STEPPER v1.4

Howdy lovely people!

This was a long time coming, but now STEPPER now supports CV clock and audio sync with external devices (including itself, so now you can link multiple GBAs and make them play in sync).

There are 2 methods for synchronization: link cable sync and audio sync. Link cable sync just requires any GBA compatible link cable (Including classic GBC link cables) to build a custom adapter. No active components are required in principle, just splicing the cable and connecting the proper ports to an audio jack or adapter. In my case I made a makeshift adapter to test sync in and sync out with both sides of a GBA link cable I cut in half and soldered into separate mono jacks. Note that the same cable can be used for both sync in and out , this was just me trying around a few things.

The link cable will emit a 3.3V trigger signal at a configurable rate when setup on link out mode. This can be used with other synths as a gate in signal (for example, it works on my Microbrute) or as a source of CV modulation/trigger. If using the sync in option, please be careful with the voltage provided by your external gear, I'm pretty sure you don't want to have a fried GBA in your hands! More notes on GBA link cables and building these adapters can be found here:https://badd10de.dev/notes/gb-link-cables.html

The second method is audio sync, it's only available for sync out, since the GBA doesn't have a microphone or input jack. Regardless, this makes syncing STEPPER with other gear possible even when running on an emulator or a device not equipped with a link cable port

Here you can find a few examples of sync working in different circumstances:

• STEPPER v1.4 // 3DS + PO-20 audio sync
• STEPPER v1.4 // mGBA + PO-20 audio sync
• STEPPER v1.4 // GBA SP + PO-20 link out sync
• STEPPER v1.4 // GBA + function generator sync in
• GBA triggering CV gate and modulation on a Microbrute

Additionally, the UI was slowly reworked to add a settings menu and theming support, as well as an option to have a thicker cursor line, useful for low contrast screens.

Currently a selection of themes is available to choose from but in the future I may enable user defined themes for greater customization:

To commemorate this momentous occasion I've also uploaded a new demo song of STEPPER to better showcase how the interface looks like right now (also because I wanted to have fun, duh!).  The save file is also available if you want to see how the cookie is made: https://badd10de.dev/projects/stepper/demo-song-1.4.sav

I want to thank everyone who supported this project, thanks to that I could buy the gear that was necessary to explore and implement analog sync for the GBA.

Cheers!

Bad Diode