USB-C power for all devices (no batteries); separate Micro end caps; landing Philosophy

Power: standardise the whole family on a single USB-C input — drop the Micro's
2×AA and the Stage's 9V DC pedal jack (+ buck/reverse-polarity). Bring a power
bank; nothing internal to wear out. BOMs updated (Micro ≈$35, Stage ≈$56) and
all copy/cards/READMEs follow.

Micro form: detach the two end caps from the body with a gap (set-back, darker
end faces) so the TRS/USB-C jacks read as being on the ENDS of the bar, not the
front panel.

Landing: add a Philosophy section — "program on the web, play on any device"
(author once → load the program string into whichever form factor fits) and
"USB-C power everywhere — no batteries" (future-proofing rationale).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ State (set lists, the practice log, theme and UI preferences) lives in `localSto
 | `/concepts.html` | **PolyMeter Concepts** — the form‑factor gallery (cards → live page + info) |
 | `/player.html` | **PM‑1 Initial** — idealized concept device (full display + set‑list nav, theme, fullscreen "stage" view) |
 | `/stage.html` | **PM‑1 Stage** — pedalboard build (colour TFT, arcade buttons, 1/4″ instrument pass‑through with analog click injection) |
-| `/micro.html` | **PM‑µ Micro** — minimal home‑practice unit (one push scroll‑encoder + 7‑segment LED) |
+| `/micro.html` | **PM‑µ Micro** — inline practice bar (instrument in / out pass‑through, clickable thumb‑roller, 14‑segment display) |
 | `/info-editor.html`, `/info-initial.html` | purpose pages (web app / concept — no BOM) |
 | `/info-stage.html`, `/info-micro.html` | purpose **+ priced BOM** (buildable hardware only) |
 | `/embed.html` · `/embed.js` | embed docs and the drop‑in loader |

concepts.html

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
       <span class="chip hw">Hardware</span>
       <h3>PM‑1 — Stage</h3>
       <p>Pedalboard build: 2.0″ colour TFT, arcade buttons, thumb‑roller, 1/4″ instrument pass‑through with
-        analog click injection + balanced‑TRS out, 9 V DC / USB‑C. Bead‑blasted matte‑black anodised.</p>
+        analog click injection + balanced‑TRS out, USB‑C powered. Bead‑blasted matte‑black anodised.</p>
       <div class="links"><a href="/stage.html">Open ↗</a><a href="/info-stage.html">Info &amp; BOM ⓘ</a></div>
     </div>
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
       <span class="chip hw">Hardware</span>
       <h3>PM‑µ — Micro</h3>
       <p>Long, narrow inline practice bar: instrument in one end, amp/headphones out the other, click mixed in.
-        Clickable thumb‑roller, amber 14‑segment display, USB‑C or 2×AA.</p>
+        Clickable thumb‑roller, amber 14‑segment display, USB‑C powered.</p>
       <div class="links"><a href="/micro.html">Open ↗</a><a href="/info-micro.html">Info &amp; BOM ⓘ</a></div>
     </div>
 

index.html

@@ -53,6 +53,14 @@
   .card .links{ display:flex; gap:16px; margin-top:4px; }
   .card .links a{ color:var(--link); text-decoration:none; font-size:13px; font-weight:600; }
   .more{ text-align:center; margin-top:18px; font-size:14px; }
+  /* philosophy section */
+  .philosophy{ margin-top:34px; }
+  .phil-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(300px, 1fr)); gap:16px; }
+  .phil{ background:var(--panel-bg); border:1px solid var(--panel-bd); border-radius:14px; padding:18px 18px 16px; }
+  .phil h3{ margin:0 0 8px; font-size:15px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; }
+  .phil .ic{ font-size:17px; line-height:1; filter:grayscale(.1); }
+  .phil p{ margin:0; font-size:13.5px; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.62; }
+  .phil p b{ color:var(--txt); }
   .site-foot{ max-width:980px; margin:42px auto 0; font-size:12px; color:var(--muted); text-align:center; }
   .site-foot a{ color:var(--muted); }
 </style>
@@ -111,7 +119,7 @@
       <span class="chip hw">Hardware</span>
       <h3>PM‑µ — Micro</h3>
       <p>Long, narrow inline practice bar: instrument in one end, amp/headphones out the other, click mixed in.
-        Clickable thumb‑roller, amber 14‑segment display, USB‑C or 2×AA.</p>
+        Clickable thumb‑roller, amber 14‑segment display, USB‑C powered.</p>
       <div class="links"><a href="/micro.html">Open ↗</a><a href="/info-micro.html">Info &amp; BOM ⓘ</a></div>
     </div>
 
