fatcatcoder/arduino-midi-controller

Three slide potentiometers connected to a ATmega32U4 Arduino Leonardo board for a music midi controller.

Arduino Midi Controller

Dead simple arduino midi controller for three slide potentiometers

Why?

When composing orchestral tracks the use of slide pots is crucial to emulating the real dynamics of instruments played by humans. I love the feel and full length of my playing keyboard. All I required was a few pots to control Dynamics, Volume, and Expression settings on my VSTs. This project is my successful attempt to create the perfect and dirt cheap alterative to popular DJ gear and controllers with more features than I required.

Required Equipment

• 3 Logarithmic (Audio taper) Potentiometers @ 10kΩ *
• ATmega32U4 processor (Arduino Leonardo board or other) **
• Snap Connectors
• Breadboard
• USB 2.0 type B to type A (male to male) cable

After prototype

• Solder (or other more secure wiring solution off the breadboard)
• Enclosing (I built a custom wooden case from hand with some hobby store craft wood and glue)

Required Software

• Arduino programing software
• Install Arduino Midi Library

Wiring

Notes

* audio taper follows the traditional way the human ear perceives changes in volume and is standard use for audio equipment. You can use slider or rotary pots

** you could use a the more popular atmega328P (Arduino UNO) but this would require more setup and excess software to properly setup the midi interface (see hairless midi) on computers whereas the 32u4 is plugin and go