Mini-full MIDI:

A modular, (potentially full-sized) MIDI Keyboard.

The Mini-ful MIDI is a 12-key MIDI controller that emulates standard piano based MIDIs. The idea behind this is to design a simple, barebones modular design that can be easily expanded upon, customized and easily recreatable by others. Potentially, in the future, multiple Mini-ful MIDIs can be "combined" or attached to one another to create a larger keyboard. Each Mini-ful MIDI will cover one octave, and adding more can increase your octave ranges. This should hopefully be a great way to get people to try making their MIDI controllers one step at a time, without having to worry about the size, price and time complexities of a larger project. Ideally, this project should be used as a base and expanded upon to make more interesting and complex projects.

View My Original Fab Academy Project Here:

The Song Sonic: An Interactive and Customizable Guitar Interface

Inspirations

MIDI Controllers

MIDI controllers are not instruments, as they don't make their own sounds. Instead, it must be connected to a computer with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) installed such as Apple Logic. The controller then tells the DAW which note is being played, and the DAW will play that note on synthetic, digital instruments. At its heart, a MIDI controller is a box with buttons and knobs connected to a controller which tells the DAW what to do.

Bill of Materials

What did you design?
What materials and components were used?
Where did they come from?
How much did they cost?
What parts and systems were made?
What processes were used?
What questions were answered?
What worked? What didn’t?
How was it evaluated?
What are the implications?

Pre-planning

Fab Academy Schedule Breakdown

Google Spreadsheet Detailing Project Plans:

Requirements and Constraints

Here are my Requirements:

USB MIDI (plug and play with DAWs)
12 Keys (one for each note)-- 5 black, 7 white
Read individual keystrokes separately and ability to play multiple (all) notes at once
Minimal (max 2mm) edge gaps on sides (to allow for lining up multiple MIDIs to make a larger keyboard)

Here are the Consraints:

Minimal footprint (less than a square foot)
1 USB port for data and power

Here are my "May Haves":

Velocity Detection
LED feedback
Preset Selector to change which instrument is used in the DAW
Tone Output (converts to a programmable instrument keyboard)