M-vave fm-1

Worked with iPhone 11 with OG V15. Then I tried with Jiant FM without luck, updated my iOS and Jiant FM, it worked. Not sure which update made it work !

Been using Jiant and mini-tone as well.
Mini-tone is a sound design beast, some seriously good sounding engines in there!

The resonant filter plus distortion is great, and the delay and reverb are probably the best I’ve heard of the groove box firmwares fro fm1

It’s alot of different custom firmwares out there, which one would you say right now is the most complete Groovebox experience and the best for ambient creation?

Hi all. A friend and I have been building a small add-on box for the FM-1, and I wanted to show it here first, since this thread is where most of the knowledge about custom firmware is concentrated.

It’s called Expander (working name). It’s an ESP32-S3 box with a small screen and an encoder that plugs into the FM-1’s USB port and acts as its USB host. What it does:

  • Firmware switching without a computer. It installs custom firmwares (SLOOP, X0X, CTL-1…) or goes back to stock straight from the box. Useful when the browser installer fails, or when you’re away from a computer.

  • Song / project library. It backs up what’s on the FM-1 and loads it back later, for the firmwares that support it. Switching firmware wipes the FM-1, so you don’t lose your work, and you can keep several songs on the box instead of just the one the FM-1 holds. It’s also meant for live sets: line up your songs and load the next one between tracks, no laptop on stage.

  • Two MIDI outs (TRS). Whatever the FM-1 sends over USB (notes, CC, clock) comes out of two TRS jacks, so the FM-1’s sequencer can drive a hardware synth. In the video it’s sequencing a MicroFreak.

  • Sync out with profiles for Pocket Operator, Volca, Eurorack (1/16 and 1/4) and 24 PPQN.

  • Sync in: an analog clock (1, 2, 4 or 24 PPQN) becomes MIDI clock for the FM-1, so the FM-1 follows your modular or drum machine. It also has an internal clock, so the box can be the master.

What you see is a prototype, user interface included: we’re already working on the PCB, the front panel, the enclosure design and the UI. It’ll be open source: once it’s finished I’ll publish the schematics, PCB and firmware. More info: Expander - OFICINA DE SONIDO

9 Likes

Looks like a handy tool, will keep an eye on this.

not that much into the groovebox thing myself, but i’m hearing good things about jiant, loom-8 and melodee.

for ambient, i definitely recommend tonitor. it’s the only multitrack fw i’m aware of with unsynced loops.

but of course, there is a ton of other options. i doubt that anyone here has tried them all. :slight_smile:

2 Likes

I’d add Mini-Tone and Skiff as worth a look too, as well as of course Felucca.

30 Pcs 6mm Knurled Shaft Potentiometer Knob, 6 Colors Potentiometer Control Knobs, Plastic Guitar Volume Tone Rotary Knob for Electric Guitar Volume Tone Knobs, Amplifier amp Volume Control Amazon.com

Had to cut the bottom flange off as the pots are too short to reach the inside hole.

This looks like a great idea? How many firmwares are you planning to be allowed on the unit.

looks interesting, is there space inside of the FM1 to cram mods internally?

the speed of development is amazing someones already readying up drum machine adapted from Sonic Potions LXR!

3 Likes

Tried Sloop and X0X.
Impressive, amazing even - but I don’t want a DAW squished into a 2cm screen.

Any of the zoo of firmwares that are easier on this old man’s eyes?

1 Like

Maybe this? Sounds great and the UI is easy to read. But you have to read the manual first because the assignments of the buttons and knobs is a bit strange.

I’ve wondered the same. A lot of them are so impressive on the web-based emulators, but then useless with my eyes once I get them on the actual hardware.

I’ve been impressed by how legible the interface is for ChoralRoot, the Orchid clone, but obviously quite a different type of tool. I also like the Rhodes one (Frodhes) for legibility and having a nice straightforward interface. The Obervave one looks nice too, but I’ve not tried it.

Feels like I should wait for the fm-2/ fm-xl that has a screen big enough to make these firmwares worthwhile