Building a Loop Station With An RP2040

Yaqi Gao, Xiaoyu Liang, and Alina Wang have crafted their own loop station using the RP2040 chip, a popular choice among hobbyists. Loop stations are devices that capture, replay, and layer audio loops, enabling musicians to create dynamic performances. Artists like Marc Rebillet, Reinhardt Buhr, and Dub FX are known for their mastery of this style.

The loop station designed by the trio involves capturing a guitar signal through an amplifier and the onboard analog-to-digital converter of the RP2040. This signal is recorded and can be played back using an external digital-to-analog converter. The system allows for multiple tracks to be recorded and mixed together, with the added ability to perform live over the recorded audio. To expand storage capacity, an external half-megabyte FRAM chip is used, allowing the storage of additional audio sample data. This data can be accessed and saved via serial communication.

The project showcases the versatility of the RP2040 chip for audio processing applications and provides a platform for experimenting with loop station functionalities. The ability to record, loop, and mix audio in real-time opens up creative possibilities for musicians and audio enthusiasts.

Read more: Building a Loop Station With An RP2040