MIDI CONTROLLER
Description
A midi controller is in simple terms much like a what a dj would use in a performance to play music, it’s hardware that generates and transmits Musical Instrument Digital Interface data to typically trigger sounds and control parameter in an electronic performance.
This was my first attempt to create a Midi Controller. The aim of this project was to make a midi controller that allowed for higher level/variation of gestural control.
The goal was to be able to manipulate sounds by tilting the controller, the further the controller is tilted the higher the degree of sound change. Using momentary push buttons users can activate different samples or sounds while the button is pushed down. To further manipulate sounds there are 4 soft potentiometers that are placed around the controller, as the user moves their finger from one side of potentiometer to the other a numeric value increases or decreases applying an effect on to the sounds.
Picture of the internal wiring. 4 Soft potentiometer membranes, 1 accelerometer and 16 momentary push buttons
Even though each part was sending a signal to the computer there was no way for the program Ableton Live to understand what signals were coming through without the use of Max for Live. Max for live one was of the more challenging aspects of the process as there really wasn’t much information out there to be able to teach yourself how to create a layout that works consistently.
FINAL
Render of the midi controller
Overall I was satisfied with the final product. For the first time I had ever dealt with electronics, Max for live and to be able to create a midi controller that worked that was a relief to plug in with no issues. The final construction of the midi body was not the best as it really was something just to enclose the electronics, if I had more time to dedicate to the aesthetics of the body that would’ve been great but to have an idea of a midi controller from the beginning to finally making it and it working was. good feeling.
