Wee Noise Makers PGB-1: Grooves in the palm of your hand

Wee Noise Makers PGB-1: Grooves in the palm of your hand

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Wee Noise Makers PGB-1  · 

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Wee Noise Makers

New kids on the block Wee Noise Makers want to put their beginner-friendly and very hackable PGB-1 groovebox into your hands. The device has 19 sound engines, a flexible sequencer and open-source code, and is crowd-sourcing now.

Wee Noise Makers PGB-1

French boutique outfit Wee Noise Makers has identified a hole in the market: an all-in-one music-making device aimed at beginners. “Often … instruments can feel limited, tying users to a specific sound or ecosystem,” they said on their Crowd Supply funding page. To address this need, they’re attempting to release the PGB-1, a pocket-sized and open-source groovebox.

Wee Noise Makers PGB-1
Wee Noise Makers PGB-1

At the heart of the PGB-1 is a Raspberry Pi RP2040 processor. Raspberry Pi-based synthesizers are popping up more and more. This is the latest in what is sure to become a more common thing.

19 Sound Engines

Wee Noise Makers weren’t kidding when they said the PGB-1 isn’t limited in sound. It has 19 sound engines, with more possibly coming. This includes a synthesizer, drum machine and sampler, plus effects and a global mixer. It can play up to eight monophonic voices at a time, and the synthesizer features parameters like a filter and LFO.

Wee Noise Makers PGB-1
Wee Noise Makers PGB-1

The onboard sampler has piqued my interest. It has 62 seconds of sampling time (that’s 22 more than the old-school Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O!). You can sample via the onboard microphone or line-in jack

Effects include algorithms like reverb, bitcrusher and overdrive, with four effects slots on the global mixer as well.

Sequencer

Any groovebox lives and dies by its sequencer, and the PGB-1 seems to have this covered. The onboard sequencer features conditional steps, repeats/ratcheting, pattern chaining, chord sequencing, song mode, live sequencing effects and more. You can also control external hardware with it with up to 16 MIDI tracks.

Hack It

The PGB-1 is more than just a mini-groovebox though. Wee Noise Makers have designed it with customization in mind, using open-source firmware. It’s also compatible with several programming languages, including Python.

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Connectivity and Controls

On the hardware side, the 10 x 6.6 x 1.5 cm device features 30 tactile switches, 24 RGB LEDs, an OLED screen and a capacitive touch strip. Around the back, there are MIDI ins and outs (TRS type-A), mini audio in and out plus a USB-C port for data and power. It also sports a rechargeable battery for use on the go.

Thoughts and Price

The PGB-1 looks to be a fun all-in-one instrument. I like the portability – just having a sampler that fits in your pocket could be cool.

If you’re interested in the Wee Noise Makers PGB-1, you can preorder one at their Crowd Supply campaign page. There are two price options: $249 for the regular and $299 for the limited edition with golden aluminum case.

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Wee Noise Makers PGB-1

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My John Smith is a seasoned technology writer with a passion for unraveling the complexities of the digital world. With a background in computer science and a keen interest in emerging trends, John has become a sought-after voice in translating intricate technological concepts into accessible and engaging articles.

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