Five years ago this month, CDM unveiled the MeeBlip project. It was a chance to put our love of synthesizers into a physical form we could share. And we had no idea where it would take us.
Five years later, we’ve sold thousands of the musical instruments, all engineered by their creator James Grahame in Calgary, and all fully open source. In that time, we’ve also worked hard to make the MeeBlip constantly better, and easier for more people to get their hands on and use. Today, we celebrate five years, and what we think is our best MeeBlip yet. We’re also lowering the price.
The newest MeeBlip anode includes all the features the anode has brought (and that has won rave reviews from the likes of Sound on Sound, Keyboard, and Resident Advisor). That includes its edgy bass sound and analog filter, plus updated features like hands-on control of filter and amplitude envelope, improvements to filter performance, and different built-in wavetables for a wide variety of sound possibilities.
anode is now US$119.95, in celebration of five years of MeeBlip.
Buy one here:
MeeBlip.com
Buy direct
(We’ll also soon have something to announce for European customers wanting faster shipping and all taxes and duty included.)
We’re just getting started. We’ve learned a lot in those five years, and that’s given us ideas for how we can do everything we do a bit better. So thanks for staying with us, and stay tuned for more.
In the meantime, here’s a look back…
The anode is the second major MeeBlip model. Here are three variations together: the SE generation, the original anode, and the special edition anode with wavetables.
The very first MeeBlip had a quirky faceplate designed by Tasmanian designer Nathanael Jeanneret. If you’ve got one of these, they’re pretty rare.
Building on the simple, hackable, open nature of the instrument, projects over the years have included all sorts of fanciful designs. Gwydion ap Dafydd of Konkreet Labs even placed one inside a cookbook:
Synth in a Book from Konkreet Labs on Vimeo.
And Dutch industrial designer / media artist Arvid Jense, while interning with us, made an incredible DIY sequencer/MeeBlip combination to support jamming (see Instructables:
There have been wild mods, like Shawn Rudiman building an entire control voltage-controlled model and an aluminum, rack-mounted case:
It’s been a frequent guest in hack days and hack-a-thons, talking to plants, or to the Internet at SONAR (even before Internet of Things was such a buzzword):
Countless other models have appeared in wild and novel enclosures, as documented on our Pinterest page.
And then came anode. The goal was to design a MeeBlip that was smaller and had fewer knobs – but felt like it had greater, richer sound potential. That meant lots of attention to how parameters were designed, so that each knob turn was satisfying. And we’ve been pleased that reviews from users and press understood and appreciated what we worked on.
But in the end, this is a personal journey. James and I have learned that making instruments means discovering what musicians can do with devices you imagine. The goal is to create objects that become something more than what we can do on our own. That’s why we’ve stayed with it, and why we’ll keep staying with it. So the best part of this job, without question, is seeing what people do – and hearing the results.
There are many examples like that, like this all-anode track produced by Andrius Mamontovas.
We could use your help. Let us know what you think of what we’re doing, and what we can do to do it better. And if you like the MeeBlip, help us spread the word, and get synthesizers in more hands.
MeeBlip anode is in stock and shipping worldwide right now.
And most of all: thank you.
I find it interesting that despite being open source, there doesn’t seem to me much tinkering by third parties; I think that speaks to how good it is right out of the box.
OTOH, looking at something like the Soulsby Atmegatron — it changes its personality completely with a firmware dump and a front panel card, which is pretty impressive. Maybe something like that lies in Meeblip’s future? It seems to me like the wavetable option that came to Anode might be a first taste 🙂
I personally would like to see two-way VST integration, through a USB port. I know some prefer to be able to keep their synths independent of computers, but I want to tie everything together closely. I enjoy knob tweaking, but also want to sequence and modulate those parameters through software. And at least in the software I’ve used, what can be done gracefully with VST parameters is a bit awkward through MIDI CC. That said, I don’t feel *that* strongly about it, it’s just a nice-to-have 🙂
We designed anode as our first fully built product, so DIY wasn’t our focus. I’m OK with that – I think it’s important to highlight that there’s nothing stopping companies from open sourcing ready-to-use products. It’s fun getting to take a look under the hood and I really enjoyed it when Korg started releasing the schematics for their Monotron line.
