Portland producer sketches OPEN-1, a synth built for swappable firmware
Alexander Gaddis’s concept is an entry-level synth that runs multiple firmwares and swaps them on the fly.
The OPEN-1, a concept entry-level synthesizer that can swap firmwares on the fly, has been shown running a simulated HYP-1 in time with a real HYP-1 live take. Portland producer Alexander Gaddis, who works as RedtailWorks, shared the designs in videos, according to Synthtopia.
The preliminary specs include a 480 MHz Cortex-M7 (STM32H750), double the M-Vave FM-1’s 240 MHz, and 32 MB of working memory against the FM-1’s roughly 432 KB. 16 MB of firmware flash plus a microSD library lets several firmwares stay installed and be picked from the menu.
Other specs:
- 24-bit stereo audio in and out, so it can double as an effects box
- MIDI in and out on 3.5 mm TRS, plus USB-C device and USB-C host
- 37 RGB-lit silicone keys, 8 velocity pads, 8 endless encoders, a thumbstick and 2 spring levers
- 4-inch 480×320 IPS screen, built-in speaker, headphone out, 3000 mAh battery
- Wired only, no Bluetooth
An open SDK and a browser emulator would let developers write firmware before the hardware ships. Launch firmware would be ported from the FM-1 family: HYP-1, LOF-1, ECO-1 and GRAV-1.
OPEN-1 is only a design concept for now, with a target price under $200. More is on RedtailWorks’ YouTube page.
