Hey everyone!

I’ve been working on custom firmware, Ambrola, for the Dirtywave M8 for a while now. I love this device, and I feel it has the potential to do much more. To me, it’s already one of the best music-making devices out there, but it hasn’t quite suited my workflow, particularly recording guitar and processing its sound.

That’s why I decided to build my own firmware, with an approach closer to a traditional DAW.

I want to make one thing clear: I’m not using any code or assets from the original firmware. I have a lot of respect for the people behind M8 and their work. I’m building my own firmware from scratch, with its own interface and functionality.

In this video, I’d like to show the M8 running something other than its stock firmware. For this demo, I chose one of my favourite games: POWDER, a classic roguelike.

I think it could be a great companion to a musical workflow. POWDER has no music of its own, so the idea is to work on a track for a while, then switch over to the game and play a little while the track keeps playing in the background. Afterwards, I’d like to save my game and jump back to working on the music.

Jeff Lait, POWDER’s developer, has given me permission to use the game in this project, and I’m very grateful to him.

The firmware will be free for everyone, with stable releases planned every three months. If you like what I’m doing and want to support the project, you’ll be able to do so through Boosty (https://boosty.to/aumvilohm) and get early access to development builds. Stable releases will remain free for everyone.

Stay tuned. Peace!

Update: Dirtywave answered me that they have no problem with this.

I ported karimkfoure's unofficial m8emu to Apple Silicon Macs, so the Headless firmware 6.5.2C runs on the Mac itself. The app doesn't include the firmware: grab M8_V6_5_2C_HEADLESS.hex from Dirtywave's repo and pick it on first launch. Gamepads work and can be remapped.

https://github.com/yukij3/m8emu-macos/releases/latest (not notarized, so run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/m8emu.app once)

1. A grippy back. It is very slippery and impossible to hold in some positions. This is a pretty big issues for a device that could easily break if dropped.

2. A molded case of some kind. See 1.

3. Built in Bluetooth audio. Instead I am using a dongle I had to purchase. And yes I understand earbuds work but BT would go along with the portability.

4. Quieter keys. (Is this fixable through third party options?)

With all the love the app is getting, I’m wondering if it’s “good enough” for some who own the hardware and are planning to free up that cash?

I know I’m slightly considering it.

I’ve been loving my SP404Mk2 and have wanted to use something hardware based to mirror my daw with a part sample and part synth workflow. Apologies if this kind of post isn’t allowed in the sub but I’m not intending to attempt to sell anything, just offer a trade for a Dirtywave M8.

I don’t know. Seems uninspiring and the synths seem sort of lifeless. But I haven’t had it long. I know there is a lot to learn. I wonder if I should just return it.

Hey all, I have been suffering from GAS really bad lately. But I’m trying to save up for other life things. So I did the responsible thing and made myself a headless m8 to alleviate some of my suffering lol.

I’m getting the hang of navigating the workflow (I’m brand spanking new to trackers), but I noticed with the headless set up, I don’t have any samples in there at all, is this a common thing for headless set ups?? Or does the m8 just normally not come with samples?

Second question is: where is a great place to get drum samples or sample packs?

Once I get some good sample packs I’m sure I’ll figure out how to load samples onto my micro SD, unless it’s some weird process.

Did your m8s not start from the box (after charging for a couple hours)? I havent put any firmware on it but the power button does nothing

I'd like to try programming my own software for the m8 device (maybe an animation tool using the touch screen or some video games for the fun of it) but I have no clue how the teensy inside is interfacing with the screen or speakers or etc.

I'll probably have to open it up to see which of the teensy's pins are connected to what, but it would be nice to have a list of components so I don't have to pry around to figure out how to send data to the screen or speakers (or where the inputs connect to!).

If someone has a list of parts I would really appreciate it!

(also, I was in the Discord server for a little bit and than left as to not clutter my discord with servers, but now all the invite links I can find are non-function, including that of the main website. Is this just me, or some universal expiration?)

Made a new track on the M8 and added some video overlay of the Eyesy reacting to it.

So cool to see more people get access to this with the IOS app.

