PICMIX - DIY midi DJ controller

[Skirmitt]

Main controller board is finished. Now I need to complete the addon board for the secundary controller. Both will connect through a db9 cable.

The mainboard is now completely expandable with shift registers.

I have now on the mainboard:
14 analog faders
16 buttons
8 leds
3 encoders

Secundary board will have:
16 buttons
16 leds

I can add 10 analog faders and almost unlimited buttons and leds.

[Skirmitt]

New Sanwa buttons arrived today from the UK (http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk). They feel a lot better than the HAPP buttons I had before. A lot more silent too and that was the main reason I bought these. Now I need to modify the front panel but to do that I'm waiting for a step drill to come in.

[ginaus]

Hi Skirmitt,
First of all congratulation for your great job and thank you for share your skills and your project!

I'm new in the world of DIY midi controller, and i have some questions about your project:
1) Does it connect to the PC via USB?
2) Does it need driver (or something like "back-ground program"..) to work or it is just plug&play?
3) Does it power supply via USB?

Thank you!

[Nicky H]

Looking good - keep us posted

[Skirmitt]

Hi Skirmitt,
1) Does it connect to the PC via USB?
2) Does it need driver (or something like "back-ground program"..) to work or it is just plug&play?
3) Does it power supply via USB?

1) I use a midi to usb converter cable. This makes it very easy to connect a microcontroller to the PC. If the current setup works perfect I plan on implementing a PIC with USB support.

2) It uses the default midi driver from Windows

3) I use a dedicated power supply. This way I can't destroy my usb port and the voltage is more stable with lesser components.

[ginaus]

1) I use a midi to usb converter cable. This makes it very easy to connect a microcontroller to the PC. If the current setup works perfect I plan on implementing a PIC with USB support.

2) It uses the default midi driver from Windows

3) I use a dedicated power supply. This way I can't destroy my usb port and the voltage is more stable with lesser components.

Great! thanks a lot

[Skirmitt]

The new Sanwa buttons are mounted. I had to make the holes 2mm bigger with a step drill. Tricky thing to do but in the end all went fine. I also made two holes for the PFL leds.



Next will be making the cases.

[ginaus]

It rocks!

[Skirmitt]

All buttons wired to the encoders today. Hot damn the Sanwa buttons are sensitive :eek: I'm used to some stiffer buttons but in the end I think I'll like these.
The Sanwa's require almost no pressure to close the contact.

[zestoi]

The Sanwa's require almost no pressure to close the contact.

indeed which is probably what makes them so good for controllers tho... only sanwa i have are in my midifighter. they're pretty nice to use...