Custom MIDI Controller for Zebra

[bmrzycki]

I thought about using a gamepad, there are nice options here. Some are real easy to hack and integrate into an Arduino setup (e.g. the NES controller). But in the end I think I'd like something more solid, as I said I like a metal case and don't mind if it looks nice.

I considered the idea of taking the guts of 2 saitek p3500 joysticks + a cheap usb hub and putting that into a metal enclosure to work with my script. For about $50-60 you'd get 4 joysticks, 20 buttons, and two extra analog inputs (the shoulder button axes).

The hard part is reorganizing the PCBs into a case, mounting holes and device holes...

To be honest I've been really waiting and hoping for touch screens to come down in price. Then I'd have hundreds of controllers available on a single device.

Good luck on your project; I'm very interested to see where you take this.

Cheers!

[unixgeek42]

I just found another controller that is somewhat close to what I have in mind (of course this one only got one joystick):



The company is here:

http://ruinwesen.com/

I think it is even based on a similar microcontroller...

[Vampire TNA]

I thought about using a gamepad, there are nice options here. Some are real easy to hack and integrate into an Arduino setup (e.g. the NES controller). But in the end I think I'd like something more solid, as I said I like a metal case and don't mind if it looks nice.

I considered the idea of taking the guts of 2 saitek p3500 joysticks + a cheap usb hub and putting that into a metal enclosure to work with my script. For about $50-60 you'd get 4 joysticks, 20 buttons, and two extra analog inputs (the shoulder button axes).

The hard part is reorganizing the PCBs into a case, mounting holes and device holes...

Been there, done that, threw it away.
Man, there's even a car wheel controller lying on my floor with the wheel and pedals morphed into an alien mass (wotking good though)

Then, when i already spent 80-100 euros and loads of time and efford and frustration, i just bought the Korg nano Kontrol for 50 euros.

9 faders = 9 gamepad axis
9 knobs = another 9 gamepad axis
18 buttons = 18 gamepad buttons

Now MULTIPLY that with 4 scenes... there you go. And not crappy looking

[Howard]

Fascinating idea, but I think an iPad app would be best.

[elxsound]

Fascinating idea, but I think an iPad app would be best.

It's what I'm waiting for... well an iPad and a new version of touchosc to capitalize on the larger screen. http://hexler.net/software/touchosc

[unixgeek42]

Fascinating idea, but I think an iPad app would be best.

I don't know... For sure an iPad app would easily have more features, but what I am after is more _Hard_ware - joysticks to be pushed and dials to be turned, more like an instrument.

[unixgeek42]

This is pretty close to what I have in mind:

http://ruinwesen.com/support-files/mono-joystick.pdf

Schematics are included at the end of the document. I was thinking four joysticks, two dedicated buttons for preset change, two buttons for setup and a 2x16 LCD.

[Cyoon]

really great..

would be even nicer if it would be possible to send the different x/y joysticks out on different midichannels..like two x/y sticks for a surround pan or some uhbik parameters and two for x/y Zebra pad..

that would be a mad controller..

cheers

[unixgeek42]

would be even nicer if it would be possible to send the different x/y joysticks out on different midichannels..like two x/y sticks for a surround pan or some uhbik parameters and two for x/y Zebra pad..

That is exactly the reason for a microcontroller-based MIDI-controller. You can programm your own "operating system". To send to different channels is quite easy. Or you can programm two values on one control-axis, e.g. lower one if the other is raised.

Maybe I could even include a second MIDI-Out to drive an external synt for example...

[nschmidt-dd]

really great.. ... that would be a mad controller..

Indeed ... And I'd be willing to pay some bucks for it

[unixgeek42]

Indeed ... And I'd be willing to pay some bucks for it

I guess it will not be very expensive. The electronics are around 40-50 EUR. I haven't found any decent joysticks yet but I'd be surprised if they are more than 5-10 EUR each. Also no case yet, depending on the customisation it is probably around 10-30 EUR, so some work and around 110 EUR should be all...

[rectus_dominus]

I'd second the post, recommending Doepfer stuff. I don't know much about the total price, but they are reliable, as far as I'm told.

[nschmidt-dd]

As for the joystick: should it automatically center back if you disengage it? I'd prefer not, although it should lightly lock centrally.

[zerocrossing]

I once spent some time getting a couple of KAOSS pads working in conjunction with my Novation Remote (which has an xy pad too) and my finding was... too much. I guess if you're someone who wants to take a sustained chord and mess with it for an ambient piece having 4 joysticks would be good but I find that one with a nicely designed patch and aftertouch and mod stick... is more than enough. Heck, I could even hook up a expression pedal as well but I tend not to use it. When I do want to play like that I just hook up my P5 data glove.

So the iPad. Could be cute, though I don't think the multitouch would allow you control more than one parameter at a time, would it? Recently I picked up a cheap touch screen (HP for $300) and so far it works great though I haven't tried Zebra yet. I spent time with Shake Pad and Sytrus's xy pads and had some fun, but I don't feel I'd get much more if I had 4 xys at one time. I was surprised at how making patches with AmpliTube 3 felt really natural with it. IMO, this is the future.

[unixgeek42]

As for the joystick: should it automatically center back if you disengage it? I'd prefer not, although it should lightly lock centrally.

I'd say it would be best to have joysticks that could be switched - self-centering or not like a vintage analog joystick for homecomputers...