Infrared Sensors to MIDI Control Change Commands

Infrared Sensors to MIDI

This design uses Infrared distance sensors to convert physical movement/gestures (e.g. hand, leg, head etc.) to MIDI Control Change messages. These MIDI messages can be used to control various elements within a MIDI software or hardware synthesiser/module.

 

The 6 Infrared (IR) distance sensors control MIDI Control Change data numbers 48 to 61 inclusive. The MSB is first (0 to 127 e.g. CC#48), then the LSB is second (0 to 7 eg CC#49). This is the first pair of CC messages for a 10 bit data output.

 

These values can be assigned in MIDI programmes e.g. Reason, Live, Sonar, Cubase etc. to control various parameters within these programmes. The MIDI output channel (1 to 16) can be selected by the 4-way DIP switch.

 

 

 

*Click to Enlarge*	6 IR SENSORS TO MIDI CC ITEM#: 6IR2MIDI PRICE:  €45.00

 

 

The MIDI  6-way IR Sensor unit utilizes:

• An assembled, built and tested Arduino board including a suitable pre-programmed Atmega168,
• A 2.1mm power socket, and associated LED, 
• A MIDI activity LED,
• A 4-way DIP switch, which selects the MIDI channel at power-on, shown in table 1
• A 150mm wired MIDI 5-pin DIN input socket,
• A 150mm wired MIDI 5-pin DIN output socket, 
• The MIDI IN/OUT circuit schematic is also available.
• The complete circuit schematic is available,

 

 

  

  

The MIDI  6-way IR Sensor unit requires:

• A 9 Volt battery or equivalent 9 Volt DC power source
• 6 Infrared Distance Sensors, Analogue Outputs

 

MIDI IN/OUT Wiring:

 

*Click to Enlarge*	The MIDI IN and OUT connectors use  5-Pin 180 degree DIN sockets. Note that the MIDI IN/OUT wiring is polarised and the correct pins should be used.

 

  

Operation:

The design uses Sharp analogue output Infrared distance sensors. There are various types available with different sensor ranges. Some examples are of 4-30 cm distance GP2D120XJ00F and 10-80 cm distance GP2D12J0000F.  The MIDI channel, that the volume controller affects, is set by the 4-way DIP switch selection, shown in Table 1 below.

   

Circuit Schematic:

A circuit schematic of the MIDI IN/OUT and the Arduino, combined with the Infrared distance sensors, shows the Input/Output connections. 

  

Power Supply:

The  Arduino/Freeduino etc. Diecimila can be powered via the USB connection or with an external power supply. The power source is selected by the PWR_SEL jumper. To power the board from the USB connection, place it on the two pins closest to the USB connector, for an external power supply, the two pins closest to the external power jack.

 

External (non-USB) power can come either from an AC-to-DC adapter (wall-wart) or battery. The adapter can be connected by plugging a 2.1mm center-positive plug into the board's power jack. Leads from a battery can be inserted in the Gnd and Vin pin headers of the POWER connector. A low dropout regulator provides improved energy efficiency.

 

The board can operate on an external supply of 7 to 20 volts. If supplied with less than 7V, however, the 5V pin may supply less than five volts and the board may be unstable. If using more than 12V, the voltage regulator may overheat and damage the board. The recommended range is 7 to 12 volts.

 

Note that with the Arduino Duemilanove or Mega the power input selection (USB/EXT.) is automatically selected.

             

Re-Programming:

Note,  the the current needs of the IR sensors require the use of an external power supply if the sensors are connected when re- programming the ATmega168 microcontroller via the USB-TTL serial interface.