Opensource hardware CDJ/MIDIPC - Raspberry Pi ($25)

[MiL0]

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

How about this for an idea... a self-contained opensource hardware midi controller with a built in ARM-based pc. The Raspberry Pi is a $25 ARM-based pc, the size of a credit card that can already run XBMC and lots of other software & operating systems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHlLnLqEBfg

If the Raspberry Pi was setup to run VirtualDJ, Mixxx, Bitwig or one of the dj applications for beagle board then you could very easily integrate some reasonably powerful dj'ing hardware AND software within a normal midi controller. The Pi is absolutely tiny, very powerful and incredibly cheap.

Why would you want to do this? Imagine having a midi controller that has an HDMI output. You just plug the midi controller into a screen, connect up your stereo outs to a mixer and you've got an all-in-one midi controller that doesn't require a laptop. Or you could integrate a 7" HDMI screen into the actual controller (so it'd look like a CDJ2000 for example).

Or perhaps the Pi could be used as a hardware version of Bomes Midi Translator or GlovePie. You connect up various USB devices (gamepads, etc) and a usb midi device. You then program the Pi to translate midi messages into HID.

I'm sure there are other possibilities too... thoughts?

[dafe]

the fact it outputs 1080p, and is such a small form factor, already has me considering this as my next project for a media hub

[zestoi]

blood hell that's cheap the video on their website showed two usb ports, one of those is where the SD card slot is on your diagram? should be able to use one usb port to connect between the device and present itself as a set of midi devices to the host pc - or over IP would also work probably? i have to get one of these to play with

[MiL0]

the fact it outputs 1080p, and is such a small form factor, already has me considering this as my next project for a media hub

yep - I'm definitely getting at least one for just this purpose. Easy to stick it to the back of an HDTV and run XBMC so that it streams videos from my server in the attic over ethernet.

would also be quite good for remote speakers!

oh and:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v6FOji3lq8

[PartyMcFly]

Yes. Absolutely.

[MiL0]

Also, there's a plan to sell an I/O board:

http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/411



This means that theoretically it might be possible to build diy midi controllers with a Raspberry Pi! The advantage of course would be that the developing environment would be the midi controller itself!

[Maxted]

Are these available now?

Can think of so many uses at that price!

[zestoi]

Are these available now?

Can think of so many uses at that price!

not yet i guess - tho u can buy some stickers from their shop already http://www.raspberrypi.com/

i see prices are in GBP tho... if they're from the UK then hopefully we won't get stuffed for a higher price compared to the US like we usually do... awesome

[MiL0]

its a UK charity that's making them - they're intented for kids in schools to learn about programming computers & electronics (kinda like the old Acorn BBC computers in the 80's). The charity has David Braben on the board (the guy who wrote Elite). Oh, and the plan is to sell the more expensive Pi for just £22:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16424990

The intention is to actually make the Pi in the UK at some point in the future as well...

[Skirmitt]

Hot damn, if these go on sale I'll buy one definately ! These are a dream for engineers and hobbyists.