Have you ever wanted to experiment with MIDI, but didn’t know where to start? Or perhaps you didn’t think you could afford to properly outfit your digital beat laboratory, especially given the average hacker’s penchant for blinkenlights? Well worry no more, as [Johan von Konow] has unveiled a collection of DIY MIDI devices that anyone with a 3D printer can build on the cheap.
The LEET modular synthesizer is made up of a keyboard, drum pad, chord keyboard, arpeggiator and a step sequencer that plug into your computer and interface with industry standard digital audio workstation (DAW) programs. The down side is that they don’t do anything on their own, but this simplification allowed [Johan] to really streamline the design and bring the cost of the build down to the bare minimum.
You don’t need to build all the components either, especially if you’re just testing the waters. The keyboard is a great starting point, and even if you have to buy all the components new from eBay, [Johan] says it shouldn’t cost you more than $10 USD to build. You just need an Arduino Pro Micro, some tact switches, and a section of WS2812 RGB LED strip. There’s an excellent chance you’ve already got some of that in the parts bin, which will make it even cheaper.
There is one missing element though: the PCB. But not because you have to source it yourself. Like his clever Arduboy clone we covered earlier in the year, the 3D printed bodies for all of the LEET devices have integrated wiring channels that serve as a stand-in for a traditional circuit board. Simply place all your components, push some stiff 0.3 mm diameter wire down into the channels, and solder the ends. It’s a very neat approach, and something we could see becoming more popular as desktop 3D printers become an increasingly common sight in the home workshop.
Is that OCD yet if I’m bothered by the fact that he didn’t use white tact switches for the white keys? ;-)
Yes.
LEET + Mobile phone = Synthesizer:
https://youtu.be/4Jrv6JmE3lc
Ok, that was just cool.
Outstanding project. The “3D PCB” idea blows my mind. The only thing missing is sound generation, but a Korg NTS-1 would make this fully DAWless.
I need to look into the Arduino platform more, this seems simple enough once running the right code. I have some real keyboards to make MIDI including Hammond chord and keys. Caustic is killer on a phone, shame Android has lag as a live instrument goes. On linux or windows just use free ZynAddSubFX for a great synth experience sans DAW. I understand it (Z) can be ported to a newer Raspberry Pi. It would be limited to presets.
Here’s to the oldest widely used consumer serial communications standard used still by all the majors, MIDI. Clink!
The 3D printed ‘circuit’ could be done in brass bussbar and oak or walnut like a 1920’s radio. That was cool till the volts got to be B+ powered. Steampunk synth.