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Open Audio Tools

Open Audio Tools

Open Audio Tools is an open-source hardware and software platform for music, hardware, and software creators around the world. Designed to be easily produced and self-built.

SynTee

Standalone virtual sound module and synthesizer — built around the Teensy platform with multi-voice polyphony, real-time effects, and full MIDI control

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MixTee

Digital audio mixer, recorder, and USB audio interface — 16 inputs, 8 outputs, designed to be driven by MIDI controllers with all channels available over Ethernet

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DESPEE

ESP32-S3 display board with touch LCD and rotary encoders — offloads the user interface from the audio controller so each device stays focused on its core task

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The "WHY"

OpenAudioTools is an open-source hardware and software platform for building music tools that are simple, robust, and truly open — free for anyone to build, manufacture, and extend. Born out of need for robust, non experimental and open diy gear. Focused devices, one job done well, built on open standards, designed to work with the controllers you already own. read more...

Firstly: OPEN

The project is first and foremost about creating an open source ecosystem.

Principles

We're building on the following principles:

  • OPEN

    • Freely available and open to modification.

  • ROBUST

    • Providing solid utility while being easy to maintain and durable.

  • ESSENTIAL

    • Focuses on a single thing and does it well

How it applies:

  • Open Hardware

    • Easy to source parts
    • Only the essentials
    • Easy to modify and recombine
    • Dedicated, swappable components

  • Robust Hardware

    • Easy to build and repair
    • Common components on separate boards
    • Plug and play
    • Quality audio signal
    • Easy firmware load / update

  • Essential Hardware

    • One main role per device or component
    • Focus on Utility
    • Repurpose by firmware swap
    • Rely on midi controllers for control

  • Open Software

    • Open source dependencies
    • Modular
    • Extendable

  • Robust Software

    • Minimal dependencies
    • Modular architecture
    • UI and DSP separation
    • System and Function Separation

  • Essential Software

    • Single functionality
    • Standardized UI system

  • Open Connectivity

    • Fewer cables
    • Open, non-proprietary formats
    • No proprietary connectors

  • Robust Connectivity

    • Prefer cables over wireless
    • Single connector per use case
    • USB Midi Host when possible
    • Doesn't need computer to work

  • Essential Connectivity

    • Ethernet with midi and audio
    • Standardized connectors

Notes:

Standardized Hardware:

  • Teensy microcontrollers for a consistent development environment
  • USB for power (unified power adapters)
  • TRS 1/8" Type A for MIDI
  • TS 1/4 for Audio
  • Ethernet for system integration into a network
  • USB-A MIDI Host when possible thanks to teensy
  • DESPEE display module for touchscreen UI

Robust Hardware

  • Often-used components (keys, encoders) are placed on standardized breakout boards for reuse across devices.
  • Specific-purpose functionality (mic preamps, effects) is added as separate, interchangeable devices.

Essential Firmware

  • Firmware for SynTEE will be swappable to allow for different synths or other functions but each one will be a separate project.
  • UI moved to a separate component to simplify main roles

Open Connectivity

  • Only open, non-proprietary standards.

  • MIDI and audio are intended to be available over Ethernet. (details)

Devices

You can check out the devices and components.

Ecosystem

See Ecosystem Notes for a full catalog of the open-source hardware, firmware, and software used across the project.