I’d like to share my progress on a small project somewhat inspired by some members of this forum. I initially started designing an Organelle clone / Orac computer, but I found DIY norns / fates and while I wait to get my hands on one I’ve started building a compact midi keyboard.
Quick run down of the current setup:
5mm cast Acrylic cut on my CNC router
Switches are linear switches commonly found on mechanical keyboards. (Off label Outemu reds to be exact)
4x 10kB potentiometers for CV control
Arduino Micro will be the controller for this version, so no class complient USB midi, but I have some Atmega32u4’s on order.
To be added:
Key caps, attempting to cut or 3D print something, but might just end up buying some.
TRS Midi
Planned features:
Octive shift
Aux btn, as per Organelle
“Volca” mode, output different CC messages for controlling my Volca’s
A sequencer or arp is also a consideration
Wood or ply base
I have some good key scanning and midi code but I’m currently looking at other Arduino projects that I can borrow features from.
Yup, starting on hand wiring it tonight. With only 30 switches it shouldn’t be to tedious. If I decide to make more then I might look at a PCB, though the pots might need to stay hand wired.
Most commercial music keyboards use matrix scanning. The only issue is ghosting which is why you need to add a diode per switch, which is common practice.
If you cannot the keys in a matrix without diodes, pressing two or more buttons at the same time can appear to the controller as though you had pressed other buttons.
