Berto Aussems' microDAW Packs an Entire Digital Audio Workstation Into a Wooden Cigar Box

Maker and musician Berto Aussems has put together a portable digital audio workstation (DAW) with a difference: it squeezes into a compact wooden "cigar box" for ease of portability.

"I wanted a small handy and complete music studio so I made a micro DAW," Aussems explains of the project. "In addition to the synth, this includes also a multi reverb and a sequencer. The speakers are wired because my Bluetooth audio TR [Transmitter] adapter had too much delay. You can of course use headphones if you want. As always, having the right parts the construction work is done in some hours."

The electronics inside the box are off-the-shelf, though with some modifications: a Benhringer JT-4000 microsynth and DR600 digital stereo reverb box are joined by a Pixo X3 smartphone running the free Raven Sequencer software. A 5V 2.3Ah USB battery pack powers most of the hardware, with a 9V battery powering the reverb box — and a simple USB On-The-Go (OTG) adapter connecting the synth to the smartphone. A mini-jack cable provides a stereo audio connection for headphones or an external amplifier.

"First I had to prepare the reverb. I shortened the input and output plugs to fit in the wooden box," Aussems explains. "The footpedal I sawed away below the button panel, now there is room left for the JT-4000 synth. The sound this thing can produce is amazing. The added reverb gives the music wings. The DAW is small but playable. Together with the Raven sequencer I can make anywhere touch-sensitive music."

"There are 3 ways to use the microDAW," Aussems continues. "The simple way is only playing the synth with a headphone. Playing the synth with reverb and one speaker. [Or] playing the synth with a smartphone sequencer, reverb, and stereo speakers."

The project is written up in full on Aussems' website.