Modular synthesizers have been around since the early 1960s, delivering huge tonal possibilities from their impressive and imposing patchbays. In 1996, the Eurorack standard was launched, and has become the go-to choice for enthusiasts new to the world of modular synthesis. [Rich Heslip] is just one such enthusiast, and has brought Bluetooth MIDI to Eurorack with his Motivation Radio module.
[Rich]’s module is built around the ESP32, which provides plenty of processing power, along with all the necessary radio hardware to communicate over Bluetooth. The unit packs plenty of connectivity into an 8HP wide panel, with four gate inputs and outputs, four CV inputs and outputs, and serial MIDI in and out.
Thanks to its Bluetooth connection, Motivation Radio makes it easy to pass note and gate data into a Eurorack setup, and can be used with the wide variety of tablet and smartphone MIDI software on offer. If you’re eager to build your own, PCB and panel designs are available courtesy of [jakplugg] and [Rich] has shared the software on Github.
Of course, if you prefer MIDI over USB, [little-scale] has the build for you. Video after the break.
What’s the relationship between synth euro-rack and computer euro-card?
Do the synth modules have rear connectors? I presume they’re powered… but any other comms buses?
I can’t imagine them implementing full VME :)
The panel dimensions are based on the same “HP” spacing so it can use the same rails, that is about it, I think!
Search Dieter Doepfer Eurorack power ‘standard’. Not the best but it works.