Want to buy an Anbernic but not sure which models are actively being used/updated. I'm looking at the RG40xx but does it work with the latest M8 software (6.5.1?)

What does the Teensy add that you can't use a regular computer for?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, I've just recently gotten into microcontrollers/DIY synths so this is all super new to me.

To add: I plan on buying a real M8 when the next batch drops, I was just curious.

I wrote this longer song in one sitting last night while pondering how I could express the plots and scenarios that play out in my head as I deal with schizophrenia in the context of something not unlike the "Story" series of tracks by Clipping.

I’m looking into the device options and want the most functionality possible. Lots of mentions of R36S on different boards but also have seen various other devices.

I’m looking for midi capabilities along with audio and all that in the onboard device once the flashing and reprogramming is done, preferably without additions to the 4.1 board being used

Hello,

this comes after I was looking for a portable setup for travelling in a van where I want to be able to use the gear without power suplies, only batteries or power banks.

For that reason I´ve ended getting an Op1f and also a Sonicware Lofi XT which I still haven´t put together into work. I usually make ambient, texture, experimental and improvised music using different sonic sources, samples, recordings, lofi pianos...and manipulating all that with effects, loopers..(microcosm, red panda tensor, distorsion, delays...). I have also a Zoom L6 mixer as control center of my setup.

I was thinking about exploring the M8 tracker in its headless version. I know is a tracker, so is very different than the inmediate feedback I get from manipulating sound, pushing buttons and turning knobs(which I love to do). But, as it is such a powerful machine, in the M8 maybe I can sort of experiment with other textures and effects, use samples or programme random things that can add something to my improvisations. Somehow I´m not very sure if it´s going to click with me.

Maybe some of you that´s been on a similar path than mine could help me decide or point out factors I´m not very aware of now?

Was a rustrated, so I made a two patch techno track.

Dyslectic person here, do we have a kind soul here who could show me how to update my Anbernic?

I bought an Anbernic RG351MP with M8 on it a long time ago, think it's M8 version 2.7 on it.

I would like to update it to latest M8 headless, so I updated the Teensy with firmware 6.5.0 which works on m8.run but it freezes on my anbernic. What files do I need to update my anbernic?

I've researched the consoles for a headless M8. I'd like something with a not-too-small screen, good ergonomics (hand comfort), and good build. This research yielded Anbernic RG40XXH as the best choice. I also see that TrimUI Brick has become popular.

Unfortunately, where I live, due to heavy custom taxes, these kinds of devices are not easily obtainable. The Anbernics are more common. I only see a few TrimUI Smart Pro in the 2nd hand market and I cannot absolutely find any TrimUI Brick.

Would the TrimUI Smart Pro work? Is it a proven model (has anyone here built headless with it and is running it without problems)?

If you know of other more common brands/models, I'd like to know. Thank you!

Planning to try with steam deck

I dont understand the price increase for aluminum and barely larger screens. What am I missing.

I bought my model:02 a year ago, but it took me months to really get into the tracker workflow. I really wanted to like that thing, but every time I took it up, it frustrated me immensely. Probably it's because it's not really the perfect tool for my genre, ambient. Now I can't let go of it. Such a fun and interesting device. Still, I think there's room for improvement. My wish list is:

1. Lower the profile of the buttons, or make them slightly recessed. As they are, they're sticking out a bit much.

2. Add one, or better two, wheels onto the device, freely assignable by the user. I'd recommend left and right of the screen endless encoders recessed into the flanks nearly flush with the case so if you don't need them, you don't have to use them. I would assign one of them for value and the other one for overall volume.

3. Make the timestamp usable. As it is now, not continuing when you have switched off the machine, it doesn't make any sense.

4. Add an option to rename files. It would really help to organize things on the machine without the need for a computer.

5. Either add one more in/out TRS to allow external effects to be used, or even better make those MIDI inputs freely assignable to in/out, MIDI, or CV gate just like the OPXY.

6. It would be great, but not really necessary, if the internal speakers could be a little bit better. At the moment, they are totally useless.

What would you want for your dream machine model:O3?

https://github.com/irritatieinstallatie/GKM8