Vintage Phone MIDI Controller

I happened across a pretty dirty Doro x20 push-button phone in some very 70s colours in my garage as part of a clear out and thought it might make a fun MIDI controller. My first experiment uses a Raspberry Pi Pico (in "sawn-off" mode - see later!). In this follow-up post, I turn the phone … Continue reading Vintage Phone MIDI Controller →

Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 4

I'd left the Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode project essentially working but with a ghosting multiple keypresses problem. I was just going to let it go, but then I decided I just couldn't leave it there, so I had to take another look. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. … Continue reading Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 4 →

Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 3

Expanding on the Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode project to create a basic four octave keyboard. There are some limitations with this approach though, so be sure to read on before trying to build one yourself (or skip over to Part 4 to read about the solution). https://youtu.be/Wc3dhsPsm0w Warning! I strongly recommend using old or … Continue reading Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 3 →

Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 2

This is taking the solderless breadboard "keyboard" from my Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode project and committing it to stripboard. In part 3 I expand it to four octaves. 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 Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode – Part 2 →

Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode

Having had a first play with my new Raspberry Pi Pico, I thought the next step was to make a simple MIDI controller with some IO. So I thought I'd get a simple music keyboard up and running. In part 2 I build this up on stripboard. In part 3 I expand it to four … Continue reading Pi Pico MIDI Matrix Decode →

Keyboard MIDI Matrix Decode

Following on from my Keyboard Matrix Decode I've now added MIDI out! So I have a full sized MIDI controller keyboard for the cost of a cheap Arduino Nano clone and a couple of passive components! https://youtu.be/kqcfxiKIzi4 Warning! I strongly recommend using an old or second hand keyboard for your MIDI experiments. I am not responsible for … Continue reading Keyboard MIDI Matrix Decode →

Keyboard Matrix Decode

I found an old keyboard, a "KSP970" which is a sub £20 keyboard with full size (non touch sensitive) keys, that was being thrown out as battery acid had corroded away most of the circuit board inside, but the keyboard itself was still intact so I thought it would make an interesting project to attempt … Continue reading Keyboard Matrix Decode →