We’re behind in public updates, but behind the scenes, we’ve been busily working on getting a new generation of MeeBlips out the door to you. Our goals are to make the MeeBlip by the end of the year more available, more playable, and easier to use and learn for musicians and hackers.
Here’s the latest:
Upgrades for Existing MeeBlips
Availability: Friday, October 21
On Friday, we’ll make available everything existing MeeBlip owners need to get our latest set of features and improvements, developed for the upcoming MeeBlip SE:
- Firmware and source code of the new firmware release.
- Pre-programmed microcontrollers available for purchase, if you don’t want to update yourself.
- New front panels will be available for purchase. They now have a subtle, textured metallic silver background with silk-screen graphics. We love the way they look, and think you will, too. (Creative Commons-licensed panel designs, as always, will also be available for download.)
MeeBlip DIY Firmware
Availability: Friday
The DIY hacker board – a board for people who like to make their own cases – will also have the MeeBlip SE firmware update. It’ll be available for US$69 purchase later this week, coinciding with availability of our new firmware. You’ll get everything the SE gives you, minus the SE’s front panel patch storage buttons.
MeeBlip micro
Availability: Late October
MeeBlip micro is our new kit, designed for people who want the tiniest possible MeeBlip for use with MIDI or to build into your own projects. You get the sound of the original MeeBlip, but without the on-board knobs and switches, allowing us to squeeze the MeeBlip’s brain onto a small board.
MeeBlip micro prototypes already have debuted in workshops in Mexico City and (in one I led) in Toronto, Canada. Now, we’ll make them available to you. With up to eight “analog” and eight “digital” inputs, you can either attach your own knobs and sliders and switches, or even choose to use novel sensor inputs like infrared distance sensors. If you have an idea for making a sound installation or making a pair of interactive lederhosen that turn your friend into a human monosynth, you can do that, too.
Or, you can leave all those inputs off, and just build yourself a little case and make a “pocket-able” MeeBlip controlled only via MIDI. (We’ve heard some of you are happy to just use the knobs and faders on your MIDI controller keyboard.)
For those looking for something even smaller, the first production batch of MeeBlip micro kits is also scheduled to arrive this week. The micro provides the sound of the original without the on-board controls. You can attach up to 8 knobs/sliders/ribbon controllers/distance sensors and 8 switches, or simply control everything via MIDI. The through-hole kit will sell for $39, and a fully assembled surface mount version will be available in a few weeks for $49.
The flagship: MeeBlip SE
Availability: Any day now
We’re awaiting our finished circuit boards so that we can start shipping the pre-assembled MeeBlip SE, our flagship synth. (Someday, after these are shipping in quantity, we can tell you all about the life of manufacturing.) It’s very close, and we’ll have updates here and via Twitter – just follow @meeblip.
Thanks for your patience! We’ve been working toward these new releases for months, and as we get them out the door, lots more to come.
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