Reply to Custom MIDI Controller - School Project

Hey guys, first time post in these modding community s, but long time reader.

Basically, for a school systems project I've decided to make a MIDI controller.
The design takes quite a few cues from the custom wooden Midi Fighter that can be seen on the front page.

Before getting started, I need a bit of help regarding the 'brain'. I believe I have decided upon an HID interface with a signal conversion software, as MIDI interfaces were out of my budget (around $120 or so.) For the HID interface I was believeing of either a U-HID (less money to spend on other components but lots of inputs) or linking together xbox controllers (about 3 or so.) Only problem with the latter option is I'm not quite sure how to do it!

If anyone could give me some advice I would be very appreciate, and I'll be sure to give you a mention in my resources

Also, I was believeing of using a combination of the Monome-esque buttons that Sparkfun sell (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/7835) in combination with the Sanwa arcade buttons. If anybody could give me some advice about making the contacts for the button pad, that would be great!

Thanks for reading this rather long post, and if you're interested I could do a pretty in depth (albeit long) build log, which would probably make for a good folio anyway!

Cheers!