Microrack – First Impressions

When I first heard about the Microrack concept, I was still playing around with my own Educational DIY Synth Thing so naturally I was really interested in seeing what it would be about. That was back-end of 2024. It has taken until now to realise that from the original Kickstarter. Now that I have one in … Continue reading Microrack – First Impressions →

Other SAM2695 Synths

After my experiments with the XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer and in particular, after looking in detail at some different SAM2695 synth modules in XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 3, I've also found a few other neat modules that I thought worth a mention. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. … Continue reading Other SAM2695 Synths →

XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 6

Expanding on my previous posts, I thought it might be interesting to see how I might be able to add some additional IO to the MIDI Synth. This is an exploration of some options there. Part 1 - Getting started and getting code running. Part 2 - Swapping the ESP32-C3 for a SAMD21 to get USB … Continue reading XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 6 →

XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 5

So I was somewhat guilty that I'd replaced the XIAO microcontroller in the last couple of parts to get USB MIDI, so in this one I put the original ESP32-C3 back in and now have a version of Part 4 for serial MIDI. Part 1 - Getting started and getting code running. Part 2 - Swapping the … Continue reading XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer – Part 5 →

XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer

I quite like many of the XIAO boards, so when I got an email announcing the XIAO MIDI Synthesizer I went off to buy one and take a look. This uses the Dream SAM2695 MIDI device, which is a General MIDI instrument in a chip. I have a couple of devices that use this chip, … Continue reading XIAO ESP32-C3 MIDI Synthesizer →

Almost “All in one” MiniDexed IO Options

As I was browsing around I happened to notice a couple of interesting add-on boards that comprise a OLED display, rotary encoder and some buttons. With the addition of a I2S DAC (or just using the existing PWM output) these make a really interesting option for MiniDexed IO. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or … Continue reading Almost “All in one” MiniDexed IO Options →

Simple MIDI Touch Button Keyboard

I've grabbed some very cheap TTP223-based touch pad PCBs so this is showing how they can be used as a replacement button in a simple Arduino MIDI controller. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. I am not responsible for any damage to expensive instruments! These are the key … Continue reading Simple MIDI Touch Button Keyboard →

Simple MIDI Transpose

I've done a number of MIDI processing projects, but was always planning to go back and build up some kind of catalogue of common actions that could be taken. But so far I've not done it, but when a question came in asking about the possibility of a MIDI transpose function, I thought I'd put … Continue reading Simple MIDI Transpose →

Waveshare RP2040 Matrix MIDI Monitor

Following on from my ESP32C3 OLED Mini MIDI Montor and Waveshare Zero, Pimoroni Tiny, and Neopixels this project uses a Waveshare RP2040 mini Matrix display. This is largely the same pinout as the other Waveshare boards, but includes a 5x5 programmable LED (i.e. neopixel-like) matrix. https://makertube.net/w/cdxAJJvsqsPKrzVg6xWodD Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for … Continue reading Waveshare RP2040 Matrix MIDI Monitor →

ESP32C3 OLED Mini MIDI Montor

I've picked up a couple of really neat, small, ESP32C3 based boards with a built-in 0.42" OLED display and so whilst wondering what to do with them, I thought a small MIDI note monitor might be a bit of fun. https://makertube.net/w/3KWE9QUD2Qs9chcWwpX99R Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. I … Continue reading ESP32C3 OLED Mini MIDI Montor →