Analog to USB Controller

[Refacull]

Hi there,
Usually a BI mole. The question I have today is obtaining a controller to turn multiple analog knobs, buttons and sliders into a USB. Preferably MIDI, but I can reluctantly live with HID.

More specifically, I want to build a DJ MIDI controller. Specifically to work with Ableton Live 8. Basically I want to build a box with 16 buttons, 16 knobs, 5 sliders. Also as an option, but not required, to include mic ports headphones and whatnot.

And as an extreme option, I doubt it would be possible, but 6 macro buttons. So I can hit button one and have either the knobs or buttons(3 each set) change their adjustment values. So if I want Knob 1 to control the Filter Resonance on one VST then I hit the macro button and the resonance stays the same, but I can then mod the LFO spread on a different VST.

If you have any ideas on how I can accomplish this, even just parts of it, I would be eternally grateful.

Also, this isn't a pipe dream some people have. I have the capability and tools to built the board with knobs and everything...but I can't find a controller that will make it a USB so I can use it with my computer.

[RDProgrammer]

I'd almost think this would have to be homebrew as it seems rather specific. You have any experience with Aurduino boards?

RDP

[Spatula Tzar]

Arduino, or straight AVR chips will do it. You can find plenty of resources for them.

[Refacull]

I don't have any experience with Arduino boards, but I will check them out and report my findings back.

And AVR chips.

I just want to make a midi controller like the ones they sell for 1000$, but I don't have the 1000$ to spend on one and I know home made shit is always cheaper and usually just as reliable.

Thanks.

[calatron]

Multiplexers and an Arduino... it's pretty damn simple.

I built a mixer control a while back: http://cal.freeshell.org/2009/11/midi-mixer/

As far as buttons, you could use a single analog input and have all your buttons hooked up to a different resistor. That will generate a different value from which you can send a specific midi note. One thing, you could only read one button at a time(shouldn't be an issue actually) but you can also add the values of two or more buttons together to trigger a completely different note.

[Refacull]

Originally Posted by calatron

Multiplexers and an Arduino... it's pretty damn simple.

I built a mixer control a while back: http://cal.freeshell.org/?x=entry:entry090217-191431

As far as buttons, you could use a single analog input and have all your buttons hooked up to a different resistor. That will generate a different value from which you can send a specific midi note. One thing, you could only read one button at a time(shouldn't be an issue actually) but you can also add the values of two or more buttons together to trigger a completely different note.

That's awesome. Just what I was looking for.

But I would want the buttons to be able to fire simultaneously. I would use it similar to the APC40(Ableton) and at the same time. The APC 40 is awesome, and has a lot of functionality, but if I could map every single thing I wanted to to a potentiometer or a button then I would have free reign over everything.

Thanks again, this is a large help.

[calatron]

No problem.

Look into Arduino monome projects. I don't know much about them but they involve lots of buttons and multiplexers. Put the two together and there you go.

An easier way... use a computer keyboard or usb numpad to trigger events and use pots to trigger other crap. No sense in creating a button input device when you have a perfectly good one already. Unless you want to use piezo electric elements and make velocity sensitive buttons.