@@ -124,6 +132,30 @@
     </div>
   </div>
   <p class="more"><a href="/concepts.html">See all concepts, including the PM‑1 Initial render →</a></p>
+
+  <section class="philosophy">
+    <div class="section-label">Philosophy</div>
+    <div class="phil-grid">
+      <div class="phil">
+        <h3><span class="ic">🛠️</span> Program on the web, play on any device</h3>
+        <p>The website is the workbench. Design your grooves in the <a href="/editor.html">PE‑1 editor</a> —
+          stack meters, set per‑step accents, build set lists — and every pattern saves to a compact
+          <b>program string</b> (a whole set list to a single code). That same string loads into whichever
+          form factor fits the moment: the <a href="/stage.html">Stage</a> on a pedalboard, the
+          <a href="/micro.html">Micro</a> inline at the practice desk, or an <a href="/embed.html">embedded
+          widget</a> in someone else's app. One engine, one language — you author once and run it anywhere,
+          choosing the device by the use scenario rather than re‑learning a new box each time.</p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="phil">
+        <h3><span class="ic">🔌</span> USB‑C power everywhere — no batteries</h3>
+        <p>Every device in the family is powered over a single <b>USB‑C</b> port — no internal battery to
+          swell, leak or wear out, and nothing proprietary to replace. Plug into a wall adapter for a
+          permanent install, or carry a power bank exactly the way you already do for your phone. Standardising
+          on one connector across the whole range keeps the builds simple and <b>future‑proofs</b> the
+          project as USB‑C becomes universal.</p>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </section>
 </main>
 
 <div class="site-foot">VARASYS · Simplifying Complexity ·

info-micro.html

@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@
 
 <main>
   <h1>PM‑µ — Micro</h1>
-  <div class="tags"><span class="tag hw">Hardware</span><span class="tag">Inline practice bar</span><span class="tag">~$38 one‑off</span></div>
+  <div class="tags"><span class="tag hw">Hardware</span><span class="tag">Inline practice bar</span><span class="tag">~$35 one‑off</span></div>
   <p class="lead">A long, narrow practice bar you patch <i>into</i> your signal: instrument in one end, amp or
     headphones out the other, the click mixed in. One clickable thumb‑roller does everything, an amber
-    14‑segment display shows tempo and track names, and it runs off USB‑C or 2×AA.</p>
+    14‑segment display shows tempo and track names, and it runs over USB‑C — a wall adapter or a power bank.</p>
 
   <div class="embed-wrap">
     <div data-varasys-metronome="micro"
@@ -64,10 +64,11 @@
     one end, USB‑C and a 1/4″ TRS output on the other, with the metronome click summed into your signal in the
     <b>analog domain</b> (and a small monitor speaker). No menus — a single clickable thumb‑roller does it all
     (roll = tempo, press = start/stop, hold + roll = switch track), and the amber 14‑segment display shows the
-    BPM or the track name. Powered from USB‑C or 2×AA for portability; ships with the editor's grooves built in.</p>
+    BPM or the track name. Powered over USB‑C — a wall adapter for a permanent practice‑space install, or a
+    pocket power bank when you're mobile (no internal battery to wear out); ships with the editor's grooves built in.</p>
 
   <h2>Bill of materials</h2>
-  <p class="sub">Rough parts list — a portable RP2040 inline bar (USB‑C or 2×AA) with analog click injection.
+  <p class="sub">Rough parts list — a USB‑C‑powered RP2040 inline bar with analog click injection.
     Ballpark one‑off prices (USD); cheaper at volume.</p>
   <table class="bom">
     <thead><tr><th>Part</th><th class="q">Qty</th><th class="c">~$</th></tr></thead>
@@ -83,13 +84,12 @@
       <tr><td class="part">PAM8302A mono Class‑D + 8 Ω speaker <span class="spec">— monitor</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">4</td></tr>
       <tr class="grp"><td colspan="3">Connectors &amp; power</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">1/4″ jack <span class="spec">— Inst In (TS) · Out (TRS)</span></td><td class="q">2</td><td class="c">2</td></tr>
-      <tr><td class="part">USB‑C bus power (5 V) + PWR LED <span class="spec">— also carries config</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">1</td></tr>
+      <tr><td class="part">USB‑C bus power (5 V) + PWR LED <span class="spec">— wall adapter or power bank; also carries config</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">1</td></tr>
-      <tr><td class="part">2×AA holder + boost/management + battery gauge <span class="spec">— AA → 3.3/5 V for portable use</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">3</td></tr>
       <tr class="grp"><td colspan="3">Build</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Custom PCB (or perfboard)</td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">4</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Passives, headers, wire <span class="spec">— R/C for the analog stage + decoupling</span></td><td class="q">—</td><td class="c">2</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Extruded aluminium bar enclosure + end caps <span class="spec">— bead‑blasted, matte‑black anodised</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">8</td></tr>
-      <tr class="total"><td>Total (one‑off)</td><td class="q"></td><td class="c">≈ $38</td></tr>
+      <tr class="total"><td>Total (one‑off)</td><td class="q"></td><td class="c">≈ $35</td></tr>
     </tbody>
   </table>
   <p class="sub" style="margin-top:12px">Like the Stage, the click is summed in the <b>analog domain</b>: a high‑impedance

