TEAM SYNTH: Design Proposal EE 41430, Fall 2007 John Simmons William Andrews Angela McKenzie

DESIGN PROPOSAL Inspiration Problem Description Proposed Solution Demonstrated Features Available Technologies Engineering Content

INTRODUCTION Creating music had at one time been a difficult task to master Decent music systems run on the order of thousands of dollars. Our aim is to produce an affordable digital music mixer/synthesizer with the amateur in mind.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION Current synthesizers require equipment such as laptops, software, and specialized components. Complicated for amateurs. Learning Curve Expensive

PROPOSED SOLUTION A self-contained system : Easy to use Easy to use Maintains a level of affordability and quality. Maintains a level of affordability and quality. Contains a variety of inputs and output Contains a variety of inputs and output (Video Output, Audio Input/Output) (Video Output, Audio Input/Output) Portable Portable

INITIAL DESIGN

DEMONSTRATED FEATURES Inputs: 3 x 1/8” Input (Mic or AUX or Drumsticks) 3 x 1/8” Input (Mic or AUX or Drumsticks) 1 x Keyboard 1 x Keyboard 1 x SD card (mp3 files) 1 x SD card (mp3 files)Outputs: 1 x Internal LCD (shows levels, timing in song, frequency rates, volume levels) 1 x Internal LCD (shows levels, timing in song, frequency rates, volume levels) 1 x External TV output (same as lcd, visualization) 1 x External TV output (same as lcd, visualization) 1 x Internal Speaker 1 x Internal Speaker 1 x External audio output (1/8” audio jack) 1 x External audio output (1/8” audio jack)

DEMONSTRATED FEATURES User Interface: LCD Screen/TV interface LCD Screen/TV interface Sliders Sliders Dials Dials Keyboard Keyboard Other buttons Other buttons Used to select which input, length of audio sample, etc.

DEMONSTRATED FEATURES Records each input for modification Able to choose which sections of each source to use. Able to choose which sections of each source to use. Change sound level, frequency of each input using dedicated controls (dials, sliders, and internal keyboard) Change sound level, frequency of each input using dedicated controls (dials, sliders, and internal keyboard) Sources SourcesMicrophone Uses an 1/8” jack Uses an 1/8” jackKeyboard Used as a piano to synthesize audio Used as a piano to synthesize audio Mi Jam Drum kit Uses an 1/8” jack Uses an 1/8” jack MP3 Audio Taken off an SD card Taken off an SD card Auxiliary Input Any other device that use 1/8” jack (iPod, etc) Any other device that use 1/8” jack (iPod, etc) Loops the audio output back as an additional input to add more layers beyond the initial ones

DEMONSTRATED FEATURES Mix all the inputs into an audio and video output. Audio outputs Audio outputs Internal speaker 1/8” audio output Video outputs Video outputs Internal LCD displays pertinent information Source, volume, frequency Source, volume, frequency TV out displays same information perhaps with a visualization Saves one recording on device May be able to expand this May be able to expand this Depends on availability of mp3 encoder If available, can save mp3 to SD card If not, save to computer to more permanently store using analog audio output If not, save to computer to more permanently store using analog audio output

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES Records each input for modification SPI record and playback chip for analog inputs SPI record and playback chip for analog inputs MP3 input MP3 input SD card interface MP3 decoder Keyboard usable as instrument and control device Keyboard usable as instrument and control device Key encoder to microcontroller Microcontroller as audio synthesizer

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES Mix all the inputs into an audio and video output. Audio mixing chip Audio mixing chip Program microcontroller for looping, audio selection Program microcontroller for looping, audio selection Saves one recording on device May be able to convert to mp3 pending chip availability May be able to convert to mp3 pending chip availability MP3 encoding has legal questions in the US Outputs Internal LCD displays pertinent information Internal LCD displays pertinent information LCD controller Microcontroller TV out displays same information perhaps with a visualization TV out displays same information perhaps with a visualization NTSC TV signal conversion Use the microcontroller Use the microcontroller

ENGINEERING CONTENT

Keyboard We will gather a keyboard from an existing musical keyboard. We will then hard wire the keyboard outputs to a keyboard encoder. This output will then be sent to the microcontroller where the audio synthesis will occur. We will gather a keyboard from an existing musical keyboard. We will then hard wire the keyboard outputs to a keyboard encoder. This output will then be sent to the microcontroller where the audio synthesis will occur.LCD The LCD will display song information. The LCD has an internal controller where screen commands can be sent via the microcontroller. The LCD will display song information. The LCD has an internal controller where screen commands can be sent via the microcontroller.TV The television will display the audio output from the synthesizer in a way similar to an oscilloscope. Other informative/entertaining information will also be displayed on the television. The television will display the audio output from the synthesizer in a way similar to an oscilloscope. Other informative/entertaining information will also be displayed on the television.

ENGINEERING CONTENT MP3 Decoder The MP3 Decoder will be able to process MP3 file information from the SD Card and play the MP3 file. The MP3 Decoder will gather this information via a SPI interface. The MP3 Decoder will be able to process MP3 file information from the SD Card and play the MP3 file. The MP3 Decoder will gather this information via a SPI interface. SD Card The SD Card interface will contain existing MP3 data. Data must be read from the SD Card using the SPI connection from the microcontroller and the MP3 decoder. The SD Card interface will contain existing MP3 data. Data must be read from the SD Card using the SPI connection from the microcontroller and the MP3 decoder. Audio Synthesizer/Amplifier The Audio Synthesizer/Amplifier will modulate and amplify the digital audio from the microcontroller. Different modulated tones and audio will then be saved to an internal audio memory array. The Audio Synthesizer/Amplifier will modulate and amplify the digital audio from the microcontroller. Different modulated tones and audio will then be saved to an internal audio memory array.

ENGINEERING CONTENT Mi Jam Drum Kit The Mi Jam Drum Kit is a commercial device that can play different types of percussion via its digital drum sticks. The Drum kit will not be modified in any way. The Mi Jam Drum Kit is a commercial device that can play different types of percussion via its digital drum sticks. The Drum kit will not be modified in any way. Internal Audio Memory Array The Internal Audio Memory Array will save the audio from each input. The memory array is made up of voice and audio record/playback chips. The Internal Audio Memory Array will save the audio from each input. The memory array is made up of voice and audio record/playback chips.

QUESTIONS?