Hello friend!

This is the second newsletter for my take on the SST-282 SPACE STATION audio effect unit.

TLDR

• You've heard of the global chip crisis - it killed any serious progress and enthusiasm over the past months but things are starting to get a bit better.

• Planning on getting a small run (about 50) made later this year, if that goes well I'll do more.

• Not taking pre-orders, still aiming for <£500

• I'll firm things up and post here first when plans are set.

• Draft manual here, midi feature question/survey down below.

What's Happening

• Been a long time!

• Was banging my head against the wall with the chip shortage, chasing for parts all around the world, getting stung with fakes and year long delivery forecasts.

• Decided to take a break from trying to make this and spent the winter just playing with it.

• It still sounds great, I've added a few extras and tuned it up a bit and now ready to push it on again.

• The chip shortage is still a pain but some of the key components that I needed are starting to become available.

• Planning a short manufacturing run, just starting to get organised, aiming to do a batch of 50 which should be ready later this year.

Extra Features

• I added some extra features, I've been careful to not take anything away from the original and the new features definitely add something.

• A draft of the manual available if you want to check it out - there is a section on the new features.

Midi Question

• USB-C is built in, I really meant it for uploading new versions of firmware but it can also Midi-sync the feedback / delay to USB Midi clock.

• splitradix has one of the beta units and asked if Midi-CC controls could be added, I've done that now so you can sequence program and parameter changes as well as sync to clock.

• The hardware interface - knobs and buttons - on the SpaceStation is really nice and tactile but appreciate now that people might want to control it by Midi.

• I prefer hardware Midi (DIN sockets) rather than USB - I can add hardware midi, it will cost a bit more and take a bit of development time.

Quick survey

• Midi-CC will be available by USB-C (and a USB Host).

• Q - Would hardware midi (DIN sockets) be a deal breaker?

  • A - hardware midi is a must, take some time and add it
  • B - usb midi will be fine, just get them made

Finally

• Check out splitradix's youtube channel for a couple of short videos.

Thanks for reading, cheers Paul.