Because of anode’s architecture, we can’t really recreate it into a new instrument — the filter has a really distinctive sound. But, yes, we’re looking at a way to create a much more flexible instrument in the future. Peter and I have been bouncing around an idea for a while, and hopefully we’ll find the time to finish it and see what the world thinks.
I find it interesting that despite being open source, there doesn’t seem to me much tinkering by third parties; I think that speaks to how good it is right out of the box.
OTOH, looking at something like the Soulsby Atmegatron — it changes its personality completely with a firmware dump and a front panel card, which is pretty impressive. Maybe something like that lies in Meeblip’s future? It seems to me like the wavetable option that came to Anode might be a first taste 🙂
I personally would like to see two-way VST integration, through a USB port. I know some prefer to be able to keep their synths independent of computers, but I want to tie everything together closely. I enjoy knob tweaking, but also want to sequence and modulate those parameters through software. And at least in the software I’ve used, what can be done gracefully with VST parameters is a bit awkward through MIDI CC. That said, I don’t feel *that* strongly about it, it’s just a nice-to-have 🙂
We designed anode as our first fully built product, so DIY wasn’t our focus. I’m OK with that – I think it’s important to highlight that there’s nothing stopping companies from open sourcing ready-to-use products. It’s fun getting to take a look under the hood and I really enjoyed it when Korg started releasing the schematics for their Monotron line.
Because of anode’s architecture, we can’t really recreate it into a new instrument — the filter has a really distinctive sound. But, yes, we’re looking at a way to create a much more flexible instrument in the future. Peter and I have been bouncing around an idea for a while, and hopefully we’ll find the time to finish it and see what the world thinks.
I find it interesting that despite being open source, there doesn’t seem to me much tinkering by third parties; I think that speaks to how good it is right out of the box.
OTOH, looking at something like the Soulsby Atmegatron — it changes its personality completely with a firmware dump and a front panel card, which is pretty impressive. Maybe something like that lies in Meeblip’s future? It seems to me like the wavetable option that came to Anode might be a first taste 🙂
I personally would like to see two-way VST integration, through a USB port. I know some prefer to be able to keep their synths independent of computers, but I want to tie everything together closely. I enjoy knob tweaking, but also want to sequence and modulate those parameters through software. And at least in the software I’ve used, what can be done gracefully with VST parameters is a bit awkward through MIDI CC. That said, I don’t feel *that* strongly about it, it’s just a nice-to-have 🙂
We designed anode as our first fully built product, so DIY wasn’t our focus. I’m OK with that – I think it’s important to highlight that there’s nothing stopping companies from open sourcing ready-to-use products. It’s fun getting to take a look under the hood and I really enjoyed it when Korg started releasing the schematics for their Monotron line.
Because of anode’s architecture, we can’t really recreate it into a new instrument — the filter has a really distinctive sound. But, yes, we’re looking at a way to create a much more flexible instrument in the future. Peter and I have been bouncing around an idea for a while, and hopefully we’ll find the time to finish it and see what the world thinks.
One thing I never understood – Can you not change the depth of the envelope to the filter?
Yes, there are a few parameters available by MIDI CC. VCF Envelope Amount is MIDI CC 56.
Others include Attack parameters for both the amplitude and filter envelopes, along with Portamento, LFO randomization and LFO retrigger on/off.
Oh, I meant on the unit itself. CC control is cool though. The Roland Boutiques could use that.
Heh. Yeah, I’d have liked room for a couple more knobs.
Hmm well there’s just one osc, so I think the detune knob is kind of up for debate?
anode has two oscillators. I rather like detuning a bit and dropping one an octave. With PWM switched on, it’s my favorite sound from the MeeBlip line.
Nice! I played with one for a few minutes and I really love the wavetable sounds. I really do miss having control over the envelope filter amount though! Maybe a big brother will happen one day!
One thing I never understood – Can you not change the depth of the envelope to the filter?
Yes, there are a few parameters available by MIDI CC. VCF Envelope Amount is MIDI CC 56.
Others include Attack parameters for both the amplitude and filter envelopes, along with Portamento, LFO randomization and LFO retrigger on/off.
Oh, I meant on the unit itself. CC control is cool though. The Roland Boutiques could use that.
Heh. Yeah, I’d have liked room for a couple more knobs.
