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​​Streambox — Off-grid with IQ Audio Code Zero and solar— Summer 2021

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​​This recipe is currently working well.

​​It can be made more compact and no doubt improved. 

​​The battery size could be reduced to fit in a single small box with the audio equipment or increased for an indefinite setup with low levels of sunshine.

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​​Credits

​​The IQ Audio Codec Zero in its current form came out of a discussion set up by Julian Weaver with IQ Audio, who later merged with Raspberry Pi. This hat is now fully supported in the Rasp Pi kernels. Udo Noll researched its lesser known stereo feature. Software by Locus Sonus. Discussions and testing on the locustream list.

​​Julian Weaver

​​Udo Noll

​​Stef Cousot

​​Locustream list

​​Acoustic Commons network

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​​Contact

​​grant at soundtent dot org

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​​Parts

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1. ​​Streambox

• ​​Pi Zero WH

• ​​IQ Audio Codec Zero

• ​​2 x  microphone capsules — eg PUI: https://www.puiaudio.com/products/AOM-5024L-HD-R from eg Mouser or the Primo EM272 from micbooster

• ​​Stereo mini jack plug — eg  Hicon plug: https://www.thomann.de/gb/hicon_hij35s02.htm

• ​​Audio Cable - split eg Sommer Peacock Twin Balanced Splitter Cable — https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173908640067?hash=item287dc34143:g:aScAAOSwi39c4rYW [5] OR simple 2 strand or 1 strand shielded cable 

• ​​Class 10 Micro SD Card 8GB

• ​​Streambox software from Stef Cousot, Locus Sonus [4]

• ​​Dribox, small — with a weather tight lid — https://www.electricalworld.com/en/Dribox-Small-Black-Weatherproof-Box/m-4428.aspx or similar weatherproof enclosure

• ​​Synthetic fur (long) for windshields

• ​​Cable glands for mounting mics — see ​+Streambox with Focusrite Soundcard​ 

• ​​Re-usable cable ties for fixing windshields - see guide/pictures: ​+Streambox with Focusrite Soundcard​ 

• ​​Power adaptor (mains AC to 5VDC) OR USB A <> Micro to connect a battery or charge controller.

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2. ​​For connecting wia mobile network

• ​​Huaweil E3372 — unlocked

• ​​Short On The Go (OTG) cable ie a  micro-USB plug <> USB-A socket adaptor cable 

• ​​USB-A plug <> USB-A socket (eg 0.5 to 2m) extender [3]

• ​​4G data sim from EE (with APN and logins enabled in the streambox setup. Note that this needs to be done manually by putting the card in a USB reader, or in advance over WiFi by opening a browser tab at streambox.local. Enter the new settings, set WIFI ‘enable on startup=no’ > Save > Restart. The steambox returns over the 4G network. Running WiFi and 4G together may be unpredictable.)

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3. ​​Microphones

• ​​Stereo mini jack plug — eg  Hicon plug: https://www.thomann.de/gb/hicon_hij35s02.htm

• ​​Audio Cable - split eg Sommer Peacock Twin Balanced Splitter Cable — https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173908640067?hash=item287dc34143:g:aScAAOSwi39c4rYW [5] OR simple 2 strand or 1 strand shielded cable 

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​​Build notes

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4. ​​Mounting and windshields

• ​​ I mount each microphone in an end of the dribox, which includes a recess to do this. I use a cable gland in each end, fixed in a hole drilled with a graduated bit. I put a small foam windshield on each capsule and insert it through the cable gland from the inside, then tighten down the nut until secure but not too tight. The front of the capsule sits about flush with the front opening of the cable gland [7].

• ​​2 x windshields made from long hair synthetic fur. This has an open weave and seems almost acoustically transparent to my ears. I cut a 13cm circle and make pairs of radial slits near the circumference, thread through a re-usable cable tie, and pull together. This sits conveniently in the groove behind the cable gland’s locknut.