Thingstone - Track8

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.

colrad · 2024-07-23T15:16:24.784Z

Hey @Art,
sorry for the late reply. I don’t check this thread as often as I should …

So the Audio Codec (CS4272) currently runs at 24bit/48kHz. Internal processing is 32bit float (to avoid clipping in the audio path). And the Audio is stored as 32bit float WAV as well.

I wanted to use a 32bit Codec … but they are really hard to come by and have a really bad driver support. Also the latency seems to be significantly higher then with 24bit Codecs.

colrad · 2024-07-23T15:31:23.094Z

Small update for the rest of you.

We aced the previously mentioned EMC/ESD Test.
And I accrued most of the components.
Most impressive are the 100+ Displays now living at my office.

IMG_7734.HEIC3024×4032 2.96 MB

The only thing missing now are the Electronic Boards.

We’re now doing a “Gold Master” run for the official CE Certification and then focus on the first Batch.

Hooked · 2024-07-23T19:17:23.533Z

That’s great news, thanks for the update, highly appreciated!

colrad · 2024-09-21T19:53:07.691Z

For anyone that’s in the area and interested.
We’ll present the latest Track8 Prototype at Guitar Summit 2024 in Mannheim, Germany next week.
You’ll find us at Level -1 Table 041.

jdaddyaz · 2024-09-21T22:08:40.891Z

Good luck with it.

Robleighton22 · 2024-09-21T22:41:40.401Z

This looks ace. Important to keep the scope limited but you defo have a bigger interested audience in a hardware arranger than your target audience. Oddly it’s not really a big thing atm. But with MPCs and other existing platforms going in that direction, a dedicated hardware arrange has a very big potential in what is otherwise a crowded market for electronic music.

Literally a version of this that manages tight midi sync, low latency/jitter-free would solve a ton of problems for those wanted to arrange outside of a daw.