tulipcc

# Using Python

AMYboard runs MicroPython and gives you a full Python REPL for controlling the synthesizer, reading inputs, and building instruments and effects in real time.

## Connecting to the REPL

### From your computer

Connect AMYboard via USB-C and use a serial terminal or `mpremote`:

```bash
pip install mpremote
mpremote resume
```

You'll see the MicroPython `>>>` prompt. You can type Python commands directly.

### From the web

Open [amyboard.com](https://amyboard.com) -- it includes a Python REPL running in the browser. You can test code online before deploying it to hardware.

## Playing sounds with AMY

The `amy` module gives you direct access to the synthesizer engine:

```python
import amy

# Clear any existing setup
amy.reset()

# Play a 440Hz sine wave
amy.send(osc=0, wave=amy.SINE, freq=440, vel=1)

# Stop the note
amy.send(osc=0, vel=0)
```

### Using patches

AMY has 256+ built-in patches: 0-127 are Juno-6 analog, 128-255 are DX7 FM, 256 is piano, and 257+ are PCM drum kits.
In general, a patch will use multiple oscs.  `synth` is our abstraction to manage multiple oscs at the same time.

```python
# Load Juno-6 patch #10 on synth 1
amy.send(synth=1, patch=10, num_voices=4)

# Play middle C
amy.send(synth=1, note=60, vel=1)

# Send the note-off
amy.send(synth=1, note=60, vel=0)

# Switch to DX7 patch #5
amy.send(synth=1, patch=133)  # 128 + 5
```

### Polyphony with synths

The `synth` objects provide the specified level of polyphony.  They also connect directly to MIDI channels:

```python
# Set up a 4-voice polyphonic Juno patch on synth 1 (MIDI channel 1).
amy.send(synth=1, patch=0, num_voices=4)

# Play notes on individual voices
amy.send(synth=1, note=60, vel=1)  # C
amy.send(synth=1, note=64, vel=1)  # E
amy.send(synth=1, note=67, vel=1)  # G

# Send vel=0 with no note number for "all notes off"
amy.send(synth=1, vel=0)

# You can also play polyphonically with a MIDI keyboard (connected via the "MIDI in" jack) or your computer (writing to the AMYboard USB MIDI gadget) sending notes on channel 1.  
```

## The `amyboard` module

The `amyboard` module provides functions specific to the AMYboard hardware:

```python
import amyboard

# CV I/O
amyboard.cv_out(5.0, channel=0)    # Output 5V on CV out 1
volts = amyboard.cv_in(channel=0)   # Read CV in 1

# Rotary encoders.  The defaults are for the Adafruit single-encoder https://www.adafruit.com/product/5880
print(amyboard.read_encoder())
amyboard.init_buttons()
print(amyboard.read_buttons())

# OLED display (if connected)
amyboard.init_display()
amyboard.display.fill(0)
amyboard.display_refresh()

# I2C
i2c = amyboard.get_i2c()
devices = i2c.scan()
print(devices)

# SD card
amyboard.mount_sd()
```

See the [Modular Synth Setup](modular.md) page for detailed CV and encoder examples.

## The sketch.py startup script

AMYboard automatically runs `sketch.py` from your current environment directory on boot. The top-level code runs once at startup, and if you define a `loop()` function it will be called repeatedly (~60ms interval). Use it to set up your default configuration:

```python
# /user/current/sketch.py
import amy, amyboard

# Set up my preferred patches
amy.send(synth=1, patch=0, num_voices=6)      # Channel 1: Juno patch 0, 6-voice poly
amy.send(synth=10, num_voices=1, oscs_per_voice=1, synth_flags=3)    # Channel 10: Drums (synth_flags magic).

# Set CV out 1 to 0V on startup
amyboard.cv_out(0.0, channel=0)

def loop():
    pass
```

You can edit `sketch.py` directly on the hardware using the built-in text editor. Connect to your AMYboard with `screen` or `mpremote` (not `idf.py monitor`, which doesn't support full terminal emulation):

```bash
screen /dev/YOUR_SERIAL_PORT 115200
# or
mpremote connect /dev/YOUR_SERIAL_PORT
```

Then at the REPL:

```python
amyboard.edit('current/sketch.py')
```

This opens a full-screen text editor. On macOS, use **Esc then the key** instead of Ctrl (macOS terminals intercept many Ctrl sequences):

 - **Esc, S** — Save
 - **Esc, Q** — Quit
 - **Esc, X** — Cut line
 - **Esc, V** — Paste
 - **Esc, Z** — Undo
 - **Esc, F** — Find

On Linux or Windows terminals, Ctrl-S, Ctrl-Q, etc. work as usual. See the [pye documentation](https://github.com/robert-hh/Micropython-Editor) for the full list of key bindings.

You can also create or edit files from [AMYboard Online](https://amyboard.com/editor) and send them to hardware with **Send to AMYboard**.

## File management

### On hardware

```python
from upysh import *

ls                  # List files
cat('sketch.py')    # Print file contents
cd('/user')         # Change directory
pwd                 # Print working directory
```

### Transfer files with mpremote

```bash
# Copy a file from your computer to AMYboard
mpremote resume fs cp my_script.py :my_script.py

# Copy a file from AMYboard to your computer
mpremote resume fs cp :sketch.py sketch.py

# Edit a file on AMYboard with your local editor
mpremote resume edit sketch.py
```

## Working with MIDI in Python

```python
import tulip

# Set up a MIDI callback
def my_midi_callback(is_sysex):
    if is_sysex:
        return  # Ignore sysex
    message = tulip.midi_in()
    while message is not None and len(message) > 0:
        # message is a bytes object
        status = message[0]
        if status & 0xF0 == 0x90:  # Note on
            note = message[1]
            vel = message[2]
            print(f"Note on: {note} velocity: {vel}")
        # Maybe there are more messages queued?
        message = tulip.midi_in()

tulip.midi_callback(my_midi_callback)
```

## Example: simple arpeggiator

```python
import amy, time

notes = [60, 64, 67, 72]  # C major arpeggio
amy.send(synth=1, patch=0, num_voices=4)   # Juno patch 0

for _ in range(10):
    for note in notes:
        amy.send(synth=1, note=note, vel=1)
        time.sleep(0.15)
        amy.send(synth=1, note=note, vel=0)
        time.sleep(0.05)
```
**Note:** Keyboard interrupt (Ctrl-C) doesn't work while the loop is running, so beware of getting stuck.  Pressing the "Reset" button will start you over.

## Example: CV-controlled pitch

```python
import amy, amyboard, time

amy.reset()
amy.send(osc=0, wave=amy.SINE, vel=1)  # Sine wave, on

for _ in range(100):
    v = amyboard.cv_in(channel=0)
    # Map -10..+10V to 100..1000 Hz
    freq = 100 + ((v + 10) / 20.0) * 900
    amy.send(osc=0, freq=freq)
    time.sleep(0.05)
```

## More resources

 - [AMY wire protocol reference](https://github.com/shorepine/amy/blob/main/docs/api.md) -- every parameter you can control
 - [AMY synth architecture](https://github.com/shorepine/amy/blob/main/docs/synth.md) -- deep dive into oscillators, filters, modulation
 - [MicroPython documentation](https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/) -- general MicroPython reference

[Back to Getting Started](README.md)