Extra Classic - Midi Controller Project

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Extra Classic - Midi Controller Project
Posted on: 07.06.2011 by Joan Kollmorgen
Copied and pasted from my blog


Ok here's the story...

Ever since I bought my M-Audio Xponent a few years ago I
Joan Kollmorgen
09.06.2011
Damn thats good looking

You sure frosted is a good idea?

I don't doubt you cos your design skill is unquestionable but that black looks awesome..
The glossy does look fantastic I must admit but like MrPopinjay said it doesn
Cammy Clegg
09.06.2011
I have to give you props on this. After having to sell your decks, Im glad to see you got a new project.
Arcelia Siebeneck
09.06.2011
you've got a really good eye for detail and finish mate... the prototypes look excellent!

can you show us some pictures of the tools you use to cut the plastic and wood? particularly the router/drill you use and the router bits. Maybe a video of you cutting some of the holes? Don't believe anyone's done a build log like that yet...
Kiyoko Wellisch
09.06.2011
Glossy shit looks horrible about 25 seconds after you take it out the box. :P
Janyce Henningson
09.06.2011
Damn thats good looking

You sure frosted is a good idea?

I don't doubt you cos your design skill is unquestionable but that black looks awesome..
Joan Kollmorgen
10.06.2011
I thought I would have a practice at cutting some acrylic perspex today. I needed to have an idea how easy or hard it would be before buying some larger sheets for my Midi Controller Project. I'm pleased to say it all went smoothly.

I corrected the issue with the fader slots that i mentioned yesterday by reducing the length of the jig.

After coming up with 3 designs in corel draw I started by making this one first. (by the way that's a fly sitting on the perspex in the first shot )







I was believeing this would be used in the vertical position with the crossfader at the bottom. The bank of 16 buttons above could be mapped to transport functions, cue points and various effects. The two red buttons I would map to deck select and the knobs would control the gain for each channel.

I won't be using this glossy perspex for my main project I will use frosted acrylic instead.

Finished in a solid oak case this project would look the buisness (shame I have no intention of finishing it)
Jacqualine Arroyos
08.06.2011
Originally Posted by Nicky H
Looking good so far mate

I did all the electrical bits for a midi mixer - built the midibox cores, wired everything up in a mdf box, leds, pots, encoders etc.. Wrote the code for it.

But my joinery skills are none-existant so never got round to making a pretty box for it. I wanted a nice oak case and metal face-plate like one of the livid controllers.

I gave up and its all in pieces again.

Sooo jealous of your woodwork skills

Can't wait to see the finished piece mate.
Nicky H , use wood grain vinyl film, if it's a good quality you get a cheap an impressive finish...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5WZB...eature=related
Joan Kollmorgen
08.06.2011
Originally Posted by Nicky H
Looking good so far mate

I did all the electrical bits for a midi mixer - built the midibox cores, wired everything up in a mdf box, leds, pots, encoders etc.. Wrote the code for it.

But my joinery skills are none-existant so never got round to making a pretty box for it. I wanted a nice oak case and metal face-plate like one of the livid controllers.

I gave up and its all in pieces again.

Sooo jealous of your woodwork skills

Can't wait to see the finished piece mate.
Thanks Nicky

If you ever want a case building to finish your project just let me know
Janyce Henningson
08.06.2011
Looking good so far mate

I did all the electrical bits for a midi mixer - built the midibox cores, wired everything up in a mdf box, leds, pots, encoders etc.. Wrote the code for it.

But my joinery skills are none-existant so never got round to making a pretty box for it. I wanted a nice oak case and metal face-plate like one of the livid controllers.

I gave up and its all in pieces again.

Sooo jealous of your woodwork skills

Can't wait to see the finished piece mate.
Joan Kollmorgen
08.06.2011
I will be using my router and a few hss drill bits

I've been to price up some frosted acrylic today.
Kiyoko Wellisch
08.06.2011
How are you planning to cut the acrylic? I never enjoyed doing that stuff by hand, it just never fucking worked. Do you have access to a cadcam laser cutter thingy?
Joan Kollmorgen
08.06.2011
Originally Posted by ToOntown
Hell yeah, man! I have an unhealthy amount of internet history on your last project. This one should turn out well too. Can't wait to see the progress!

Thanks ToOntown

Here's a quick update

Just fitted the faders. Slots cut out using a 3.2mm straight router bit and a custom made jig. I will be replacing the Xponent fader caps at a later date.



Faders held in place with M3 countersunk screws.



When cutting out the slots I made the length of the cut the same size as the opening on the fader. After fitting I realized that a could have made it a few mm shorter because the fader stem doesn't travel right to the end of the slot.

I know It might sound petty but little things like that really annoy me.



This is why I'm using MDF first and will correct this in the final build.
Shonda Soulier
09.06.2011
Hell yeah, man! I have an unhealthy amount of internet history on your last project. This one should turn out well too. Can't wait to see the progress!
Jacqualine Arroyos
08.06.2011
nice :-)
Joan Kollmorgen
08.06.2011
3mm holes drilled for led's



Because I'm using 4mm MDF at this stage of the project (final finish will be 3mm acrylic perspex) I had to countersink the holes on the back to let the led's poke through the right amount. I used a depth stop attatched to the drill bit to ensure all holes were the same.



Next up making a jig to cut the slots for the faders.
Joan Kollmorgen
08.06.2011
Hey nice dude! Can't wait to see this project unfold.

(boy that's a tall controller)
Thanks

The mixer section is the exact same dimensions as the Pioneer DJM-909
Also I'm sick of tiny controllers with no space around any of the buttons and knobs

It's a man sized controller

So its a Midi Mixer? Thats tight
Yes It's all midi. This mixer section is just the first stage of the controller.
Next up will be the deck sections.

very nice! I was pondering this process with my Numark Stealth
I say go for it

awesome! should be an interesting build... plus mdf is great for making almost anything out of
Thanks .... Yes got to love MDF for prototyping. It's cheap and if somethings not quite right I just cut another one but like I said before once I'm happy with the feel of the design I will cut the faceplate in acrylic perspex.

Swweeet man, wish I had the brains to make a customize my controller.
Thanks
Sherley Headden
08.06.2011
Swweeet man, wish I had the brains to make a customize my controller.
Chasidy Heckenbach
08.06.2011
awesome! should be an interesting build... plus mdf is great for making almost anything out of
Ralph Alderette
08.06.2011
very nice! I was pondering this process with my Numark Stealth
Thi Akehurst
07.06.2011
So its a Midi Mixer?
Thats tight
Kiyoko Wellisch
07.06.2011
Hey nice dude! Can't wait to see this project unfold.

(boy that's a tall controller)

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