ABOUT FREEDSP-AURORA
The freeDSP-aurora is a cost-effective real-time audio signal processing solution for
researchers and the do-it-yourself community and audio enthusiasts. It is a bare circuit board
that can be incorporated into your own projects. It comes with no housing. Easy assembling
and simple programmability are the main focus. It is based on Analog Devices’ ADAU1452
DSP controlled by a web application.
Additionally the development environment SigmaStudio can be used. The programming
model of SigmaStudio is function-block based – comparable to other graphical programming
languages like PureData or Max/MSP. Many prebuilt blocks (e.g., filters, compressors, effects,
or logic) can be placed in the signal path via drag and drop. If the included libraries do not
have the functions needed, low-level blocks, such as multipliers and delays, can be wired
together to create custom DSP plugins. For more information please refer to the Analog
Devices website (https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/evaluation-hardware-and-
software/software/ss_sigst_02.html#software-overview).
FreeDSP-aurora offers a wide range of DSP processing options and interface controls with
easy programmability. It can be used in various audio applications, e.g.:
Room compensation / system equalization
Digital crossovers in active loudspeaker concepts
Multiband dynamics processing
Delay compensation / phase shift
Bass enhancement
Subwoofer integration
Advanced instrument audio effect units
Stereo image widening
…
A XMOS XE216-512-TQ128 MCU is used to expose an USB Audio Class 2 compliant
interface to a host computer running macOS, Linux or Windows 10. The boards provides 8
balanced audio input and 8 balanced audio output channels. Additionally an ADAT input/
output and a Wordclock input/output is provided by the XMOS MCU.
