YOU CAN BUILD THE COMPUTER THAT BOOTS STRAIGHT INTO PYTHON
Turn it on and you are at a Python prompt in about a second, with a synthesiser already loaded and a touchscreen in front of you.
AudioDisplays
Built withESP32
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- a weekend
- license
- MIT
- repo
- repo ACTIVE970 stars
●●●○○ · a weekend · MIT · 970 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
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COMPAREE VERDICT
Tulip Creative Computer is a self-contained portable machine that boots straight into a Python prompt with no operating system in the way. The entire system—ESP32-S3, touchscreen, audio outputs, synthesis engine—is dedicated to your code and runs in real time. Music synthesis via the AMY engine, fast LVGL graphics, hardware MIDI, network access and external sensors are all built in. You write Python and it makes sound or graphics immediately. Hardware and software are MIT licensed and the repository carries schematics, board files, BOMs, firmware and a build document. You can either buy an assembled one from Makerfabs for about 59 dollars or build your own. The hardest part of a DIY build is the soldering: the integrated board is many small SMD parts and an FPC connector, so most people either use a breakout-board build or have a fab assemble it from the published BOM. If you want the synthesis without the screen, AMYboard is a headless 10hp Eurorack variant with CV jacks and S/PDIF, also fully published. The browser emulator is a low-friction way to decide if the workflow fits you before ordering anything. This is for someone who wants a dedicated creative computing environment without the friction of a desktop OS, and who is comfortable either buying a pre-made board or building one from the published files.
IN THE REPO
GOOD TO KNOW
- —Hardware schematics, PCB Gerbers, Python firmware, AMY synthesis engine source and a build document are all in the repository under MIT.
- —The licence permits commercial use without restriction.
- —You can buy an assembled Tulip from Makerfabs for around 59 dollars or build your own from the published design.
- —A browser-based emulator exists so you can try the software before committing to hardware.
- —AMYboard is a headless variant aimed at modular synthesis with CV jacks, S/PDIF and audio input; its design files are also in the repo.
- —BOM files with part numbers are in docs/pcbs for each board revision, and the build docs link the latest one.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Videos
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Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Try the browser emulator (Run the software in a browser to decide if the workflow fits before ordering hardware)
- 2.Read the build document (Covers assembly, flashing firmware and first boot)
- 3.Order an assembled Tulip or source components(Makerfabs sells assembled boards; DIY builders will need to source parts from the schematic)
- 4.Flash the firmware (Use esptool.py or the web flasher; detailed in the repository)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- If you build the integrated board yourself, expect many small SMD parts and an FPC connector; the repository has BOM files for each board revision, or you can have JLCPCB/PCBWay assemble it.
- MicroPython runs at a fixed frame rate and the synthesis engine is real-time, so timing-sensitive code needs to respect those constraints or you will get audio glitches.
- The touchscreen is a small capacitive panel, so precise taps on tiny UI elements take some getting used to; a USB keyboard and mouse are supported if you prefer them.
- AMYboard needs Eurorack power if you rack-mount it; front panel files (3MF and DXF) are in the repository.
- The browser emulator is useful for trying the software but does not expose hardware MIDI or GPIO, so you cannot test sensor or CV workflows without real hardware.
Can I use this without soldering anything?
Yes, buy the assembled board from Makerfabs. It arrives ready to flash and use.
Does it work with standard MIDI keyboards and DAWs?
Yes, it has hardware MIDI in and out over TRS jacks, and you can also send MIDI over USB.
Can I run regular Python libraries on it?
It runs MicroPython, so only libraries compatible with MicroPython and the ESP32-S3 will work. The AMY synthesis engine and LVGL are already integrated.
What is the difference between Tulip and AMYboard?
Tulip has a touchscreen, audio and headphone outputs and MIDI jacks. AMYboard is headless, Eurorack-sized, and adds audio input, CV jacks and S/PDIF output for modular synthesis.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
The browser emulator lets you try the software before ordering anything, and the assembled board is 59 dollars. Would you start with the emulator or go straight to hardware?
Brian Whitman
Brian Whitman built Tulip as a creative computing environment that removes the friction of operating systems and gives the entire machine to your code. It runs on MicroPython and LVGL, and its AMY synthesis engine, which Brian co-created with Dan Ellis, is designed to run in real time on constrained hardware.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM1mo agoedited
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is actively maintained and the build documentation offers four routes — run Tulip Desktop or the web version, build a temporary breadboard version, solder a through-hole breakout board, or build the integrated single board with SMT parts or an assembly service. Supplier part lists are included, so you are not reverse-engineering the schematic. The web version at tulip.computer/run is a low-friction way to decide if the workflow fits before committing to hardware. The 59-dollar assembled Tulip from Makerfabs is the fastest route if you want to start writing code immediately, and there is a Discord for help. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.