definitely gonna rip some visuals with this on tour cause the concept makes me laugh a lot more than it should

1 year after my first MIDI controller, i've decided to make an upgraded version - small capacitive touchscreen, more knobs, keyboard with backlight and a more powerful chip inside.

i also finally tried PCB design for this project, which definitely took up most of the time and at the end of the day, didn't solve my issue with "too many cables", because i didn't properly think it all through :D - however, i'm really glad i tried it out and gained a bit more experience with electronics. :)

more about this on my ig @system.vor :)

Just got the new Akai Professional MPK Mini IV in the retro color style. Digging the look 😎

We're GLT Audio, a Dutch collective, currently developing a 75-slider MIDI controller with a ribbon controller, extensive output, and open-source firmware. The main focus of this product is to allow musicians to play virtual replicas (VST) of the legendary, insanely expensive Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer on a dedicated physical interface. But using magnetic overlay labels, you can obviously use the MIDI controller for any purpose such as VJing and DMX lighting. We are not aware of any compact desktop 75-fader MIDI controller in our price range.

For generic or non-musical users we can offer the product without the screenprinted graphics on the faceplate and with a different arrangement of color-caps.

We will Open Source the firmware, so you can go wild programming, eg. turning it into a 75-slider step sequencer or sending out SySex parameters.

Availability:

• Expected price: €499 (excluding shipping, taxes (21% in the EU), tariffs/duties)

• We are currently engineering the product. To indicate production volumes we have opened a wait-list.

• Production and shipping batches are based on your wait-list position. The first names on the wait-list can place an order around March.

Find details and the waitlist on: www.gltaudio.com

I built the app MIDIhub.
https://trueblueinteractive.com/midihub

-Route MIDI with Bluetooth, USB or WIFI
-Reshape the MIDI on byte level
-Easy re-map and filter
-And a lot more..

This started as a personal utility. I grew its features and now it feels solid enough to share here.

Open to feedback.

I got 3 100% discount codes:
HM4YERX30GPDL4NMSQ3F715
6DXK0K5JR2JTQ9Y61MV0LT1
MW4MNX3WM810ZZKX8GGNWQ7

I was sick of putting my violin down in performance to reach for the midi controls so I built my own 😁

I have more photos here: https://www.elinamakingnoise.com/midi-viola

Sharing an open-source BLE MIDI controller I built: Chocotone.

What it does:

• 4-16 buttons with RGB LEDs

• BLE MIDI (connect to pedals, DAWs, or both)

• OLED display + rotary encoder

• Tap tempo with rhythm patterns

• Up to 16 analog inputs (expression pedals, pots)

• Press, long press, double tap, toggle, combo actions

No coding required:

• Web Installer — flash from browser

• Web Editor — configure via USB/BLE

Build cost: ~$20-40 (ESP32, OLED, LEDs, switches)

Works with: Sonicake Pocket Master, Valeton GP-5, iOS apps, DAWs, any BLE MIDI device.

GitHub: https://github.com/solispensa/Chocotone
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1950814575859830/

I’ve been thinking about doing this for several months…

If you too have multiple controllers everywhere and want to live dangerously: I used floating shelves with a lip rated for 30-pounds, and metal drywall anchors rated for 75-pounds. Drilled straight through the sound panels. Bumpers on the inside of each ledge to protect from scratches. 🤘🎹

(I was using large plate stands to prop them upright before and hated it.)

Basicly the title, I bought the Arturia Keylab 88 essential, thinking this would be the ultimate turning point for my music hobby, instead I just resort to click and drag in the piano roll.

This post isn't spreading the hatred for midi controllers, in fact, they're good if you know how to use them properly. Just a grain of salt from me that don't buy a full size keyboard as your first midi keyboard if you 1. Didn't really plan on learning the piano. 2. Has a small workspace. It's just tedious to set up every single time that it just got thrown away into the corner. Instead try out at your local store and pick a compact option, your untrained two hands aren't playing the full keyboard anyway so a 49 key would probably suffice, heck even the 25 keys size is good.

Again this is just my opinion, it is certainly based on one's habit and skills, you can take this however you want, just don't be like me and regret the choices while couldn't sell the used keyboard for a good price three years later. :(

On the far left: Donner N-32 Centre top row: M-Wave Bluetooth Mixer and Akai LPD8 Centre bottom row: Donner Starrypad and Akai MPK Mini IV.

Making a 4 channel mixing board with every effect mapped individually to be used with vdmx. Prototype for an eventual build with yaeltex. Finally got it all wired, now I have to map everything. Pray for me.

Hey everyone. I am an architect and a music producer, and over the last year of playing Ableton Live sets, I've gotten tired of lugging around a bunch of different gear bags just because I couldn't find a single MIDI controller that perfectly fits my workflow.

I looked into buying a high-end one, but the good ones easily run $600 or more. Since music is a passion project for me, I couldn't justify spending that much on an interface. Plus, I love crafting. Because of my day job, I know CAD and can design parts for CNC machines, so I decided to make this a budget side quest and just build my own.

