Thingstone - Track8

colrad · 2023-05-15T16:35:11.829Z

It’s still a prototype (4 of the latest hardware revision exist)

I’m now starting with the CE/FCC testing. So it will take at least 1/2 year before I can start the first production run.

For the first batch I plan to have 100 Units produced (that’s the max amount I can afford)

To somewhat break even they’ll probably sell at 1500EUR each.
But I have to see how much the final units cost me. This was just an rough estimate from my suppliers.

The electronic boards are manufactured in Germany, the case comes from Grawart (Poland), Keycaps from Signature Plastics (USA), assembled and tested by me (Germany).

tha_man · 2023-05-15T21:06:26.884Z

This looks really cool! I switched to producing in hardware from a DAW for same reasons like you mention in the video, also tried iPad and found touch screen to be highly annoying for editing midi in piano roll or basically any work that requires daw-like precision. I wish you success with Track8 and hope that maybe someday in the future there will be V2 with multitrack recording and mixing of all 8 tracks at once. I think lots of dawless synth crowd could be very interested in such device.

protrusion · 2023-05-16T02:10:45.626Z

A_Life_Adrift:

Correct, but that was due to the OSes of the time not being suitable to run such software simultaneously on a PC; it was still technically a DAW. With bare metal OSes, they could make systems that were more stable with lower clock speeds.

Even as late as 1999, MacOS still wasn’t on Unix and if an app crashed it’d take the whole system down with it. It was infuriating.

Yeah, I guess a software sequencer synced to a separate hardware device over MTC+MMC is still a “DAW” even if it’s not all in the same device. But “DAW software” implies it’s all in the same program.

I still run Atari Notator setups, Amiga Bars’n’Pipes setups, and Mac Opcode Studio Vision setups, among others, so I’m pretty aware. Of those, only Studio Vision is an integrated “DAW” in that it integrates digital audio. Though I did use Bars’n’Pipes with Studio16 software running side-by-side, linked, so actually on the Amiga OS of that time, multitasking running side-by-side was fine. But yeah, on the Amiga, and on MacOS the whole system can easily crash and you can easily lose all your work. Opcode Studio Vision became less stable on OSes above 8.6.

Still, I’ve used Logic, Reaper, Live, Tracktion, Bitwig, Digital Performer, etc., and Studio Vision is the only software DAW where external MIDI+audio feels ‘right’ to me (and I didn’t start using it until it was already old: 2009-2010). I get so frustrated with latency and other issues in the other programs that I have little interest in getting back to it. Sequencing with a dedicated sequencer can be fun, but when trying to record those external instruments back in to the same program that is doing the sequencing becomes a headache. Folks with all software instruments must be having a blast, though.

But I’m sure it’s just me – I’m sure I could try again with Bitwig or Live again, it’s probably better now. I just don’t feel compelled to try sequencing external hardware instruments and then recording them back in using the same program anymore. Every time I try, I’m frustrated and lose a whole evening to it.

glia · 2023-05-16T07:51:24.630Z

this thing looks unbelievably awesome
thanks for sharing all the details about it here!

sentionaut62 · 2024-03-11T16:10:56.338Z

Any news on this? @colrad

touchy · 2024-05-04T14:27:13.124Z

They are listed as a Superbooth exhibitor again this year so fingers crossed!

colrad · 2024-05-17T06:30:21.226Z

Hey y’all, unfortunately no SuperBooth this year for Thingstone.
We had a couple of Supply Chain issues (a critical component got discontinued without a proper replacement). Which lead to a complete Board redesign.
This is why we canceled SuperBooth a month ago. I’m not sure why we’re still listed as exhibitor.

As for some good news, the new Prototypes arrived last week. All major kinks got sorted out and we’ll do another round of EMC/ESD tests next week.

We’ll attend Guitar Summit in Germany this September. And plan to have the first Batch ready by this time.

