Since rampart is more platform than any given instrument, this overview tries to cover ground that isnt’ just relevant to the bytebeats sketch.
But, we’ll start with which interface bits play a role in the default bytebeats sketch.
Play around :)
At the bottom of the page are firmware update instructions and initial info on how to program.
audio (right channel) & clock (left) input. Pocket-operator can be directly connected .Clock comes out at 4 (tx) and can be plugged into 10 (inputs 3, 6 or 7).
digital input/outputs. For bytebeats, 11 needs to be wired to 9 (second from left to 4th from left). That’s the only necessary change to get sound :)
You can also daisy chain that for fun 3 param hacking with the touch button.
two pins rx and tx (receive and transmit) The clock signal from 1 goes to tx on the right pin at 4. Bytebeats connect to 3,6 or 7 to modulate a b & c (in addition to the pots a b & c)
encoder / button: a) turning will increase or decrease the frequency, starting on boot at 8000 HZ, steps of 64 HZ. b) Push and hold down and turn left, play backwards at increasing frequency; turn right and forwards increasing frequency (doubling). c) single click: bank 1 of formulas, double click: bank 2, triple click :bank 3
volume/filter it’s advisable to start bytebeats with this at 12 o’clock to avoid harsher high end. Will also mix the relative loudness of input from 1 vs. the ramparts internal audio.
usb power/programming and 8 reset button, if rampart should hang which happens rarely, but can at higher frequencies
Two analog inputs (4&5) and + /- power. Not directly used in the bytebeats sketch
analog inputs 3, 6 and 7 (rows 2x3, 2x6, 2x7) used to modify bytebeats params a/b/c in addition to the pots labeled a b & c at the bottom.
+/- power columns which aren’t used for the bytebeats sketch, but one can, for instance put a capacitor from + to inputs at 10 to create a contral voltage. Very fun with a 1uf Elko.
+/ - sides of the audio output. You can plug in additional signals or tap the output
Touch button with LED, see 3
15/16. Left & Right buttons select previous and next program of bank
Bottom right, barely visible is the audio out. You can plug-in headphones, but turn down 6, vol. First. If you plug in stereo audio to the input, it will feed through but moving the encoder or pushing buttons will make noises. A PO or Scarp signal will be clean (split clock).
To edit the sketches you can use the arduino ide.
The currently most complete sketch is the rampart3-bytebeat sketch.
A number of Arduino sketches being updated include 2 synths (switch with button 3 on digital pin 2) which have 3 to 4 variable parts of the signal. Both sketches share the wavepacket object as 1st synth. One has PDResonant as second, one an FM synth as second synth.
So, Patch 1 is always a wavelet (based on the wavelet example with mozzi) synth and Patch 2 is an FM synth or PDResonant. Also still rough ideas.
This synth works well with Keep (moat), my analog synth and also with Bastl’s Kastle synth. I’ve also played it with Korg’s micro modular which works quiet well (in both directions).
I’ve included a granular synth without mozzi as an example and two versions of a ‘glitch synth’ from other sources modified to work with rampart.
First ensure you have drivers installed if you’re on windows or mac. On linux you should not need to install a driver. A good reference for the usb drivers (which work form most arduino boards or the lgt in rampart): https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all
The most current firmware hex files will be included in this directory and can be flashed as follows