Other SAM2695 Synths

By Kevin on July 15, 2025

After my experiments with the XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer and in particular, after looking in detail at some different SAM2695 synth modules in XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 3, I've also found a few other neat modules that I thought worth a mention.

Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. I am not responsible for any damage to expensive instruments!

If you are new to microcontrollers, see the Getting Started pages.

SAM2695 Synth Modules

So far, in addition to the XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer I've had a look at the M5Stack synth (see XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 6) and mentioned in passing the original "GM Mini Synth" that first got me interested in the SAM2695 (see XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 3).

MIDI Guy Modules

But I've also found the "MIDI Guy" modules on Tindie. There are two modules that are of particular interest to me:

A complete SAM2695 based synth module: https://www.tindie.com/products/kinoshitalab/midi-guy-rev-21-kit/
A MIDI interface with a connector compatible with the M5 Stack synth: https://www.tindie.com/products/kinoshitalab/m5-synth-standaloner/

Both modules are USB-C powered and provide a MIDI interface. In the case of the ""midi-guy" "stand alone" PCB it is a MIDI interface with a Grove/M5 Stack connector to plug directly into the M5Stack MIDI Synthesizer module.

The "MIDI Guy" however incorporates a MIDI (TRS) IN interface, audio output and Dream SAM2695 synthesizer all into one single unit.

Closing Thoughts

These are both great little modules, and very inexpensive too. Mine both came with MIDI DIN to TRS converters too.

The MIDI Guy synth module also has a link to a 3D printable base plate (as shown in the photo above).

My only niggle is that the mounting holes on the MIDI interface don't line up with the mounting holes for the M5 Stack synth module. I wonder if they did at one point and something changed...

Anyway, these are great modules. If you have a M5 stack synth, get this MIDI interface for it! It makes it so easy to use.

If you want to experiment with the SAM2695 synth, you can do a lot worse than the MID Guy module. It just has everything in a single board.

Note: I wasn't sent or otherwise encouraged to write about these modules. I just spotted them, thought they looked interesting and bought them to try. I wasn't disappointed.

Kevin