How to load effects into EEPROM ?

[eh là bas ma]

Hello,

I am building DeadAstronaut's F-24 Multi-fx project. It's almost done, and i suspect the two EEPROM sent with the kit are empty. But the project includes a 6 pin header to access the EEPROMs.

https://4f3d79f5-cd8b-4c1f-8c04-cc8a4c753d0a.filesusr.com/ugd/ff4c6c_c2105abf96de4b0f9fc20cc6c4bf9e4a.pdf

If i am correct there are 8 internal effects in the FV-1, and i can add twice as much with these two EEPROM.

I didn't anticipate this situation, i thought these EEPROM would be already loaded, just like PPCB FV-1 projects at musikding. I don't intend to design my own patches, i just want a multi-fx with lots of effects, to ease my burden when i am traveling.

What's the easiest and cheapest way to load some effects into the EEPROM ?

Can i build some sort of diy cable to connect the EEPROM ICs to my computer ?

If not, instructions mention pickit2 programmer or arduino to connect to the ICs. Wich one is the easiest for a total beginner ?

I could also buy some preloaded EEPROM from PPCB, but i am in France, it would probably be around 30 euros shipping costs, so approximately 45 euros for two chips full of patches. Not sure if that's the clever move ?

I also wonder if the patches data from PPCB FV-1 projects are available somewhere in open source, like Spatialist's patches, etc. ?

On musikding they mention SpinCad. I looked it up and got to github.com.

https://github.com/HolyCityAudio/SpinCAD-Designer/tree/master/patches

I guess i have to go into the "patches" folder, download 8 patches for each EEPROM, then somehow export them to the EEPROM, and that's it ?

In my experience, EEPROM effects are modulations, reverbs and such. Just to be sure, are there some kind of gain effect possible with FV-1 technology ? Some digital FV-1 apocalyptic fuzz ? I guess not or PPCB would already have released a project...

Every observations and suggestions are welcome !

 

[Digital Larry]

I'm not that familiar with DA's kit but I'm fairly sure a PICKit 2 (or more likely, clone) would work well for programming. Also look into the CH341, although I have no personal experience with it.

Regarding SpinCAD, you load "banks" of 8 patches or individual patches into the 8 slots and then you can "export to hex", at which point you still have to program the EEPROM using the HEX file.

FV-1 can do distortion but this is not its strength in my opinion. The "cube" distortion is like a soft clipper and (to me) sounds a lot like what's been done in something like a Source Audio Collider Delay for the "tape" overload. There's also a T/X distortion block in SpinCAD derived from sample code on the Spin website. I don't generally get into distortion because you'd usually like to combine that with gain and level and EQ and you run out of knobs too quickly.

DL

 

[Cybercow]

For directly transferring the BIN/HEX patch files to a 24LC32A EEPROM, I've found the easiest is to get an EZP2019 SPI Programmer from eBay or Amazon. Some reading on how to use it is required. There is also a lot of info in the PedalPCB WIKI for FV-1 stuff. This does NOT address the use of DA's employment of the 6-pin header used on his build. Might be best to contact the good folks at DeadAstronautFX for more details.

TBH, I do all my FV-1 patch transfers using the SpinSemi FV-1 Development Board.

As for distortion, as Digital Larry points out, the FV-1 is not well suited for distortions/fuzz. The FV-1 does have some gain options, but again, not well suited for the typical dirt/gain type of those FX.

To investigate the potentials of creating your own patches, check out Digital Larry's "SpinCAD Designer App".
And here's a link to the SpinCAD Designer App Master Docs (Tutorials).

 

[Robert]

I've found the easiest is to get an EZP2019 SPI Programmer from eBay or Amazon.

What software does that use?

 

[airbud]

For directly transferring the BIN/HEX patch files to a 24LC32A EEPROM, I've found the easiest is to get an EZP2019 SPI Programmer from eBay or Amazon. Some reading on how to use it is required. There is also a lot of info in the PedalPCB WIKI for FV-1 stuff. This does NOT address the use of DA's employment of the 6-pin header used on his build. Might be best to contact the good folks at DeadAstronautFX for more details.

TBH, I do all my FV-1 patch transfers using the SpinSemi FV-1 Development Board.

As for distortion, as Digital Larry points out, the FV-1 is not well suited for distortions/fuzz. The FV-1 does have some gain options, but again, not well suited for the typical dirt/gain type of those FX.

To investigate the potentials of creating your own patches, check out Digital Larry's "SpinCAD Designer App".
And here's a link to the SpinCAD Designer App Master Docs (Tutorials).

I'm just waiting on a couple parts to finish my PPCB dev board, thanks so much for sharing these links!

 

[Cybercow]

What software does that use?

It comes with its own drivers and interface on an included mini-CD.