How It Works - Zeppelin Design Labs MACCHIATO Assembly Manual

HOW IT WORKS

The Macchiato uses "wave table" technology to produce an audio signal. The synth was designed
using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Arduino is an open-source platform that
uses easy computer software to program a tiny computer chip, or microcontroller. The microcontroller
is usually connected to the computer through a USB port. A microcontroller is a tiny computer that can
be programmed to do almost anything you can imagine: run the air conditioner, swindle banks, rule
the world. The Arduino environment is pretty amazing at simplifying this process. Even a few years
ago, only nerdy engineers could do this; now anyone willing to read a few articles and follow a few
tutorials can make their own electronic devices!
Although very versatile, microcontrollers are not very good at handling audio. Typically, Arduino is only
capable of making simple beeps like you hear from your microwave oven; but recently, Tim Barass,
through very clever programming, developed an open-source software add-on he calls "Mozzi" that
gives Arduino the ability to create all kinds of unique and interesting sounds. Mozzi is available here
as an Arduino library add-in. You can also download the Macchiato source code here from Zeppelin
Design Labs. Feel free to edit and tweak the code any way you'd like, and then re-program your synth
using the ISP header on the main board. The Macchiato is the perfect platform for exploring the sounds
that Mozzi offers. You will find detailed instructions for doing this in the Macchiato Mini-Synth Quick
Start Guide and Reference Manual.
4