Tulip CC is the Tulip Creative Computer an amazing opensource project that is a "portable programmable device for music, graphics, code and writing". It can be found here:
https://github.com/shorepine/tulipcc
While waiting for my order from Makerfabs I played with the desktop version on MacOS and then wondered if it would be possible to make a stripped down version of the hardware without display or keyboard (i.e. "headless").
There was a discussion about this some time ago which I found here:
I happened to have the appropriate hardware to try this and and was able to get it working.
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ESP32S3-N16R8 (16 MB flash and 8 MB external RAM) or ESP32S3-N32R8 (32 MB flash and 8 MB RAM). This needs to be a version of the Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 with the two USB-C connectors.
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I2S DAC - I used the PDM5102A breakout board
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USB-C to USB-A OTG adapter (optional for USB MIDI)
There are two solder pads that need to be jumpered. One is to pass 5V from the USB connectors to the the pin labelled 5Vin which is used to power the DAC. The seconds is to supply power to the USB-C connector labelled USB (the other is COM) for USB host mode (optional).
Hopefully these photos are self explanatory:
Depending on the manufacturer the PCM5102A board most likely needs solder pads jumpered. The boards that I have needed to be configured like in this photo:
| ESP32 | PCM5102 | Wire Colour |
|---|---|---|
| 5Vin | VIN | Red |
| GND | GND | Black |
| 4 | LCK | Blue |
| 2 | DIN | Green |
| 1 | BCK | Yellow |
| GND | SCK | Black |
There are two options for installing the firmware on the dev board. The first and easiest is to download the appropriate bin file from the releases and the second is to build the firmware yourself. In either case I found that I had to program the board with the USB-C connector labelled USB and had to put the ESP32 in bootloader mode first (using BOOT + RST buttons). After that you can connect to the computer for the MicroPython REPL with the other USB port (labelled COM) and use the other port for host USB MIDI if wanted.
1. From the bin file
The instructions for flashing the bin file are in the section titled "Flash Tulip from a compiled release" in this document:
https://github.com/shorepine/tulipcc/blob/main/docs/tulip_flashing.md
In my case I used the asset named tulip-full-N16R8.bin
After flashing connect the board to your computer via the USB-C COM port. You will need to use a serial terminal program and connect at 115200 baud. I'm using MacOS (Intel based) and use the screen application.
After connecting hit return a couple of times. You won't get any response because the MicroPython REPL isn't directed to that port yet. Then copy and paste this line into the terminal:
tulip.tfb_log_start()
Hit return and if all is well you should see the REPL prompt.
Now you can create boot.py using the REPL by copying and pasting the following lines:
bootpy = "import tulip\ntulip.tfb_log_start()\ntulip.display_stop()\n"
b = open("boot.py","w")
b.write(bootpy)
b.close()
After that the REPL should be permanently enabled.
2. Build from source
The instructions for building the firmware are in the section titled "Compile and flash TulipCC for ESP32-S3" in the following document (same one as mentioned in the previous section):
https://github.com/shorepine/tulipcc/blob/main/docs/tulip_flashing.md
After downloading and before building for the first time find boot.py and add these two lines to it:
tulip.tfb_log_start()
tulip.display_stop()
NOTE: you have to use the full build procedure that updates the file system to update boot.py on the device.
- ESP32S3-N16R8 dev board
Make sure to select the right "color" to get the N16R8 board as shown in this image:
I purchased a bunch of these more than a year ago and they are still selling them which is a good thing. I did not look for N32R8 boards.
- PCM5102 board
The vendor I purchased these boards from a year ago is no longer selling them. I recently order a few of these and have not received them yet:
- USB-C to USB-A Adapter for USB Host
Actually I didn't buy mine from AliExpress but used one that I had for my old MacBook Pro. Anything that promises to be compatible with the Apple should work.
Most of the Tulip CC examples and documentation assume having a user interface so I am working through the basics and trying to come up with a good workflow. Also my Python is more than a bit rusty so that adds to the challenge :-)