Guys, I'm new to the forum. I would like some guidance on how to "start" a Midi Controller, I would love to make one, I've seen several videos and I know it's not that complex, but that thing hits me: Where do I start? What do I need to buy? How to do the basics of basics first?
I just need these answers to end my insecurity and finally take the risk. I also accept nominations for mini robot projects and basic things for those who want to start and don't know how.
Your subject heading lists 3 things, each of which is at least fairly complex. So what are you actually hoping to do? In a little more detail than just "Midi Controller" please? What relevant electronics and programming experience do you have?
A simple MIDI controller is not too difficult and most Arduinos can handle it. Those with native USB like the Leonardo may be easiest to deal with. Then of course you'll probably need some switches and potentiometers or rotary encoders and some way of connecting them together.
Steve
Thank you so much for the advice about what kind of arduino would be better for this project.
I'm a electrial engineering student on 6° period on college. I've programmed an arduino before, and I also have an "ok" programming knowledge with Javascript, C++, etc.
A simple and basic midi controller would suit "well" on what I'm going to do, I'm really just searching some kind of begining for start making drum machines or another audio machines with arduino as a future hobbie and maybe a future serious job ^^
A drum machine and a MIDI controller are two different things.
For a good grounding in Arduino and Audio I would recommend my own book, but then I would wouldn’t I?
https://www.apress.com/gb/book/9781484217207
I know that they are different things, but I really want to know which of then is the best for beginners
A MIDI controller is the simplest for beginners, start with that
Disclaimer - I've studied MIDI but never actually used it.
The easiest thing would be a software-only MIDI controller that sends pre-programmed MIDI messages to your computer or MIDI instrument. i.e. It could be programmed to play one or more tunes, or a drum-rhythm, etc. That's not a full drum machine... The drum sounds (or music) would be generated by your computer or MIDI instrument.
Anything that actually makes sound (other than very simple boring square wave tones) is beyond what the basic-Arduino can do by itself. You can get an Audio Shield to play "samples" controlled by the Arduino but the sounds would have to be pre-loaded and that's a lot more limited than most "real" MIDI instruments.
A sampler that "captures" sound is also beyond what the Arduino can do by itself, and probably not worth doing yourself.
The next step up would be a drum controller with drum pads (just a few inputs). IMO - Building a full keyboard-controller is not worth the the time or cost. That's something you should buy.
I didn't pretend to create a full keyboard-controller, it's okay to me tol build a pre-programmed MIDI
thank you very much for the answer.
I'm trying it just for academic and learning purpose cause I have to choose something with arduino for work on college and I choose a pre-load stuff with a cool aesthetic ^^
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