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Neutron MOZZIMOD!


 

Neutron MozziMod is a board in development which has an AVR328p as used in the arduino, But with input protection and level shifting to make the inputs and output compatible with modular synthesizers.



The board is designed to leverage the "MOZZI" arduino library in hifi mode. That means 14 bits of resolution for bipolar outputs like LFOs and 13 bits for positive only projects like envelope generators. However it is not limited to MOZZI, you could adapt other sketches to work with it, and change the hardware.

There will be several projects using the same board, with a pre programmed IC, or you can upload the free open source sketch to your own IC. each will have different suggested panels (MOTM and Euro) and wiring, and in some cases different components on the board. it is made to be veratile but not try to do everything at once, like the neutron shield modulator did.

for people wishing to use different circuitry, the arduino pins are numbered next to the component they are connected to, and there are experimenter pads for extra components.

The Atemega 328 chip can be programmed as an arduino with a FTDI cable or board, programmed in an existing arduino and swapped out, or purchased with pre loaded sketches

The board is small enough to fit most modular formats (2.1" x 4.2")

The NMM can support a program with up to 16 potentiometers and/or switches, output is VIA "mozzi" dual PWM DAC output a control voltage input and gates/triggers in or out are supported.



if this does well, and MOZZI reaches the goal of porting to the due and/or teensy3 in the future, there could be a 32 bit "teensy 3" based version which could be a high quality osillator, effect, etc.

 
If you are wondering what happened to the "neutron shield modulator" I use them to develop programs for this board. but the project has been streamlined to this new board.

After using them in my synthesizer, I noticed that it was annoying to switch programs. While the pots are in the position from the old program, and remembering what 8 pots do in 8 programs without a display is difficult and ruins the workflow. One module-one program is a more straightforward approach. the panel can be labelled with the control functions so you know instantly what they are supposed to do. the added bonus is that the board is much simpler and cheaper to build, and doesnt use any difficult to get components.

You could still have switchable programs if you wanted to with the new board, but i would suggest keeping them as "similar" things like different response envelope generators etc.

 
Preliminary specs.
 
Preliminary BOM. (parts list)
 

2013 J.Matheson [DeFex,Neutron7]