Fates - a DIY norns DAC board for Raspberry Pi

kr0n · 2019-10-30T11:50:24.476Z

No pressure, but here’s another one refreshing the inbox every day

Really looking forward to tackling this project, thanks for making it happen!

TheTechnobear · 2019-10-30T12:02:56.117Z

just a quick note to say I applied the latest norns update without any ‘harm’ to fates (or sidekick/orac)

I just followed the normal norns ‘System>Update’ route, without issue.

the changes to Maiden look like a really nice step forward

jamesbretz · 2019-10-30T13:52:59.542Z

I printed some knobs for my DIY Arc - the tolerances are very tight between the knob falling off and being extremely stuck to the shaft. I think I got one useful knob out of every three I printed.

gnome666 · 2019-10-30T14:37:30.225Z

Easy update over WiFi

noiserock · 2019-10-30T15:01:43.747Z

Yeah. My plan is to laser cut and glue together a knob of wood. Mostly as a test(I have some Chroma knobs on the way). Will update on how it goes next week.

frankchannel · 2019-10-30T16:23:33.808Z

battery 3.jpg1000×690 128 KB

In case anyone is interested in running their fates with a LiPo battery, I have something that appears to be working after a bunch of trial and error.

I bought a MP2636 boost/charger board made by DFRobot for $10 CAD and 5000mAh LiPo battery (with build in protection circuitry) for $19 CAD.

Out of the box the MP2636 has problems when plugging the USB power into the board if the rpi is under moderate load — the charging circuit seems to steal too much current away from the rpi causing it to crash.

I modified the ISET resistor (pin 13) from 47.5K to 224k to limit the charging current to around 500mA, and, although that helped a bit, it wasn’t totally sufficient.

I then added a ~~470uF~~1000uF capacitor across the output rails and that seems to solve it. Now I can operate this like an UPS, switching between battery power and charging all while the rpi continues to run (even with most of the lights on my Arc lit up).

I think this battery will fit in the case, although I might have to make it ever so slightly deeper to get everything to fit.

okyeron · 2019-10-30T16:45:31.247Z

Nice work!

For clarity - are those mods on the MP2636 or on the Pi itself?

frankchannel · 2019-10-30T16:46:21.178Z

Those are mods on the MP2636

infovore · 2019-10-30T22:34:51.530Z

right hand side of R15 looks like it might not be fully connected; lefthand side of R16 definitely looks like it needs resoldering, I agree with @okyeron.

thopa · 2019-10-31T00:21:05.816Z

Hi!
I have a fates working well after a few fails on customizing the setup.

I installed orac, vnc, the 4 encoder layouts etc.

Is there a way i can clone the sd card on the fates as a backup?

This will save me lots of time if i need to do a system reset or want to start from scratch on a new fates.

Can balena etcher clone cards? Any recommendations ?

Im on mac.

Cheers!

okyeron · 2019-10-31T00:35:03.343Z

On the mac I use ApplePi-Baker

There’s a setting you want to use to compress unused file space - so that you can expend it back to a different size SD card if needed.

Command line nerds might ues dd

Windows users might look at this link

thopa · 2019-10-31T00:35:55.640Z

Thanks Okyeron!
Gracias

wheelersounds · 2019-10-31T02:21:19.950Z

@okyeron is everything in the store truly sold out, or are sales suspended because you’re traveling? I think I might have missed the boat, even with your courtesy email (which I greatly appreciated). I’d DM you but thought others might benefit from knowing the status… thanks for your amazing work!

okyeron · 2019-10-31T03:54:58.436Z

Really Sorry I’ve not updated everyone!
Haven’t had enough time and I’m still packing when I should be sleeping.

The shop will show zero items available (sold out) for the next three weeks while I am traveling.

When I get back (Nov 21) I’ll have kits and smd-boards available as I can get them tested and bagged up.

noiserock · 2019-10-31T07:10:28.783Z

Very happy I managed to get one before you left @okyeron. Enjoy the trip, well deserved!

I got my Mouser parts yesterday. Does anyone know how much time USPS takes to get to Europe? Cannot wait to get started on the build.

Oxbown · 2019-10-31T07:48:44.325Z

This is my tracking history.
Fate_Tracking_History.pdf (88.5 KB)

sns · 2019-10-31T08:21:18.719Z

Mine took 9 days to France, I just picked it up

Anyone have another source for switch caps? Mouser is out of stock…
Also did you use clicky switches or quiet ones? (I’m wondering if the clicky aren’t too noisy a la organelle).

swhic · 2019-10-31T08:29:16.169Z

8 days UK :)…

noiserock · 2019-10-31T09:08:56.193Z

I got the silent ones, will update you as soon as Ive tested them. I got the rounded caps from Mouser, they were in stock just a couple of days ago(listed as ALTs in the BOM). Digikey has the “regular” ones in stock.

https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=642-1US09

TheTechnobear · 2019-10-31T10:21:17.704Z

sns:

Also did you use clicky switches or quiet ones? (I’m wondering if the clicky aren’t too noisy a la organelle).

I used the silent ones and Im happy with them…

it’s a trade-off, click-y = nice positive/physical feedback, but noisy.
however, I think silent is fine - as you expect some kind of UI feedback anyway.

only time i ever notice them is for some Norns patches that I’m unfamiliar with, and Im trying to press a button harder as its not doing what I’m expecting … so I guess, i think its not ‘registering’

so personal preference, but if I was building again, Id go for same silent ones.

(it be nice if there was something a bit more ‘in between’, ie. silent but with some soft click action)