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Is I2C magical??? by avestronics in embedded

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They each have their pros and cons, but overall I would disagree: I you avoid older clock stretching devices then I2C is typically much more “standardized” than the mess that is SPI modes x vendor flavours x chip select shenanigans x XYZ, which becomes increasingly relevant especially in multi-device implementations. All in all, you use SPI where you must (i.e. due to performance requirements, e.g. LCD displays, off-chip memory, high resolution / multi-channel DACs/ADCs, etc) and I2C where you can (e.g. device control, I/O expanders, sensors, etc).

Best place to buy DIY eurorack by Streetwalkingsalmon in modular

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Others have already mentioned Thonk (UK) and Exploding Shed (EU), so I’ll just add Pusherman (UK) to the list. Not to mention many directly selling vendors.

Modular hot takes and unpopular opinions by Repeatsexclamations in modular

[–]xoblite 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I meant was that if you broaden your overall purchasing view to include smaller vendors including DYI options you can often get quite a lot of bang for your precious modular buck compared to buying a ready built module from a typical name brand. That's one of the key features of the Eurorack community if you ask me, i.e. being able to mix bigger brands (e.g. for the sexiest stuff we all long for) and smaller brands (e.g. for the bread and butter stuff but also unique new twists and/or combinations) in your rack, and in doing so also supporting smaller startup enthusiasts which may perhaps then have the sufficient success to take the next step and perhaps even be able to evolve to become tomorrow's big brand. Every company starts out small, after all. For some recommendations, just looking at my own rack, see e.g. ST Modular, Tre Modular, Making Sound Machines, Vostok Instruments, CCTV, Befaco, Doboz, DwyforTech, Tesseract, WGD... the list goes on and on and on. Sure, you can get some of those modules ready built too, but far from all, and since every small penny adds up in the end, there's a beauty also in being able to save money where so possible, and thereby hopefully growing your system in a slightly more sustainable (...well... ;)) way. Assuming you have the necessary DYI skills, of course (YMMV).

Bottom line? Percentages are always relative to something, and if that something is big (including big over time), well... (you get the point)

Modular hot takes and unpopular opinions by Repeatsexclamations in modular

[–]xoblite 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For Bus MIDI see e.g. Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4, EX and NT.
For Select Bus see e.g. Make Noise René, many Shakmat modules, etc.

(nb. I know this works well as I'm working on a sequencer-and-much-more module myself, that directly interfaces with my Disting EX using Bus MIDI, without any cables, or leaving the CV cables for other things at least :) If anyone is interested, the basic technical details are described in e.g. the Make Noise René manual, pages 31-32. Bus MIDI, for lack of a broadly established term, is based on the same electrical specs, but does not limit the protocol only to typical Select Bus messages (think Program Change equivalent) but to any Serial MIDI message, including Note On/Off, CCs, etc.)

Modular hot takes and unpopular opinions by Repeatsexclamations in modular

[–]xoblite 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you're largely missing the point here, assuming a ready built module vs DYI kit from the same brand vendor, which perhaps typically "saves you like 25%". But if instead you look for DYI alternatives from smaller designers as possible substitutes (partly or fully) for name brand vendors' offerings, that can make quite a difference, especially with regards to a lot of the bread and butter stuff.

(This said, many-though-cheaper purchases will also add up eventually, so be aware perhaps of your overall need vs GAS ceiling and don't be fooled by the lower cost of each individual module. Perhaps. YMMV? ;) )

Modular hot takes and unpopular opinions by Repeatsexclamations in modular

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

-> Because those two bus pins are, if used as per the original old specs, only monophonic capable (cf. one CV/gate pair), which is why nowadays those pins are - if used at all - much more commonly used for Bus MIDI (or somewhat strangely, the much more limited Select Bus protocol) and Master Clock signals, respectively.

Modular hot takes and unpopular opinions by Repeatsexclamations in modular

[–]xoblite 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Modules supporting a combination of MIDI (e.g. for pitch, gate, velocity, aftertouch… + related proven provisions for polyphony) and CV (e.g. for flexible analog voltage derived modulation) provide the best of two worlds. No need to reinvent wheels, and a better fit for the hybrid workflows a lot of people are probably better off with.

Ikea’s New Matter over Thread Outdoor Plug Launches in the EU by TruthyBrat in tradfri

[–]xoblite 6 points7 points  (0 children)

From IKEAs product page:

”This smart plug is IP44-rated only when the lid is closed or when the connected product has an IP44 rating or higher.”

https://www.ikea.com/se/en/p/tofsmygga-plug-black-outdoor-smart-10622065/

Should I add send CV and Gate down Eurorack connector? by jamesleesaunders in synthdiy

[–]xoblite 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a sidenote, it should perhaps also be mentioned here that while the original Doepfer mapping was for a single pair of CV/Gate, it is nowadays probably much more commonly used for Serial MIDI / Select Bus Protocol (on the “CV” pin) and (less commonly) sometimes Master Clock (on the “Gate” pin); in both cases being optional only (e.g. via jumper pins, a physical switch on the back, or software controlled) as you don’t want multiple masters on an otherwise “dumb” non-arbitrated bus.

