Tag: controller

Categories
Uncategorized

6 Button MIDI Controller

I was recently asked to build a 6 button MIDI controller. This will be used with a Midas M32R Digital Console by someone who runs sound production. They wanted (up to) six mute groups, so the MIDI Controller LC was a little short with only four buttons.

I ended up modifying the LC enclosure to fit two more buttons, and you’ll notice there’s actually a 5 Pin DIN MIDI output port on both ends. That was a request from the client, and fairly easy to do. Like most other MIDI controllers I build this one is powered via a Micro USB port. The nice thing about this is we can do USB MIDI output (if plugged into a computer) as well as standard MIDI out via the 5 Pin DIN ports. Alternately you can just power it via a standard USB wall wart power supply instead of a computer.

For the programming the client asked for something special as well. Instead of just sending a single MIDI command, it toggles between two different commands. I think the M32R expects one thing for mute and another for unmute. That was pretty easy to implement.

The bottom cover is removable in case the client ever needs a firmware update. Some of the devices I build have enclosures with small holes in the bottom to load the firmware without opening them up via access to a reset button. Not all devices have that, and it’s actually pretty rare that I do need to provide firmware updates, but it’s there if needed.

The client wanted all red buttons, though when I was sending in-progress shots I threw a bunch of other colors in for a quick photo.

As always, if you need some custom built MIDI or USB controller, get in touch!

Categories
Uncategorized

8K2 Controller and DM48X MIDI Harmonica

Back in 2020 I built something I called the 8K Controller which was a USB HID device that could send various key commands to a computer. I sold a few of them, but since it could also work as a USB MIDI device I ended up selling one to Jason Keene who is this amazing musician who plays a Lekholm DM48X Digital Chromatic Harmonica. (Yes, a MIDI Harmonica!) He wanted the controller to work with the AUM Audio Mixer on the iPad.

Now I don’t really know anything about the DM48X or AUM, but Jason worked with me to figure out the programming he needed, I wrote the code, sent him a controller, and it all worked! A few other people wanted the same thing, so I made a few more…

Jason had one request though… make it smaller. And I had one issue… the chip shortage. So to solve those two issues I did a redesign, made it a bit smaller, swapped out the microcontroller, designed a new PCB and enclosure, and made the 8K2 Controller. The name might not be great but you can get it on Etsy.

8K2 Controller on Etsy

We’ll program it the same way we did for Jason, and though we can’t offer much support in the way of the setup. It will come with a 10 foot USB cable, some hoock & loop, and a few rubber bumpons. And while we can’t offer much in the way of support for using AUM or the DM48X, Jason is available for that sort of thing, so get in touch with him.

Finally, here’s a great video Jason made showing off his chops and how he uses the 8K2 Controller with his setup.

I’ve said it before, I really love making things for musicians and other creative people, so if you’re looking to try this controller with your setup get in touch or just grab one from the shop.

Buy the 8K2 Controller

Categories
Uncategorized

Simple USB Switching Device

I recently sold a USB controller to a large company and then the Experiential Marketing Team there had a few calls with me about what they wanted to do next, which was build a “very large” controller. I gave them a huge quote (because it would have been a huge project involving custom fabrication) and they eventually got back to me saying they found someone local who would do the fabrication, but wondered if I could still do the programming part of it. I said “Of course!” and we got going…

As we talked through the project I realized that if I just sent them a microcontroller with a bunch of bare wires it may not be the best experience for them, so I offered to build a prototype/testing unit that would be fully functional, and then also provide the “bare wire” version they could install into the custom fabricated unit they were having built.

One of the people asked if they should have a backup in case of failure, and of course that’s always a good idea so I said I would throw in a spare as well.

Projects like this tend to be pretty easy for me. I’ve got my own OpenSCAD library to easily create the enclosure with the holes I need, and I can easily add new holes as needed. I can choose to print the top lid integrated or separately (and attach with hardware) and I tend to do the lid separately now because it means faster printing, less support material, and I can easily iterate when needed.

