ADAU1701 DSP Board – First Boot & Programming Guide
This post explains how to wake up the board, connect to it, and move from live programming to standalone self-boot operation. No theory overload — just the correct way to use it.
What This Board Is
This is a high-quality ADAU1701 DSP audio platform designed in a guitar pedal form factor. It uses proper TL9002 input and output buffers and is laid out with real-world audio use in mind.
You get:
• Stereo input
• Four independent outputs
• External EEPROM for standalone boot
• USBi programming header
• Footswitch footprint (3PDT)
It fits in a pedal enclosure, but it’s not limited to pedals. With stereo in and four outputs, it can be used for routing, multi-amp rigs, stereo processors, crossovers, or whatever you want to build.
How It Boots (Simple Explanation)
The ADAU1701 runs whatever program you compile in SigmaStudio. That program can either be loaded live from USBi, or automatically from EEPROM at power-up.
This behavior is controlled by two things:
WP (EEPROM write protect)
SELFBOOT (boot from EEPROM or not)
Before You Start – Important Hardware Notes
Right Channel Jumpers (J1 / J2)
If you want the right channel active, install the jumpers. Without them the right channel will not pass signal.
Volume Headers (Vol L / Vol R / Vol2 / Vol3)
If you did not install potentiometers on these headers, you must install jumpers to close the audio path. Otherwise the signal path remains open and you will get no audio.
If you are not using volume pots and want full, unattenuated signal, place a jumper on pins 2 + 3 of the corresponding Vol header. This routes audio directly without attenuation.
Live Programming Mode (Development Mode)
This is the mode you use while building and testing your project. In live mode, you do NOT need any jumpers on WP or SELFBOOT.
Here is how it works on this board:
• WP is pulled to 3.3V through a 10k resistor by default.
That means EEPROM write is disabled automatically. You do not need to touch it.
• SELFBOOT is floating by default.
The USBi programmer drives this pin during live operation.
So again — no jumper needed.
To enter live mode:
1) Connect USBi to the program header
2) Power the board
3) Press RESET once
4) In SigmaStudio, press “Link Compile Download”
That’s it. The DSP will run the program directly from SigmaStudio. You can tweak parameters in real time and hear changes immediately.
During development, leave it like this:
WP untouched (default HIGH via 10k)
No jumper on SELFBOOT
Writing the Program to EEPROM (Standalone Mode)
When your project is final and you want the board to run without USBi, you write the program into the external EEPROM.
Step 1 – Enable EEPROM Writing
Place a jumper on WP to pull it to GND. This enables writing to the EEPROM. You can do this while the board is powered. No reset required.
Step 2 – Write the Program
In SigmaStudio, select:
“Write Latest Compilation to E2PROM”
Wait for the process to complete fully. Do not reset or disconnect anything during the write.
Step 3 – Lock the EEPROM Again
Remove the WP jumper. WP returns HIGH via the onboard 10k pull-up. The EEPROM is now protected.
Step 4 – Enable Self-Boot
Power OFF the board.
Place a jumper on the SELFBOOT header:
Pin 1 + 2 (this pulls SELFBOOT HIGH).
Power the board ON.
The DSP will now boot automatically from EEPROM. No USBi required.
Recommended Workflow
During development:
• No jumper on WP
• No jumper on SELFBOOT
When finalizing firmware:
• Jumper WP → write EEPROM → remove jumper
• Jumper SELFBOOT (1+2) → standalone boot
This keeps development stable and prevents accidental EEPROM corruption.
Reference
Use the annotated board image in this article as your hardware map. It shows the location of WP, SELFBOOT, reset, pots, volume headers, and stereo routing jumpers.