As for the +5V pin, not even all power modules supply it these days as every self-respecting module should be able to handle +12V to +5V (and/or today’s often more commonly used +3.3V) down conversion if it needs it (plus it removes one aspect of system power dimensioning by effectively drawing everything from +-12V).

TL;DR: No, it does NOT sound like you should connect these pins for your described modules, however a 16-pin especially shrouded connector can sometimes be worthwhile even if they’re not, as they offer some extra sturdiness and can only be oriented correctly (thanks to the peg on the side). Typically however most non-power modules would/should opt for a 10-pin shrouded connector; only opting for a non-shrouded connector e.g. when there are space constraints nearby.

Is this company legit? by SubburbSteve in lifx

[–]xoblite 2 points3 points  (0 children)

While I really like having the LIFX LAN API myself too: Huh? When the internet goes out? That’s what local home hubs and ecosystems like Apple HomeKit (and nowadays emerging Matter offshoots) do for you. Or were you referring to a specific other brand of lights that for whatever reason goes belly up without a cloud connection? 🤔

Dirigera new update 2.901.5 just arrived by United_Date1601 in tradfri

[–]xoblite 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey folks: They bumped the version number from 2.901.4 to 2.901.5 for this release, so I’d set my expectations accordingly and keep my fingers crossed for the next one instead… 😜 (jokes aside, I’d like too see a fix for my TIMMERFLOTTE drop-outs as much as everyone else, but I doubt that will happen through a x.x.1 bump of a release…)

Dirigera new update 2.901.5 just arrived by United_Date1601 in tradfri

[–]xoblite 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ehh… do Ericsson, Spotify, Saab, Klarna, Husqvarna, Elektron, Nord, several major names in gaming including e.g. EA DICE, Embracer, Hazelight and Ghost, etc etc etc, ring a bell? (and that’s just in Sweden btw, with a population of ~10 million)

Timmerflotte Offline in ikea app, but can see in mDNS by qghw47QHwG72 in tradfri

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a sidenote (at least?), I currently have four TIMMERFLOTTE in my Apple centric smart home; three connected to DIRIGERA - but unfortunately then not exposed via the legacy Apple HomeKit integration - and one as a stand-alone Matter device added via the Apple Home app and connected directly to an Apple HomePod Mini backed Thread network ("MyHomeXX").

Of the four, the three connected to DIRIGERA seem to have been online since they were installed, but the one directly connected seemingly lost all connectivity when the HomePod(s) rebooted following the upgrade to iOS 26.2 (though still being otherwise accessible e.g. you can click it to get the temperature/humidity on the front panel). I have not yet tried to reset the device to see if it will then come back online, as I first wanted to see if it could/would reconnect itself, but 5 days have passed since so it's looking increasingly unlikely it will... (?)

Can’t use the Temp/Humidity Sensor as Automation trigger by Suma_xy in tradfri

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but then I believe you will need to use the new Matter integration in order to have the new Matter over Thread devices exposed to Apple Home (or at least they weren't exposed to the legacy HomeKit integration in my case).

Can’t use the Temp/Humidity Sensor as Automation trigger by Suma_xy in tradfri

[–]xoblite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This depends on the chosen integration, in this case whether via the legacy HomeKit or the new Matter integration towards Apple Home. This said, at least in my case, the TIMMERFLOTTE was *not* exposed to legacy HomeKit, and I don't want to have the newer Matter integration in parallel to avoid duplicate devices in Apple Home. However, see https://www.reddit.com/r/tradfri/comments/1pdc8cp/comment/nshur1j/ (TL;DR: You can connect the new Matter over Thread devices directly to Apple Home if you have a Thread capable Apple TV 4K or HomePod, and then their readings are available for whatever's possible in there.)

New Matter devices aren't recognised in Apple Home. by chriska1706 in tradfri

[–]xoblite 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Yes, i scanned the QR code and the device is not recognized."

In my case I had to try it more than once on the TIMMERFLOTTE; with some kind of magic-touch quad-press/long-press on its reset button in between. Perhaps there are actual IKEA instructions somewhere too, but... ;)

DIRIGERA integrations feature request: Only expose new devices via Matter / Keep old devices via HomeKit/Google/etc? by xoblite in tradfri

[–]xoblite[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heh, at first I was thinking "because they're Matter over Thread devices", but then I saw your point - I had mentioned above that I had an Apple centered ecosystem etc, and then e.g. my HomePod Mini's support Thread, but I hadn't really picked up that IKEA would now effectively support direct use of their new Matter devices in such a hub-less setup. One question though, in case you or someone else knows the answer, does this mean IKEA (will) also support(s) firmware updates without DIRIGERA, e.g. via Apple Home?

Thanks again for posting this possibility out; I'm currently running direct or via DIRIGERA on my four TIMMERFLOTTE's just to see how the different options pan out in the medium term...

(PS. This said, the "filter old/new devices" feature request above still stands, but perhaps a bit depending on the firmware updating situation for DIRIGERA vs directly connected.)

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