The PicoADK — A Sound Synthesis Hardware Development Kit
PicoADK is a sound synthesis hardware development platform built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
Its design leverages the PIO state-machine of the RP2040 to provide an I2S interface with DMA (Direct Memory Access) to offload the 2 ARM Cortex M0+ cores, resulting in low-latency audio output. The board uses a high quality TI PCM5100A 32-bit Audio Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) with it’s own low-noise power supply design and an 8 Channel 12-bit 1 Megasample/s Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), making it ideal for interfacing with potentiometers, analog sensors, and control voltage inputs.
With a latency of only 16 samples and an audio engine running at 44100 or 48000 kHz, PicoADK is perfect for real-time applications like live performances or interactive installations. The kit also provides a firmware template for building synthesizers and sound generators, written in C and integrated with Vult, a domain-specific DSP language. Vult offers an extensive library of building blocks for filters, oscillators, envelope generators, waveshaping, and more.
One of the most notable features of PicoADK is its ability to interface with control voltage inputs ranging from 0–5V (with the default being set to 0–3.3V). This opens up a world of possibilities for sound synthesis, allowing users to control sound generators with external voltage signals, such as CV inputs from Eurorack Synthesizer Modules. PicoADK’s compact and versatile design makes it easy to integrate into any project, making it a valuable tool for boutique synth manufacturers, sound engineers, and hobbyists alike.
If you’re interested in exploring the possibilities of sound synthesis and creating your own unique soundscapes, PicoADK offers a powerful and user-friendly platform to get started.
See it in action powering the “Aurora” Module — a standalone voice / synth for Eurorack Modular Systems
Also check out the 2nd demo!
Need more info? Want one?
If you want to know more, check out the GitHub Page and Tindie Store to buy one!
