Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Channel Merger

This is my second try at using the Raspberry Pi Pico Programmable Input Output (PIO) peripherals. My previous attempt was for a MIDI channel router. This time, I'm building a MIDI channel merger. The basic idea is to use the Raspberry Pi PIO to create 8 MIDI IN ports and merge them all into a … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Channel Merger →

Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Channel Router

Ever since I got hold of a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller I wanted to try out the Programmable Input Output (PIO) peripherals. I've also been on the lookout for microcontrollers with more serial ports than the usual one or two. The best I've found so far are ATmega2560 boards with four and the Teensy range … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Channel Router →

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 →

MIDI, CircuitPython, CPX and Pi Pico

Inspired by my initial play with the Raspberry Pi Pico and MicroPython, I wanted to also see what I could do with both the Micro:bit and my Adafruit Circuit Playground Express MIDI-wise too. Both are 3.3V boards and both can run a variant of MicroPython - either native or using the Adafruit version - CircuitPython. … Continue reading MIDI, CircuitPython, CPX and Pi Pico →

MIDI, MicroPython and the Raspberry Pi Pico

It was an exciting day on Thursday this week on Twitter. I was able to watch the release of the Raspberry Pi Foundation's new microcontroller board, the Raspberry Pi Pico and it looks like it will have lots of features that will be of interest for Simple DIY Electronic Music Projects. And the best bit? … Continue reading MIDI, MicroPython and the Raspberry Pi Pico →