Help. Want to build microcomputer that is viewable from android screen

[warrio]

Hi,

So I have a project I want to build and need some help. I’m not sure if this is the correct forum. The best way to explain it is that it is a guitar like instrument with built in effects. The FX will be pc plugins.

Here is what I’m going for:

Small single board computer (or any lightweight computer with a small footprint) that will run Windows 8-10. The size is important because it’s going to go inside a guitar. Any suggestions?

Will connect to an android tablet (preferably by usb) to view and control the windows os. I have seen this is possible online but I haven’t figured out how. Does anyone have any info on the bets way to do this?

Will run reaper and/or some kind of plugin chainer like blue cat patchwork or axiom.

Has 4 usb Inputs plus a high quality audio in and out.

Good enough specs to run a reaper or a plugin chainer and up to half a dozen plugins.

Thanks

[ghettosynth]

There are a number of small footprint computers that will fit inside a guitar, search for mini-pc on amazon. There are things the size of a NUC and smaller. Generally they run lower powered intel processors.

That said, if this is a one off, I would consider buying the smallest laptop pc, e.g., a Surface GO, and removing the internals. This will give you both a PC that runs windows and also a battery and charging system which will be necessary for anything going into a guitar.

BTW: I'd really question why you want to do any of this. It sounds like a money and time sink of the first order!

[BertKoor]

Here is what I’m going for:

Small single board computer (or any lightweight computer with a small footprint) that will run Windows 8-10. The size is important because it’s going to go inside a guitar. Any suggestions?

My suggestion: go for a Raspberry Pi or similar ARM-based micro. Size is like a deck of playing cards, the OS is less bloated and starts in seconds.

Why is Windows a must? Effects can run on ARM as well (if you pick the right ones, algorithms can be found) and if you connect it to something else anyway, why not run the effects on that other thing?

Also it's simpler and cheaper and much more efficient (so less latency) to connect a monitor via a HDMI cable than viewing it via a tablet and extra software that needs to run on both.

4x USB connections on an instrument is not very convenient. I'd say anything more than one single cable is clunky. Use one USB port on the instrument, connect it to a generic USB hub that sits on a floor board.

Come to think of it, if all the unit needs is the audio from the guitar (which needs a preamp to raise it to line level in order for the ADC to be used) then I'd first experiment with everything outside of the guitar. Saves you a guitar massacre. Then you'd basically get a 19" rack unit or a floor board unit.

[ghettosynth]

Here is what I’m going for:

Small single board computer (or any lightweight computer with a small footprint) that will run Windows 8-10. The size is important because it’s going to go inside a guitar. Any suggestions?

My suggestion: go for a Raspberry Pi or similar ARM-based micro. Size is like a deck of playing cards, the OS is less bloated and starts in seconds.

Why is Windows a must? Effects can run on ARM as well (if you pick the right ones, algorithms can be found) and if you connect it to something else anyway, why not run the effects on that other thing?

I agree, but, often people who are imagining projects like this are thinking of running existing software that won't run on ARM, e.g., Reaper (as mentioned). Reaper is available for Linux, but I've not seen an ARM build, but I also haven't looked.

Intel used to make an x86 board designed for stuff like this, but they dropped the whole Maker/IOT thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Edison



If it's not clear, it's about the size of a large postage stamp.

Of course, they didn't run Windows, but I built a couple of audio effects projects around these boards. Frankly, these kinds of posts are often the hardware equivalent of people coming into the dev forum with great ideas looking for "partners" in the sense that poster often doesn't know what they don't know.

It's not hard to find a modern tiny x86 board that runs windows if you know what you're doing with hardware. This is the same size as a standard Pi and you can put Windows on it.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/rock- ... orm-factor

[Guenon]

Reaper has an official ARM build on Linux available, and it says on the main download page, "REAPER supports Linux on Intel and ARM architectures" - also, it's good to note that the Linux Reaper stuff isn't "experimental" anymore, and it was already some time ago when the "this build is experimental" type of disclaimer went away from the main page; these days these builds stand equal with the others.

[ghettosynth]

Reaper has an official ARM build on Linux available, and it says on the main download page, "REAPER supports Linux on Intel and ARM architectures" - also, it's good to note that the Linux Reaper stuff isn't "experimental" anymore, and it was already some time ago when the "this build is experimental" type of disclaimer went away from the main page; these days these builds stand equal with the others.

Thanks, I stand corrected on the ARM build. That by itself though may not dismiss my point if the OP has some specific plugins in mind. There's very little close sourced stuff that runs on ARM, even that which runs on Linux.

[warrio]

Yes it has to be windows because I want to run either reaper or a plugin chainer to take advantage of all the plugins I have.

It has to have 4 usb so that an Android can view it (1 usb), and two iPads running geoshred (an awesome synth/midi controller) can connect (2 usb,) and one more usb for a mouse or possibly power or other.

The neck will be 2 iPads. The android will sit where the pickups are. It will look more like a Chapman stick with three tablets on it than a guitar. 2 iPad minis and a 7.9 inch android. If I have a plugin chainer I can tap for new FX at the tap of a button. The first iteration will be a board and strap with 3 tablets on the front and a computer somewhere (the end where a bridge would be.)

There is a method to the madness. I already use an iPad (and geoshred) to control synths and effects on my desktop. Now I want that in a guitar/Chapman stick like setup.

[warrio]

Inspired by this... Which I saw in person

[warrio]

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcJMJuPjw1 ... MyMTA2M2Y=

[mgw38]

Will connect to an android tablet (preferably by usb) to view and control the windows os. I have seen this is possible online but I haven’t figured out how. Does anyone have any info on the bets way to do this?

Best way to do this is with Parsec. Parsec has a native Android app (but not an iOS one).

[warrio]

Thank you

[Sebastiantheseeker]

i teresting