The electronics for most controllers I build is the same, so if I don’t have code that does what someone wants, it’s fairly simple for me to rewrite existing code to do what is needed. I test things on macOS and Windows for every project, and Linux if that is needed. (It is sometimes, but it’s rare most of the time.)

Anyway, a project like this is actually pretty fun for me, which is why I keep doing them. I can get away with not charging a ton because I have my system down really well to produce what people want.

Categories
Uncategorized

Press Better with Sky Creature

Back in 2021 I built a Four Button MIDI Box for the band Sky Creature. The controller itself had to fit certain requirements (with regards to dimensions and functionality) and while I did build at least one more for another musician it was a bit of a pain, so to make things easier I created the MIDI Controller 4 Button LC which was an easier-to-assemble (and Lower Cost) build. I’ve sold a few of them this year… Anyway, back to Sky Creature!

It’s eleven months later and I heard from Matt again and he let me know that Sky Creature did a 42 show tour across the country, as well as a few shorter tours, and the controller held up beautifully. Good to know! I mentioned to Matt that I seldomly get to hear about my devices after they leave the shop, and rarely get to see them in the wild… So he sent me this photo:

I like that they named it “Press Better” as well. As for Sky Creature, they’ve got a unique sound… I mean, what if Enya were in Minor Threat? I’m definitely a fan of their DIY take on things. They booked their tour themselves, and are very much about just getting out there and doing it. Sure, they got some help from Steve Albini to record things, but most smart people do.

Oh, total side note here… I’m excited for Majel’s new podcast A Music of Their Own, which will “seek advice from women artists that have their act together”. It’ll be on NPR starting December 8th, 2022.

Matt and I are discussing another controller right now, and honestly it feels good to get new challenges for the things I create. I’ve been building various controllers and physical computing devices for over ten years now, and without customers and a purpose it can often feel a bit isolating, even when you are learning new things. Having people use and enjoy thing things you make is a great feeling.

Categories
Uncategorized

Three Button Tradeshow Video Player Controller

Custom USB Controller for tradeshow video playback

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

I was contacted by a trade show company about helping with a project on a tight deadline. At first it seemed as though they had a solution but just needed some hardware or some advice, but I did a call with the software developers and it seemed like the quickest (and most solid) plan was to create a drop-in replacement for what they were working on (and were stuck on) that would do exactly what was required.

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

One of the requirements was for each button to be lit a specific amount of time to match the length of video playback for each button. Since we didn’t yet know the lengths of the video, and I had to ship this across the country, I suggested an easy method of setting the time for each button to be lit. This would allow them to dial in (literally) the timing once they had the videos completed.

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

We did know that the videos would be under 75 seconds. Just to be safe I set the timers to go up to 90 seconds (1 minute, 30 seconds, to be precise.) The controller plugs into a computer via USB and sends commands that the custom software needs to play the appropriate video.

Cabinet

There are a lot of details I didn’t know, but it seemed like I had enough to do my part. They sent me a rendering of a cabinet the controller would live in (which I’ve replicated in the simple sketch above). When I was building museum exhibits much of my work lived inside of cabinets and was never seen by the public, only technicians… that doesn’t mean things shouldn’t look nice.

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

There’s a small OLED display in the controller which shows the time that corresponds to each button, and can be adjusted by the appropriate dial. The dials are 3D printed because I forgot to pocket out the back of the lid where the potentiometers are placed. There’s a few compromises that were made due to this being a rush job. (I completed this build in under a week, using only parts I had in my shop at the time.)

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

For other controllers I’ve used TRS jack and cables to connect the buttons, or on occasion, Cat5 cables and connectors. Both are nice because they are easy to obtain in any length, and trade show companies usually have a bunch in their inventory.

Custom USB Controller for trade show video playback

The bottom of the enclosure has four mounting holes, and I included screws to allow it to be attached inside the cabinet. Alternately, VHB or hook & loop could be used to attach it.

As always, if you need a device you can check out raster.etsy.com for some of the more popular stock items I make, but if you need something custom just get in touch.