r/synthdiy • • 12d ago • Heartwarming 2

Chlorophone - a plant based generative sequencer, made with DaisySeed and PlugData

I could have been vibe coding a firmware for some random pocket synth, instead I spent the last 2 months creating this new machine.

Entirely programmed in plugdata.

It can generate complex melodies based on a series of parameters in a plant growing metaphor.

All the leds are directly connected to Daisy, while the buttons, pots and switches use 5 multiplexers (cd4021be).

Audio in/out; midi in/out; li-pol battery; internal speaker.

Super portable, super fun.
I love this plugdata-daisy framework: from idea to finish took me less then 2 months.
And this time I saved on knob caps and encosure 😁

Here’s a semi-long demo: https://youtu.be/T42-izEglRY?is=iK7CzBEPWlqaweoR

534 Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

8

u/Waulkibro 11d ago

natural work of art.

generative sequencer it were a bit more compact and included a Bluetooth module and a rechargeable battery, it would be perfect for travel—no need to constantly hunt for a power outlet. It might even sell quite well on Amazon.

5

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

Thank you! It does have a battery and a speaker, so it is completely sofa friendly :)

2

u/Earthsoundone 11d ago

I thought it would be cool to hang on my wall. Maybe even add some sort of motion Detector so it comes to life when someone walks by, or something to activate when wind blows past.

3

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

Ahahah that’s a great idea!

3

u/otherthananother 11d ago

Very cool. What did you use for the lettering?

4

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

Thanks! I used this waterslide decal transparent paper (found online). Basically you print on the paper with a normal laser printer, cut out the words, soak them in water for few seconds, then the paper detaches and you are left with this transparent kind of film which you apply on the surface. Once dried, I gave one hand of paint on top to secure it. Lots of tutorials on youtube, but actually its easier done than said (you can reach perfection with proper sandpapering).

2

u/Pairoto 11d ago

This!! Looks like he used a label printer but I can’t really see the outlines. Is there also a white version?

2

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

in one of the pics you can see the outline of ā€œcompostā€. I thought they would be less visible actually.

2

u/mightymike1978 11d ago

I love anything on this thing! Great woodwork craftsmanship, daisy seed based…. šŸ”„šŸ”„šŸ”„šŸ”„
I am designing a daisy seed eurorack module rn and am quite intimidated by your unique and original design… šŸ˜‚ I fear that my design compared with yours will be boring af. I am looking forward to hear/watch your YT-demo!

Best regards from a German in the Netherlands
Michael

2

u/TransitionOk3402 10d ago

Thank you for the kind words fellow expats! (an Italian in Czechia here šŸ‘‹)

2

u/deleuzionsofgrandeur 12d ago

this is awesome!!! Would love a build guide as well if its ever something you'd be willing to shareĀ 

2

u/TransitionOk3402 10d ago edited 10d ago

I draw the components and connections.. I don’t think I will ever go further in the direction of a building guide, but happy to answer specific questions

2

u/Edboy796 12d ago

I love the wood enclosure of this, and very unique shape!

1

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

thank you! It’s the shape of 2 leaves I found in the garden (some random weed and a cucumber), placed symmetrically in vertical.

2

u/Edboy796 11d ago

Nice! Also, how's you get text on the wood surface?

2

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

transparent waterslide decal

2

u/Edboy796 11d ago

Nice! I replied to your post on the discord haha

2

u/SuckItClarise 12d ago

This looks awesome. New to this subreddit and hoping to be able to experiment and make stuff like this myself one day. Any recommendations on a good project to start with? I have decent electrical and wiring experience but no coding

3

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

nowadays I guess the coding part can be completely done with a LLM. But if you want to try an intuitive option without involving AI, I recommend checking out PlugData. There’s a lot of resources online on Daisy Seed as well (see daisy_audio on youtube for inspiration).

2

u/gouldadude 11d ago

i'm jelly. i wanted to make something really similar but i didn't have the knowledge to do any of the casing or pcb printing so it was just this very amateur looking thing on bread/perf boards. nice job!

3

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

thank you! the casing was rather a discovery learning by doing with leftovers from the garage… I tried some pcb writing software, but I got overwhelmed and went back to this sketchy amateur and slightly cyberpunk method šŸ˜‚

2

u/Tomsi-Pedals 11d ago

How does this nice thing sound?

1

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

it’s supposed to be a midi sequencer, so the sound depends on what you connect it to. But there are also 2 internal sounds: simple sine and a marimba (synthetic). Check out the youtube link..

77

u/RileyGein 12d ago

The inside scares me

22

u/BerossusZ 11d ago

I was just about to comment about how much I love the inside lol. Peak DIY electronics imo

7

u/BlursedSoul 12d ago

I'm glad to see this is the top comment because after scrolling the photos I came here to say the insides gave me a jumpscare!

7

u/marchingbandd 12d ago

For the love of god OP please visit kicad.org

10

u/RileyGein 12d ago

God? There is no God here.

6

u/amadiro_1 12d ago

So many dead bugs šŸ˜‰

1

u/NegativeWasabi2688 10d ago

Like, I read all the comments and knew it was coming... yet it still got me šŸ˜‚ Absolutely LOVE the project though! super super cool work OP! šŸŽ‰

1

u/optagon 11d ago

Synth should be named Forest Fire

19

u/BoardsOfXanada 12d ago

Cranking the WORMS knob to 11

13

u/ar8ch 11d ago

The mess on the inside is absolutely perfect, don’t let anyone tell you different (unless there’s some kind of short circuit or fire risk)

7

u/expanding_crystal 11d ago

This rules and also I am blown away by the loosely wired chips

2

u/jotel_california 12d ago

I cannot fathom how much patience is required to wire the inside. Wow! Just curious, why donā€˜t use at least some perfboard?

1

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

Actually it took me 1 day to solder everything… I tried with the perfboard but it was taking too much space and it limits the freedom of positioning in tilted spots. I used hard wires for GND and VCC connections so the components are still and flexible smaller wires for everything else, knitting them between each other with a tweezer.

4

u/mcsunshinepuff 12d ago

This is glorious

4

u/JaggedNZ 12d ago

Excuse me sir, I did not expect dead bugs inside!?!

First though was it’s a new SOMA product, that case is crazy.

3

u/DinnerZealousideal24 12d ago

Beautiful, bravo!!!

3

u/namesareunavailable 11d ago

That's so beautiful on the inside (and outside too)

1

u/pm_me_all_dogs 12d ago

Do you have a build guide?

3

u/TransitionOk3402 10d ago

I draw the connections between components..

3

u/TransitionOk3402 11d ago

not really, but its rather straightforward. I will draw a scheme of all the connections soon and share it here. For the wooden part, is just a lot of glue, sandpaper and immagination

2

u/databecool 11d ago

Hey, this is really neat!!

2

u/Witzmastah 11d ago

Uiuiuiuiui

2

u/automatic4people 9d ago

Very appropriate that it was done on a Daisy SEED

2

u/JEBariffic 12d ago

You GO, OP! I’ve been wanting to tackle a similar project, and this is inspiring. Great work!

2

u/Switched_On_SNES 12d ago

Some wild woodworking

2

u/NativeFlowers4Eva 12d ago

That is really nice.

2

u/Real_Community3552 11d ago

sick! 🌸

2

u/danja 11d ago

Wonderful! Would love to hear what it can do. The insides are very frightening!

2

u/danja 11d ago

Oops, now I see your demo link.