Platform for sonic exploration (2025)

Changes

V1.1

Long rectangular footprint

Bugs
Audio jack only one channel
2.1mm connector does not work, but is easily fixed using a solder bridge

V1.2

Square footprint
Second 2.1mm barrel connector on opposite side
Solder jumpers for gain configuration instead of pin holes
Some more components have hand solderable footprints (0805)
Cheaper to manufacture

Next

Even cheaper
100% hand solderable, will require another audio codec and amp
Line or headphone level output jack with volume control
Stereo output
Battery charge controller and power regulator
Better speaker connector

Custom ESP32 based audio PCB programmable using Arduino, esp-idf, faust and others. The board has USB C for programming and power supply and can alternatively be powered using 5v 2.1mm jack (center-positive), has an integrated MEMS microphone, a class D amplifier to drive small speakers, can be used as a USB audio class device (interface) and has WiFi, as well as Bluetooth.

The board was developed after having used both Teensy, Bela and other audio solutions, as well as ESP32 as a platform offering very easy access to WiFi and Bluetooth. This board aims to both be cheaper and combine audio with networking capabilities to be used in sound installations or other settings similar settings.

ESP32-S3
MAX98357A
ICS-43434

More information and example code in the repo