Update 43: The last couple of weeks
Sunday.
(Images: 1. Audio pipeline, 2. Hardware api, 3. Fancy mixer line in, 4-5. Intnetradio architecture, 6. Bi amping, 7-x. Backpacks & other installation places. )
The last couple of weeks:
A) I did produce & install the first badge of beatniks (24 so far). It works well now. (Posted a video and some pics here https://www.reddit.com/r/beatnikAudio/s/2Gjzttljrl& here https://www.reddit.com/r/beatnikAudio/s/qlgR7gg5VE)
B) I added line in DSP. For (fancy) mixers. Also preamp for vintage vinyl players.
C)I developed a custom feature: broadcasting/streaming outside the house/local network (internet radio). Kind of nuts what you can do with it. For example listening to your vinyl line at home while driving in your car. (I tested that) Also you can chain up multiple beatnik systems in different locations/wifis by pulling the radio in using MPD and distributing it again. (image 5)
D) did produce a huge digital mess of spreadsheets, physical mess of trash from components packaging, cable crimping
E) I bought an android phone, tested, fixed & released the android version
F) Did play around with bi-amping. (Combined with advanced DSP)
Struggling to summarize what happened over the last 3-4 weeks. Posting weekly is easier.
To start somewhere I tried to explain the most complicated & important change/part: the audio pipeline. (Image1) And how hardware API interacts with it. (Image 2)
*** ramble***
Another thing that occupies me a lot now is logistics: i was lucky i had enough of everything. Producing around 30 devices means you need 120 binding posts, 180 button cables. 240 Banana plugs etc.
Manufacturing: Button is the weak spot. Spent alot of time producing and later debugging/fixing button cables. So this something I wanna improve. Prewired buttons is what I need. Also some quality issues on some parts. For example GPIO spacers. Some were faulty. Annoying to debug. Will change supplier.
Case Design & material : I like that it’s very functional and flexible. I like that it can be almost invisible and hidden. What i dislike is that it doesn’t reflect the expensive electronics inside. Weight of the device in combination with heavy cables is also an issue.
Documentation: really struggling. Started but it’s messy. Still don’t know how to structure this.
Closed Testing: Used all parts. reordered parts, just pcb stands, gpio spacers and some screws missing,then we can start. Sorry for the delay agian. I just don’t wanna send you stuff that i already know that it will not work as expected or fit properly.
Finances: I try to find out how i can finance this. First request (arty “stiftung”) for funding was rejected so it looks like i have to further finance this myself somehow. It would be possible to go down the startup/investors route (as the project already has some traction) but I don’t wanna do that. (Early investment = high return expectations = enshittification in 3-10y). My thesis is: if things are allowed to grow slower, they have a better chance of beeing something lasting. Also I do not believe in infinite growth.
***
I did miss posting.
Have a nice Sunday. 🎈
Original Post Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
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