Ableton Forum

hey guys,

whats the easiest way to build a custom midi controller for people who haven´t that much experience? yeah, low skill soldering is possible but maybe there is something new like a plug-in system.

my dream is a midi desktop synth with a subtractive layout to control some of my vsts. another dream is a 16 channel midi mixer. a layout like a analogue mixer but build as a midi controller

best wishes

Don't forget about the scripts you'll need to code in python to get your DIY controller to communicate with ableton.

Buy a Launchpad and paint it.

Midibox.org is a community of developers of a lot of boards you could use for building controllers with some easy soldering of the encoder/button contacts.

They also developed open source software to make this work in a DAW. Ready to use! So Phyton coding is not strictly necessary. Especially if you just want a generic Midi controller that you just map to things in Live.
(But making your own scripts would certainly enhance the power your controller might have)

ipad / Lemur app or touchOSC maybe?

Hale micro offers a simple solutión that may work for you.



http://www.halemicro.com/wp/

Pitch Black wrote:http://lividinstruments.com/hardware_elements.php

this too: http://www.lividinstruments.com/hardware_builder.php

login wrote:Hale micro offers a simple solutión that may work for you.



http://www.halemicro.com/wp/

Are Hale still going?

In terms of a hardware oriented DIY starting point, particularly if you're new to soldering etc, I think the brain is a good start... It'll give you 16 knobs/faders and 16 buttons as well as 16 LED's. It's reconfigurable in terms of the message types it can output, and comes with a usb interface... I built a foot controller with it (all buttons, no LED's) and my review is at amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Livid-Instruments ... ivid+brain

The larger Brain system looks pretty cool, and appears to be pretty easy to build on assuming you're willing to use Livid's "Building Blocks".

Ultimately though, bang for your buck-wise, the lemur on the ipad is the way to go in terms of sheer flexibility. If you want something larger, a 10" or larger android tablet with touchOSC is another, similar, option.

http://shop.lividinstruments.com/brain-jr/

Good luck building!

-S!

i will have a look at livid and midibox!

android with touchosc is also a good advice but i think i will add this for fx x-y controllers later. for my main midi mixer and a controller for my vsts i prefer hardware

halemicro seems to be very interesting but everything is out of stock.

thank you guys!