Blog Posts

Florian Loretan bought an old Bontempi keyboard, but it stopped working. Instead of consigning it to the scrap heap, he ended up on a journey to create a custom polyphonic Teensy-based synth, with the only remaining part of the original keyboard being the keys and matrix.

In addition to the Teensy 3.1, an Audio Adaptor Board is used, though not in the typical stacked orientation. Multiplexers handle the keyboard matrix and the custom potentiometer-based interface. More detail on the electronics can be found in a separate video, as can specifics on building the case, and a demo of everything together can be seen below. The source code, which is still a work in progress, can be found on GitHub.

Armin Rehberger has implemented a Teensy-Raspberry Pi hybrid overhaul of a CNC mill. The Raspberry Pi provides the user interface, then transfers the selected G-code to a Teensy 4.0 (up to 7,500 steps) for real-time control of the system.

Manual mode allows nudging in each direction on each axis. Spindle, coolant, clamp, light, and the 0-10V that determines speed can also be controlled.

The system also features an automatic tool length sensor and emergency stop. Source code and documentation can be found on GitHub, and a demonstration of the system can be seen in the video below.

Sometimes a project comes across our desks that just makes us laugh, in the best possible way.

This was the case with the Hamlet Organ, the creation of luni64’s daughter. If you just want to hear the most adorable sound ever to come from a Teensy, skip to 2:00 in the video below, but try to stick with us as we share a little more about this Teensy 3.6-powered MIDI-controlled barrel organ.

This amazing 3d-printed instrument uses MajicDesigns’ MIDI parser to read MIDI files from the Teensy’s SD card, combined with Adafruit’s PCA9685-based 16-channel PWM driver to control the 16 servos that control the organ’s 16 valves.

OK, now you can listen to the charming little tooting sounds in the video below:

Not content to relegate this 44-input beast to prior decades, SantiagoSaldana decided to give Steel Battalion mecha controller an Xbox 360-compatible USB XInput interface, with a little help from the USB capabilities of the Teensy 3.6.

By acting as a USB proxy of sorts, the interface even improves on the unidirectional capabilities of the original, allowing visual representation of haptic feedback, rather than just one-way input. Since it presents as a normal HID device, it can even be used with the Oculus Quest (and 2) for a truly immersive mecha piloting experience.

Complete instructions can be found on the project’s Hackaday page, with its custom library available on GitHub, and a gameplay demo viewable in the video below.

Claghorn decided to create a Teensy-based hardware intermediary to transform any input device as desired before the OS even sees it.

Frustration with newer Linux distros, especially the transition from X11 to Wayland, was the main motivation.  While it’s open source, allowing you to theoretically tweak it to work however you like, the reality of technology marches on with large rapidly changing code is sometimes leaving that one special feature that you loved in its wake.  Button mapping and drag lock – completely gone.  By intercepting communication, the many features of a special complex mouse can be reassigned in any way.

The Mouse Tailor, as the resulting box is called, simply takes the mouse or other input device’s output via the USB host port, transforms it as required, and then passes the result to the connected computer as a Human Interface Devices (HID) device, appearing as if it were just a normal mouse. Source code and a detailed recounting of the journey to get there can be found on the project’s web page.

Morse code lives on in the form of CW (continuous wave) transmission, which brings us to this Teensy-based CWmodem from Johan Holstein (aka PD0LEW).

The MRSC Signature features a custom PCB and aluminum enclosure, with various available RA8875 and HX8357D-based touchscreens. A USB keyboard can be connected as an input device, in addition to the typical paddle preferred by CW enthusiasts. A wealth of options and settings are available, which you can find in extensive detail on the project’s web page, along with more pictures and videos of the device in use.

 

Darkwave artists Boy Harsher have developed a cult-like following over the past decade.  To create a drone synth to tie in with their directorial debut film, The Runner, they reached out to Moffenzeef Modular’s Ross Fish, creator of the Teensy-powered STARGAZER.

While we don’t have a ton of insight into what’s inside the box, we do know it’s powered by a Teensy 3.2, and can assume that it uses the Teensy Audio Library like Ross’ other creations. Give it a listen in this six-minute demonstration video, or scour Reverb or Mod Wiggler for a used one, since the limited edition run of 250 units is already sold out!

Phorton1 teensyExpression caught our attention for two reasons: one, it’s gigantic, and two: (how to put this…?) it’s designed for operation by…toe. To reiterate, the large, tiered 5×5 grid is optimized for use while playing guitar seated and barefoot!

The Teensy 3.6-based system consists of a large, 3d-printed chassis, with transparent button covers, each housing addressable WS2812B RGB LEDs, plus a 3.5″ touchscreen and four rotary encoders. Around back are inputs for four traditional pedals, a 1/8″ stereo jack used for serial, a USB port for power, and a USB host port. Firmware, CAD files, and much more can be found in the project’s GitHub repo.

Two legs good, four legs…rad? That’s our ad-hoc slogan for this amazing little Teensy 4.0-powered quadruped from Martin Triendl on YouTube!

We don’t have a ton of info on this pint-sized power pup, but we know that it’s 3d-printed, has a USB-chargeable LiPo battery, is driven by hobby servos, and contains the aforementioned Teensy 4.0 plus a gyro to keep things steady.

An Android app provides the controls, and an updated version shown in the video below adds full suspension, allowing it to recover from drops and shocks, and uhhh carry a beer bottle apparently!

Thanks to the Teensy Audio Library, palmerr used a Teensy 4.0 to particularly stunning effect with his CS42448-based AudioToy 8×8 channel modular mixer.

This pro-grade piece of kit features fully balanced, software gain-controlled line/instrument inputs and 600 ohm/+8dBm outputs, with combo XLR/TRS sockets whose insertion status can be remotely read over I2C. An ESP32 allows remote control via Wi-Fi, while  WS2812B LED strips indicate channel levels.

Complete hardware details for its component modules, as well as a user manual, can be found on GitHub.