My PC USB MIDI interface is wired into my LoFi Orchestra at present and I don’t have another one, but having already done the hard part of getting the software USB MIDI stack up and running I thought it would be fairly easy to add an actual MIDI DIN plug to create a (one-way – PC to device) computer USB MIDI interface.
Warning! I strongly recommend using an old or second hand keyboard for your MIDI experiments. I am not responsible for any damage to expensive instruments!
Once again the key Arduino tutorials for the main concepts used in this project are:
If you are new to Arduino, see the Getting Started pages.
Parts list
- Arduino Leonardo compatible board – I used the Beetle USB again.
- 2x 220Ω Resistors
- 5 PIN 180 DIN Plug
- Jumper wire
- An existing Arduino MIDI project for testing
The Circuit
This wires in a simple MIDI output stage directly to the 5V, GND and TX pins of the Beetle USB via a couple of resistors.
My first thought was to include the two resistors in the MIDI DIN plug, which I’ve done in the past. In the end I found an old molded MIDI lead and used the plug and cable from that, so I soldered the resistors to the Beetle end and just wrapped it all up with tape.
The Code
This uses exactly the same code as for the PC USB to Arduino Serial MIDI built once again for the Arduino Leonardo.
Closing Thoughts
For the cost of a cheap Arduino Leonardo compatible board and a couple of components this makes a really practical PC USB to MIDI IN cable.
I now have the same code running on a PC USB MIDI to DIN MIDI IN; PC USB MIDI to Arduino Shield; and PC USB MIDI to Arduino Serial Port. Three really useful things to have!
Kevin
Simple DIY Electronic Music Projects 