DIY USB-MIDI Controller

[KG]

Hi List,

After a number of months I've finally come up with a first product offering that
I think will serve the do-it-yourselfers on this list well.  It's a simple PCB that converts
Analog and Digital I/O into MIDI note/control messages over USB.  Data and power
is provided via a single USB cable.  The I/O’s headers are compatible with the
Doepfer USB64 and it’s less than half the price.  Here's the lowdown on the specs:

Model #: HALE-UMC32
32 input channels (Digital or Analog)
Uses USB-MIDI class compliant drivers
USB Bus powered (type B (mini) USB)
The PCB is only 2.7" x 1.5" (easily fits into a can of Altoids with room to spare)
Upgradable firmware
Mac OSX / Windows XP
Works with any MIDI host (ex: NI Reaktor, Traktor, Ableton Live)

Here's a link to the product page: http://www.halemicro.com/Products.html

I would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

Best,

Kenneth

[Kipp]

This is exactly what this movement needs. I have been trying to expain to Igor Amokian that he is the perfect head to get in on the controllerism genre, and your product is exactly what he would need to get involved. Igor is a performer and circuit bender in L.A.. We talk often, and I am urging him to get a copy of Ableton and learn it, for when he realizes (like I did) that Ableton is a customizable tool, and that it's external control accommodation is unmatched, he will go crazy inventing gadgets that control multiple events musical or otherwise.
  In addition to Matt Moldover, I talk often to Bert at Percussa in Belgium. Bert is the inventor of Percussa Audio Cubes. I have a set, as does Matt, and they are quite cool. They are similar to the Reactables, but not the same as far as being hi-fi synth modules. They are great MIDI control devices and they are capable of modular synth functions on a lo-fi level. We use them to trigger clips in Ableton. Your device, however, makes it possible to really build a custom controller. Pester Matt Moldover about your device. I have been encouraging people to get hold of Doepfer's version of your PCB, but yours is more affordable! Plus it operates on a USB level. That is quite helpful. I am currently trying to create interest in an event showcasing controllerism. An exposition or show - Artists and product guys - circuit benders and electronic musicians-not JUST DJ's as the future belongs to everyone. This is why everyone involved needs to contact each other and work together to make amazing things happen. I have a lot of great ideas for the future and if you could get your gadget to work on a wireless level - I REALLY have some fantastic ideas for the future regarding music, dance, even audience participation that goes far beyond simply clapping hands
  Good to see your presence here on the forum. This is quite cutting edge and aside from Moldover and myself, most of the people on this forum are beginners very interested in the movement, with a strong desire to get started, but they are a bit technologically challenged. I have developed a very efficient and easy-to-operate, but thorough digital DJ system. I am a musician first though, so I brought a fresh perspective to controllerism and the DJ movement, even though I am located in Iowa, but hey - Orville and Wilbur Wright lived right here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in their youth too

   Kipp Wieland
   

[KG]

Hi Kipp,

Wow! Thanks for those kind words.  I was beginning to think I was crazy -- this really was a labor of love to get it to this point.  As you pointed out there are
a number of more exotic control elements out there but for me there's nothing like having a larger surface with a tactile feel.  What I really need to do now is
get some pictures back of user projects to put up on the site.  I think your right about it seeming to be out of reach for most users with regards to the electronics.
I'll be happy to answer any questions here about set up or general electronics questions.  All that is really required is to solder a few wires to some pots and switches
and drill a few holes in an enclosure and Wala something you can call your own.

Best,

Kenneth

PS: keep me in the loop about your exposition.

[Kipp]

