Update 42: Beatnik 0.5 released.
Sunday.
(Pictures 1-3: Real pic, latest Render, inital concept render / 4: initial plan (edit: shifted to comments for readability)/ 5-X: Pre Assembly and assembly, celling speakers, wallmount, knob case prototypes)
This week:
A) I did release.
BeatnikOS v0.5.0 (Raspberry Pi Image):
https://github.com/byrdsandbytes/beatnik-pi/releases/tag/v0.5.0
Docs: https://github.com/byrdsandbytes/beatnik-pi/blob/master/Iso-Flashing-guide.md
Beatnik Controller v0.5.0 Docker (selfhosted):
https://github.com/byrdsandbytes/beatnik-controller/blob/master/docker-compose.yml
Beatnik Controller iOS v0.5.0:
https://apps.apple.com/ch/app/beatnik-audio/id6748608916
Beatnik Controller Android v.0.4.9 (0.5.0 still in review, but should pass soon):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.byrds.beatnik
(Note: Android is not tested properly yet. Have to buy a new test phone first.)
Also the supporting Repositories, Beatnik Bleno, and beatnik hardware API are on 0.5.0:
https://github.com/byrdsandbytes/beatnik-hardware-api (mainly soundcard managment)
https://github.com/byrdsandbytes/beatnik-bleno (bluetooth wifi provisioning using the button)
What is NOT (public) released yet:
- cases
- docs & manuals
- website
- easter eggs (will implement those next week)
I set my self the silly goal to have a release with Update 42. It’s not good enough, app is still too clumsy ,but i did release. As mentioned last week, also was not able to update the docs properly. Aside from docs, I’m not so far away from the initial plan (image 4) though.
B) did produce. 9 amps, 2 dacs. Works better than expected. Biggest hickup was that raspberry pi changed the speaker terminals for their digiAmp+. (Without changing the datasheet). They do not fit in the case anymore, so digiamp+ is out for now. 3d printers are now running almost 24h. Large parts (outer & inner shell) at night (12-16h). Small parts (back & side panels) during the day. (4x 2-3h). I really need the 2 printers these days. Also my hand crimped cables are pretty decent now. I’m enjoying this manual labour very much.
C) the first prototype of the “beatnik knob” case arrived. A guy,who grew up in the same village, did that. He’s a carpenter now. He made that by hand and perfectly precise on 4mm. (Despite being a 3D print design)
What’s next?
I want to look at my project in peace/silence/calm. Plan a bit better than just executing.
But I’m already pretty sure that I want to add the following things:
0.6 -> docs for software
0.7 -> case release & docs for hardware
0.8 -> knob
What I don’t know: time & money. How fast I can to that, depends on money I’m willing to spend. Spent quite some and if you take in account my time (which i usually (have to) sell) the amount starts hurting. I think beatnik can be self sustainable one day, but it’s not going to be tomorrow.
The first post was 309 days ago. The first update 308 days ago (this one has 42 likes now).
Thanks to everyone who’s here and part of this. One of the more interesting parts of the project for me so far has been the social one. I usually don’t post on social media (excluding shitposts & memes). Quite amazed how friendly & civil everyone is. A small wholesome corner of the internet this is (at least for me). Thanks to you. 🎈
Probably will not post texts/updates for a couple of Sundays.
So, have a some nice Sundays. 🎈🎈
Original Post Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
View original post on Reddit