Open Source Digital Synthesizer Uses Beaglebone Black

Liam Lacey has built an impressive digital synthesizer from an old toy piano and a BeagleBone Black.  The DIY project is entered in the Element14 Open Source Music Tech Challenge.  The project is open hardware and open software with all design files hosted on Github.  To find out more see his blog posts on Element14 or his Vintage Toy Synthesizer Tumblr page.  He also created a number of vintage toy synthesizer YouTube videos.   The video below is an overview of the specifications and features.

TI Development Board Deals for Engineers Week 2016

This week the AM437x starter kit is only $99 ($149 off with coupon code EWKDEAL10).  It's engineers week and TI has 12 deals on it's best-selling products while supplies last.  There are deals on a few SensorTags, LaunchPads, BoosterPacks and EVMs.

The AM437x starter kit (TMDXSK437X) has a 4.3" capacitive touch screen LCD, on board camera module and connector for a Wilink8 evaluation board.  The Wilink8 bundle is also on sale for engineers week (coupon code EWKDEAL12), it supports WiFi, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Low Energy and includes a Wilink8 EVN and an SDIO board to connect the wilink to hosts with generic SD/MMC card slots.

Digi-Key Helps Electronics Makers to Market with Maker.io

Maker.io is a new site for makers from Digi-Key Electronics.  The site was created to guide makers through the steps required to get an electronic device from concept to production.  The site has links to articles and tools for every phase of development.  It also hosts some projects that feature products sold by Digi-Key.  Maker.io is still in Beta and currently has only 18 projects, a few are by makers and the rest feature Adafruit and Sparkfun projects.  There is also a Maker.io YouTube channel and Maker.io twitter account.  There are over a dozen videos on the YouTube channel, see the Welcome to Maker.io video below for more information.

Free CADSTAR Schematic Design Software Offer

CADSTAR is offering a free license to its Schematic Design software.  This is a permanent node-locked to your MAC address.  You also receive CADSTAR Library Editor Software and a 68-page tutorial. This is a limited time offer and ends in March, 2016.  You can upgrade the free version to a dongle-based license if you pay for maintenance.  See this Zuken press release for more details on the offer and upgrades.  If you aren't familiar with CADSTAR by Zuken watch the video below.

 

If you are interested in maintenance or upgrades you will need to contact a CADSTAR reseller.  My local reseller is Algozen, they cover New York and Ontario Canada and they are great to work with - very knowledgeable and great support.