Embedded software - C++ for Arduino
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Electronics
Modular design
I love music because of the tactile connection it has to the body, whether it's dancing, playing, or controlling it. In the process of learning how to produce and mix songs, I felt the need to control VST plugins in a way different from using a mouse. While some nice but expensive options are already available for sale, none of them perfectly matched my exact needs. So, why not build it myself? Enter the MIDI controller (prototype 1).
The controller is made using the Control Surface library for Arduino (written by PieterP). This is an advanced library that allows for a quick start.
I also wrote some custom features myself:
Sync light: This indicates when the passive potentiometer is out of sync with the controlled plugin.
LED displays: These display labels of the controlled parameters. The displayed information is predefined and can be easily adapted thanks to the programming.
Menu button switch: A special rotary switch is used to navigate through a menu. Pressing the switch sends a PC (Program change) MIDI message, informing both the Arduino and computer that the user wants to control a different plugin."
The design is highly modular. Each button or switch is placed on a 5x5cm square. Larger components can use multiple squares to fit on the module. The module's layout is defined before 3D printing. The software allows for quick adaptation of the controller to any layout.
Here's my current studio setup. As the monitor's angle suggests, there's still a lot of work to be done, but it's slowly coming together.
Currently I am testing Prototype 1 to decide what improvements can and should be made when starting on the next prototype. This next iteration will focus even more on modularity and feedback towards the user. A first concept of the next iteration can be seen in the following sketches.
