Prismatic Spray II >> bytebeat adventure synth

Prismatic Spray II - Coming Soon! (this page will be updated with new photos)

Prismatic Spray II is a deeply explorable bytebeat synth that implements many novel features. It includes a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation. The Prismatic Spray II is an evolution of the original in the following ways:

• Dual bytebeat engines, configurable independently
• 8 On-device visualizations viewable in color or grayscale
• Much faster display refresh rate for more fluid visualizations
• Web-serial display of visualizations to compatible desktop browsers (Chrome, Edge...)
• DETUNE knob for slight variations in pitch 
• PAN a bytebeat incantation between the left and right engines
• GLIDE from pitch to pitch with adjustable rate
• Digitally controlled analog filter - recallable settings and controllable via MIDI
• 60 bytebeat incantations
• 60 save slots
• USB-C for power/MIDI
• Improved display with metal bezel
• Pitch is now represented in chromatic scale
• Bytebeat incantations now display the original creator (or my best guess)

The Prismatic Spray includes:

A Full User's Manual

DOWNLOAD MANUAL

Yup. You won't just get a link to a github repository and some hex. Prismatic Spray II comes with a multi-page instruction manual to guide you in your explorations (it is approximately 8.5" x 5.5" if you are searching for frames). This manual is written in the tongue of old and should be incomprehensible to anyone not familiar with first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

Chromatic Tuning

Prismatic Spray II is tuned to a western 12 tone chromatic scale. You can play it like any other synth. No horsing around with cycles and Hertz. Prismatic Spray II is adjustable through about 6 octaves from the purple knob on the front panel. The full range of MIDI notes is available when using MIDI via USB-C or TRS-A.

Looping

Both engines of the Prismatic Spray II can be set to loop over any region of a bytebeat equation. The start and end points are adjustable after the loop has been set. At the tightest settings, Prismatic Spray II becomes almost granular sounding. Irritatingly granular.

Visualizations

Prismatic Spray II can display a visual representation of the current bytebeat audio output in real time on the 1.5" color display. There are 8 sifferent styles of visualization available in color and grayscale. Alterations to the bytebeat equation using the knobs will effect the patterns/color/hue/brightness of the visualization. There is also a regular menu with actual useful data to look at if you hate cool graphics.

Digitally Controlled Analog Filter

Are things sounding too wonderful? Can't take any more bristling fizzles? Prismatic Spray II has an analog filter to roll out as much high end as you'd like. Like pretty much all of it. Filter settings are saved along with all other PRESET data and the filter is controllable via MIDI.

60 Bytebeat Equations

Prismatic Spray II has 60 bytebeat equations to explore. Each equation has three variable to adjust (along with PITCH, SKIP, GLIDE, DETUNE, and SLOW - a kind of 'time stretch-ish' effect). You can get lost. I heard a voice talking in there once. It was saying "YaaaaYaaaaYaaaaYaaaa".

60 User Presets

You get 60 preset slots for saving your favorite crusty, ear splitting zapazoids.

A Case

Yay! You don't have to worry about shorting anything out, snapping the PCB in half or breaking off a protruding component! Prismatic Spray II comes fully enclosed in a 3D printed case. 

Prismatic Spray II has the following controls:

--KNOBS--

• purple = PITCH
• dark blue = SLOW % (slows down most bytebeat equations without changing the pitch ... timestretch-ish?).
• light blue = SKIP <<>> (a speed multiplier. increments +/- 1-8)
• green = DETUNE (slight variations in pitch)
• yellow = bytbeat variation A
• orange = bytebeat variation B
• red = bytebeat variation C
• pink = FILTER cutoff frequency
• gray = PRESET selection
• black = VOLUME 

--BUTTONS--

• yellow = RESET the bytebeat time to 0
• blue = SHIFT (access additional functions)
• white = change to the next bytebeat equation
• black = change to the previous bytebeat equation
• green = load a preset
• red = save a preset
• gray = select left, right or both bytebeat engines

(additional functions can be accessed by holding the blue button. these are described in the MANUAL).

Package Includes:

• Prismatic Spray II
• printed instruction manual
• 4x rubber feet

NOTE: I am no longer including a USB cable by default.