Tannin DIY MIDI Controller

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
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Tannin DIY MIDI Controller

I’m well aware that I haven’t updated this thread for a long time - it’s for a reason. That project is simply too complex and too expensive for me to finish it in some reasonable time. Project is still open and up on GitHub, if anyone wants to build it. :wink: So long story short - I’ve started doing something much more simpler - Tannin. It’s a project I actually managed to finish (well almost, I still need a box) in about 3 weeks from scratch. I do have 3,5 years of experience with OpenDeck tho. So here are the specs of Tannin:

4x4 matrix of tactile buttons
3 additional metal buttons
4 LEDs with metal holders
16 pots
Driven by Arduino Nano microcontroller

Pictures:






And here’s a short video of it in action (it’s pretty hard filming and showing off features :smiley:)

Video

Features are mostly the same as OpenDeck:

Each potentiometer sends additional 6 MIDI Note On/Off events depending on its position
Each button sends another MIDI note after 1 second on another MIDI channel
MIDI In Support (Traktor can control LEDs)
Standard MIDI Note On/Off support

Looking forward hearing opinions. :slight_smile:

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So sick dude! Nice work, that’s one professional looking controller.

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Thanks a lot! I’m building in some more features in it right now. The case should be finished by Monday, then I’ll make a video with all the stuff. Until then I was having some fun with LEDs mapping:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=383354085144561&set=vb.100004099174044&type=2&theater

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There are some small details that need to be done but this is mostly it:

Also two additional videos:

Video 1

Start up routine (only thing is that starts kinda slow… I need to look into that):
Video 2

5

That case looks good. How do you like those stainless buttons? Make sure you screw those screws in too, you’re gonna hurt yourself :stuck_out_tongue:

Looks Damn good.

6

The one in the middle is great, the other two are so-so. Already ordered two more buttons like the one in the middle to replace them. And thanks!

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Added another neat feature. Each LED can now blink or be in constantly turned on state. Previous LED state is also remembered, so if LED was blinking and LED received Note event which turns on constantly turned on state, LED will stop blinking will instead be lighted constantly until Note Off event is received which will turn constantly turned on state off. After that LED will continue blinking until off event for blink state is received. Pretty hard to explain so here’s a video:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=389773441169292&set=vb.100004099174044&type=2&theater

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Good job man! Loving the design :+1:

Replace that little buttons with arcade and you got a MIDIfighter Pro.

9

Thanks! Well, they’re quite expensive and I wanted to build it from parts that I already had so :wink:

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Final piece of the puzzle:

Next week (I hope) I’m going to record a overview video with all features shown. :wink:

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All right, here it is:

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How did you get / do the markings / graphics on the faceplate?

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It’s some kind of special plastic board with thin black film on it glued to 3mm plexi board. The graphics and holes are then drilled / engraved with laser CNC. The design is made by me in CorelDraw. :wink:

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Quick question: how much would you guys pay for this controller (or something very simmiliar)?

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Dunno.. perhaps in between 250-300 US. What’s your build costs for this unit?

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I was targeting price around 200 dollars, if anyone would want me to build it. Costs were around 100 euros, box not included since I got it for free this time.

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Just to let you know, this project got featured on hackaday mainpage!