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OpenChord - Portable Open-Source Music Device

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Project Overview

My goal is to design and build a powerful, portable, and open-source music creation device with a workflow that just makes sense. It features hands-on control, beautiful sound, MIDI I/O, looper capabilities, and a sturdy 3D-printable enclosure, making it perfect for spontaneous music-making anywhere. Modular firmware architecture supports community-driven plugin development, creating an expandable ecosystem for artists and developers.

🔥 Use Cases

  • 🎹 Chord Generator: Use joystick + chord mapping for fast harmonic inspiration
  • 🎛️ Synthesizer: Design, tweak, and perform complex patches
  • 🔁 Looper: Capture and layer performance ideas
  • 🥁 Sampler / Drum Machine: Trigger from built-in pads or MIDI
  • 🎚️ DAW Companion: Send and receive MIDI, control software instruments
  • 🎼 TRS MIDI Host and Client: Play with your favorite controller or control your favorite hardware synth

🎧 Key Features

  • Standalone Synth Engine with high-quality, expressive presets ("analog", granular, wavetable, fm, all of it)
  • Advanced Sound Design Options accessible via encoders and menus
  • Powerful effects like reverb, delay, etc. and even live performance effects
  • Drum(+More) Sampler for beat-making (great presets, easy to upload packs)
  • Microphone and/or line in for sampling and recording
  • Feature-Rich Looper with layering(maybe...), overdub, free length
  • MIDI Controller Mode to use as input for your DAW
  • MIDI Keyboard Input for velocity-sensitive, expressive play
  • Battery Powered, compact, and durable for true portability
  • Beautiful, Intuitive UI on a sharp OLED screen with joystick and scroll wheel navigation

🧩 System Architecture

Subsystem Tech
MCU + Audio Daisy Seed + libDaisy
UI OLED screen + joystick + encoders + keys
Looper Midi based, time-stretch, sync
Synth Engine Wavetable, FM, poly/mono modes
Sampler SD-based samples, mapped pads
Storage microSD for loops, patches, and samples
Power USB-C + PowerBoost 1000C + LiPo battery
Audio headphone out, line in, 3.5mm TRS
MIDI I/O 3.5mm TRS and USB MIDI (host + device)

🖨️ Enclosure Plan

  • 3D-printed, designed in Onshape
  • Compact, durable, travel-ready
  • Layout supports screen, encoders, joystick, keys
  • Top ports for SD card, jacks