To everyone outside of the EU. We wont be able to sell Batch-1 to non-EU customers. First of all, Thingstones Company insurance doesn’t cover non-EU sales and we won’t have the FCC certification by September. UK is a bit of a grey area, apparently we’ll be able to sell to UK with CE until end of 2024 (after that we’ll need the UKCA cerification).
I’m talking to some Distributors/Resellers that would be willing to ship to non-EU Customers in their name. But I’m not sure if this is feasible for Batch-1. (they take a pretty hefty percentage, and Track8 is already reeeealy expensive to manufacture).

Acidizer · 2024-05-17T09:23:17.832Z

I am a UK customer and I am dismayed at the stupidity of the whole Brexit thing.

Please keep us posted about any UK developments as I want to grab one. I have been looking for something like for for ages - I think it is a real gap in the market.

Hooked · 2024-05-17T09:43:40.187Z

I was looking out for you at Superbooth.
Thanks for the update and hopefully the supply chains issues are solved so far.
Where do you estimate the final price in EU?
What estimation about availabilty do you expect regarding the complete board redesign?
Thanks in advance.

colrad · 2024-05-17T10:33:53.782Z

From what I know so far, UKCA only needs some extra Paperwork. If this doesn’t change we’ll be able to reuse the CE test results for UKCA.
FCC is another beast, I got an eye watering quote from a FCC test center lately. Unfortunately this isn’t something I can afford for the first Batch.

colrad · 2024-05-17T10:45:11.436Z

Hey, have fun at SuperBooth! I wish I could be there, SuperBooth2023 was awesome!

We acquired most of the critical components for Batch-1 already. So we should be fine in this regard.
Regarding Price … I’m still not sure. The quote for the new Electronic Board is somehow double of the old one. I’m currently reaching out to other Electronics Manufacturer in Germany/Europe. Maybe I can get a better price then with my current Manufacturer.

The board redesign is finished. As I mentioned we’ll test them next week in a EMC/ESD Lab.
After that another Prototype to do the final CE test.
So late September should be doable, as long as nothing unexpected comes up.

handed · 2024-05-17T10:45:47.829Z

In Australia. Curious what the price might be if it ever makes it out this way.

FYI Found Sound in Australia is the kind of place that would sell gear like this.

colrad · 2024-05-17T11:02:43.559Z

I’ll have to check the requirements for the Australian EESS registration.
The issue with resellers is that they take quite a huge percentage (25-40% of the sales price).
At my current manufacturing costs (without labor) it doesn’t make any sense to sell via a reseller.

colrad · 2024-05-17T11:23:55.136Z

As the 16bit thing came up here: Superbooth 2024 (May 16 - 18) - #77 by neet

I recently changed the WAV output format to 32bit float.
So now the codec runs 48k/24bit, the audio path runs 32bit float and the output files are now 32bit float as well.

colrad · 2024-05-17T11:30:20.777Z

I’m currently looking into 96k and 192k recording capabilities.
But idk if this is something anyone would be interested in.

48k is fine
96k would be great
192k is needed

0 voters

Hooked · 2024-05-17T12:27:55.836Z

Thank you and thank you for the detailed answer.

As a small boutique manufacturer, it really doesn’t make sense to outsource distribution.

And you can see that other small manufacturers are also doing this successfully with their own distribution (e.g. Hologram Electronics).

The regulations of the respective authorities in the respective countries and their certifications must be complied with anyway.

As I’m currently at Superbooth, I wonder if Schneidersladen also takes so much commission.

Hooked · 2024-05-17T12:51:23.810Z

I voted for 96k, that would be the sweetspot!

Keep up the great work.

therockfrog · 2024-05-17T16:56:37.866Z

I might have to fly over to europe then and fly back her to the US with this cool device!

rev.ev · 2024-06-30T21:36:21.247Z

Bump

Art · 2024-07-01T11:37:48.556Z

I’m definitely not the target group, but what a beautiful design and workflow! A question: do you consider 24 bit as well? Asking simply because for me I’d go for 24/44.1 or 24/48 instead of 16/96 or 16/192.