So i have been quietly working on version 2 of my DIY midi controller. It is starting to take shape so i thought now is an ok tike to share some progress.
To catch you up on the last update, i sat on my v1:
It has 16 pot knobs, 5 rotary encoders, and two screens.
I went with a design that was more modular and impermanent. Wires will be hooked up into headers placed along the pins of the chips. Basically home made breakout boards.
I also used a more proper project enclosure. I got some tools like a dremel i did not have before that made cutting holes better. I used an epoxy to affix the screens to the box, i should have sanded the epoxy better for a more flush look, but this is a utilitarian design first and formost. Once it is operational, i can focus on making it more perty.
I mounted the breakout boards to a separate removable bit of wood from a cigar box, which is itself mounted to the bottom of the box with flush flat m3 screws. I wanted this to be somewhat easier to put together, take apart and troubleshoot.
The brains is a teensy 3.2. I went with this because i can use usb midi protocol, but this same project could be handled with a 5 pin midi serial and a nano. I just wanted less cables than v1. The nano would make this build cheaper though so its not “strictly better”.