Description
The MicroDexed-Touch is a popular DIY synthesizer / Groovebox that can be built by sourcing the parts from the project BOM, get it partially prebuilt or build it from a kit. It is based on the Teensy 4.1 with a 320×240 3.2″ LCD with touchscreen, a PCM5102 audio module, a serial Flash chip module and it is all packaged in either a nice small PCB sandwich (Developers Edition) or a 3D printed enclosure.
The project requires some special pin modification and soldering for the Teensy 4.1 to fit into the compact enclosure. The software can also make use of optional PSRAM memory if installed on the bottom of the Teensy 4.1.
The PSRAM allows for longer audio delays and other effects..
To make it easier to build this kit, we are offering 2 versions of the Teensy 4.1 (with 8MB PSRAM or 16MB PSRAM) specifically built in the configuration required to complete the kit.
This version of Teensy 4.1 may be built to order and will typically ship in 1 to 2 business days.
People may already have the mating female header sockets from a kit, but if female header sockets are needed, they can be ordered at the bottom of the page.
Package Includes:
- Teensy 4.1 NE with pins configured for MicroDexed and 8MB or 16MB PSRAM.
- Pinout diagram
Build Specifics:
The base Teensy used for this assembly is the Teensy 4.1 NE (without Ethernet) since this setup does not utilize Ethernet.
Depending on the order option either one 8MB PSRAM is installed in the PSRAM location on the bottom side of the Teensy 4.1 as shown here or a second one is also installed in the Flash location giving a total of 16MB of PSRAM.
The standard gold header pin are then installed from the top side of the Teensy and soldered on the bottom side of the Teensy. The USB Host, Program and On/Off pins are also installed in the same fashion. The solder tail pins are then clipped off flush with the plastic insulator to provide the necessary clearance for fitting under the LCD.
When used with 3.5mm low-profile female sockets, this pin arrangement provides a slightly lower clearance over our standard low-profile versions of the Teensy which is needed to meet this projects stack-up requirements.
For full details on the Teensy 4.1 please refer to the full Teensy 4.1 Product Page.
Before they are shipped, the Teensy 4.1 has:
- Base Teensy inspected and tested by PJRC.
- PSRAM chip(s) installed.
- Gold-plated male header pins are installed from the topside of Teensy 4,1 as described above.
- Top pins are clipped and the board is cleaned of flux.
- Test software is run to test the PSRAM. Blink software is then redownloaded.
- Packaged in resealable ESD bag for safe storage.
Teensy Warranty: We guarantee that the Teensy 4.1 will operate correctly when first received out of the bag. We encourage you to connect the Teensy 4.1 to a USB cable and download ‘Blink’ or other simple test program to verify the unit is basically functional upon receipt.
Once it is installed into a hand-built baseboard and possibly subjected to shorts or other possible damaging electrical signals due to assembly or other errors, there is no guarantee that the Teensy 4.1 won’t fail during use. For help in troubleshooting MicroDexed system level issues, please refer to the links below.
International Customers: The MicroDexed line is popular in Europe. We do not directly ship internationally and the website won’t accept international addresses. We recommend signing up for an account with myus.com which is a package forwarding company. They provide you with a USA address to use on the order. We ship to them and they then take care of shipping your order to you internationally. We have shipped hundreds of orders through myus.com without any issues reported and the account will allow you to order from any US companies that don’t normally ship internationally and they will also consolidate multiple orders for you. They have cost estimators on their website.
FURTHER READING:
MicroDexed-Touch – Project overview and software repository.
MicroDexed -Touch Wiki – Build instructions, BOM, troubleshooting and other useful project links
https://discord.gg/XCYk5P8GzF – MicroDexed User Group
Notes:
- None
Technical Specifications
Microcontroller | NXP iMXRT0162 ARM Cortex-M7 |
Clock Speed | 600MHz nominal (Optionally 24MHz to 1.008GHz w/ cooling) |
RAM | 1MB (1024K) |
FLASH | 8MB (8192K) |
QSPI PSRAM Chip Location | 8MB PSRAM |
QSPI Flash Chip Location | 8MB PSRAM or None |
I/O Logic Levels | 3.3V |
5V I/O Compatibility | None |
Output Pin Drive Current | 10mA |
DC Current that can be drawn from 3.3V Pin | 250mA maximum |
Operating Voltage | 3.6 – 5.5V on VIN or VUSB pin |
Typical Operating Current | 100mA typical @ 600MHz |
Built-in LED | Attached to digital I/O Pin 13 |
USB Connector Style | Micro-B Female |
Board Dimensions (PCB) | 61 x 18mm (2.4 x 0.7″) |
Country of Origin | USA |
Mfr | PJRC |
Datasheet | NXP IMXRT1060 |
Reference Manual | NXP IMXRT1060 Reference Manual |