CHOMPI portable sampler instrument is now open-source (hardware and software)
The CHOMPI portable sampler is discontinued, with its hardware designs, firmware, and a new wavetable synth firmware released as open-source.
summary is enough An official open-source release of a discontinued hardware product is worth noting for makers, but the repo and announcement details can be grasped quickly.
summary
The creators of the CHOMPI portable sampler have discontinued manufacturing and released all hardware schematics, PCB files, enclosure designs, and firmware repositories as open-source. While official customer support for custom builds is unavailable, the repository includes original firmware variants as well as a new beta wavetable synthesizer firmware named WAVE. Trademark and artwork elements are excluded from the release, preventing third-party builds from using the CHOMPI name. Commenters appreciate the open-source release of dead hardware, noting potential for DIY builds or clones similar to Eurorack modules.
key points
- All hardware files, including EAGLE schematics, bill of materials, and laser-cutting enclosure panels, are now available on GitHub.
- The release includes multiple firmware versions including TAPE, TEMPO, and a new beta wavetable synth called WAVE.
- Artwork and the CHOMPI trademark are excluded, meaning third-party hardware builders must rebrand their units.
who should read it
Hardware hackers, synthesizer DIYers, and electronic musicians interested in custom embedded audio projects.
discussion positive
consensus
Commenters praise the decision to open-source the hardware and software upon discontinuation, viewing it as an ethical way to end a product lifecycle.
pushback
Some point out the risk of scam sites exploiting the discontinued status, and the difficulty of acquiring or building units given current second-hand scarcity.
It’s always possible. There’s definitely been a market for Eurorack clones of open designs like Mutable Instruments modules.
The main thing would be how you market it since one of the provisions is that you can’t use that trademarked name, and I imagine that would apply to marketing it, not just the product name itself.
It draws a parallel to the Eurorack market, highlighting how open-source musical hardware often finds a second life through community clones.
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