  Oh no - I realize exactly what you have done and this is very important. I just got finished e-mailing Igor Amokian again. He is the exact guy that needs your gadget. He is a circuit bender, but those geeks have a leg up on us musician/DJ types (you too) because he deals with meat and potatoes circuitry. He is an avant garde performer too, and has what looks like a garage sale on stage. Tables full of electronic gadgets all bleeping and buzzing at one another. He also is a DJ, but I have been urging him to get to know Ableton Live. That is the only software really that can bridge all of these people together. I can see crazy controllers being developed - Wild huge things even- but when this goes wireless - That is when the real fun begins. I don't want to let the cat out of the bag but picture - Okay, have you seen the Reactables yet? They are synth modules that exist as plastic little shapes. So I say they become a form of jewelry dancers wear. Say a girl is wearing a Low Pass Filter necklace and a dude dances up in her vicinity wearing a low frequency oscillator bracelet okay - Then the area directly above them on the dance floor experiences a wild filter sweep simply because they were near one another. The only two constants in the music playing that they are dancing to are tempo and key of song. You see where all of this CAN go? It is going to take odd minds to accomplish this one vision, but others will follow. I live in Iowa, but there are an astonishing number of signed DJ's here that travel the world even. I and my partner in music have been working with this digital system I developed and it is clean. I didn't destroy any gear to gain control over Ableton, but I did use some gadgets not intended for the ways I utilized them.
   Look up Igor Amokian. You will find him on Youtube and Myspace. Tell him that Kipp told you to get in touch with him and show him your circuit board and exactly what it does. I need to send Moldover another e-mail.

[Mudo]

...
First of all,

KG Good work, I will give thanks to Lord for those people like you who help non electronics people like me to the things more easy.
This is a truth.

Well, Could you explain which kind of controls Could I put on your oem pcb?

32 digital analog...
potentiometers like faders?
buttons?

what are the specifications?

Thanks again,
Mudo

...

[KG]

Hi Mudo,

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm sorry I'm a bit rushed at the moment but
I'll try to go thru a short list of common goodies that can work:

There's basically 2 categories of input types:

1) Digital inputs, whereby the channel is activated by connecting the line to ground.
From a simple light switch to a magnetic switch like what you might find in a window ceil.

2) Analog input, whereby an continuous analog to digital conversion is performed on a 0 to +5V signal.
Rotary potentiometers, faders, analog joysticks.

There are some element types that are either analog or digital, examples are Joysticks and proximity sensors.
But if you have an question about switch or analog source just drop me a line and I'll let ya know if it
will work.  Make sure you post a link to the component's datasheet.  Other elements can be realized with
the introduction of additional drive circuits such as force sensing resistors, pressure mats or capacitive
sensors etc.

The detailed specs of the UMC can be found in this PDF http://www.halemicro.com/PDF/UMC32-R1.pdf

If anyone has any questions or clarifications about the datasheet, please let me know and I'll make the necessary update.
Drop me a line here or at via the hale website.

Best,

Kenneth

[komega]

aaaaaaand I just bought one


thanks!!

[Mudo]

...
Thanks again Kenneth,
I saw the pdf and your item is great.

Nowadays I'm involved in some projects and I have not money to expend.
I'm working on Leobodnars, arduinome, luxeed, wiimote...

Many toys and not enough time to waste xD

Keep on flowing...

...

[gbsr]

what up. im new here. or rather, been reading a while, figured it was time to post.

with that said: are you perhaps shipping the ribbon cables aswell?

[kvitamin]

I think his could be just what I was looking for. I was checking out this article:

http://www.djtechtools.com/2008/07/16/diy-controller-59-minutes-99/#more-555

But I was getting hung up on converting the HID data to MIDI for a mac. would the HALE UMC32 be able to bypass that whole conversion process and output directly to midi? If so, i'll buy one right now.

[komega]

I think his could be just what I was looking for. I was checking out this article:

http://www.djtechtools.com/2008/07/16/diy-controller-59-minutes-99/#more-555

But I was getting hung up on converting the HID data to MIDI for a mac. would the HALE UMC32 be able to bypass that whole conversion process and output directly to midi? If so, i'll buy one right now.

yes it goes straight to MIDI and the device is auto recognized by any computer.

I love this little thing!!!

[kvitamin]

Okay cool, so i'm buying this thing tonight, but have some serious beginner questions. I've done some circuit bending and very limited soldering, but never with a circuit board like this.  Can someone give me a layman's terms breakdown of where to solder from a typical push button switch and a three pole potentiometer?

[komega]

buttons need to be pulled to ground (low) or +5 (high)



pots are easy

[kvitamin]

Okay cool, that makes sense. I just have to attach multiple pots to the one ground and one +5 on the board.

I've gotten all the parts except for the board itself. The arcade buttons i'm using are pretty cool. The sliding and rotary pots are pretty sticky, but i think with a little wear and tear they should be fine. Does anyone know how to get really nice faders that would be on a dj mixer?

[KG]

Use version 2 of the switch diagram without the 10k ohm resistor as the pull ups are internal to the MCU.

K