info-stage.html

@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@
   <p>The stage and the rehearsal room. Top‑mounted 1/4″ jacks keep cabling tidy on a board; you plug your
     instrument in, the metronome click is summed into the signal in the <b>analog domain</b> (no re‑digitising,
     no added latency) and sent to a balanced 1/4″ TRS output for the desk, plus a small monitor speaker.
-    Powered from a standard 9 V DC pedal supply or USB‑C. The colour TFT shows tempo, the item name, and all
+    Powered over USB‑C — a wall adapter, or a power bank when there's no outlet on the board. The colour TFT
-    lane patterns; arcade buttons + a recessed thumb‑roller survive stage abuse.</p>
+    shows tempo, the item name, and all lane patterns; arcade buttons + a recessed thumb‑roller survive stage abuse.</p>
 
   <h2>Bill of materials</h2>
-  <p class="sub">Rough parts list — a pedalboard‑friendly RP2040 build (9 V DC or USB‑C) with analog click injection.
+  <p class="sub">Rough parts list — a pedalboard‑friendly RP2040 build (USB‑C powered) with analog click injection.
     Ballpark one‑off prices (USD); cheaper at volume.</p>
   <table class="bom">
     <thead><tr><th>Part</th><th class="q">Qty</th><th class="c">~$</th></tr></thead>
@@ -86,13 +86,12 @@
       <tr><td class="part">PAM8302A mono Class‑D + 8 Ω 2 W speaker <span class="spec">— monitor</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">4</td></tr>
       <tr class="grp"><td colspan="3">Connectors &amp; power</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">1/4″ jack <span class="spec">— Inst In (TS) · Out (TRS) · Trig In (TS)</span></td><td class="q">3</td><td class="c">3</td></tr>
-      <tr><td class="part">USB‑C bus power (5 V) + PWR LED <span class="spec">— same port carries config; no battery</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">1</td></tr>
+      <tr><td class="part">USB‑C bus power (5 V) + PWR LED <span class="spec">— wall adapter or power bank; same port carries config; no battery</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">1</td></tr>
-      <tr><td class="part">9 V DC pedal jack (2.1 mm centre‑neg) + 9 V→5 V buck + reverse‑polarity protect <span class="spec">— pedalboard power</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">3</td></tr>
       <tr class="grp"><td colspan="3">Build</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Custom PCB (or perfboard)</td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">5</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Passives, headers, wire <span class="spec">— R/C for the analog stage + decoupling</span></td><td class="q">—</td><td class="c">3</td></tr>
       <tr><td class="part">Die‑cast aluminium enclosure (Hammond 1590‑style) <span class="spec">— bead‑blasted, matte‑black Type II anodise, laser‑etched legends</span></td><td class="q">1</td><td class="c">12</td></tr>
-      <tr class="total"><td>Total (one‑off)</td><td class="q"></td><td class="c">≈ $59</td></tr>
+      <tr class="total"><td>Total (one‑off)</td><td class="q"></td><td class="c">≈ $56</td></tr>
     </tbody>
   </table>
   <p class="sub" style="margin-top:12px">Audio is summed in the <b>analog domain</b>: the DAC's click is mixed with a high‑impedance

micro.html

@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@
 <!--
   "Micro" — a long, narrow INLINE practice bar on the same RP2040 firmware.
   Patch your instrument through it: 1/4" TRS in on one end; USB-C + 1/4" TRS out
-  on the other; powered from USB-C or 2×AA. The click is summed into your signal
+  on the other; powered over USB-C (wall adapter or power bank — no internal
-  in the ANALOG domain (and a small speaker). Display is a 4-char amber 14-segment
+  battery). The click is summed into your signal in the ANALOG domain (and a
+  small speaker). Display is a 4-char amber 14-segment
   (shows BPM *and* short track names). One control — a clickable thumb-ROLLER:
      • roll            → tempo
      • press (click)   → start / stop
@@ -52,19 +53,20 @@
   .tbtn{ background:transparent; color:var(--muted); border:1px solid var(--panel-bd); border-radius:8px; padding:3px 9px; font-size:14px; line-height:1; cursor:pointer }
   .tbtn:hover{ color:var(--txt) }
 
