Custom MIDI Controller

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Custom MIDI Controller
Posted on: 23.01.2011 by Marlena Mouer
Here is my ALMOST finished Arduino Mega based midifighterish controller. It consists of 4x4 arcade button grid with the top four button lit by 2 red LEDs, 2 sliders, a crossfader (modded to move much more quickly/easily), and 2 joysticks from an xbox controller. I am still finishing up the code to dial in the thumbsticks and get MIDI feedback from the LEDs( for now they light up when the button is pressed). [ame="http://www.vimeo.com/19106635"]MIDI Controller for Traktor on Vimeo[/ame]






View of underside clear buttons with 2 LEDs on each side connected in series with a resistor (47K i believe) and lots of hot glue
Lakeisha Allaway
05.09.2011
Originally Posted by kostis12345
Here's another option for converting serial to midi without any software on the computer:
http://shiftmore.blogspot.com/2010/0...-over-usb.html

I haven't used it yet so I'm not sure about latency but it should work.
That mod is completely genius!
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by safefire
On a mega, do you have to pins to spare?
If so, you can easily just hook those two up to a port (with the power and gnd going to the respective pins on the board), and write a piece of code translating whatever signal you're working with into midi.

I haven't gotten mine yet, but as far as I know right now, it is also possible to do this simply through the new updated UART on it.
As far as I understand you either need the modified FTDI driver with the roland serial driver OR a dedicated piece of software to convert the serial over USB data to midi and then output it via midiyoke. You can definitely go the MIDI route (mega has several sets of Rx/Tx for the port) but I want to be able to connect directly via USB.
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by MiL0
ah bugger - I just ordered this earlier today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

which looks like it's a mega 1280... does that mean I'll need to install a driver if I want to use this in Windows?

it appears that the 2560 can be programmed to appear as a usb midi device, rather than a generic usb device. Is that correct?

ah well, it was only
Arcelia Siebeneck
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by bobsagat666
Crap I was mistaken. Its a mega 1280 which is still using the FTDI serial chip. The new mega 2560 uses a different chip to convert to serial so you can program it to be a MIDI device that would not require any crappy drivers. Damn I wish I new all this as I just ordered a usb to midi cable to accomplish this very task.
ah bugger - I just ordered this earlier today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

which looks like it's a mega 1280... does that mean I'll need to install a driver if I want to use this in Windows?

it appears that the 2560 can be programmed to appear as a usb midi device, rather than a generic usb device. Is that correct?

ah well, it was only
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by BlackJesus
My good sir i have 2 questions for you. How are your screwing those acrylic boards together exactly (chicago screws?), and whats the story on the green acrylic walls?
The top is drilled through with a nut sandwiched between two triangler pieces of acrylic in each of the for corners
Buttons are from here

http://www.lizardlick.com/Seimitsu-P...ons_c_241.html
Marlena Mouer
25.01.2011
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne

@bobsagat666
Looks like you're using the Arduino 2560?
Crap I was mistaken. Its a mega 1280 which is still using the FTDI serial chip. The new mega 2560 uses a different chip to convert to serial so you can program it to be a MIDI device that would not require any crappy drivers. Damn I wish I new all this as I just ordered a usb to midi cable to accomplish this very task.
Marlena Mouer
25.01.2011
Originally Posted by chrisw
@DJWindz Lay yo pimp hand down. Your from SD dont let a woman push u around.
Lol yeah been working on this when the wifes either sleeping/not home. Yeah its a 2560 next step is to build a cheapo usb to midi cable into it so I can avoid the modified ftdi driver bs
Lakeisha Allaway
05.09.2011
Originally Posted by kostis12345
Here's another option for converting serial to midi without any software on the computer:
http://shiftmore.blogspot.com/2010/0...-over-usb.html

I haven't used it yet so I'm not sure about latency but it should work.
That mod is completely genius!
Jan Manzoni
05.09.2011		Here's another option for converting serial to midi without any software on the computer:
http://shiftmore.blogspot.com/2010/0...-over-usb.html

I haven't used it yet so I'm not sure about latency but it should work.
Lakeisha Allaway
05.09.2011		Really nice work!
How did you mod the alps fader to move as quick as a crossfader?
And were did you get the caps?
Ella Rick
01.09.2011		Nice build!
Madge Humrich
31.08.2011		vey neato! what are using the joysticks for? ive been looking for soem use for a joystick.... im gonna build my first controller soon and im wondering, if theres for directions on a joysy=tick. is is possible to build a super SUPER knob? or even super super stick!!!
*drools at the thought!*
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by safefire
On a mega, do you have to pins to spare?
If so, you can easily just hook those two up to a port (with the power and gnd going to the respective pins on the board), and write a piece of code translating whatever signal you're working with into midi.

I haven't gotten mine yet, but as far as I know right now, it is also possible to do this simply through the new updated UART on it.
As far as I understand you either need the modified FTDI driver with the roland serial driver OR a dedicated piece of software to convert the serial over USB data to midi and then output it via midiyoke. You can definitely go the MIDI route (mega has several sets of Rx/Tx for the port) but I want to be able to connect directly via USB.
Arcelia Siebeneck
26.01.2011		I'm not entirely sure how many pins my controller will use yet. If I pick up the mux shield then I should have quite a few spare! Is it possible to use two shields on a Mega at the same time?

