DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Nord's classical Virtual Analog Synth Nord LEAD 1/2/2x/3/4/A1 and Nord Rack versions
varignet
Posts: 208
Joined: 29 Sep 2016, 23:08
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Lead A1
Location: London
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by varignet »

What about a midi driven IOS app?
If Only I knew how to code ios apps
Nord Lead A1, Korg Trinity 76 Pro, Kawai MP7SE, Guitars, Ukes
User avatar
Nordlicht
Donator
Posts: 390
Joined: 11 Jan 2012, 09:17
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Piano 5
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 4
Location: Germany (Schleswig-Holstein)
Has thanked: 171 times
Been thanked: 168 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by Nordlicht »

varignet wrote:What about a midi driven IOS app?
If Only I knew how to code ios apps
I just stumbled across this thread again because I am thinking of selling my A1. The non-existent clear text display is reason enough for me, although I love the sound and the options. (That's why I wouldn't buy a e.g. a Prophet 6, OB6 or Trigon 6).
I had also thought earlier that it should be possible with a fairly simple iOS app to give a "real" name to the program displayed in each case.

@gitarrenzupfer: Any news or progress about your display?
Nord Piano 5 + Nord Piano Monitors, Nord Stage 4 Compact + other stuff
https://soundcloud.com/spektralfarben
varignet
Posts: 208
Joined: 29 Sep 2016, 23:08
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Lead A1
Location: London
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by varignet »

Nordlicht wrote:
varignet wrote:What about a midi driven IOS app?
If Only I knew how to code ios apps
I just stumbled across this thread again because I am thinking of selling my A1. The non-existent clear text display is reason enough for me, although I love the sound and the options. (That's why I wouldn't buy a e.g. a Prophet 6, OB6 or Trigon 6).
I had also thought earlier that it should be possible with a fairly simple iOS app to give a "real" name to the program displayed in each case.

@gitarrenzupfer: Any news or progress about your display?

+1
Last edited by varignet on 15 Aug 2023, 20:57, edited 1 time in total.
Nord Lead A1, Korg Trinity 76 Pro, Kawai MP7SE, Guitars, Ukes
User avatar
gitarrenzupfer
Posts: 52
Joined: 30 Jul 2019, 10:19
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by gitarrenzupfer »

The display has been working for about 1.5 years now. It's funny that I accidentally checked the forum again a few days ago. I have now made one last code change, as the display hung relatively often after the "studio power-on" and I had to reinsert the SD card. The reason for the problem was that the Nord A1 sent a torrent of midi data when booting, which collided with the SD card data. I have now ordered the display to pause for 4 seconds to wait for the NORD A1 to boot.

@Nordlicht:
I can totally understand people wanting to sell the A1 because it doesn't have a patch name display. This circumstance encouraged me to build the display...

I still have components and circuit boards for another display at home. I'll solder that together when I get a chance.
These users thanked the author gitarrenzupfer for the post:
Nordlicht
Collection: Nord Wave 2, Nord Lead A1, Nord Electro 5D 73 + Studiologic SL990
Frankois
Posts: 1
Joined: 08 Oct 2023, 23:15

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by Frankois »

Hi,

I just read all the thread and would definitely be interested by the project. :)
Is it somehow possible to buy one of those?
If not, would it be possible to buy the sources (schematic, gerber files, code...) so I can try to replicate on my side?

This seems truly amazing for the A1, really great work of yours. :thanks:
User avatar
gitarrenzupfer
Posts: 52
Joined: 30 Jul 2019, 10:19
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by gitarrenzupfer »

Hello everyone,

I would like to give a quick update on my display project:

I plan to make some displays (only 3, for more I have to order PCBs) and possibly make some optimizations to the housing. I have also now found a microcontroller with a USB-C connection (instead of the outdated micro-USB).
I can give the displays to interested parties. But I would have to calculate the costs at 100 euros. That's about 50% electronic components + compensation for assembly and development (which took waaaay hours :geek: ).

Greetings

P. S. Since yesterday I am also the proud owner of a Nord Wave 2 :keyboard:
Collection: Nord Wave 2, Nord Lead A1, Nord Electro 5D 73 + Studiologic SL990
User avatar
gitarrenzupfer
Posts: 52
Joined: 30 Jul 2019, 10:19
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by gitarrenzupfer »

Again an update on "Project Display":

I'm currently in the process of testing the new USB-C controllers on the board. They run without any problems.

I also made minimal changes to the housing. And I'm currently testing other materials for the housing (PLA, ABS, TPU).
Unfortunately, I can no longer order the neodymium magnets and now have to use a different model (something like this always takes time on the CAD computer).

The (not so pretty looking) housing in the picture is held together with scotch tape and there is also a protective film on the OLED display. In the future I would like to hold the housing shell together with brass drive-in threads.

