Building a custom console...NEED HELP

[JuanSOLO]

OK here's my current set up. MacBookPro, APC40, KorgNanoKontrol, Novation ReMOTE, Turntable, and underneath there is an Alesis IO 26. Mounted on a custom console for easy set up, plug and play. I have one power chord and 2 Audio chords to plug in and it's ON! The reason I dont just put the Novation next to the APC40 is because I like the small size of this console.





I want to either dismatle the Novation and use it's parts plus some extras, OR just create all of these as you guys have been doing with some of your Mods.

something like this would be my Goal. With the keays on a pull out tray stowed underneath the APC40.





I know I need some Arcade buttons, my soldering kit, etc.

This is an ambitious first Mod for sure. So I have a few questions.

1. Is it possible to start simple by adding just the arcade buttons, and later adding the Fader and knob controls to the left, and later adding the 4x4 monome style button below.

How should I begin, when it comes to planning upgrades?

2. Should I try using parts from the Novation or is that a lost cause. Or is it easier to start elsewhere?

Heres pics of the Guts.




3. SparkFun looks like it has lots of great stuff, what should I be looking into getting from there? Arduino Boards? I saw a bunch of stuff earlier today but cant recall the exact name, something like EMCU33.

Anyways you get the idea, I need some guidence. I'm patient and willing to pull this off.

THANKS

[kaleaf]

Hey bro, So your thinking about builting a custom control surface.



-umc32 is a basic way to go (i have not used one personally)

http://www.halemicro.com/Products/Products.html

gets a little expensive if you got more than 32 controls.



-midibox projects offer alot more features and customization. For example I am working on a midibox 64e with encoders like the apc that has banks you can switch through. With midibox you can not buy a pre assembled board you have to solder the components to the board. Its not to hard I just did my core kit and it was my first time soldering things on a board and I think it came out well (I watched soldering tip videos on youtube first).

http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=basics (look at the how to assemble smashtv core guide and you should know if you fell like you can do the soldering)

http://www.ucapps.de/
http://www.midibox.org/forum
http://avishowtech.com/mbhp/buy.html (good spot to buy kits)



-Arduino boards, I do not know if they will do many analog I think the mega has 16 analog/54 digital



There is a few other options out there but I decided on midibox because of the price per analog's of the other options. I feel like for me I could have got a apc40 and scrap my projects but right now im having more fun building than mixing. If you just want arcade buttons (not analog pots) there might be some cheap options.

[JuanSOLO]

Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely be checking this stuff out!

[JuanSOLO]

OK so I got a solid idea of what I want. I need help with what parts I should be ordering.

Things I know I want:
8 Arcade Buttons with 8 Knobs for my keymasher area


16 Buttons, 1 Knob for my Sample selector and 3 Buttons for Traktor Load Deck area.
I thougth about using Arcade buttons for the 4x4 matrix here but I'd rather go with something smaller. Preferably led buttons that look monomeish or like on my APC40.

Wondering if I could incorperate this http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9021
into the MidiBox 64 stuff??? If not I would settle for some other kinds of buttons.

24 Knobs and 6 Buttons for my Synth Controls.



All together it will look something like this


The MidiBox 64 stuff looks the most promising to me. But I'm not sure what all I should be purchasing right up from to get started. Other than the Arcade buttons.

When I look at this page http://www.ucapps.de/mbhp/mbhp_midibox64.gif
I assume I need a lot of these different boards, the core etc?

I'm just not sure. I can solder and do some pretty crafty stuff. This is just a new style of project for me and I am unfimilar with the terminology. If someone could guide me with some specifics that would ROCK!

I have another concern with having some controls on the Right side of the APC40 and other on the Left. What do I need to make that possible? Can I do the 4x4 matrix with the cool led pads? What the should I order first? Cheap is less of a concern to me than simplicity.

[kaleaf]

As far as using that sparkfun kit with midibox it would not work, that thing works over a com port (forget the terminal name). You would be looking at getting just the pads and for the circuit board I have no idea. they sell blank boards but they are for 3 color led's I do not know if it would be compatible.


I have only built the core on the midibox and im waiting for other board to be sent (he was out of stock on something) as far as the components theres core, AIN (analog input) for pots, DIN (digital input) for buttons, and dout (digital out) for leds.

I dont know how much we can talk about midibox without being asked to go to the midibox fourms, heh. Anyone care?

[Str8upDrew]

Here's what I would do:
Use MEC Switches/Buttons, the multimec is amazing, here's a link to the switch catalog,

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20...%20Catalog.pdf

Use these pots:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...IOMETER/1.html

Hunt down some Knobs you like.

Buid it up on a midibox. 1 core, 1 ain, 1 din, 1 dout.
If you don't feel like using the midibox, i can suggest a few other options; but most are more expensive, and none have the support community that the Midibox has.

[JuanSOLO]

Here's what I would do:
Use MEC Switches/Buttons, the multimec is amazing, here's a link to the switch catalog,

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20...%20Catalog.pdf

Use these pots:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...IOMETER/1.html

Hunt down some Knobs you like.

Buid it up on a midibox. 1 core, 1 ain, 1 din, 1 dout.
If you don't feel like using the midibox, i can suggest a few other options; but most are more expensive, and none have the support community that the Midibox has.

AWESOME thanks for the INFO! I will be using the MidiBox

[Str8upDrew]

No problem. If you need any help, feel free to ask. I've been super busy lately and it doesn't seem to be slowing down(on top of everything i've got going on, my brother just had his frist son yesterday).
But i'm always willing to help when i can. But i apologize in advance if i seem to take a long time.

[JuanSOLO]

Got my Arcade buttons today!!!

Now I am waiting on a Core32 Board and Parts, 2 AIN, 2DIN, and 2 DOUT.

Tomorrow I will be ordering pots and buttons.

Thanks for the help so far. I'm sure I will be bugging some of you guys a lot more when I get all my parts in and my Console half built.

[kaleaf]

Yo JuanSOLO, the core32 only has software for the sequencer project I just read this thread or I would have let you know sooner

http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.p...&topic=14154.0


you should get a pic core (I dont know what pic)

if you get stuck with a core32 I would say practice soldering on it.