Well THIS is an interesting little thing from Korg and collaborators...

[Mark Hammer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDxz8bpqOMU

The kit:  http://littlebits.cc/kits/synth-kit

[Mark Hammer]

Incidentally, the littleBits site provides the schematics for each of the modules.  I can't, or at least, haven't seen the architecture of the connectors for the modules yet, but judging by the schematics, these look like they could be readily adapted and rehoused into stompboxes.  For example, the filter module is essentially a later-issue MS-20 filter, on a teeny surface-mount board.  The delay module is yet another pt2399 basic circuit that could be inserted into something else.

[Kipper4]

Intresting indeed thanks Mark.

[slacker]

Very cool.

It looks like the connectors use magnets to stick the modules together and use little contacts to connect signals and power, they look similar to the connectors used for things like sim cards in phones. You can see them in the end on shot here http://littlebits.cc/bits/microsequencer from the schematic each one carries power, ground and signal.  Looks like the plastic sections are keyed so you can't connect them incorrectly, it's seems pretty clever.

[Mark Hammer]

What's neat is that there are a variety of controller sources that could be used, if one looks beyond the modules that come with the synth kit.  For example, they have a force-sensing module - http://littlebits.cc/bits/pressure-sensor - and a random-voltage/noise module - http://littlebits.cc/bits/random - that could be used to apply a control voltage to things like filters or oscillators.

[midwayfair]

oh man, Reggie Watts is so awesome. 

[StephenGiles]

Are schematics provided I wonder?? Can a guitar be plugged into the beast?

[slacker]

Yeah there's schematics, scroll down the page Mark linked to and click on the images of the different modules there's links to the schematic for each module.

I notice some of the the modules, like the keyboard and sequencer appear to use a micro controller of some sort, and at the minute there doesn't appear to be any source code available, which makes those schematics pretty useless. I assume they'll be adding the code at some point, as they are claiming it's Open Source Hardware.

[teemuk]

Wah with either force sensor or LFO input.   Kinda reminds me of my Zoom multieffect that uses inductive proximity sensor for sensing expression pedal movements.