Crank it up and have a listen:

http://soundcloud.com/avecsynth/avecsynth-sample-playing

Embedding Music into Projects

Wanting to make your next embedded project sound as good as it looks and functions?  No more simple beeps and boops!  With the AvecSynth, any microcontroller-based project can now produce full synthesized music and sounds simply by streaming MIDI commands out its serial port.

Not into Embedded Electronics?

Use the AvecSynth as a standalone music synthesizer by connecting it to your PC or keyboard through the standard MIDI port!  The AvecSynth is an extremely low-cost way of adding another dimension to your home or studio recording projects!

Overview

This project is to prepare the first production run of a single board audio synthesizer that utilizes either a standard MIDI interface for connection as a traditional electronic musical instrument as well as a standard Arduino form-factor and interface (easily interfaced to other microcontroller boards, as well).

The design is based around the dream.fr SAM2195 single chip synthesizer (formerly known as the Atmel ATSAM2195).  These are fantastic ICs that have been used in many consumer products including a Fender guitar amplifier.  However, one of the draw-backs with including them into embedded designs is the fact that they must be purchased in bulk quantities--your help will ensure that we can clear this hurdle with our first production run.

The project has been prototyped and a PCB layout has been produced. The funding from this project would be used to purchase PCB's and initial build.

Specifications include:

Standard Arduino interface and Form-factor
Standard MIDI interface (populated on the Premium board)
Synthesis/General MIDI wavetable
General MIDI compatible effects: reverb and chorus
Spatial Effect
4-band stereo equalizer
Stereo DAC. DR: 86dB minimum, THD+N: -80dB maximum
64-voice polyphony (without effects)
38-voice polyphony (with effects)
Audio stereo line output

About the Music

The sample music was used by permission and written by Bjorn Lynne (http://www.lynnemusic.com/midi.html) .  Bjorn is a wonderfully talented musician and composer that has made the MIDI files on the above page available for non-commercial use.

Additionally, Bjorn has a royalty free music service to easily allow users to license music for commercial use.  http://www.shockwave-sound.com has a huge production music library and MIDI files available for very low-cost and non-royalty license arrangements.  Please make sure that you have the rights to use the music for your projects--the artists work far too hard to not be compensated for their work!