Screech Owl

The Screech Owl was inspired by the Eowave Persephone, a classic analogue ribbon synth which is now rare and expensive. Although ribbons are featured as controllers on a number of keyboards, there are currently very few standalone ribbon synths or controllers available. Based on Arduino, with a simple laser-cut plywood case and open-source firmware, the Screech Owl is intended to provide a new, accessible, inexpensive option for musicians interested in exploring and experimenting with these kinds of instruments.

The Screech Owl is based on a new custom shield for Arduino Leonardo which provides connections to a linear potentiometer for position layered with a thin film pressure sensor for aftertouch. This approach has previously been used to create a couple of DIY designs that have been described online, but nothing that is commercially available either as a complete product or in kit form. The new shield design and open-source software makes it simpler for non-electronics-enthusiasts to build and understand.

This is a new concept which has so far only been used for the initial demo.