fabrication for custom midi controller

darclex · Post by **darclex** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 3:26 am

can any one suggest to me a metal plate fabrication workshop meeting the following conditions?

1) northern california, preferably bay area

and

2) willing to do small one time custom job

?

i know this doesn't really have anything to do with ableton, and i'm sorry.
i figured maybe somebody else who has already made a custom controller in my area could help me out. . .you know.

dirtystudios · Post by **dirtystudios** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 4:51 am

these guys are in seattle, but they have online ordering, and free software to help you design your stuff.

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/

k

rajcoont · Post by **rajcoont** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 6:55 am

thats an awesome site, and gets the mind working..anyone know where a guy could pick up an x-y controller pad to install into a homemade midi controller?

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 9:50 am

check out www.ultimarc.com

they make stuff for customised arcade boxes which can easily be adapted into live.

Im in the process of designing my Street Fighter style controller now!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 2:07 pm

btw,

i always thought about designing my own midi controller, but i never knew where to start.. are there any good FAQs / tutorials etc. on the web?

anselm

2kilo · Post by **2kilo** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 3:17 pm

me to, I even did a visual. But I want more than I know how to make...
Bigger version here...
http://www.twokeylow.co.uk/zero2.jpg

warabunga · Post by **warabunga** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:53 pm

anybody knows where the roland buttons are manufactured?
and the IBK 10 Control uses the best knobs I've ever touched...

I want my personal midi controller too!
it would look almost like the behringer bcr2000 with some more features.

in fact, is it hard to do your own one?
what skills would you need?
I know a very good programmer, could he do it? he mostly codes in c++ and vb...

is there anybody out there having made his own gear?

Komplex · Post by **Komplex** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 12:11 am

also don't forget www.ucapps.de

The midibox platform is very good for live because it allows you to really customize your own controller.

I'll post a pic of my custom box when
I get my hands on a camera.

2kilo · Post by **2kilo** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 12:25 am

Its so frustrating, I'm a graphic designer so I can visualize what I want, but after having a brief web search it looks like a lot of circuit design and programming...?[I'll keep looking]

Anyone know of a "building a MIDI box for dummies"?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:26 am

darclex,
Try to find a small shop that does custom metal work for auto bodies (punched-out louvres and stuff for hot rods). Some sheet metal places do stuff like AC ducts exclusively but you should be able to find a smaller one-man shop that does a lot of weird odds and ends. Just find a few places in the phone book, go visit them in person, and explain what you're trying to do. You'll eventually find someone friendly who is willing to do a small job for you and since what you need is so small they may even be able to use small scrap ends and cut you a good deal.

warabunga · Post by **warabunga** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:41 am

wow, looks like its possible to do your own!
tnx for all the good links!

darclex · Post by **darclex** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:17 am

i know a lot of flame wars happen without there being any solvent solution so i wanted to thank all those who took the time to read my post and seriously consider and help me out. i'm well on my way to getting a custom face designed and the kilo thing was inspirational. this is a good community here, i hope no one ever takes it for granted.

--vic, addicted ableton user, and codependant forum user the same

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:36 pm

2kilo wrote:Its so frustrating, I'm a graphic designer so I can visualize what I want, but after having a brief web search it looks like a lot of circuit design and programming...?[I'll keep looking]

Anyone know of a "building a MIDI box for dummies"?

The ucapps.de stuff is modular, and although you probably won't be able to fit the circuit boards into those channel strips you've designed, some kind of wiring loom system coming from a "master box" might be feasible.

*you do not need to design your own circuit boards for standard midi controllers*, and stripping a trackball and sticking it inside a different box shouldn't be too difficult - if you use the ucapps system, you don't even need to program anything, it has dedicated programming software already.

BTW: I'm in the process of designing a 3 unit midi controller with like a hundred buttons on it, for triggering patterns, and rec/arm stuff.

2kilo · Post by **2kilo** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 5:15 pm

cheers "Machinate" I was feeling a bit low after having a look round the web. I'll go back and have another [more detailed] look at ucapps.de...

chepnut · Post by **chepnut** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:12 pm

If its not too much trouble could you give me a rough estimate on how much it would cost to build your own controller, I would like to try my hand at one but dont want it to cost the same as a Xone 3D

fabrication for custom midi controller

fabrication for custom midi controller

your replys have been a big help

cost?