Teensy Beats Shield overview (updated)

A closer look at the Teensy Beats Shield, why it was created, and what it can do.
hackaday.io/project/161127-te...
github.com/trailhead/teensy-b...

[@josephdriscoll8908]

I really hope this makes it to production someday. As a collector of Pocket Operators and someone who messes around with arduino a lot this looks freaking awesome.

[@criznach]

I'm looking into options for selling bare PCBs and/or assembled boards. PM me on hackaday.io or my website (on my profile page) and we can discuss.

[@djnodj]

Welcome to CostCo, I love you

[@cameronleggett]

So cool!!

[@AlbertPhan]

Thats cool. I want to make this someday.

[@hip-hoprapstorage4440]

This is the best project using Teensy Audio card I saw. I am working on a sampler (like mpc500) and seeing this just give me more motivation. How did you code the sequencer ? And for the tempo too

[@criznach]

Thanks! V2 is coming along nicely. Firmware uses Arduino and the teensy audio library and is available on GitHub. Tempo is adjustable.

[@Latvian3Dman]

Thanks a lot for your work and sharing. May I ask, may this also have audio out(s) directly from Teensy 3.6 DAC0/DAC1? Thank you!

[@criznach]

Possibly with modifications. I'm not sure if the pins are currently in use for something else.

[@BestKeptSecreization]

How can I get one ? Please let me know

[@pomprocks]

Looks great. Just ordered few from the tindie page. Hoping to work on some software for it. If I could change anything I would give each of the 4 encoders their own led. And maybe make the button layout 4x5 instead of 5x4.

[@criznach]

Thanks! I'll be sending these out later today. I'm curious why you suggest the button change? And what would the purpose of the encoder LEDs be? I'm not initially opposed to it, but would need a good reason to change it.

[@criznach]

@Steve Gagnon The current encoders do have an integrated button. And the firmware uses a row of 4 labels on the LCD to indicate each encoder's current function. I intended the 5th column of buttons to select one of four functions for the last encoder. So for now I'd like to leave it how it is. But things may evolve as the firmware changes. I just sent your PCBs!

[@herlanderandrade5059]

@@criznach! Awesome project! Hope you further evolved this board and it's software! I first saw this on hackaday and was wondering if you still have any PCBs from this project left! What type of LEDs did you get for this? APA102 2020?

[@SONWU]

Hi Chris, Massive respect to you for building this amazing device! I make music with Pocket Operators and the OP-Z on my channel and I'd love to test your Beatshield. Would it be possible to get a unit for testing purposes for a short time, so I can present it on my channel? Of course I can send it back to you afterwards :) Cheers!

[@criznach]

Sorry, I don't have anything like that. You'd have to build one or have a friend build you one. All the files are shared.

[@jovwrath]

Is it possible to use the software with an mechanical makro keyboard pad for example, instead of the teensy beats shield?

[@criznach]

Not currently. It's possible to hack in a USB host port and connect a midi device. But the firmware doesn't support it yet. I've worked on this a bit for version 2.0 which will be released "when it's done"

[@jovwrath]

@@criznach okay, sounds good! i will wait patiently for version 2 then :)

[@smashSpikeMC]

my wish list battery power of some sort and cv gates and sync plugs and have folders with sounds plug in drag and drop sound samples {can be with sdcard} select a folder for set of samples {extended wish list a way to record audio and edit the length and envelope maby more then save with option to replace original file} I swear if these are less then 30$ I might just panic buy

[@criznach]

Cost for parts is close to $100, so getting down to $30 would be pretty tough. It does have battery power and charging built in. The rest is just coding, and it's open source.

[@criznach]

Here's the PCB on tindie if anyone is interested... www.tindie.com/products/1b5e5667/teensy-beats-shield-bare-pcb/