Hey everyone! I'm working on building a DIY MIDI controller that will have 7 buttons, a joystick, and a small display, similar to the hichord. I'm planning to use a rotary encoder with a switch for navigation, which will let me change the key and the scale type when pressed. The display should show the current key and chord being played, including modifications like adding 9ths or sus4s. I want it to be MIDI-only, with no integrated speaker or synth, and I'm even 3D printing the enclosure for it.
Here's where I'm stuck: I need some guidance on what type of microcontroller to use and whether I should design a custom circuit board. Also, I want to know what programming language would be best for coding something that communicates via MIDI. I have some basic knowledge of C++, C#, and Python, and I'm familiar with Arduino, having worked with an Arduino Uno and some basic components before. Any advice would be super helpful!
1 Answer
You might want to go with an Arduino Mega for your MIDI controller. It's perfect for low-level operations and has tons of community support and resources. The Arduino IDE has excellent libraries available for MIDI communication, which will help you get started quickly. Plus, with the Mega, you get more UART ports, which is handy since you'll likely need one for MIDI and another for debugging. Just remember, this Arduino doesn't have to be your one and only choice moving forward—keep exploring other microcontrollers as your project evolves!