PatchBox OS: Raspberry Pi OS targeted for audio-based performance

Resources
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Patchbox OS

Supported Models
Raspberry Pi 2B, Raspberry Pi 3B, Raspberry Pi 3A+, Raspberry Pi 3B+, Raspberry Pi 4B

Pre-Installed Software
Audacity
Chromium
Jack Backend
Patchage
Pisound Software
Pure Data
SuperCollider (3.10.0)
touchosc2midi

Features
On-board, I2S and USB sound card support
Jack audio backend
Real-Time kernel for low latency audio performance
Lightweight RPD Desktop Environment with low memory footprint
Automatic MIDI connection manager
WiFi-MIDI support (touchosc2midi)
WiFi Hotspot support
SSH & VNC enabled by default
Dedicated command-line utility for OS configuration

2 Likes
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All of the software is configured to use the shared Jack audio backend… multiple audio programs may use the audio card and play together…

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…run ‘patchage’ to see & edit the audio signal flow…

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https://blokas.io/patchbox-os/

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First run options & setup wizard display a remarkable sense of the platform’s simplicity.

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In software guides, you’ll find an SC tweet credited to @josh

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Rainer, thanks for posting these infos! I and possibly others just got
this as 5 separate emails (I am following the forum in Email mode…).

thanks again

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I’m working on an installation that would greatly benefit from running on a raspberry pi using this OS rather than a much more costly machine, as it needs to be running daily in a gallery for months and i simply cannot leave my only computer there. My question to all of you who have been working with Raspberry Pis, do i need a model 4 if the SC path i wanna run is essentially playing about 15 samples using patterns and little more, or could i get away with a model 3? how essential is RAM for something like this?

all the best
NN

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I would recommend 4gb in model 3 or 4, for gallery or exhibition work.

These also look impressive:

https://shop.pi-top.com/products/pi-top-4-diy-edition

https://shop.pi-top.com/products/pi-top-4-complete

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Technical specifications of the pi-top here:

https://knowledgebase.pi-top.com/knowledge/techspec4

The design & caliber, quality of the engineering is very impressive… some the details:

  • 4gb LPDDR4 SDRAM
  • 1.5ghz Quad-core CPU
  • Dual 4K HDMI output
  • 128x64 pixel screen
  • Ethernet up to 1Gbps
  • Wifi 2.4ghz
  • Bluetooth v.5.0
  • Built-in speakers
  • 5-hour internal battery
  • Heat sink
  • Cooling fan
  • Power supply 5V
  • Data transfer cable
  • TopOS on micro-sd card
  • USB 3.0 x2
  • USB 2.0 x1
  • HDMI port x1
  • Micro-HDMI x1
  • 3.5mm auxiliary
  • …stereo audio out
  • …analogue video out

…and overclocking support for CPU speeds greater than 1.5ghz, but with more potentially more strain on the integrated cooling system and fan speed.

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Both of the solutions (Patchbox-OS & Pi-top Complete) appear to be outstanding in design and engineering.

I asked one of the pi-top reps if you could run a dual-boot OS on the same SD-card… it turns out it isn’t possible.

To run multiple OS’s on one device, you must install each OS on it’s own separate card.

Good luck with your installation work… let us know how everything ultimately transpires.