Is this what you're talking about?



taken from: http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Midi
Lewis Stumpf
26.01.2011		On a mega, do you have to pins to spare?
If so, you can easily just hook those two up to a port (with the power and gnd going to the respective pins on the board), and write a piece of code translating whatever signal you're working with into midi.

I haven't gotten mine yet, but as far as I know right now, it is also possible to do this simply through the new updated UART on it.
Arcelia Siebeneck
26.01.2011		would buying the midi shield help at all?

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9595

at least that way you could interface directly to the arduino via midi cables, rather than usb.
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by MiL0
ah bugger - I just ordered this earlier today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

which looks like it's a mega 1280... does that mean I'll need to install a driver if I want to use this in Windows?

it appears that the 2560 can be programmed to appear as a usb midi device, rather than a generic usb device. Is that correct?

ah well, it was only
Arcelia Siebeneck
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by bobsagat666
Crap I was mistaken. Its a mega 1280 which is still using the FTDI serial chip. The new mega 2560 uses a different chip to convert to serial so you can program it to be a MIDI device that would not require any crappy drivers. Damn I wish I new all this as I just ordered a usb to midi cable to accomplish this very task.
ah bugger - I just ordered this earlier today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

which looks like it's a mega 1280... does that mean I'll need to install a driver if I want to use this in Windows?

it appears that the 2560 can be programmed to appear as a usb midi device, rather than a generic usb device. Is that correct?

ah well, it was only
Carlee Pickard
27.01.2011		Hey man,

I am going to be building my own very soon (as soon as I get a bit more cash to pick up the arcade buttons / chipboard from DJTT) and I was wondering how do you have the wiring done / where did you get it / how do you connect the xbox analogue sticks and the crossfader to the chipboard from DJTT?

Sorry for putting them all together like that, but when I was coming up with my own concept I was truly confused as to how I would end up connecting the cross faders / any other buttons or knobs I had to the board and making it work with the MIDI.

Thank You!
Marlena Mouer
26.01.2011
Originally Posted by BlackJesus
My good sir i have 2 questions for you. How are your screwing those acrylic boards together exactly (chicago screws?), and whats the story on the green acrylic walls?
The top is drilled through with a nut sandwiched between two triangler pieces of acrylic in each of the for corners
Buttons are from here

http://www.lizardlick.com/Seimitsu-P...ons_c_241.html
Arcelia Siebeneck
26.01.2011		can you post a link to the shop where you bought the transparent arcade buttons? also, what size are they?
Rosita Bourdeaux
26.01.2011		My good sir i have 2 questions for you. How are your screwing those acrylic boards together exactly (chicago screws?), and whats the story on the green acrylic walls?
Marlena Mouer
25.01.2011
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne

@bobsagat666
Looks like you're using the Arduino 2560?
Crap I was mistaken. Its a mega 1280 which is still using the FTDI serial chip. The new mega 2560 uses a different chip to convert to serial so you can program it to be a MIDI device that would not require any crappy drivers. Damn I wish I new all this as I just ordered a usb to midi cable to accomplish this very task.
Vernie Beharry
25.01.2011
@DJWindz Lay yo pimp hand down. Your from SD dont let a woman push u around.
I would. . .but. . she beats me with a lead pipe! . .She's "gangsta" I tell ya. . .GANGSTA!

@bobsagat666
Not liking MIDI via USB? Well. . .if you can do it, do it big!

yeah been working on this when the wifes either sleeping/not home
See chrisw. . .I'm not the only one who's scared of the significant other's wrath! LOL!
Marlena Mouer
25.01.2011
Originally Posted by chrisw
@DJWindz Lay yo pimp hand down. Your from SD dont let a woman push u around.
Lol yeah been working on this when the wifes either sleeping/not home. Yeah its a 2560 next step is to build a cheapo usb to midi cable into it so I can avoid the modified ftdi driver bs
Cammy Clegg
25.01.2011
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
Great job!

This is pretty close o what I had planned for my project which is on hold because of the GF >=(

@bobsagat666
Looks like you're using the Arduino 2560?
@DJWindz Lay yo pimp hand down. Your from SD dont let a woman push u around.
Vernie Beharry
24.01.2011		Great job!

This is pretty close o what I had planned for my project which is on hold because of the GF >=(

@bobsagat666
Looks like you're using the Arduino 2560?
Marlena Mouer
24.01.2011		Thanks everybody. Hoping to post the code soon so you can pretty much cut and paste and start making controllers
Lisa Lochotzki
23.01.2011		Really Great looking thing and job! Congrats!
Franklin Momany
23.01.2011		Good work! Looks nice, almost looks like production quality which is very hard to achieve.
Marlena Mouer
23.01.2011		Yeah its a bit rough around the edges as the acrylic was cut by a shop (they did a crap job on the dimensions) and i glued and dremeled the rest of it together. The wiring and leds are various parts I had lying around.
Franklin Momany
23.01.2011		You built it from scratch?
Marlena Mouer
23.01.2011
Originally Posted by Garygary1
Dude, thats awesome. how do you work the eqing on that?
So far its setup more as an effects trigger I guess. Havent really played around with it much yet so still working out its fit/ purpose.
Chas Giraldez
23.01.2011		Dude, thats awesome. how do you work the eqing on that?

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