Expansion header update?

Quick question: is the expansion header (mentioned in Kickstarter update #14) still being worked on? If so, will it be retrofittable to the Wizard and Alchemist or only available for the Magus (in either or both of its forms)?

Multichannel audio would make the possibilities for these devices go right through the roof.

The expansion headers are there in the devices, but we haven’t completed firmware support for daisy chaining devices yet. We need to get the basic firmware functionality up to speed first for all our supported patch languages, and fix a few teething problems.

You can see the two white headers in this photo, top and bottom of device

They are of type JST PH, with 5 pins: left audio, right audio, ground, +9v, and data.

The top connector is the input, bottom is the output, so any number of devices can be daisy chained.
The idea is that audio, MIDI and control data passes from the top of the chain, allowing you to build up complex combinations very easily.

One of the simplest combos is perhaps connecting a Wizard and Alchemist, using the first one as a synth and the second as effects processor. Or you could plug a MIDI keyboard / grid / pads into the top one, then use the next device to add a voice. Or sequencing at the top, synth below, or… Endless possibilities!

We will of course provide cables and instructions. The enclosures are quite easy to take apart (remove the top components and lock screws, remove front stereo jack lock nut and panel, then lift the whole thing forward and out). We haven’t drilled a hole for the cables to go through: either the case can be reassembled without the front panel for a non-invasive, fully reversible approach; or a hole could be drilled in the plastic, DIY style.

It would also be nice to make some combo-enclosures that fit more than one device. The designs will be published of course, for the 3d printer and laser cutter enthusiasts!

2 Likes

Phenomenal! What a great design. Very glad that the different devices in the line can all be linked. Thanks so much for the info! Understand that it will take some time to get this in the firmware :slight_smile:

1 Like