Build a Programmable USB Midi Controller - FADR-4

 

The FADR-4 is a programmable - four fader - USB Midi Controller. It uses 100mm faders for precise control and a quick one button and LED interface for changing Midi CC numbers. Check out this video to learn how to build one! VIDEO

Download the code and schematics at my Github page HERE

PARTS LIST (with Amazon Associate Links)

1 - Teensy LC Microcontroller

1 - 74AHCT125 Quad Buffer

1 - MAX7219 LED Driver

1 - Three Digit LED Display - Common Cathode

2 - 0.1 MicroFarad Capacitors

1 - 33K Ohm Resistor - 1/4 Watt

1 - Panel Mount USB Adaptor cable (Micro to USB B)

1 - Push Button - Momentary - Normally Open

4 - 10k Ohm (Linear Taper) Potentiometers - Can be Faders or Turn Pots

(I used ALPS RSA0N1119A02)

ROLAND VT-4 Midi Remote Control

I needed a way to remotely trigger my Roland VT-4 voice transformer easily. So I came up with this remote control box that connects via 5-Pin Midi to the VT-4. It uses a 4-Position rotary switch to select presets and an Arcade Button to trigger them. Here's how you can build one!

Download the code and schematic HERE

Parts List (with Amazon Links)

1 - Arduino Nano

1 - 4 Position Rotary Switch OFF/ON/ON/ON

1 - Arcade Button with LED

1 - Panel Mount MIDI Jack

2 - 1/4" Mono Phone Jacks

3 - 220 Ohm Resistors 1/4 Watt

1 - Power Jack 2.1mm

1 - Adafruit Perma-Proto Board (Half-Size)

1 - Hammond 1590XXBK Enclosure

Dave Makes Your Dreams Come True - Strymon BigSky Remote

Dave Makes Your Dreams Come True is a show where I take a random viewer request and make it reality! In this episode I am building a custom controller for a Strymon BigSky reverb for a viewer named Hank.

Download the code and schematic HERE

Parts List (with Amazon Links)

1 - Arduino Nano 5V

2 - SPST Footswitches

1 - Midi Jack

4 - 220 Ohm Resistors

2 - LEDs

1 - Power Jack

Build a USB Midi Footswitch

Download the files for this project HERE

The best part of being a maker is being able to build the exact solution to your problem. I have spent the last few years building a musical playground that allows me to create jams on the fly when I livestream on my Twitch Channel. I've been slowly refining this process and learning how to be a one man band. I recently got to perform at Synthfest which put my skills to the test.

I discovered a great piece of looping software called Endlesss that greatly simplifies capturing my ideas in real time. You just play and hit a button to capture a loop. This works great - until I pick up my guitar. Then my lack of free hands makes looping an awkward proposition. The solution - a footswitch!

I designed a simple four button footswitch that puts out a Midi CC command when the switch is pressed. This is mapped into Endlesss to record the loops. Simple! I call it the EDLS-FS (pronounced as "Endless FS"). It's a very simple project that makes a great introduction into Midi controller design.

Watch this video for build instructions:

Parts List (with Amazon Affiliate Links)

1 - Hammond 1590BX2-BK Enclosure

1 - Teensy LC Microcontroller

4 - SPST Momentary - Normally OPEN Footswitches

1 - USB B to Micro USB Panel Mount Cable

2 - Rolls of 22AWG - Stranded Wire

Tools Used

- Soldering Iron

- Drill with 1/2" Stepped Drill Bit

- Automatic Center Punch

Project C.H.E.E.T.A.H.

 

The goal with project CHEETAH is to build a box that makes you sound like a Synth Wizard without really knowing what you are doing. All you need to do is press a pedal (Major, Minor, Dominant) and ideas of that type will flow from your fingers.

Watch these videos for a full demonstration!

When you're ready to build one you can find the code and schematics at my GitHub Page 

Parts List (with Amazon affiliate links)

1 - Arduino Nano (clone version)
1 - 6N138 Optocoupler
1 - 1n914 Diode
2 -  5 Pin Midi Jack
3 - 220 Ohm Resistor
1 - 1K Ohm Resistor
1 - 470 Ohm Resistor

3 - Footswitch - SPST Momentary
1 - Adafruit Perma-Proto 1/2 Sized Breadboard
1 - Chip Socket - 8 Pin
1 - Header - 2 Pin - (or cut from longer Breakaway type)
1 - Jumper - 2 Pin
1 - Hammond 1590DD Aluminum Enclosure - Black preferred
1 - DC Barrel Jack - 2.1mm
4 - Rivets - 1/8" Aluminum - 1/4" Grip
2 - M3 PCB Standoffs - 10mm
4 - M3 x 6 - Button Head Bolts
4 - Rubber Feet - Adhesive

TEENSY-Synth EXTRA 2: GOLDEN Synth

In the last installment we decided to use the built-in 12 Bit DAC that comes with the Teensy 3.2 board. For the prototype I decided to try something different and came up with a Gold Edition of the TS-1.

You can download the code for this new version HERE

TEENSY-Synth EXTRA: Do we need the Audio Board?

 Here's an update for the Teensy-Synth project. The original project used the Teensy Audio Adaptor Board for it's audio output. This provided 16-Bit audio at 44.1 Khz.

The Teensy 3.2 also has a built-in DAC providing 12-Bit audio at 44.1 Khz so I wondered if this was suitable for out synth project. Watch the video for the results.