MIDI Ribbon Controller

This is a simple MIDI project, utilizing the Miduino design, to  output  MIDI Note ON/OFF and Pitch Bend control signals when a ribbon/softpot variable potentiometer is adjusted. When the ribbon/softpot is pressed a MIDI Note On message is transmitted. While it is still pressed a MIDI Pitch Bend message is sent if the finger is moved. When the finger is removed the MIDI Note Off message is transmitted.

  

 

 

 

	MIDI Ribbon Controller ITEM#: MIDIRIBCON PRICE:  €35.00

The MIDI Ribbon Controller unit utilizes:

• A Miduino kit including a suitable pre-programmed Atmega168,
• A 2.1mm power socket, and associated LED, 
• A 4-way DIP switch, which selects the MIDI channel at power-on, shown in table 1
• A MIDI 5-pin DIN output socket,
•  0.1" pin-terminal inputs/outputs,
• The circuit schematic is available,
• MIDI available/transmit LED

 

 

The MIDI Ribbon Controller also requires:

• A 9v battery or equivalent DC power source
• A 100k ohm 0.25W resistor
• A ribbon/softpot linear potentiometer (Sparkfun Electronics)

 

Operation:

A MIDI Ribbon control signal is transmitted when a softpot variable potentiometer is adjusted. The ribbon/softpot controller is available from Sparkfun Electronics in different sizes.

 

 

The MIDI command is channel (1-16) dependent. The MIDI channel, that the volume controller affects, is set by the 4-way DIP switch selection, shown in Table 1 below.

 

Design Requirements:

The design is a compromise of the number of individual notes that a finger can play separately on any given ribbon controller length. It is similar to a violin. Except a violin has continuous pitch changes along its length. Whereas the ribbon has specific MIDI Note On positions and THEN variable Pitch Bend.

If you consider the width of a finger is 1/2" to 3/4" then the controller length can be divided by these values to determine the maximum range of notes. The ribbon/softpot controller is available in different lengths.

For a 18 inch (500 mm) long ribbon controller with 3/4" finger, number of notes would be 24
For a 300mm -11.81 " long ribbon controller with 3/4" finger, number of notes would be approx. 16
For a 200mm -7.84 " long ribbon controller with 3/4" finger, number of notes would be approx. 10

For a 18 inch (500 mm) long ribbon controller with 1/2" finger, number of notes would be 36
For a 300mm -11.81 " long ribbon controller with 1/2" finger, number of notes would be approx. 24
For a 200mm -7.84 " long ribbon controller with 1/2"finger, number of notes would be approx. 16

So there is some compromise in choosing the design parameters. Perhaps if used by adults or children. However if you choose one of the above, number of notes choices, it can be pre-programmed into the design. 

      

Assembly:

The kit includes all parts necessary, the assembly is straightforward and well documented. This design does not include a USB chip, it is designed to use a FTDI USB 232-TTL cable to program the microcontroller.  However since the cable plugs directly into the Miduino, you can use one cable for multiple Miduinos.

   

MIDI Wiring:

The MIDI  OUT connector uses a  5-Pin 180 degree DIN sockets. Note that the MIDI IN/OUT wiring is polarised and the correct pins should be used.

 

Download:

Open the  source code file and copy and paste it into the Arduino programme and save it as a .PDE file.

 

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