What would be your ultimate MIDI controller?

jj0b · Post by **jj0b** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:03 pm

I am planning to start building boutique and custom MIDI controllers. I want to make controllers that will improve peoples individual workflow, look better than the ubiquitous silver painted plastic so many of us use, and be fun to play.

So I am looking for feedback from people about what their ultimate MIDI controller would be.

1. How many knobs, encoders, faders, crossfaders, buttons etc?

2. What sort of layout? Mixer? DJ Mixer? Subtractive synth? Something totally new? General or application specific?

3. What kind of design aesthetic? Monome? Steampunk? What’s your desire?

4. What kind of features? Programmability? Preset banks? LEDs? LCD?

What do you want in a MIDI controller? I’d love to hear your comments on this topic.

Cheers!

nbinder · Post by **nbinder** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:22 pm

1. 16 metal knobs, endless, with a led value circle around them. not too close to each other like on the BCR... cant move to knobs near at the same time.
2. A grid layout... for both synths and channel strips.
3. plain design... alu/wood.
4. LCD parameter name under each knob (expensive, i know...) preset banks would be ok for me, no need to change the controller numbers yet. if programable, then please OSC support.

Edit: I forgot: BUTTONS!

infiniteB · Post by **infiniteB** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:36 pm

the must haves: 16 mute bottons and 16 solo buttons (can be like RS7000 and have a "shift" button for one or the other, so only 16 buttons are needed)... 37 key velocity sensitive keyboard... mute groups buttons(actual mute groups), "scene"s buttons -- check out the Yamaha RS7000... ultimate control in ways no other machine has ever had (missing some things too, of course)...
16 faders...

combine a Behringer BCR2000 with a BCF 2000 with RS7000, along with 64 banks of fully assignable buttons that are both temp and/or toggle (like the BCRs), and all the features on the Vestax VCM-600

knobs, endless rotary's

chapelier fou · Post by **chapelier fou** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:48 pm

16 of everything...

Hidden Driveways · Post by **Hidden Driveways** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:58 pm

17 of everything...

Homebelly · Post by **Homebelly** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:11 pm

Hidden Driveways wrote:17 of everything...

And a cup holder!

chapelier fou · Post by **chapelier fou** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:13 pm

+1 for 17 steps sequencers!!!

Zygi · Post by **Zygi** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:16 pm

For my plan of playing dj sets + live acts I'd say hmm...

some behringer-ish layout (bcr+bcf+bcr like)

left unit - 15 rotary endless + 8 pads

center - 4/5 faders and 4x3 non endless rotaries for eq

right unit - 12 rotaries + jog wheel and hmm 12 or more buttons

+ audio interface inside, usb powered with headphone jack input on the front, and some easy label system (like maybe plexi glass cover on top)

that would be freaking big but totally awesome!

paradiddle · Post by **paradiddle** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:33 pm

A much bigger Lemur from Jazz mutant with a reduced price.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:55 pm

A button grid at least 8X8 (duh)

mulitple X/Y pads and the ablity to use one for your mouse track pad which is usually the only reason left that people still have to touch their laptops during a performance.

t1mp · Post by **t1mp** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:13 pm

built well. along with all the sliders, buttons, rotaries. midi and usb, footswitch. osc ready =)

8O · Post by 8O » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:24 pm

Out of interest, are you planning to make it Arduino-based? I know midibox stuff is strictly not-for-profit, wondering if Arduino's the same?

As for features: the volume slider must go up to 11.

jj0b · Post by **jj0b** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:29 pm

chapelier fou wrote:+1 for 17 steps sequencers!!!

I was thinking 16 1/2 steps but 17 might work too.

jj0b · Post by **jj0b** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:53 pm

8O wrote:Out of interest, are you planning to make it Arduino-based? I know midibox stuff is strictly not-for-profit, wondering if Arduino's the same?

I have worked with both Arduino and AVR in the past. I am currently prototyping using Arduino but the final project will be AVR. That is it will use the same, or similar microcontroller as Arduino but the software will be C code using the AVR C library (instead of the Wiring variant used on Arduino) and the PCB will be custom. I will however release the full details of my Arduino prototype for other DIYers wanting to make robust MIDI controllers using the Arduino platform.

As far as making a commercial product using Arduino I think you need to differentiate between the hardware platform and the soft/firmware. I could be wrong but I don't think you can use hardware in a commercial product. I do however think you can use the Arduino IDE to program an AVR microcontroller and use that microcontroller in a commercial product. Again, I don't know much about this as I don't plan on doing it.

Hidden Driveways · Post by **Hidden Driveways** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:08 pm

I nerded out and photoshopped my a while ago: