Daisy Dub: a modular and updateable real-time audio effect for music production and performance

This paper presents the development of a versatile and modular real-time audio effect unit called the Daisy Dub for music producers, performers and DJs. The device utilises the state of the art Daisy Seed development board by Electrosmith and comes with a custom-made PCB and hardware case. It features a range of real-time audio effects, with an emphasis on creative delays and includes a range of modulation effects and filters in its feedback path. In addition, the unit is compact and portable, with an interactive graphical interface, four knobs and two arcade buttons for performance control, an encoder for menu diving, and an OLED screen for spectrum analysis. It features quadrophonic audio processing in real-time and is portable and powered by USB Type-C. DSP is developed with Gen by Cycling’74 and took inspiration from state of the art hardware audio delay units and modular real-time audio effect processors. A series of DSP and hardware evaluation tests were performed along with two usability tests, from an early cardboard prototype to the final manufactured device, to evaluate the effectiveness and usability. Our research demonstrates the feasibility and potential of creating a versatile and modular real-time audio effect for music production and live performance. The Daisy Dub offers a modern take on contemporary real-time audio effects, emphasising a delay effect, and we believe it contributes to the field of audio effects and music-making in general.