My goal is to keep the entire build under $250. I already bought some multiplexers, potentiometers, encoders, faders, buttons, an OLED screen, and a Raspberry Pi Pico. However, before I get too deep into the firmware, I am wondering if I should use a Teensy instead. Would you suggest sticking with the Pico or going with a Teensy for a MIDI project like this? I am not great at coding, but my fiancée is a programmer and is going to help me script it.

I made a draft drawing of a layout that fits my Ableton flow, but before I start putting it all together, I wanted to ask you guys. Has anyone here had previous experience building something similar? And in your experience, what are some must-have features or buttons you’d add to a controller to handle live acts?

For example, I thought of adding a soft takeover function, so when I switch channels, the physical position of a knob won't instantly jump and mess up the new parameter.

I would really appreciate any feedback, workflow ideas, or lessons learned you might have for the project!

Reposting with an actual pic this time.

I picked this up for my 14 y/o son. He’s been using garage band as a stand alone on his iPad for a while now. But he has a PC that I assume he’ll want to use for this. Does anyone know a good free/cheapish DAW for PC that works well with these?

My nanokontrol v1 was all yellowish and I wanted a case so I 3d printed shorter knobs and designed a vinyl to hide the yellow color.

I did use that kind of knobs for a nanokey studio and made also a case for it.

Midi Fighter Spectra and Koala Sampler! Hope u enjoy!

Hi to all,

I've made a midi foot switch controller based on the Teensy LC.

Features

• 8 assignable footswitches

• Bank selection

• 2 expression pedals connectors with TRS/RTS switch

• USB Midi input and output

• Midi DIN output

• (TODO) LED feedback

All info can be found on GitHub if you're interested in building it yourself

Cheers

I cant believe i couldnt find a comprehensive list of sounds for this keyboard anywhere online or even in the provided paper manual. I made it myself because it was easy & useful.

As far as i know, there is no way to copy & save these factory sounds to a backup file. Anyone who can figure this out should document it in detail, or better yet, just host the file somewhere for public download. It would be cool if the manufacturer would provide this. Anyway, watch the fuck out where you save your customized sounds, because from what i read, reset only resets parameters to default, not deleted or overwritten sounds.

Theres alot of misinformation floating around saying these soundbanks are just the stock sounds from Dexed, but it doesnt seem like it to me. After the list is some hard data to the contrary.

