New Arduino Synth, Synthino (Sneak Preview)

Posted on May 23, 2014 by synthhead

Synthino is a new Arduino-based synthesizer, a collaboration between two Minneapolis-based DIY kit makers (nootropic & GetLoFi) and members of TC Maker, a non-profit Minnesota based organization focused on growing the maker community.

The Synthino is designed to be powerful, compact, low-cost and hacker-friendly.

Features:

• True 12 Bit DAC ( Digital Analog Converter )
• MIDI IN standard 5 pin connector
• 4 Independent channels
• 4 Note polyphony
• 8 Analog potentiometer controls
• True Envelope A-D-S-R
• LFO with Rate and Depth
• Upgrades planned
• Arduino platform built-in
• Software updates are easy to install
• FTDI interface compatible
• Easy to assemble
• Highest quality components
• 1/4 and 1/8 Inch audio outputs
• Over 4000 wave forms available!
• Low cost synthesizer
• DIY and Hacker friendly
• 2.1 mm Boss style connector
• 9 Volt battery power option
• Compact customize-able design
• Available as a kit or assembled
• Acrylic or wood case options

Here’s an unofficial demo video from Maker Faire 2014:

Details on pricing and availability are to come. See the Synthino site for more info.

Arduino Zero detailed for next-gen tinkerers

 May 15, 2014

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Chris Burns

The next generation in Arduino development appears to have been dished out this afternoon. With the Arduino Zero, the Arduino UNO has a new sibling - now with a whole new level of functionality. This new board is set to assist a new generation of engineers and developers, doing so with processing power and abilities that will enable waves of new devices.

Featured in this next-generation board is an Atmel SAMD21 Microcontroller right out of the box. Arduino Zero works with 32kb SRAM as well as 256kb of flash inside a TQFP package, and you’ll be able to work with a custom developed software library inside the Arduino development environment. Rather handily, this unit is compatible with 3.3V Shield, fully conforming to the Arduino R3 Layout.

To add on to this board you’ll have Atmel’s Embedded Debugger, EDBG, working with a fully debugging interface on SAMD21. This system also works with a virtual COM port port for traditional Arduino boot loader abilities and device programming.

This new Arduino Zero board works with no less than an Atmel SAMD21 MCU. This architecture rolls with a 32-bit ARM Cortex M0+ core, enabling the Arduino Zero to far outperform its predecessor.

As we’ll be able to see the Arduino Zero for the first time at Maker Faire Bay Area 2014 in San Mateo this weekend, we must assume that it’ll be ready to roll for the masses extremely soon!

磁帶不死，Sony 發表可儲存 185TB 容量的磁帶

sugizo 發表於 2014年5月05日 16:34 收藏此文

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磁帶（cassette tape）已經邁入 60 歲，也是電腦領域中最古老的儲存標準，雖然距離一般人很遙遠，但在許多商業、科學研究領域還是主流儲存媒體。這回 Sony 發表新的磁帶儲存技術，比起目前磁帶技術一口氣提昇 74 倍容量，每英吋可達 148GB、一捲磁帶可儲存 185TB 數據。

磁帶（cassette tape）問世已超過 60 年，雖然早就難以在一般環境中見到，但是在儲存容量/容量價格比、可靠性、安全性上依然有其優勢，因此是全球大小企業、以及研究單位需要儲存大量數據的解決方案。

當然數十年下來，磁帶也不是毫無進步，透過增加每平方英吋的儲存容量，讓標準規格的磁帶的儲存容量能不斷向上提昇。例如在 2010 年，IBM 就與 Fujitsu 合作研發出每平方英寸可儲存 29.5GB 數據的磁帶，讓一捲標準磁帶能儲存 35TB 數據。