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DIY Midi Foot switch with Channel Switching.


NixerX

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Anyone know where I can find info on where to start this project?
:thu:

 

The first step would be to write up a more detailed set of requirements saying in some detail what you want the foot switch to do.

 

For example, I assume it would have a midi-in and midi-out and when the switch is depressed it would somehow change the channel assignments of the data passing through it. How to specify how the re-map is done? A set of switches? or keypad and LCD panel, rotary shaft encoders? The first step is always a very detailed description of the product and the user interface.

 

Midi is just serial data. A micro controller would read the data from midi-in and copy it to midi-out and also at the same time monitor a switch in the pedal and any user interface like rotary encoders or keypad.

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I'm currently in the prototyping stage of building a midi control footswitch (channel switching like you want) with a micro-controller and temporary components on a breadboard (right now it just controls the LEDS, I've not gotten to actually sending MIDI data yet, waiting on parts).

 

I found this project online and have used that as my jumping off point, check out Max Greco's microfoot project. Not much info on exactly what to do, but what I did learn from that project was about the micro-controller he used, and from researching that found a wealth of information on how to use that controller in terms of sending midi data (though like I said I haven't gotten to that point in my build yet). We both are using an Arduino micro-controller (about $30 for the latest model). It's nice as there is a very active following for this board with a lot of examples and libraries already written to do a lot of what needs to be done for a project like this.

 

I'm modeling mine more like a Line 6 Shortboard with bank up/down footswitches with one (or more) 7 segment LED displays, 4 "patch" change footswitches and an expression pedal that will toggle between volume and wah controls.

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I'm currently in the prototyping stage of building a midi control footswitch (channel switching like you want) with a micro-controller and temporary components on a breadboard (right now it just controls the LEDS, I've not gotten to actually sending MIDI data yet, waiting on parts).


I found this project online and have used that as my jumping off point, check out
. Not much info on exactly what to do, but what I did learn from that project was about the micro-controller he used, and from researching that found a wealth of information on how to use that controller in terms of sending midi data (though like I said I haven't gotten to that point in my build yet). We both are using an Arduino micro-controller (about $30 for the latest model). It's nice as there is a very active following for this board with a lot of examples and libraries already written to do a lot of what needs to be done for a project like this.


I'm modeling mine more like a Line 6 Shortboard with bank up/down footswitches with one (or more) 7 segment LED displays, 4 "patch" change footswitches and an expression pedal that will toggle between volume and wah controls.

 

 

The Arduino ($30) is an expensive way to buy a $5 ATmega168. And the "mega168" is likely overkill for this project, A $0.98 part would work. But if you only are building just one pedal there is only $30 to be saved at most.

 

I think a MUCH better controller board is the ATmel "butterfly". First off it's $10 cheaper. It uses the exact same CPU chip (ATmega168) and the best part is the included LCD display panel. The Panel allows for a much more sophisticated user interface then just some LEDs and again it's $10 less money

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3146

 

Most of the work is going to be the software. For me, I find it much easier to write and debug the software on a desktop computer, then after it's working port it down to the micro controller.

 

As for the physical design. I think A Hammond die-cast box with midi in and out, a 9V or 12v input jack then several 1/4 inch jacks for pedal switches. It would add only the cost of the 1/4" jack to allow for multiple foot switches

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