Cambridge, Masschusetts, USA
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My MIDIBox, Let Me Show You It.
StoreTags: midibox, midi, diy, controller
Author: Logo on May 12 2008 Viewed 2393 times. 31 people liked this blog. You can rate it below if you haven't already.
People who enjoyed reading this: EsromCole, utofbu, Roshi, yghartsyrt, TheUriah, Per, lematt, DrexonField, sAMsKi, dach, astroid, drewzle, cbit, Ochre, bla, delete, Hikikomori, Unknownforce, KidQuaalude, adcBicycle, Otterfan, flies, mlbot, daswesen, lowlifi, aem, SenorFrio, bb01, VC, bodo, p
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So I've finally finished the MIDIBox64 link based project I started way back in 8/07.
After being dissatisfied with a dozen or so controllers, and due to the lack of quality affordable DJ mixer style ones on the market, I bit the bullet and went the DIY route. Overall it cost around $400 to make (it would of been about $300 if I didn't make several ordering mistakes and splurge on super nice faders). It was by far the largest electronics project I've taken on and have the scars to prove it (aka I wanted to throw it out the window several times). Painful but worth it. I've never felt anything so damn hefty. It consists of 16 knobs, 5 faders, 16 arcade buttons, and 32 MIDI controlled LED buttons.
I plan on using it primarily for "crazy" 4 channel chopped up DJ sets in Live and simple sets in Traktor. I'm also in the midst of making some simple step sequencers for it in Max to take advantage of the fancy led buttons.
Let me know what you think...
Large and other pics here link | |
Comments
05/13/08
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hardvoltnine
that is fucking awesome! now, will you build a hardware sequencer for me? lol, kidding in a kind of way that if you actually want to, I'm serious.
05/13/08
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ricemutt
damn, that shit is great... I've been wanting to make a midi controller for a long time, good inspiratin here. nice work!
05/13/08
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krushing
Beautiful.
05/13/08
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cbit
It's a beautiful thing, great job! Be sure to publish the max patches too if you feel like sharing them when they're ready.
05/13/08
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oerfil
wow, fucking sweet man! looks awsome!
05/13/08
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Unknownforce
wow, i want one! please, pretty please!
05/13/08
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lematt
the idea of MIDI driven LEDs is genius.
i prefer MIDI instead of OSC, and with midi feedback like this you can make pretty efficient things, especially with max or pd (or even reaktor).
05/13/08
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lematt
was the troubleshooting tough on this project ?
05/13/08
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KidQuaalude
beautiful box, looks like all that effort was worth it in the end 
edited: May 13 2008
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Logo
Thanks again everyone for the amazing response.
lematt said: "was the troubleshooting tough on this project ?"
For the most part not really.
Luckily all the circuits worked on first try. I just had several wtf moments wiring everything (like the inputs being labeled backwards on one pcb, leds being weird because of a short, shaky pots) and configuring it (getting used to how the MIDIBox code works, which of the million files to modify, and how to convert them). Basically I had to do a lot of resoldering of the led buttons, which annoyed me because the perf boards are quite messy/crowded.
I think that anyone who can solder well, understands how buttons/pots are wired, and pays attention to design quirks (like will everything fit in the box) can make one. The hardest/most expensive part was actually finding all the parts (like black m3 screws, and really nice faders).
05/13/08
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adcBicycle
sweet jesus, nice work!!!!!
05/13/08
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flies
lol at "craptastic led pr0n"
nice work, dood. paul d lehrman would be so proud!
05/13/08
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mlbot
I'd happily stick my quarters into that machine.
Where do they go?
05/13/08
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Logo
flies said: "
nice work, dood. paul d lehrman would be so proud!"
Haha, this certainly makes up for the half assed thing our group made in that class. I owe all my knowledge about the MIDI spec to the one and only Paul D. Lehrman link
mlbot said: "I'd happily stick my quarters into that machine.
Where do they go?"
Lol. I actually thought about this, but wanted people to take me at least 5% srysly when I play out.
05/13/08
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daswesen
wicked, that casing is beautiful! great work!
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