FV-1 Developer & Spin / Arachnid Questions

[andrewsrea]

After building the Arachnid, I am finding myself wanting to expand a bit down that path. A few questions:

1.) On the Arachnid: if I install a SPDT switch and send the EV-1 pin#13 to ground via where it connects to R5, will I be able to switch between the EEPROM and the
FV-1's internal programs without damaging the effect's function?

2.) For the FV-1 Developer PCB product: what does the SPDT On/Off/On do? It only looks like it accesses Program0, Program1 and Program2. I am wondering
how that is used for loading the EEPROM with eight programs.

3.) I understand the PedalPCB bundle application is what would be used to load the EEPROM. Is the object to open a SpinASM file, as is available on Mstratman's
website and write it to the EEPROM?

4.) I've seen what appears to be a free effect code builder from HolyCityAudio called Spin CAD-Designer. Has anyone used it? Is it hard to install and get up and
running?

 

[Robert]

1) Yes.
2) The FV-1 Development PCB only accesses the first three programs on the EEPROM (like the Pythagoras PCB). It'll write all eight, but due to the toggle switch it only runs the first three.
3) You can use any CH341A compatible programmer. SpinASM files are plain text files that can be edited with any text editor. If you're using a Windows PC you can use the SpinAsm compiler (from the SpinSemi website) to compile them into HEX files that can be used with your EEPROM programmer or FV-1 Dev board.
4) Definitely check out SpinCAD, you can prototype ideas without having to know anything about the code.

The PCB might be getting an update pretty soon...

 

[pbrommer]

4.) I've seen what appears to be a free effect code builder from HolyCityAudio called Spin CAD-Designer. Has anyone used it? Is it hard to install and get up and
running?

Have I used it? Yes. I had some snags getting reliable testing audio set up, but that’s on me

Is it hard to install? I think it’s easier now. I had to do a lot of work years back.

Did I maximize its use and make great things? Nope, but was it fun? Yep. Can it be frustrating? Yup. But there’s so much you can do.

 

[andrewsrea]

@Robert & @pbrommer: thanks for your prompt and informative replies!

Patrick: been a while, hope all is good with you and yours! A little AGF bad news, our master electronics friend Mozz passed away.

One more question, was the download of Spin CAD-Designer straight forward?

 

[Robert]

You'll need JRE (Java Runtime Environment) installed if you don't already have it on your computer.

Aside from that, there's nothing more to it than downloading the appropriate SpinCAD .JAR file and double-clicking it.

No installation necessary, it just (usually) works.

 

[pbrommer]

Patrick: been a while, hope all is good with you and yours! A little AGF bad news, out master electronics friend Mozz passed away.

Well that just stinks on ice.

Was it easy to install? Yep, as long as you have Java, you’ll usually be okay (what Robert says below). And the key word Robert says is “usually”

 

[andrewsrea]

You'll need JRE (Java Runtime Environment) installed if you don't already have it on your computer.

Aside from that, there's nothing more to it than downloading the appropriate SpinCAD .JAR file and double-clicking it.

No installation necessary, it just (usually) works.

Awesome - thanks!