Author Topic: preenfm3 / preenfm2 R6 : PCBs available (Read 19670 times)

Xavier · « **on:** September 17, 2020, 09:12:41 AM »

Hi everyone,

I think the 2 new PCBs are ready to be tried.

The new preenfm2 PCB (R6) can make a powerfull cheap FM synth (with LCD Display). Current documentation is here.
The new preenfm3 adds new features i hope every body will enjoy. And have rooms for improvement in the futur firmwares. Current documentation is here.

Documentation is still a bit weak, and the firwmare likely have bugs.
The forum is here to discuss all problems you may have. And also to report good experience

For transport, i'll use the French Collissimo shipping company as i had problems with the regular cheaper one.
This shipping is quite expensive for outside Europe delivery (27€), I'm sorry about that but i cannot do anything.

If you're OK with everything and wants to give a try :
http://ixox.fr/shop/
And if you do, please communicate your experience here.

Thanks a lot for all the enthusiasm around the preenfm2 the last 7 years

Xavier

Xavier · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2020, 09:44:26 PM »

The 10 first preenfm3 PCBs have been sold and shipped.
Thanks a lot.

If you haven't received the tracking URL, let me know.

I now have to polish/finish the doc.
And then, I will work on the firmware to fix the bugs reported by the first users

If everything goes right, i'll order another (bigger) batch in october.

Have a great week end !

Xavier

matrix12x · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2020, 01:10:26 AM »

@Xavier
How does it (either the Preen FM2 R6 PCB or the Preen FM3) sound with the 24 bit DAC? any differences at the lower volume/lower velocity sounds? or on the decay of sounds? Just wondering.

Xavier · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2020, 09:14:47 PM »

Matrix12x,

Yes it makes a big difference.
Here is a bad scenario for the preenfm2 legacy.
All instruments on, 10 voices on instrument 1 ALG6 etc...
I recorded both R5 and R6 in the same conditions, volume was low, i normalized it.
Sorry for the Harsh sound, start at low volume before turning up.

Listen to the decay.
What you can hear in the attached mp3.
5 notes on R5 (legacy 12 + 6 bits DAC)
5 same notes on R6 (new 24 bits DAC).
1 note on R5
1 same note on R6.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EJnF6NgVepygF3Ai0W8kAJ1igU1b7H1B/view?usp=sharing

And for those who wonders, yes the 13Khz noise wit the yellow oled is still here. The same mod still works.
Put together a preenfm2 new PCB with a cheap LCD display, and you can have a good sounding FM synth for little money.

Xavier

solipsvs · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2020, 03:59:43 AM »

24 bits is deep and clear with no noise tail. ill be jumping on this soon. great improvement!

Jalex · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2020, 01:29:32 PM »

Are there any plans to publish pcb file on the github? I want to replace the location of the buttons and their appearance

Xavier · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2020, 06:26:37 PM »

Pfm3 control board PCBs are on github, in the hardware folder :
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm3

You need Kicad 5 to edit them.

Xavier

Jalex · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2020, 11:26:24 AM »

Perfect!!!!! Big thnx

TwistedGenetics · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2020, 05:07:36 PM »

Hi,

I'm interested in this, will there be more boards for sale soon?

Xavier · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2020, 05:29:39 PM »

Quote from: solipsvs on September 22, 2020, 03:59:43 AM

24 bits is deep and clear with no noise tail..... great improvement!

I agree

Quote from: TwistedGenetics on September 23, 2020, 05:07:36 PM

I'm interested in this, will there be more boards for sale soon?

New preenfm2 SMD (24 bits) PCBs are in stock.

For the preenfm3, i'll wait for feedbacks of users of the first batch before ordering a new one.
Hopefully mid october, they will be available again.

solipsvs · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2020, 05:34:05 PM »

can i retrofit my desktop and my euro version with these? where do i order?

any chance i could just upgrade components?

does a 24 bit dac require a different os?

TwistedGenetics · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2020, 05:51:35 PM »

Perfect thanks, ill start sourcing and pricing the parts for UK in the mean time

Xavier · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2020, 06:00:17 PM »

This concerns preenfm2 R6 PCB (I should have created 2 topics

)

Quote from: solipsvs on September 23, 2020, 05:34:05 PM

can i retrofit my desktop and my euro version with these?

Desktop : yes
Euro : i think no

Quote from: solipsvs on September 23, 2020, 05:34:05 PM

where do i order?

http://ixox.fr/shop/

Quote from: solipsvs on September 23, 2020, 05:34:05 PM

any chance i could just upgrade components?

The PCB has most components pre soldered.
If you're good at desoldering, you can get the other components out of your previous PCB.
See this to understand :
http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/preenfm/build-pcb-r6-smd/

Quote from: solipsvs on September 23, 2020, 05:34:05 PM

does a 24 bit dac require a different os?

Yes, it's a totally different DAC with different communication with the STM32.
You need firmware 2.20 or newer.
https://github.com/Ixox/preenfm2/releases

TwistedGenetics · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2020, 09:59:17 PM »

Hi - one more question, do you have any info for the 3D printed case for the fm3? I trying to price the cost of this into the build.

Thanks

solipsvs · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2020, 02:34:54 AM »

thanks for your response today xavier!

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