 PCBs and then ordered all the other parts. But as you say thats alot of work and thats what put me off other projects in the past, hence why I thought it might help people if I offered complete kits, but to do that, I needed to also pay tindie's commision, card transaction fees, tax, offer to solder the LCD because thats tricky etc, hence the need to charge $70 instead of the base cost of ~$50 for just the parts. But as you say, compared to most other music gear, even $70 for a kit is still quite reasonable.
@@mksln I suppose we have a different view of what is meant by optimistic then, because the rest of your comment outlines exactly why I consider it to be "optimistic" so to speak. I wrote what I did based on my own experience with this kind of things, where what often happens is that you make a quick calculation "on the back of a napkin" so to speak, then go with that number, and at the end of it end up with a higher actual cost because something came up that wasn't thought of, or expected. I'm not trying to be negative, quite the contrary, I'm just saying that often the initial cost estimates are not met due to one or more things that weren't considered. And since I think it's a very cool idea I hope that it goes well not only for this version/batch, but so that there will be more similar things in the future. I've been involved in one way or another with multiple sort of similar projects where a cool idea comes along, and people get swept up by it and with a very optimistic view get busy setting up to fund and produce the thing. The most common reason for things going wrong is a too optimistic cost calculation.
@@noth606 ok we're on the same page now! Yes I guess it is a optimistic in that that's what it costs if you and a few friends get together, make a batch and nothing goes wrong. And when I say a few, could just be for yourself as they are very affordable compared to almost any other music device, so I've made 2 for myself already and will probably have a few more personal ones before I'm doy🙂
Thanks for watching - I can see where you're coming from, but talking about DIY projects like this one usually gets a lot of views, so the audience definitely is there (this particular video here is the second most successful this year so far). I'll talk about DAWs and synths in future videos. May do a live stream testing my viewers favourite DAWs and plugins on that mini PC soon.
@@mr_floydst Hey Floyd, please don't let people tell you what to feature on YOUR channel! I will never buy 99.9% of the gear you feature but your vids are a still a great watch!
