Which Board for MIDI-Over-USB Controller?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to Arduino but relatively experienced with computer programming (C/C++), electronics and audio production.

I'd like to make a MIDI controller to use for controlling some audio software (an equalizer). The controller needs to have twelve pots and five buttons, all of which send different MIDI Control Change messages.

It would be preferable if the device could send MIDI over USB.

Also, I don't mind if I have to include a multiplexer to cater for the number of pots.

Just wondering which Arduino board would be most suitable for this project?

At the moment I'm thinking an UNO R3 would do the job?

Cheers,

Chris

2

No, too difficult to master the HID capability, I would suggest.

The proper board is the Pro Micro - the more usable version of the Leonardo. :grinning:

3

These two boards have only 8 analogue inputs so you would need a bit of multiplexing to get 12.

As well as a USB capable output it also has a spare hardware serial port on pins 0 and 1 that you access as Serial1.

4

I'd probably use an Arduino Leonardo or an Arduino Micro (not Pro Micro). They have MIDI over USB support and 12 analog inputs, so you wouldn't need any external multiplexers.

The Teensy LC (low cost) would be a very good choice as well. It has a more powerful ARM chip with native MIDI over USB support and 13 analog inputs (of which only 10 are breadboard-friendly).

I maintain a page with a more in-depth discussion of the MIDI over USB capabilities of different Arduino-compatible boards here: MIDI over USB

Pieter

5

not Pro Micro

Why not? Basically the same thing in a slightly bigger form factor.

6

Grumpy_Mike:
Why not? Basically the same thing in a slightly bigger form factor.

Because a Pro Micro has 9 analog inputs, whereas an Arduino Micro has 12.

7

Because a Pro Micro has 9 analog inputs

I count only eight, A0, A1, A2, A3, A6, A7, A8, A9
What one is missing?
Just spotted A10 doh!

8

Thanks for the info.

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Leonardo. I'm in Melbourne (Aus.) so I'd prefer to get something local as international shipping is very slow at the moment.

This is what I'm looking at:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leonardo-R3-Arduino-Compatible-ATMEGA32U4/383699982296

Cheers,

Chris

9

https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=545697.0

10

cpsmusic:
At the moment I'm leaning towards a Leonardo.

Yes that will work just as well if you can put up with the form factor. I would recommend getting a pin header strip for both sides and soldering wires to that.

I'm in Melbourne (Aus.) so I'd prefer to get something local as international shipping is very slow at the moment.

Yes I have heard that from other "down under" members. It doesn't seem to have effected the UK. While the "expected" time scales have gone long with a gap of about a month between the earliest and latest estimate, they seem to arrive just before the earliest.

11

cpsmusic:
At the moment I'm leaning towards a Leonardo. I'm in Melbourne (Aus.) so I'd prefer to get something local as international shipping is very slow at the moment.

Leostick from Jaycar!