More algorithms for the Black Hole DSP (MK1) and pico DSP

[XODES]

As a lot of people know, the FV1 DSP is used in various pedals and modules.

So maybe you have a Black Hole DSP, and wish you could easily access more algorithms?

BCI (Black Card Interface) might be a solution.

The backpack version will let you have access to THAT tiptop card you always wanted to get :



The 2HP version will allow you to change cards on the fly. In case of the pico DSP, it will be required to unsolder the original EEPROM and to solder it back on BCI. This way, when no card is inserted, you still have access to the original algorithms, and it automatically switches to the card when it is detected :



Pricing and availability TBA.

[mdoudoroff]

Very clever!

[XODES]

Very clever!

Thanks! It's still a bit surprising as it seems this kind of add-on hasn't been done before...

[neonmercury1]

oooooph i wish i didt just sell my black hole. thats such a great idea

[meska]

wow realy nice, ouai super idée !

[DCDanno]

Subscribed for updates. I dig my V1, but yeah, if I could add to it that would be even better.

[tdallas]

Please wait a minute! Do I understand it correctly that one can use the Tiptop Z-DSP effect cards with the Pico DSP when adding this enhancement? Wow ... that would be a fantastic upgrade! But does the Pico provide enough processing power for all of those effects or is every FV1 DSP chip module „the same“?

[XODES]

Please wait a minute! Do I understand it correctly that one can use the Tiptop Z-DSP effect cards with the Pico DSP when adding this enhancement? Wow ... that would be a fantastic upgrade! But does the Pico provide enough processing power for all of those effects or is every FV1 DSP chip module „the same“?

You understood correctly, and you'd have to unsolder the EEPROM (and void your warranty) from the pico DSP though.

The FV1 is the very same in every unit using this DSP. The algorithms, and additional hardware around the FV1 within the devices make the difference.

[tdallas]

You understood correctly, and you'd have to unsolder the EEPROM (and void your warranty) from the pico DSP though.

Thanks! I just became a big fan of this idea

[Tonefloat01]

Ah crud, I sold my Black DSP 1 this year...
Great idea though!

[JayEm]

Rather than reading those tip top cards, why not just an sd or microsd reader (or bank) so that we could grab programs or customise for the hardware. Wouldn't a zdsp card be confused interfacing with hardware that doesn't match?

This is still pretty cool though.

[Artaos]

Can all 3 algorithm parameters be controlled?

What about the Black Hole DSP 2?

[XODES]

Rather than reading those tip top cards, why not just an sd or microsd reader (or bank) so that we could grab programs or customise for the hardware. Wouldn't a zdsp card be confused interfacing with hardware that doesn't match?

This is still pretty cool though.

A micro SD could contain thousands of algorithms, so a reader without a screen and menu navigation for virtual cards wouldn't make much sense... One should better get a Timiszoara from Xaoc Devices in that case.

The solution here was decided simply because there already are tiptop cards around, and some people simply want to have access to these algorithms while finding the original hardware too big for their cases. Still, you have to keep in mind that the original hardware is more capable, as some things rely on additional hardware rather than the algorithms (dry/wet, feedback...). So this can be a nice addition for people already having a z-dsp and a collection of cartridges.

The card will not get confused, the user might be!

Parameters 1 & 2 are swapped on erica devices, and the dry/wet controls parameter 3.

[XODES]

Can all 3 algorithm parameters be controlled?

What about the Black Hole DSP 2?

All 3 parameters can indeed be controlled (see previous reply).

Regarding the MK2 version, it already has 3 EEPROMs onboard, so it looks like it would need one to be desoldered, and soldered back on the BCI PCB, just like on the pico.

It may need some modifications though, and I don't have access to a MK2 version right now, so I can't confirm.

[Artaos]

Thank you for your reply. This approach is very interesting! If dry/wet controls parameter 3, does that mean the output itself is “fully wet”, i.e. just the effect?

[XODES]

Thank you for your reply. This approach is very interesting! If dry/wet controls parameter 3, does that mean the output itself is “fully wet”, i.e. just the effect?

This is correct, the output will be fully wet for algorithms where parameter 3 has another function.

[Bishop Dust]

This looks ace - specially if it can be used with the dsp2. I guess if this is possible on the mk2 - you have the 3 parameters + dry wet ?

[XODES]

This looks ace - specially if it can be used with the dsp2. I guess if this is possible on the mk2 - you have the 3 parameters + dry wet ?

Sure, the MK2 would take advantage of the extra controls as all 3 original parameters are accessible.

I may get one in the coming months as I guess my interface might need some additional adapter or a different PCB as the connector on the back doesn't seem to have the same pinout.

One of the EEPROMs may have to be de-soldered though, and soldered back to the interface so it can behave like with the pico (EEPROM selected when no card is present).

[Bishop Dust]

Yes ! Keep us up to date definitively interested ! Will it be the same 2hp card holder ?

In that case tell me when I can order it !

[XODES]

Yes ! Keep us up to date definitively interested ! Will it be the same 2hp card holder ?

In that case tell me when I can order it !

As of now, the 2HP card holder is common to the BHDSP MK1 and pico DSP, which needed an additional backpack adapter.

So yes, the goal would be to keep the same part for the 2HP interface, and possibly have a small adapter just like on the pico for the MK2... and I guess I'll be ordering one in the next few days so I can possibly have all 3 options available at the same time (surely by February for the very first units).

The position of the card proved to be sub optimal in the pots area, so the module will basically be rotated by 180° in what should be the final version.

[milkyjoe]

Could this work with fx aid too ?

[attacca]

Very cool, I have the BHDSP MK1 and am interested in a "backpack" or 2HP kit.

[XODES]

Could this work with fx aid too ?

Technically speaking, any device using the FV-1 could be modified with such a card interface.

In practice, the fx aid wouldn't be a good candidate for this modification, as the build doesn't seem to make the needed connections easily accessible. In my opinion, it also doesn't make as much sense as with the erica modules, as with the fx aid philosophy and fx aid app, it's easy to change algorithms (even though I can get one might want to access to the tiptop ones).

Being able to use the fx aid app with other modules would make much more sense!

[Bishop Dust]

And what about the dervish ? Isn t it a diy spin module ?

[XODES]

And what about the dervish ? Isn t it a diy spin module ?

The dervish indeed has an easily accessible I2C interface, yet from what I understand, it uses a microcontroller to read from a larger EEPROM, and write back in the addressable area from the FV-1, which means you could possibly write on your card by mistake, and I guess nobody would want that!

The one from mxmxmx would be a better candidate I guess.