MIDI Synthesizer Unit (SAM2695)

MIDI Synthesizer Unit (SAM2695)

The MIDI synthesizer unit is a cute design except for one major failing: it has no audio out jack. Thus you can only hear the sound through its tinny speaker rather than connect it to speakers, headphones, or a modular synthesizer.

The SAM2695 chip also is pretty weak in that it cannot save patches. Its sysex is poor and it has no EEPROM. You have to manually set it up every time you launch and changes are only temporary. But that's not a problem with m5stack, but rather with the the chip over which they have little control

MIDI Synthesizer Unit (SAM2695)

It's hard to believe you can buy a General MIDI synthesizer for just $12.50. The MicroBlocks team plans to use these for a music coding class at FOSDEM in Feb 2025. The built in speaker is quite audible although, of course, you don't get much bass. I wish there there was an audio output jack but for the price, I'm not compaining!

I bought three of these and have just ordered two more. Both the synth chip and the audio chip exceed my needs and expectations. The GM synth chip responds properly to all the sysex and MIDI messages I send it and the wave table voices are as good as any GM synth I have heard. The audio quality is excellent and more that sufficient for audiophile headsets and small practice speakers. The only limitation is the included piezo speaker which has extremely limited fidelity and volume. But it is connected with a 2mm pin header so it's easily eliminated and replaced with an audio jack for headphones, small speaker or connection to an external amp and speakers. The 4150B audio chip output is rated at 2 w @ 4 ohms, so is sufficient for any of these. I build and modify specialized MIDI controllers, particularly wind controllers and chromatic accordion button keyboards. These are useful for students learning and as practice instruments for musicians as well as useful for rehearsals. I was delighted to find these M5Stack available. Thanks, Aaron