-  /* ---- the micro device: a long, narrow brushed-aluminium bar ---- */
+  /* ---- the micro device: a long, narrow brushed-aluminium bar ----
-  .device{ width:100%; max-width:620px; display:flex; align-items:stretch; position:relative;
+     The main body and the two end caps are SEPARATE pieces with a gap between
-    border-radius:18px; overflow:hidden; border:1px solid var(--device-bd);
+     them, so the jacks read as being on the ENDS of the bar (not the front). */
-    background:
+  .device{ width:100%; max-width:660px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:15px; position:relative }
-      radial-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,.022) .5px, transparent .6px) 0 0/3px 3px,    /* bead-blast micro-texture */
-      linear-gradient(180deg, #2b2d33, #161719);                                      /* matte anodised graphite */
-    box-shadow:0 24px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.6), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.05), inset 0 -2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,.5) }
 
-  /* end caps — the extrusion ends, where the jacks exit */
+  /* end caps — the extrusion's end faces, stood apart from the body; jacks exit here.
-  .endcap{ flex:0 0 auto; width:76px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; align-items:center; justify-content:center; gap:11px;
+     A touch shorter than the body (align-self:stretch + margin) so they look set-back. */
-    padding:12px 8px; background:linear-gradient(180deg,#202227,#0d0e11) }
+  .endcap{ flex:0 0 auto; width:66px; align-self:stretch; margin:9px 0;
-  .endcap.left{ box-shadow:inset -7px 0 13px rgba(0,0,0,.55) }
+    display:flex; flex-direction:column; align-items:center; justify-content:center; gap:11px;
-  .endcap.right{ box-shadow:inset 7px 0 13px rgba(0,0,0,.55) }
+    padding:12px 7px; border-radius:10px; border:1px solid #292b30;
+    background:linear-gradient(180deg,#1b1d21,#0a0b0e);                                 /* darker end-grain */
+    box-shadow:0 12px 24px rgba(0,0,0,.55), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.04), inset 0 -2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,.55) }
+  .endcap.left{ border-right-color:#3b3e45 }    /* chamfer highlight on the edge facing the body */
+  .endcap.right{ border-left-color:#3b3e45 }
   .endlbl{ font-size:7px; color:var(--silk); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.1em; text-align:center; line-height:1.35; opacity:.8 }
   .jk{ display:flex; flex-direction:column; align-items:center; gap:4px }
   .jk i{ width:23px; height:23px; border-radius:50%; background:radial-gradient(circle at 40% 34%, #333a44, #07090c 72%);
@@ -72,8 +74,13 @@
   .jk.usb i{ width:25px; height:10px; border-radius:4px; border:2px solid #5b6470; background:#07090c }
   .jk b{ font-size:7px; font-weight:700; color:var(--silk); letter-spacing:.05em; text-transform:uppercase; opacity:.9; text-align:center; line-height:1.25 }
 
-  /* the top face (between the end caps) */
+  /* the main body / top face (between the end caps) */
-  .face{ flex:1; min-width:0; display:flex; flex-direction:column; padding:11px 16px; gap:8px }
+  .face{ flex:1; min-width:0; display:flex; flex-direction:column; padding:11px 16px; gap:8px;
+    border-radius:16px; border:1px solid var(--device-bd);
+    background:
+      radial-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,.022) .5px, transparent .6px) 0 0/3px 3px,      /* bead-blast micro-texture */
+      linear-gradient(180deg, #2b2d33, #161719);                                        /* matte anodised graphite */
+    box-shadow:0 24px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.6), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.05), inset 0 -2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,.5) }
   .brandrow{ display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; margin:0 }
   .brand-logo{ height:13px; width:auto; display:block }
   .silk{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:7px; color:var(--silk) }
@@ -81,11 +88,6 @@
   .meta{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px }
   .pwr{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:5px; font-size:7.5px; color:var(--silk); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.12em; opacity:.85 }
   .pwr .dot{ width:6px; height:6px; border-radius:50%; background:#2fe07a; box-shadow:0 0 6px #2fe07a }
-  /* battery gauge (2×AA) */
-  .batt{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:5px; font-size:7.5px; color:var(--silk); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.1em; opacity:.85 }
-  .batt .cell{ width:21px; height:10px; border:1px solid var(--silk); border-radius:2px; position:relative }
-  .batt .cell::after{ content:""; position:absolute; right:-3px; top:2.5px; width:2px; height:5px; background:var(--silk); border-radius:0 1px 1px 0 }
-  .batt .cell::before{ content:""; position:absolute; left:1.5px; top:1.5px; bottom:1.5px; width:65%; background:#2fe07a; border-radius:1px }
 
