Vertical Modular Synthesizer “CD Rack Format”

I'm planning on building a series of MIDI synthesizer modules that will have a pretty simple means of hooking them together, but want something to house them. I also have a couple of IKEA CD racks kicking around that haven't been required for a while, and I also don't want to take up large chunks … Continue reading Vertical Modular Synthesizer “CD Rack Format” →

MIDI Connections Cheat Sheet

It seems that every time I start to wire-up a MIDI socket or plug I'm looking up, yet again, both what goes to pin 4 and pin 5, and also which pins on a MIDI socket are pins 4 and 5! So I thought I'd hunt around once and for all for everything I can … Continue reading MIDI Connections Cheat Sheet →

Multi-Mode MIDI Step Sequencer

I've revisited my Arduino MIDI Step Sequencer and added different play modes and LED indicators, but I started to quickly run out of IO pins - so I dug out a Pro Mega 2560 board that I've been meaning to try out for a while. You can read all the details below. Update: There is now … Continue reading Multi-Mode MIDI Step Sequencer →

MT32 Clumsy MIDI Simple MIDI Filter

My MT32 Clumsy MIDI Program Changer and Filter was a little disappointing, in that it didn't seem to be able to keep up with the MIDI stream for my Lo-Fi Orchestra, so I thought I'd try for a simpler version using the 5V/16MHz Arduino Pro Mini without the extras for selecting the MT32Pi voice to use. … Continue reading MT32 Clumsy MIDI Simple MIDI Filter →

Universal Microcontroller MIDI Module

It's been a while since I built a MIDI module... actually, I need the "raw electronics" from a MIDI In/Out interface for a project I'm planning, and wanted it to support either 3.3V or 5V microcontrollers, so this little project was the result. While I was at it, I thought I'd add in a low-pass … Continue reading Universal Microcontroller MIDI Module →

Toy Keyboard Matrix Decode with the Pi Pico

I'm always on the look out for discarded music keyboards that I might be able to do something with, so when I came across this thrown out in the street I claimed it to take a look. This shows how I used a Raspberry Pi Pico to decode the keyboard part and turn it into … Continue reading Toy Keyboard Matrix Decode with the Pi Pico →

MT32 Clumsy MIDI Program Changer and Filter

Having used my MT32-Pi (in fluidsynth mode) with an updated Arduino MIDI Filter in the Lo-Fi Orchestra – Jupiter from The Planets I decided to combine them with my Arduino MT-32 Program Changer try to create an add-on board for my Clumsy MIDI interface to allow a self-contained unit that: Can set the patch number (voice) for the MT-32 … Continue reading MT32 Clumsy MIDI Program Changer and Filter →

Arduino MIDI Filter – Revisited

This is a minor update to my Arduino MIDI Filter to allow it initialise patches as well as filter MIDI if required. 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!. These are the key Arduino tutorials for the main … Continue reading Arduino MIDI Filter – Revisited →

Arduino MT-32 Program Changer

One thing that I always found slightly annoying with my MT-32 Synth Module, and something I thought would be a nice addition for my MT-32 Pi, was a two-knob voice selector. This project uses an Arduino Nano to create one to send Program Change messages over MIDI to an MT-32. https://youtu.be/JhuPMa-xiNM Warning! I strongly recommend … Continue reading Arduino MT-32 Program Changer →

Raspberry Pi Pico Reversible MIDI Out

I wanted a quick "just plug in and use it" MIDI out for my Pico, but in a slightly simpler format than my Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI "pack" Interface, so popped this one together as an alternative. Warning! I strongly recommend using old or second hand equipment for your experiments. I am not responsible for any … Continue reading Raspberry Pi Pico Reversible MIDI Out →