So basically i want to make something like this:
This is a virtual analog synthesizer. Its basically a midi controller connected to a computer inside running a digital emulation of a synthesizer.
I Already have the actual emulation in another box that hosts the actual synth. Its just a small box that has the code for the synth on the picture but also some other synths.My box has no buttons/sliders. Just a box that you can connect to a computer and control the synth via midi cc etc. This synthesizer in a box is called a plugiator.
What i want is the control surface(like the picture above).
So i want to make one.
I dont need the lower part of the synth, since that is the fx section and i dont really plan on using it. Since the plugiator hosts a couple of different synths, i would like to be able to change the midi configuration of my diy control surface= change what knobs send what midi CC. So that, if i want, i could use the same surface for different synths.
I wont be using sliders, just normal pots and i want the unit to take up much less space, but still have the features of the actual unit. An important aspec of this, that i havent really found out enough about yet is the buttons/leds.
As you can see there are multiple buttons for selecting different functions etc. When you load a patch the buttons light up/turn off according to what is active and whats not active.
If i make a diy surface/midi controller, this type of visual feedback (button LEDS) is very important to me.
Is it possible to store the knob/button position on the Arduino uno? Its just midi information. I think that would just make things easier for me, instead of changing presets on the actual box (plugiator). When i change a preset on my diy control surface, it will send out midi CC to all the different variables on the plugiator, and surface will also light up/turn off different LEDS.( I, of course, also just want to be able to turn the buttons on/off by using my hands, and the LEDS should turn on/off).
What i want to make sure is:
1: Can i send poly aftertouch etc (and other weird midi stuff) from the arduino?
2:Can i store midi values (presets) on it? Or is it just as easy to just let the actual plugiator manage the presets?
3:Can the LED on/off be done? (that ties into question nr2 a bit).
4:What extra boards do i need? From what i can gather, I would need this:
-A multiplexing board. I need a combination of about 64 analog/digital ins/outs. I only need outs for the LED activation, i think. Analog ins for the pots and i guess i could use a mix of digital/analog ins for the switches
-Maybe a tiny screen with a general button, to do preset recall/save/presets.
5: Can I change "scenes". Lets say i want to control a different synth that has different midi mapping. I want to be able to change "midi CC patches" so that a knob that send out midi CC X, before, now sends out midi CC Y.
6: How much of this is a "new" thing to do? I know no programming, but i normally figure computer stuff out pretty fast. I would like a copy/paste solution. Take code that other people have made, and the insert it into my own project. I am new to the arduino world! Is this to big of a thing to do?
I want to make this as cheap as possible. I want all the pots to be real pots, not endless encoders:)
7: THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!