Final Project
Modular MIDI Sequencer
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What, How, Who, Why
- What my project will do: It will allow to quickly and easily create complex rythms, melodies and harmonies which use polyrhythms and sincopation to add interest and playing with different segments and the order of them to avoid repetition.
- How I will make it: I want to have a PCB with surface mounted LEDs and buttons to activate the different steps in sequences, some capacitive buttons to input notes, some other buttons and knobs to control parameters in real time and also play, record or clear steps and/or sequences, a micro controller which controls the logic of all sequences and output MIDI through USB.
- Who could use it apart from myself: This could be used by any kind of musician, mostly targeted to electronic music, but could be used in several ways. It could be used purely with USB MIDI to control several synths or samplers inside a computer, it could be used with MIDI DIN connector ( or even CV connectors) to control hardware synths, modular synths, samplers or drum machines.
- Why do you want to do it: I been messing with electronic music for years now and I always find currently available interfaces to create and interact with music kinda lacking in some way or another, and I want to fix that myself.
How it all connects
Bill of materials
So far it looks like I will need the following to manufacture the sequencer:
- 60-70 RGB LEDs
- 70 buttons ( switch + silicone key cap)
- 2 - 6 rotary encoders or slider pot
- ATMEGA 32U4 to serve as master (supports MIDI over USB)
- ATTINY 44 for the modules.
- ESP32 for wireless communication
- PCB to mount all these
- plastic or wood case
Schedule
| Weekly Assignment | Project Related |
|---|---|
| principles and practices / project management | Defining my final project Idea |
| computer-aided design | Create a model of the sequencer |
| computer-controlled cutting | Research about PCB cutting or maybe cutting out the case |
| electronics production | Research the electronics needed to drive the leds + buttons |
| 3D scanning and printing | Research 3D printing for the case |
| electronics design | Start designing the circuit for the sequencer |
| computer-controlled machining | research machining for a metal case |
| embedded programming | research the logic for the sequencer turning on steps with led feedback |
| input devices | research how to create or use buttons, knobs, pressure sensitive pads |
| applications and implications | - |
| output devices | research how to output USB MIDI, DIN MIDI or CV gate |
| molding and casting | research how to cast the silicone cover for the buttons |
| networking and communications | reserach the possibility of linking or syncing wirelessly |
| interface and application programming | create an app that connects to the device and let the user setup stuff remotely |
| mechanical design, machine design | - |
| wildcard week | - |
| invention, intellectual property, and income | define business model in case the project goes well |
Nice to have:
- Make a PCB only version ( similar to Pocket Operators, check below)
- An interface to change how each hexagon is divided and how each segment is played back.
- An interface to assign notes/chords to each segment or note
- An interface to change notes characteristics, such as length and intensity
- A companion app to change the setup of the sequences, segments and play order.
Final Sprint
Sketches
Renders