Hmm well there’s just one osc, so I think the detune knob is kind of up for debate?
anode has two oscillators. I rather like detuning a bit and dropping one an octave. With PWM switched on, it’s my favorite sound from the MeeBlip line.
Nice! I played with one for a few minutes and I really love the wavetable sounds. I really do miss having control over the envelope filter amount though! Maybe a big brother will happen one day!
One thing I never understood – Can you not change the depth of the envelope to the filter?
Yes, there are a few parameters available by MIDI CC. VCF Envelope Amount is MIDI CC 56.
Others include Attack parameters for both the amplitude and filter envelopes, along with Portamento, LFO randomization and LFO retrigger on/off.
Oh, I meant on the unit itself. CC control is cool though. The Roland Boutiques could use that.
Heh. Yeah, I’d have liked room for a couple more knobs.
Hmm well there’s just one osc, so I think the detune knob is kind of up for debate?
anode has two oscillators. I rather like detuning a bit and dropping one an octave. With PWM switched on, it’s my favorite sound from the MeeBlip line.
Nice! I played with one for a few minutes and I really love the wavetable sounds. I really do miss having control over the envelope filter amount though! Maybe a big brother will happen one day!
This is most likely a really daft question: Would it be possible to build a new controller around the core, so that I could add knobs for all sorts of parameters that can currently only be controlled by midi cc? Or would that mean that I would have to program a “brain” for the controller?
This is most likely a really daft question: Would it be possible to build a new controller around the core, so that I could add knobs for all sorts of parameters that can currently only be controlled by midi cc? Or would that mean that I would have to program a “brain” for the controller?
This is most likely a really daft question: Would it be possible to build a new controller around the core, so that I could add knobs for all sorts of parameters that can currently only be controlled by midi cc? Or would that mean that I would have to program a “brain” for the controller?
My biggest annoyance in using the Anode is that so many parameters are hidden behind MIDI CC instead of controllable on the box. When I’m using hardware I would like to be able to create sounds on the hardware.
My biggest annoyance in using the Anode is that so many parameters are hidden behind MIDI CC instead of controllable on the box. When I’m using hardware I would like to be able to create sounds on the hardware.
My biggest annoyance in using the Anode is that so many parameters are hidden behind MIDI CC instead of controllable on the box. When I’m using hardware I would like to be able to create sounds on the hardware.
Would be cool if that easier European shipping would be available before Christmas.
Would be cool if that easier European shipping would be available before Christmas.
Would be cool if that easier European shipping would be available before Christmas.
Hey, great job with CDM & Meeblip/Anode!
How do you use Spark in the partly shown setup (picture)?
It’s connected to my computer and used as a rhythm controller.
Hey, great job with CDM & Meeblip/Anode!
How do you use Spark in the partly shown setup (picture)?
It’s connected to my computer and used as a rhythm controller.
Hey, great job with CDM & Meeblip/Anode!
How do you use Spark in the partly shown setup (picture)?
It’s connected to my computer and used as a rhythm controller.
USB to update, por favor
USB to update, por favor
USB to update, por favor
Somehow I missed it… what’s new in version 5?
Somehow I missed it… what’s new in version 5?
Somehow I missed it… what’s new in version 5?
Will we ever get a midiCc for envelope attack on the limited edition version!! Still kicking myself for not noticing that difference in the pictures when I purchased!
Yes, definitely! Version 2.50 has MIDI CC control of both amplitude and filter attack.
great news! how/where do we get it 🙂
Will we ever get a midiCc for envelope attack on the limited edition version!! Still kicking myself for not noticing that difference in the pictures when I purchased!
Yes, definitely! Version 2.50 has MIDI CC control of both amplitude and filter attack.
great news! how/where do we get it 🙂
Contact us through the Meeblip site and we can direct you!
Will we ever get a midiCc for envelope attack on the limited edition version!! Still kicking myself for not noticing that difference in the pictures when I purchased!
Yes, definitely! Version 2.50 has MIDI CC control of both amplitude and filter attack.
great news! how/where do we get it 🙂
Contact us through the Meeblip site and we can direct you!
James: Is there any good resources you could suggest for someone wanting to hack the meeblip, who has experience with programming (C, Ardunio, Python) but is unsure where to start with asm?
Out of interest, why is it programmed in asm and not C? Asm runs faster?