This QCard Formatter formats a smart card so it can be used as a blank Q Card for the Waldorf Q Synthesizer.

Inexpensive smart cards are available in web stores. Use Google to search for "ISO7816 32k".

I made it for a friend and made some extra.

It works with original and generic smart cards, is super easy to use and fast. Simply plug the card in and wait 2 seconds for the blue led to turn on meaning 'ready!'. Repeat for multiple cards.

It is hackable since it uses a wemos mini board running nodemcu (lua) and can be reprogrammed easily over USB.

Note:

• Micro USB cable required. Not included.
• Images show 2 versions, card adapter piece varies, you may get either one.
• All units are tested.
• The device will blindly format a memory card, any data on the card will be lost.

Function:

A blue LED acts as status indicator:

• Booting: powering up the device (via micro USB cable) will cause the LED to flicker for 2 sec.
• Device Ready: when done booting the LED turns off
• Formatting: inserting a Card will cause the LED to flicker while data are being send to the card
• Success: when formatting succeeded then the LED stays ON

This concludes normal operation. Error cases are indicated by rapid flashing of the LED e.g.:

• Card was inserted up-side-down: this can be tried for fun and causes no harm - rapid flashing
• Card is not a memory card: sticking you bank card into the device is not a good idea, even though probably nothing will happen - rapid flashing
• The formatting failed: if the device can't read back out the data it wrote then the formatting failed - rapid flashing

Removing the card after success or error will cause the "Device Ready" state i.e. LED off, and another Card can then be tried.