I have a question for the community :thumbup: :thumbdown: :

If I were to offer a "purchasable version" (although I don't think anyone outside of this forum would be interested) of this display, it would be good/better for the buyer if:

USB-C cable
SD card reader
SD card (actually better if it comes with the software)
5V power supply

or:

None of the accessories are included and the main thing is to be as cheap as possible. Because E.g. everyone has a spare USB-C adapter or an SD card reader lying around at home.

Please share your views with me. :thanx:

If you are interested in purchasing a display in the near future, please contact me via PM. If necessary, I could also program a Lead 4 variant (the bank/patch structure is slightly different here).

Greetings

Gitarrenzupfer :wave:
Attachments
PXL_20231013_191127751.jpg
PXL_20231013_191127751.jpg (2.14 MiB) Viewed 2598 times
PXL_20231018_161004970.jpg
PXL_20231018_161004970.jpg (1.51 MiB) Viewed 2598 times
PXL_20231018_163529794.jpg
PXL_20231018_163529794.jpg (1.8 MiB) Viewed 2598 times
These users thanked the author gitarrenzupfer for the post:
Berretje
Collection: Nord Wave 2, Nord Lead A1, Nord Electro 5D 73 + Studiologic SL990
User avatar
gitarrenzupfer
Posts: 52
Joined: 30 Jul 2019, 10:19
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by gitarrenzupfer »

Hello everyone,

weekly update (I'm in nerd mode right now). I just designed new circuit boards.

Innovations:

1.
3.5 mm midi socket (standard assignment such as Korg etc...) as the old-fashioned DIN socket was simply too big for the housing and the cable to simply solder on, I found it cumbersome and inflexible if, for example. B. sometimes different lengths are needed or a cable breaks.

2.
Internal DIP switch for future functions:
- Flash mode (software updates by the user)
- Nord LEAD 4 mode
- Other Synth mode (names for 2x 128 sounds e.g.)

3.
I looked around for pretty red USB cables and found them.

Greetings and happy Halloween...
Attachments
PXL_20231029_214955005.jpg
PXL_20231029_214955005.jpg (1.98 MiB) Viewed 2349 times
Screenshot 2023-10-29 224242.png
Screenshot 2023-10-29 224242.png (76.11 KiB) Viewed 2349 times
These users thanked the author gitarrenzupfer for the post:
Berretje
Collection: Nord Wave 2, Nord Lead A1, Nord Electro 5D 73 + Studiologic SL990
User avatar
gitarrenzupfer
Posts: 52
Joined: 30 Jul 2019, 10:19
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by gitarrenzupfer »

Hello folks,

Project update:

I received the new circuit boards and assembled the first prototypes with USB-C and mini-jack midi sockets (type TRS-A).
I also constantly made small changes in the case design (more internally and because of the connections on the back).
I also printed a red case but the color was just “sucking”. I'm going to get dark gray PLA as I think that goes best with the Nord look.
I'm currently working on additional features that will display the A1's waveforms and OSC configurations when turning the endless pots.
My next task will be a guide or tutorial video that introduces the display and explains the steps on how to load the patch names.

For anyone interested, a few pictures of the latest prototypes...

Best regards from the nerd craft room..
Attachments
PXL_20231112_164629281.LONG_EXPOSURE-01.COVER.jpg
PXL_20231112_164629281.LONG_EXPOSURE-01.COVER.jpg (1.36 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
color sucks...
color sucks...
PXL_20231112_164520740.MP.jpg (3.64 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
PXL_20231112_164438955.jpg
PXL_20231112_164438955.jpg (1.48 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
PXL_20231112_164226581.MP.jpg
PXL_20231112_164226581.MP.jpg (5.43 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
PXL_20231112_162539991.jpg
PXL_20231112_162539991.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
PXL_20231112_150647189.jpg
PXL_20231112_150647189.jpg (1.43 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
Printing housing
Printing housing
PXL_20231112_150405944.jpg (2.01 MiB) Viewed 2260 times
Last edited by gitarrenzupfer on 12 Nov 2023, 21:52, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author gitarrenzupfer for the post (total 2):
Berretje, cookie
Collection: Nord Wave 2, Nord Lead A1, Nord Electro 5D 73 + Studiologic SL990
LUISVL4D
Posts: 5
Joined: 19 Jun 2017, 17:31
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 4
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead A1
Location: Portugal

Re: DIY OLED Display for NORD LEAD A1

Post by LUISVL4D »

Hi, Happy New Year!!!!

Are you selling this at this moment? I'm very interested.

Regards,
Luís Fernandes
Nord Stage 4 Compact
Nord Lead A1
Post Reply