   .facemain{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:14px }
   /* ---- amber 14-segment alphanumeric display ---- */
@@ -116,7 +118,9 @@
   /* embed mode: just the device */
   [data-embed] .hint { display:none !important; }
   /* stack the bar's end caps under the face on very narrow screens */
-  @media (max-width:430px){ .device{ flex-wrap:wrap } .endcap{ width:50%; flex-direction:row; gap:18px; justify-content:center } .face{ flex-basis:100%; order:-1 } }
+  @media (max-width:460px){ .device{ flex-wrap:wrap; gap:10px }
+    .endcap{ width:calc(50% - 5px); align-self:auto; margin:0; flex-direction:row; gap:18px; justify-content:center }
+    .face{ flex-basis:100%; order:-1 } }
 </style>
 </head>
 <body>
@@ -150,8 +154,7 @@
     <div class="brandrow">
       <div class="silk"><img class="brand-logo" src="data:image/png;base64,@BUILD:logo-dark@" alt="VARASYS" /><span class="model">PM‑µ Micro</span></div>
       <div class="meta">
-        <div class="batt" title="2×AA, or run from USB‑C"><span class="cell"></span>2×AA</div>
+        <div class="pwr" title="Powered over USB‑C — wall adapter or power bank"><span class="dot"></span>USB‑C&nbsp;PWR</div>
-        <div class="pwr"><span class="dot"></span>PWR</div>
       </div>
     </div>
 

stage.html

@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@
       (footswitch), a 1/4" instrument pass-through
       with the click mixed in the ANALOG domain (DAC → summing op-amp → balanced
       line driver), a shared 1/4" balanced-TRS main out, plus an analog monitor
-      amp + speaker. Powered from a standard 9 V DC pedal jack (2.1 mm centre-
+      amp + speaker. Powered over USB-C (a wall adapter or a power bank; also
-      negative, pedalboard-friendly) or USB-C (also carries config), in a
+      carries config), in a bead-blasted matte-black anodised aluminium
-      bead-blasted matte-black anodised aluminium enclosure (no glare on stage).
+      enclosure (no glare on stage).
   Beside the device: a top-edge view and a bill of materials. The front and top
   views carry inch dimensions (≈ 4.7 × 5.5 × 1.8 in / 120 × 140 × 45 mm).
   Compare with the initial /player.html. One file, no deps; shares src/engine.js.
@@ -228,11 +228,10 @@
       <div class="tv-jack" title="External trigger in — footswitch to start/stop or tap tempo"><i></i><b>Trig In</b></div>
       <div class="tv-jack" title="Instrument in — 1/4&quot; pass-through; the click is mixed into your signal"><i></i><b>Inst In</b></div>
       <div class="tv-jack" title="Main out — 1/4&quot; balanced TRS (instrument + click); the shared output plug"><i></i><b>Out TRS</b></div>
-      <div class="tv-jack dc" title="9 V DC in — standard 2.1 mm centre-negative pedal power"><i></i><b>9V DC</b></div>
+      <div class="tv-jack usb" title="USB-C — power (wall adapter or power bank) &amp; set-list transfer"><i></i><b>USB-C</b></div>
-      <div class="tv-jack usb" title="USB-C — power &amp; set-list transfer"><i></i><b>USB-C</b></div>
     </div>
   </div>
-  <div class="ledbar-cap">Trig in · 1/4″ inst pass‑through (click injected) · shared 1/4″ balanced‑TRS out · 9 V DC / USB‑C power</div>
+  <div class="ledbar-cap">Trig in · 1/4″ inst pass‑through (click injected) · shared 1/4″ balanced‑TRS out · USB‑C power</div>
 </div>
 
 <!-- ===================== THE DEVICE (front view) ===================== -->