$25 8 Knob USB class-compliant MIDI controller - would you buy one?

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
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$25 8 Knob USB class-compliant MIDI controller - would you buy one?

Hello all!

I have been following the midi fighter project for a while, and know there are a lot of DIYers active here. I’m thinking about starting up a kit but I’m trying to judge interest before I do so; please don’t take this as spam, I intend on releasing everything as open source hardware and software, and encourage people to mod it. It can very very easily be adapted to use up to 24 buttons, or any combination of buttons and knobs, with three buttons replacing each of the 8 knobs.

Anyways I’ve always been frustrated with the lack of dedicated knobs when using virtual synths, and recently put together a clever (IMHO) little circuit that is USB compatible, MIDI class compliant, and works with any modern OS (including iOS (iphone/ipad)) without any drivers.

It’s 2"x4", USB powered; it has 8 knobs, a power led, and a microusb jack. It’s great for ableton live, as most of their built in plugins have a simplistic 8 knob control scheme. Somewhat similar to a doepfor pcoket dial (Pocket Dial), but thinner, USB only, and with 8 knobs instead of 16. Debating adding multiple banks, but haven’t as of yet (seems silly to me when they are pots not encoders)

I’ve been running the numbers and thinking about creating a kickstarter for it. I think if I sell at least 100 units, I can break even at the $20 price point for kits, and $25 for pre-assembled. This is, however, without a case I’ve been trying to figure out the best option for a case - for me, I would want folded sheet metal, but even plastic seems cost-prohibitive at such small quantity unfortunately.

I intend on offering a kit with all DIP parts except for the microusb connector, which will be soldered on by me, but I would also like to sell a pre-assembled version which may or may not be DIP.

Would anyone on here be interested? Is there a demand for something like this or am I a niche user? If you would be interested, would you but a kit or preassembled? Would you still buy it without a case (I’m guessing kits would, but non-kits wouldn’t)? Or would you buy just a PCB? Or just etch it at home and DIY?

Thanks for your time! Hopefully I’m not alone in finding this useful, and I’ll be posting a link to the kickstarter soon :slight_smile:

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Sounds like an awesome idea!! I like both the kit and pre-assembles but I think I would buy a pre-assembled one just because I’m not the best at DIYing. So heck yeah man I would take the risk and start it up. I’m sure once it came out people would love the idea.

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if the pots are endless you would be my hero. If everything works well, a 30-40 dollar price tag is what i would pay for pre-assembled and 25 for the kit. I look forward to purchasing one, hell maybe two.

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I support this kind of thing. The main competition would be things like the nanokontrol, maybe the novation nocturn. I personally would pay for assembly though.

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Well, it seems like there’s some interest, and selling them assembled is definitely worthwhile. As someone mentioned, there’s not much like this on the market, every other product boasts more features but a higher price tag. The nanokontrol2 is the closest “competitor” (I say that in quotes because I’m not trying to compete with korg hah), with 8 knobs, 8 sliders, and ~35 buttons. However, if you just want knobs, and lots of them, densely packed, the sliders, buttons, and empty space will annoy you. I like to put 2 or 4 of these next to each other, giving me 16/32 dedicated knobs, typically just for one soft synth. Probably not particularly relevant for DJing/playing live, but lots of fun when you miss analog synths.

By endless do you mean like a rotary encoder? Or like a potentiometer you can rotate 360 degrees, where it will jump from the highest value to the lowest value upon full rotation?

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

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oh, and I’ve been looking at cases, thinking about perhaps going with one like this:

It’s not quite what I want, but for a small run, it may be the only economically viable option. That said, I’d also have to time myself drilling out 8 potentiometer holes and a small hole for the microusb jack, which could take quite a while with 100 units.

Also, important question:

microUSB or USB B (printer style)? Most nice equipment uses USB B, and microusb seems like it may be too flimsy given how solid this case is. Would hate to have that silly little $0.50 jack routinely rip off and ruin the knob box.

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I would definitely buy one of these. Would be fantastic to have mapped to the main knobs in Massive, or the simpler in Ableton. I too would prefer and pay for pre-assembled. In terms of case I would definitely want at least a faceplate and something holding it together? Something like this would be great for producers to just mount flush in their workspace.

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Would totally buy a pre assembled one, where’s that kick starter? Do u live in LA? Lets make a video!

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please make the knobs taller, and well spaced for cranking. even if this means a bigger controller.

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This better happen!! Because I want one!!

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Put me up for two!!!

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I have ordered two cases to prototype with, I’ll refer to them as Case A (4.75inx2.44in) and case B (2inx4in). Both are die-cast aluminum intended to house guitar effect “stomp boxes”, so they are obviously more than sturdy enough for club and studio use. There is a potential for them to be painted & pre-drilled at the manufacturer, which could lower labor costs meaning I can sell them for less :slight_smile: Silkscreen top would be nice, but might not be worth the extra cost.

Generally, the spacing vertically and horizontally is the same, and that is the plan for this box. Measuring the spacing (front center of shaft to center of adjacent shaft) of several knob’d boxes within sight, I measured:

1": m-audio oxygen / “Case A”
1.185": m-audio axiom
1.19": “Case B”
1.25": APC40
1.5": knob box I made a long time ago
1.625": Paia Fatman

Anyone have a controller they think is too narrow/just right/too wide? The more feedback the better!

I intend on building functional prototypes with both Case A and Case B, and playing around with them to see if either of them are comfortable enough, or if I should move up in size. That would mean a more expensive box, and a more expensive PCB, but if the controller isn’t comfortable it’s worthless!

Thanks for the feedback, seems like there is enough interest to at least make a run of 50 and see where it goes from there. Will keep y’all updated :slight_smile:

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2" would be perfect. I would buy 4 with two on either side of the mixer. This way it would flow into the setup smoothly. I really like where this is going.

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Heck YES!! I’m so excited for this!!! I love the size of my midi fighter its perfect and always looks good on the side of my mixer but Maybe try a size that will fit about everything. Something around the size of the Pioneer RMX-1000

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One please

I will have one.

Wanna know how I got to this thread? I did a search on google for “8 knob usb” and landed here.

I use ableton racks a lot and that is exactly what I am looking for: a simple, cheap & modifiable controller.

noefortes@yahoo.com

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Wow, that’s awesome! Yeah, that’s what inspired me; I want a simple, affordable, easy to use interface that can just plug in and give hands-on control to an ableton rack. 16 knobs is too big, and every interface I’ve seen has many other features besides just adding knobs.

Sorry for the lack of updates, it’s finals time at uni and I’ve been very busy. But, the cases arrived, the patterns have been penciled on, and once schools out of session they’re going straight to the shop to be drilled! I’ll be sure to post pics :smiley:

Oh, and I’ll be sure to send you an email once they are for sale, as it seems like you probably don’t visit here much :slight_smile:

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone !

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…SO EXCITED!!!

… jus sayin… I cant wait!

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Post internationally and I’m down for one too!
Been using Maschine for it’s endless encoders… something smaller would be great.
If you could incorporate push encoders as an option I would seriously send you flowers for Valentine’s day!

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its a killer idea, however, endless rotories for me are no good, and also 2x4 might be too small…i.e. pots too close together?

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Maybe it’s just a crazy idea but why have a separete case if the unit is so small?
Why not make the unit a little taller and turn the controller body into a case?

Think about a way that the knobs and the mainboard could be pressed inside the controler body when it’s not in use and then a “smartcover” would cover it, how about that? :slight_smile:

The smartcover could also become a way to make the controller a little more taller…

Think about this as an innovation in design and usability, also as a way to attract the attention of people.