Dev Log | 3 - Project Resonator v1.0 Foundation Complete
TL;DR: The first finished version of the Project Resonator guide is officially live! New dedicated documentation website, comprehensive wiki entries for PCB design, shell design, and manufacturing. Administrative sections (How to Contribute, Licensing, FAQ) now complete. Future plans include IEC711 coupler testing, custom crossover simulator, and TWS designs.
Hey everyone,
It's been a long year.
The Foundation is Completeโ
When I started Project Resonator, it was born out of a simple, perhaps slightly insane, "Why not?" I was bored, I had fallen in love with the IEM hobby, and I wanted to see if I could demystify the "black magic" of wearable audio engineering.
Today, I'm incredibly proud to announce that the first finished version of the Project Resonator guide is officially live.
What's New?โ
Major Documentation Overhaul
I've spent the last several sessions overhauling the documentation to move it from a collection of notes to a professional-grade resource.
- New Wiki Entries: Finalized high-level technical guides for PCB Design, Shell Design (Fusion 360 workflow), and Manufacturing Advice
- Dedicated Documentation Website: While the GitHub Wiki served us well, I wanted something easier to navigate. The new site is cleaner, faster, and much easier to parse on a phone or tablet. You can now access information without constantly navigating the GitHub repository
- Administrative Overhaul: Added How to Contribute, Licensing (CERN-OHL-W), and FAQ sections to protect the open-source spirit and make contributing easier
The 4BA crossover IEM is in a state I can confidently call "pretty good." Changes will only be made when really required or requested.
Current State and Next Stepsโ
I'm at a point where I feel comfortable leaving the majority of the current project as-is. The major building point of this initiative was never just to make "My IEM", but rather to create a foundation that allowed others to understand the development cycle of an IEM from start to finish.
I'll be the first to admit that some of the current Fusion 360 files and "Ready-to-Print" models are a bit messy (I know ๐). I'm going to be working on cleaning those up to ensure they serve as a clean, polished template for you to work from.
This Isn't the Endโ
Future Plans
Regarding the future direction of this project, I am not abandoning it. I have significant plans moving forward:
Better Data: I'm investing in an IEC711 coupler and Dayton Audio impedance testing kits. My goal is to buy a wide array of drivers and manually test them myself. By tracking source impedance and noise accurately, I can provide you with FRD and ZMA files that you can just "drag and drop" into a simulator with 100% confidence
Custom Crossover Simulator: I'm aiming to build a custom crossover simulator better suited for creating IEM crossovers and overall acoustics - simulating inner-ear acoustics, better integration with FRD and ZMA files, simulation of ear seal leakage, and better integration with the data I'll be collecting
New Models: I want to explore TWS (True Wireless) designs and other hardware innovations once the "Reference" wired model is fully settled
A Personal Reflectionโ
This project has been a massive undertaking. It took me a year to get here, juggling university, personal life, and the steep learning curve of acoustic physics. I've remade things hundreds of times.
But seeing the support from the Reddit community and the active contributors raising issues on GitHub has made every late night worth it. I fell in love with the concept of creating sound in such a tiny form factor, and I wanted to share that feeling with you.
Whether you're here to build the reference model or to use my guides to start your own company, I hope this resource is something you find useful.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Regards,
DriftingOtter
