Sebastian writes: USB MIDI controllers (such as Launchpad Mini Mk II for example) are common and often quite low in cost. To interface such a controller with a Eurorack synth system, often a host computer and a MIDI to CV interface might be used. The host computer would take USB MIDI data from the MIDI […]
Tag Archives: MIDI
Traktorino, an open source DIY MIDI controller
Here’s an Arduino based open source MIDI controller by Musico Nerd, the Traktorino: The Traktorino is a powerful low-cost DIY MIDI Controller. It is based in the Arduino platform and it comes in DIY kit, or assembled. In its core, there’s a shield that connects to an Arduino Uno, which uses open-source code, making it […]
PS2-TTLserial adapter for RC2014 and MIDI
Dr. Scott M. Baker published a new build: The original reason for this project is that I wanted to build a standalone RC2014 with keyboard and display. There is an official RC2014 serial keyboard, but I find it a little inconvenient for my big fingers and poor eyesight. I have plenty of old PS/2 keyboards […]
Building a Midi hat and jukebox using the Raspberry Pi
Dr. Scott M. Baker has published a new build: I picked up a Roland SC-55 to use with my retrocomputer setup recently, and I figured it would be cool to turn the thing into a standalone midi jukebox, so that no “computer” is required. I also figured this would be relatively easy, using a raspberry […]
Vintage MIDI: Roland MT-32, Roland SC-55, HardMPU, and an Xi 8088
Dr. Scott Baker writes: In this video, I decided to upgrade my home built PC from AdLib sound to MIDI. I tried out a couple different midi modules, the Roland MT-32 and the Roland SC-55. I learned that I’d need an MPU-401 or compatible ISA interface, and I explored the alternatives, eventually settling on the […]
Video: Talk MIDI with the Bus Pirate on Talk Like a Pirate Day
Here’s a video tutorial on how to set up the Bus Prate for the MIDI protocol from Bent-Tronics: Until now there hasn’t been much on the interwebs on how to set up the Dangerous Prototypes Bus Pirate for decoding MIDI data. Here’s my contribution, which happens to be on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. More […]
Make the world’s cheapest MIDI tester
Jesse from Bent-Tronics has posted a tutorial on how to make a DIY MIDI tester: A quick and dirty (and cheap) MIDI tester. Sometimes you just need to know if a MIDI controller is outputting anything. Even many high-end MIDI modules/boxes will have a “MIDI Activity” light, just to let you know something is being transmitted/received. That’s […]
MIDI to USB adapter with Teensy LC
Joonas has written up documentation on his MIDI to USB adapter with Teensy LC: Thankfully, I had a MIDI connector and a high-speed optocoupler at hand, and with these I could implement a MIDI in rather easily. After some investigation with Arduino Uno, it seemed quite simple to receive the serial MIDI bytes and dump them […]
Personal audio & MIDI prototyping board
@rocket_not tweeted: Personal audio & MIDI prototyping board based on a design originally by @dangerousproto
Arduino MIDI with the Bus Pirate
@indigoid tweeted, “Finally got the Arduino MIDI IN working. <3 my Bus Pirate, best $30 ever. Happy!” Get your own handy Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors.
MIDI OUT for vintage Korg CX-3
Michael from AcidBourbon writes, “This project is about adding a MIDI output to a vintage organ, the Korg CX-3 (famous Hammond compact organ clone). My Korg was built in 1979, so before the introduction of the General Midi standard. But tapping into the right (only three) conducting paths on the main PCB and using a […]
Making MIDI hi-hat controller from unused bass drum pedal
Hwmayer documented his DIY MIDI hi-hat controller from unused bass drum pedal: Recently one of my friends bought an electronic drum set made by polish manufacturer “DIG DRUM”. The drum set is very good and combined with the Alesis triggerIO works really well. Unfortunately the pedal for controlling the hi-hat open/close signal was not included […]
El wire controlled with sound using MIDI
Paul’s El wire controller pulses electroluminescent wire to sound using the MIDI protocol output by many musical instruments. It’s based on SparkFun’s El wire sequencer, with a custom board decoding the MIDI information.
Digital saxophone emulator
Brian built a digital saxophone emulator. A mic is used to detect the pressure blowing onto the mouthpiece, while buttons detect the notes selected. An Atmel breakout board generates the sound based on these two factors. Via Hacked Gadgets.
Digitaly enhanced vintage music box
A digitally-enhanced vintage music box: “Digital Enhancement” is an interactive sound installation consisting of an electrified Symphonion Brevet No. 28, a synthesizer, an amplifier and four headphones. The Symphonion musical box dates back to the beginning of the last century and its mechanical workings are combined with digital technology to convert it into a MIDI […]
PreenFM open source FM sound module
According to its developer, French software engineer Xavier Hosxe, “PreenFM is a set of electronic components and C++ files that, when put together become a Frequency Modulation sound module.” It’s designed around a Leaflabs Maple Mini (available from Seeedstudio) and a collection of supporting components including EEPROMs, optocouplers, shift registers and op amps complemented by […]
Arduino MIDI foot controler
Bharat shared his USB MIDI foot controller. This design is basically an extension board for the Arduino that has a bunch of buttons and switches that control instruments and sound effects on a PC using an app like Guitar Rig. There are 3 switches to control the stomp box and 2 additional switches to scroll through sound patches. […]
MIDI hats
Categorize this under Sunday Silliness. Here’s an examples of a project using hat mounted soft sensors to control MIDI on an attached laptop. They are known as MIDI Hats. The hat has sensors made from steel wool embedded in the felt which are connected to an Lilypad Arduino, which in turn communicates with MAX/MSP […]
Android Arduino MIDI sequencer
Here’s a project from SuLuLab using an Android smartphone to send commands via WiFi to an Arduino board in order to control a MIDI sequencer. It uses the new Processing 1.5 which provides Android support. SuLuLab writes: The first application developed to study the new Processing mode is a graphical interface for the simple MIDI […]
Arduino MIDI RGB display interface
Here’s a MIDI keyboard interface project from SuLuLab. It uses an Arduino, MIDI Shield, addressable RGB LED strip based on chip HL1606, 5VDC 1.5A PSU for strip supply (USB port current is not enough), and the Arduino’s FastSPI_LED library. MIDI messages from the keyboard (real or simulated on PC) enter the MIDI Shield’s MIDI IN […]