Building a First Usb Midi Controller
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    Tech Convert
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    12

    Default Building a First Usb Midi Controller

    Hey DJ TT, I'm new to these forums, and to controllerism in general. I want to build my own controller, like the midi fighter, but don't know where to start. I get the basic jist of how it works, but I dont know what to use to get the signal from the buttons/knobs to a midi signal on my computer.

    I am not going with the Midi fighter because $160 is a little high for my budget,
    and I would like to do something diy instead. I'm thinking 16 Arcade buttons and 8 Rotary knobs, so what are my options for a cheap PCB?

    I've heard of people modding korg nanokontrols and USB keyboards to do this, would either work for me?

    Thanks for the help!

    Edit:
    I did some more research and am thinking the nanokontrol was the way to go. There was a mod on here done with one, and at the moment I am thinking it should work. Will it work to hook arcade buttons up the the buttons on the left of the faders? If so, I can make a SWEET controller for under $100
    Last edited by eightyK; 08-02-2010 at 12:43 AM.

  2. #2
    Tech Mentor extraclassic's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Sheffield - UK
    Posts
    255

    Default

    I think using the Nanokontrol for the project you have in mind is a good idea.

    Wiring up some arcade buttons and pots to that board would be easy and you wouldn't have to use any software converters as the Nanokontrol is a midi device.

    Although I would be tempted to make use of as many of the buttons, knobs and faders as possible.

    I did some more research and am thinking the nanokontrol was the way to go. There was a mod on here done with one
    Not sure if you are referring to this post http://fakemoneyproductions.blogspot...-blown-at.html but reading that blog has made me think about using the Nanokontrol on my next project. I posted a couple of questions for Fakemoney too but I'm still waiting for a reply

  3. #3
    Tech Guru
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    São Paulo - Brazil
    Posts
    1,304

    Default

    But the nanoKontrol doesn't have led feedback, you must keep that in mind before chose it... the nano doesn't receive MIDI signal like the VCI or APC or Launchpad...

    I never built a controller but from what I heard from people, I'm sure that you will spend more money in the end of your project, keep in mind that if this is your first time, you will do a lot of mistakes and will need to buy a lot more pieces then you spected, and everytime you need to replace a piece you will spend money on shipment and taxes...

    The overall "price per control" will be more then a finished product, and the quality will probably be worse...
    Last edited by V-Hoff; 08-02-2010 at 12:01 PM.

  4. #4
    Tech Convert
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    12

    Default

    I also learned that the buttons are printed on to the nK's pcb, meaning Id have to solder to the leads :/
    Seeing as I have no experience soldering or working with electronics it could be a challenge.
    I was also talking about this mod, but they never said if they finished it or not.

  5. #5
    Tech Guru
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    São Paulo - Brazil
    Posts
    1,304
    Last edited by V-Hoff; 08-02-2010 at 01:46 PM.

  6. #6
    Tech Mentor extraclassic's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Sheffield - UK
    Posts
    255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by V-Hoff View Post
    But the nanoKontrol doesn't have led feedback, you must keep that in mind before chose it... the nano doesn't receive MIDI signal like the VCI or APC or Launchpad...(
    Thats a shame. It would have been good making a custom controller with led feedback from all those buttons on the nanokontrol.

    And thanks for the comment V-Hoff ....Much appreciated

  7. #7
    Tech Convert
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Hmm... what about using a usb keyboard? The nanokontrol may be to0 difficult for me to mod with my limited experience.
    This mod apperently used one for the arcade buttons and seems really cheap and strait forward. Does anyone know if the responce is fast enough for cue juggling for usb keyboard mods? My only real worry is the latency...

    Thanks again for the input.

  8. #8
    Tech Guru Str8upDrew's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
    Posts
    1,158

    Default

    You should check out the Hale UMC 32.
    But to be honest, i would just go with the midifighter. I know you said it's a little over budget, but when you factor in all the cost of building your own controller, it can get expensive pretty quick.
    16 arcade buttons @ $2.60 = $41.60
    8 pots w/ knobs @ $4 = $32
    So with just the buttons, pots & knobs you're already at $73.60. Then you've got the price of the controller "brains", the casing, usb cable. And don't forget about shipping.

    Only thing about the midi fighter, it only has 4 analog inputs. So you'll be limited to 4 pots.

  9. #9
    Tech Convert
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Str8upDrew View Post
    You should check out the Hale UMC 32.
    But to be honest, i would just go with the midifighter. I know you said it's a little over budget, but when you factor in all the cost of building your own controller, it can get expensive pretty quick.
    16 arcade buttons @ $2.60 = $41.60
    8 pots w/ knobs @ $4 = $32
    So with just the buttons, pots & knobs you're already at $73.60. Then you've got the price of the controller "brains", the casing, usb cable. And don't forget about shipping.

    Only thing about the midi fighter, it only has 4 analog inputs. So you'll be limited to 4 pots.
    With the nanokontrol, i was planing on keeping the knobs and faders intact and just rewiring the 18 buttons to 18 arcade buttons, but I'm still figuring out if that would work.

    I'm not thinking of building it from scratch, just modding what is already there.
    If I could make it work, I could get it done under $100.

    There are some computer gamepad mods that use the same kind of buttons I think, so it shouldnt be too bad. I just need to figure out how to solder the connections and then it should be a really simple mod.
    Last edited by eightyK; 08-02-2010 at 09:17 PM.

  10. #10
    Tech Guru
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    São Paulo - Brazil
    Posts
    1,304

    Default

    Sorry to remeber again but you will not have led feedback like the midifighter does...

    One of the main features of the midifighter mapping is the multiple modes that Ean Developed, without led feedback is nearly to impossible to play with multiple modes on your controller, you need that shiny leds to know in what mode you are.

    Believe in me, I used an Oxygen 8 v2 with 3 modes on the knobs without any led feedback, is really hard to remember in what mode you were before "try a knob"

    That was one reason why I bought two korg nanoKontrols to pair with my Oxy, now I don't have modes anymore, and I don't use the "scenes" from the nano either...

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •