shieldXL

A rework/remix of the monome norns shield - an open-source/DIY shield for Raspberry Pi boards, providing hardware compatibility with the norns ecosystem. Original designed by monome (brian crabtree, aka @tehn). Remixed in spring 2023 by denki-oto.

Please be very aware that this project is not directly supported by monome. Do not email monome asking for build help, debugging or repairs

specifications

audio codec: CS4270
audio jacks: 6.5mm in and out, line level
OLED: NHD-2.7-12864WDW3-M (w/ MOLEX connector)
3x pushbutton switches, 3x rotary encoders
dimensions (with enclosure): 138mm x 96mm x 30mm

versions

shieldXL 20230423 This rework/remix is based on the 210330 version of the norns shield. It uses the same disk image as the 210330 shield with the cs4270 codec.

documentation

See the monome website for general norns shield documentation

build

Bill of Materials

Build Guide

installation

See https://monome.org/docs/norns/help/#fresh-shield for installation instructions.

See norns releases on github for disk images (pre-211028 shield for cs4270 codec).
Specifically:

REMEMBER TO EXPAND THE DISK IMAGE AFTER INSTALL
https://monome.org/docs/norns/shield/#expand-filesystem

enabling hardware midi

cd ~
git clone https://github.com/okyeron/shieldXL.git
cd ~/shieldXL 
./install-midi.sh

Then Edit /boot/config.txt

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

and add the following

enable_uart=1
dtoverlay=miniuart-bt
dtoverlay=uart0
dtoverlay=midi-uart0

Then edit /boot/cmdline.txt

sudo nano /boot/cmdline.txt

and remove serial0
(so change console=serial0,115200 to console=115200)
and sudo reboot

This will internally connect the shieldXL hardware TRS MIDI jacks to the "Virtual MIDI" port which is accessible from the norns MIDI menu (SYSTEM>DEVICES>MIDI).

MIDI Troubleshooting

When checking MIDI functionality, remember that MIDI OUT has a Type A/B switch on the bottom front edge of the main PCB. Try switching that if you're not getting MIDI to your device.

mods

Battery Modication
Add a Pisugar S Plus battery to your shieldXL: https://github.com/JGuzak/shieldXl_battery

general troubleshooting

Most soldering problems can be solved simply by reheating solder joints. Bad solders can result in various problems: screen doesn't turn on, knobs/keys don't work.
Use a good SD card, not a cheap one. If you're having trouble, try using a different card.
Be sure to use the correct power supply. The pi will not power well from a laptop and you'll get confusing errors. Get a dedicated 3A USB supply, or very high output USB battery.
see the norns documentation for help with the software

notes

The shield does not have a dedicated headphone output, but headphones work fine on the main outputs (use the left output jack). The headphone gain level within the norns menu does nothing in this case.
The battery indication will not function - there is no battery.

License

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

modulove/shieldXL