There are 1,000,000 and one MIDI controllers and synths available on the market, however typically it’s simply extra satisfying to make your personal. [Turi Scandurra] very a lot went his personal manner when he put collectively his Diapasonix instrument.
Straight away, the construct is considerably harking back to a stringed instrument, what with its buttons specified by 4 “strings” of six “frets” every. Solely, they’re not a lot buttons, as particular person sections of a capacitive contact controller. A Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is accountable for studying the 24 pads, with assistance from two MPR121 capacitive contact ICs.
The Diapasonix could be performed as an instrument in its personal proper, utilizing the AMY synthesis engine. This offers an enormous vary of patches from the Juno 6 and DX7 synthesizers of outdated. Onboard results like delay and reverb can be utilized to change the sound. Alternatively, it may be used as a MIDI controller, feeding its knowledge to a PC connected over USB. It may be performed in a number of modes, with both direct notice triggers or with a “strumming” technique as a substitute.
We’ve featured an incredible many MIDI controllers over time, from the creative to the compact. Video after the break.
