TL;DR
Tulip Creative Computer is an open‑source, low‑power handheld that boots straight to a Python prompt and includes a touchscreen, stereo sound and a built‑in 120‑voice synthesizer. It is available as ready‑made hardware, a DIY build, a web app, or a native desktop app and is offered through Makerfabs for US$59.
What happened
The Tulip Creative Computer (Tulip CC) is a compact, self‑contained device aimed at creative coding for music, graphics and text. The system boots directly into a MicroPython prompt and bundles a code editor, graphics and audio APIs, hardware MIDI support, Wi‑Fi networking and support for external sensors. Tulip’s stack uses MicroPython alongside the AMY synthesizer engine and LVGL for its user interface, running on an ESP32‑S3 platform and the ESP‑IDF runtime. The hardware configuration includes multiple framebuffers (a 1024×600 background with overscan and a 128×50 text layer), up to 32 hardware sprites, around 8.5MB of RAM with portions allocated to MicroPython and the graphics system, and 32MB of flash storage. The project is fully open source, can be purchased or built in several ways, and also runs via the web or as a native desktop app.
Why it matters
- Provides an immediately programmable, distraction‑free environment for real‑time creative work in music, graphics and code.
- Includes a substantial built‑in synthesizer (AMY) and MIDI I/O, making it useful as a standalone music creation tool or controller.
- Low price point and open‑source hardware/software lower barriers for makers and educators to experiment and extend the platform.
- Multiple deployment options (off‑the‑shelf hardware, DIY builds, web and desktop apps) broaden accessibility across skill levels.
Key facts
- Tulip boots straight to a Python REPL and ships with a built‑in text editor supporting syntax highlighting.
- Software stack: MicroPython, the AMY synthesizer, and LVGL; runs on ESP32‑S3 with the ESP‑IDF.
- Memory and storage: 8.5MB of RAM (2MB available to MicroPython, 1.5MB for OS), and 32MB flash with about 24MB usable as a filesystem.
- AMY is a stereo 120‑voice synthesizer included with Tulip; it supports additive, subtractive, FM synthesis, sampling and filters.
- Graphics: a 1024×600 (+overscan) background framebuffer, a 128×50 ANSI‑capable text layer, up to 32 sprites and 256 colors; adjustable display clock (defaults to 30 FPS).
- Connectivity and I/O: Wi‑Fi with Python networking (requests, sockets), USB keyboard/mouse, capacitive multi‑touch, MIDI in/out, and I2C/Grove/Mabee connectors.
- Power draw: approximately 575 mA at 5 V including the display at medium brightness; runs from LiPo, 18650 cells or USB battery packs.
- Community and sharing: an early built‑in BBS called TULIP ~ WORLD for chat and file sharing; project hosted as open source on GitHub.
- Available purchase option listed at Makerfabs for US$59; Tulip can also be run on the web or installed as Tulip Desktop for Mac/Linux/WSL.
What to watch next
- Development roadmap and upcoming features (project materials reference a roadmap page).
- Adoption and experimentation via Tulip Web and Tulip Desktop, and how closely feature parity is maintained across hardware and software.
- T‑Deck option for installing Tulip CC directly onto smaller hardware variants.
Quick glossary
- MicroPython: A compact implementation of the Python 3 language designed to run on microcontrollers and constrained hardware.
- AMY: The synthesizer engine bundled with Tulip; provides multi‑voice stereo synthesis with support for multiple synthesis methods and sampling.
- ESP32‑S3: A microcontroller chip from Espressif that combines low‑power CPU cores, wireless connectivity and interfaces for embedded projects.
- Frame buffer: A block of memory that holds pixel data for what is displayed on a screen; Tulip exposes multiple frame buffers for background and text layers.
- MIDI: A standardized protocol for communicating musical performance data between instruments, controllers and computers.
Reader FAQ
How do I write code on Tulip?
Tulip boots to a Python prompt and includes a built‑in editor; you run scripts from the REPL or via the editor (edit("filename") and execfile/run commands).
Can I buy or build a Tulip?
Yes — the project provides options to buy ready hardware, build your own from source, or run it on the web or as a native desktop app.
Does Tulip support MIDI and external sensors?
Yes. The device supports MIDI input/output and has I2C/Grove/Mabee connectors for many external peripherals.
How much memory and storage does Tulip have?
Tulip reports about 8.5MB of RAM (with 2MB for MicroPython) and 32MB of flash storage with roughly 24MB available for the filesystem.
Tulip Creative Computer – a portable programmable device for music, graphics, code and writing Welcome to the Tulip Creative Computer (Tulip CC)! Tulip is a low power and affordable self-contained…
Sources
- The Tulip Creative Computer
- Tulip Creative Computer. Now available
- Tulip Creative Computer runs MicroPython, targeted at …
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