How easy is it to create your own MIDI device? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 03:37:21 am
content: At least something simple with a few buttons that you can custom map.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 03:59:06 am
content: These days it is really easy. Any microcontroller with a serial port that can be adapted to the opto-coupled 31.25k port will do. The rest is just software.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 04:47:57 am
content: Can you please provide a more detailed description on what kind of components I need to do so and what micro controller?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 04:50:31 am
content: MIDI messages are pretty simple. I did a contact to MIDI box a while back with a PIC16F628A, 6N137 and various passives.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 05:08:07 am
content: MIDI is a pretty simple protocol based on standard asynchronous serial communications (UARTs.)It uses sort of opto-isolated ttl-level schemes instead of "rs232", but the connections are easy and info is all over the web.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 06:33:22 am
content: So how would I go about having a few buttons which run using MIDI through a usb into my computer and control a MIDI program?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 07:56:13 am
content: Micro doing MIDI (Opto & DIN Socket) is easy enough. MIDI via USB is another kettle of fish.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 07:59:25 am
content: I am interested in doing it through usb.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 08:35:44 am
content: Quote from: Mint. on March 30, 2013, 07:59:25 amYou'll need your micro to enumerate as a USB-MIDI device I'd say. Not a beginner's project for sure.

author: Sm58
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 09:24:38 am
content: Quote from: Mint. on March 30, 2013, 03:37:21 amhttp://www.ucapps.de/This is the source for diy midi

author: Things
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 11:44:34 am
content: I think something like the ATMega32u4 with an inbuilt USB-UART could probably do it, but yeah, it's not really a beginner project.

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 06:54:05 pm
content: It actually isn't that hard... If you use aTeensyand the Arduino software framework there is whole library that includesUSB MIDI.

author: ZeroStatic
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 07:24:47 pm
content: Mint.MIDI is dead easy to generate, it's just serial 8 data bits no parity and 1 stop bit at 31,250 baud.To send MIDI from buttons all you'll need is a microcontroller, almost any type will do, the buttons, a couple of resistors and a power source for 5V or so at about 25 mA.If you already have a USB-MIDI interface and you're not using the output from this interface it's often possible to power your circuit from the midi out or thru connectors.In the past I've used PIC12C508 chips and some very simple code to generate control codes and note codes from buttons or foot switches, but it really depends on how many buttons you want.If you can give us some more info on what you need I/we can probably help more.Do you have any preference of microcontroller?Do you have any programming equipment?It can be done with just logic chips if you only want to send a couple of codes and don't have any microcontroller stuff.Brenden

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:03:24 am
content: Here is something nice for old school lovers:http://www.armory.com/~rstevew/Public/Micros/8051/MIDI_kybd/midikybd.htm

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:30:13 am
content: If you need MIDI though USB you can just do regular MIDI with a microcontroller and then use a USB-MIDI adapter. Easy.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 05:42:04 am
content: a MIDI over USB shouldn't be any harder than any other device over USB (not that that is so easy.)Download the libraries provided by the chip manufacturer (or third parties), configure as MIDI, send/receive data, and hope the standard host driver works...

author: rec
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2013, 05:29:17 am
content: MIDI over USB is dead easy.1. Use a Teensy 2.0,http://pjrc.com/teensy/.2. Install Paul's Teensyduino extensions to Arduino,http://pjrc.com/teensy/teensyduino.html.3. And pick a few of the dozen MIDI projects athttp://pjrc.com/teensy/projects.htmlas template's to copy.Or use one of the later ATMEGA32U4 Arduinos or Arduino look-alikes.