I have duplicated the hardware and code from this tutorial: https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/generic/midi-device
and everything works fine as long as I have VPMK setup between my Leonardo (clone) and the Coolsoft synth.
I am puzzled as to why VPMK is needed at all and, if so, are there are any alternatives to achieve the connection?
My concern is that running through a separate program like VPMK will introduce (more) latency on Windows.
What is VPMK? I know it is not legal services which a search shows. Also post a sketch as to how you have put it together.
VMPK - Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard
The code and the instructions to use VMPK is in the Arduino tutorial article in my first post, but here is the code:
/*
This examples shows how to make a simple seven keys MIDI keyboard with volume control
Created: 4/10/2015
Author: Arturo Guadalupi <a.guadalupi@arduino.cc>
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/MidiDevice
*/
#include "MIDIUSB.h"
#include "PitchToNote.h"
#define NUM_BUTTONS 7
const uint8_t button1 = 2;
const uint8_t button2 = 3;
const uint8_t button3 = 4;
const uint8_t button4 = 5;
const uint8_t button5 = 6;
const uint8_t button6 = 7;
const uint8_t button7 = 8;
const int intensityPot = 0; //A0 input
const uint8_t buttons[NUM_BUTTONS] = {button1, button2, button3, button4, button5, button6, button7};
const byte notePitches[NUM_BUTTONS] = {C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, A3, B3};
uint8_t notesTime[NUM_BUTTONS];
uint8_t pressedButtons = 0x00;
uint8_t previousButtons = 0x00;
uint8_t intensity;
void setup() {
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_BUTTONS; i++)
pinMode(buttons[i], INPUT_PULLUP);
}
void loop() {
readButtons();
readIntensity();
playNotes();
}
// First parameter is the event type (0x0B = control change).
// Second parameter is the event type, combined with the channel.
// Third parameter is the control number number (0-119).
// Fourth parameter is the control value (0-127).
void controlChange(byte channel, byte control, byte value) {
midiEventPacket_t event = {0x0B, 0xB0 | channel, control, value};
MidiUSB.sendMIDI(event);
}
void readButtons()
{
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_BUTTONS; i++)
{
if (digitalRead(buttons[i]) == LOW)
{
bitWrite(pressedButtons, i, 1);
delay(50);
}
else
bitWrite(pressedButtons, i, 0);
}
}
void readIntensity()
{
int val = analogRead(intensityPot);
intensity = (uint8_t) (map(val, 0, 1023, 0, 127));
}
void playNotes()
{
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_BUTTONS; i++)
{
if (bitRead(pressedButtons, i) != bitRead(previousButtons, i))
{
if (bitRead(pressedButtons, i))
{
bitWrite(previousButtons, i , 1);
noteOn(0, notePitches[i], intensity);
MidiUSB.flush();
}
else
{
bitWrite(previousButtons, i , 0);
noteOff(0, notePitches[i], 0);
MidiUSB.flush();
}
}
}
}
// First parameter is the event type (0x09 = note on, 0x08 = note off).
// Second parameter is note-on/note-off, combined with the channel.
// Channel can be anything between 0-15. Typically reported to the user as 1-16.
// Third parameter is the note number (48 = middle C).
// Fourth parameter is the velocity (64 = normal, 127 = fastest).
void noteOn(byte channel, byte pitch, byte velocity) {
midiEventPacket_t noteOn = {0x09, 0x90 | channel, pitch, velocity};
MidiUSB.sendMIDI(noteOn);
}
void noteOff(byte channel, byte pitch, byte velocity) {
midiEventPacket_t noteOff = {0x08, 0x80 | channel, pitch, velocity};
MidiUSB.sendMIDI(noteOff);
}
I suspect that the problem is Coolsoft Virtual MIDI Synth because I just tried the same setup (sketch and hardware) plugged* into an Android phone running the Fluidsynth app and it worked immediately.
If Coolsoft Virtual MIDI Synth is the problem then is there another synth I can use on Windows? Maybe Qsynth/Fluidsynth?