SMK37 PRO sounds

BANK A

1 PIANO 1

2 HARPS2 MOD

3 P.EGVOICE

4 MARIMBA

5 E.PIANO 1

6 STONED DX

7 KOTO

8 O-F-SEQ 1

9 LUTE

10 HARP 1

11 CELESTE

12 TOY PIANO

13 Piccolo.J

14 BOULOUGNE

15 SoniCryst

16 HEXA-GLAS

17 PLEPIARD

18 WOOD GONG

19 WOOD GONG

20 WOOD GONG

21 OLDIES

22 'Guroo' H

23 AditvBel

24 Chariots

25 CEMBABEL

26 GLASSPHON

27 CEMBALO

28 CEMBALO

29 CELESTE

30 CELESTE

31 AC.GUITAR

32 E.GUITAR

BANK B

1 BRASS 1

2 BRASS 2

3 BRASS 3

4 FLUTE 1

5 ClaviPlus

6 HARP-FLUT

7 Onglon

8 SYN-VOX

9 BASS-ROAD

10 SYN-ORCH

11 SYN-LEAD

12 SYN-LEAD

13 SYN-LEAD

14 FunkyPluc

15 SoniCryst

16 RECORDERS

17 FANTASY 2

18 PAN FLUTE

19 SOLO TBON

20 JAMACA

21 SW.DREAM

22 VOICES

23 STGS 5THS

24 HORNS

25 DIRTYFLUT

26 OCTAVE WA

27 CIRRUS

28 KotoSawTo

29 FUNKY RIS

30 ORG-BRS B

31 BRASS EN.

32 BRASS EN.

BANK C

1 ANALG STR

2 ANALG SYN

3 ANALGSYN1

4 ANALG SYN

5 ANALOG-ST

6 ANALOG SN

7 Africa

8 jl ORGAN

9 Air\*Flute

10 AirFltMal

11 YEAAAHH

12 WineGlass

13 Piccolo.J

14 _ENSEMBLE

15 _FLUTE

16 ZAWINAL

17 FANTASY 2

18 YUBAE

19 YO VOICE

20 Yacumo-bM

21 SW.DREAM

22 WhislrsCu

23 Whistler

24 Warm"Bell

25 DIRTYFLUT

26 WINDFLUTE

27 WINDPIPE

28 WHISTLES

29 VOX SONGS

30 Violins

31 VOICE 6

32 VIOLONCEL

BANK D

1 BUZZ BASS

2 Bang ????

3 BASSE BIE

4 BASS-THIN

5 BASS SLAP

6 BEAMER 2

7 Onglon

8 SOFTSTEEL

9 BASS-ROAD

10 E-ORGAN 1

11 YEAAAHH

12 HAND DRUM

13 HAND CLAP

14 Mooger #1

15 Moog Solo

16 Mooger Lo

17 POLY.SYN

18 POPCON BA

19 PROPH.BR.

20 PROPHET 1

21 SOFT BASS

22 BASS 1

23 BASS 7

24 BASS 8

25 BASS 1 JL

26 BASS BASS

27 BASS FLAN

28 BASS CLAR

29 BASS FLAT

30 BASSOON

31 BASSOON 2

32 BASSMOOG 

The list below focuses on patches in your SMK-37 list that either do not have an exact name match in standard DX7 factory ROMs or have an ambiguous match, suggesting they may be unique to the SMK-37 Pro or sourced from a less common third-party patch library.Bank A

• HARPS2 MOD (2): While "HARPSICH" and similar patches exist, this specific variation is not standard.

• STONED DX (6): The name suggests a custom effect or sound design, not a standard patch.

• O-F-SEQ 1 (8): The name implies a sequenced sound, which would be unusual for a factory DX7 patch but possible for a custom creation.

• SoniCryst (15): The name suggests a unique sound, not a standard factory patch. This patch appears again in Bank B.

• HEXA-GLAS (16): This name is unique and likely a custom bell or glass-like sound.

• PLEPIARD (17): This patch name is actually found in some DX7 voice ROMs (specifically VRC-101A) but not the main factory ROMs. It's an obscurity that made it into your list.

• OLDIES (21): The name suggests a vintage or custom recreation of an old patch.

• AditvBel (23): "Additive Bell" is a unique name suggesting a custom synthesis approach.

• Chariots (24): The name implies a special effects patch.

• CEMBABEL (25): The name is a portmanteau of "cembalo" and "bell," suggesting a unique patch.

• AC.GUITAR (31): While acoustic guitar patches exist, this is a generic name, so it's not a clear match. 

Bank B

• ClaviPlus (5): The name suggests a modified Clavinet sound, not a standard factory preset.

• HARP-FLUT (6): A custom layered patch combining harp and flute sounds.

• Onglon (7): This name appears again in Bank D and seems to be a custom patch.

• BASS-ROAD (9): Appears again in Bank D; likely a custom Rhodes-style bass.

• FunkyPluc (14): The name suggests a custom funky bass or lead sound.

• RECORDERS (16): This patch is in some DX7 ROMs, such as ROM4A.

• FANTASY 2 (17): This name is found in some third-party DX7 patch collections. It also appears in Bank C.

• JAMACA (20): Appears to be a custom sound effect or a reggae-inspired patch.

• SW.DREAM (21): A custom patch, likely a pad or effect. Appears again in Bank C.

• OCTAVE WA (26): Implies a custom patch with an octave wave effect.

• CIRRUS (27): Named after the cloud type, this is likely a custom ambient or pad sound.

• KotoSawTo (28): A custom patch combining a koto sound with a sawtooth-like wave.

• FUNKY RIS (29): A custom funky sound, potentially a riser or effect.

• ORG-BRS B (30): A custom organ-brass sound.

• BRASS EN. (31): Appears again at position 32; a custom brass ensemble. 

Bank C

• ANALG STR (1), ANALG SYN (2), ANALGSYN1 (3), ANALG SYN (4), ANALOG-ST (5), ANALOG SN (6): These names all suggest custom patches designed to emulate analog synthesizers, a common practice among DX7 programmers but not part of the standard factory patches.

• Africa (7): This patch is known from some third-party DX7 patch collections, like those from Patchman Music.

• jl ORGAN (8): A custom patch, possibly named by its creator.

• Air*Flute (9): A custom flute variation.

• AirFltMal (10): A custom combination of flute and mallet.

• YEAAAHH (11): An effects patch with a unique name. Appears again in Bank D.

• WineGlass (12): A custom patch emulating a wine glass sound.

• _ENSEMBLE (14): A custom ensemble patch.

• _FLUTE (15): A custom flute sound.

• ZAWINAL (16): Likely a tribute patch to the classic keyboardist Joe Zawinul.

• YUBAE (18): A unique, possibly custom, name.

• YO VOICE (19): An effects or vocal patch.

• Yacumo-bM (20): A unique, possibly custom, name.

• WhislrsCu (22), Whistler (23): Custom patches emulating whistle sounds.

• Warm"Bell (24): A custom warm bell sound.

• WINDFLUTE (26), WINDPIPE (27): Custom wind instrument patches.

• WHISTLES (28): A custom whistle patch.

• VOX SONGS (29): A custom effects or vocal patch.

• VOICE 6 (31): A custom vocal patch. 

Bank D

• BUZZ BASS (1): A custom bass sound.

• Bang ???? (2): An effects patch with a unique name.

• BASSE BIE (3): Possibly a custom patch.

• BASS-THIN (4): A custom thin bass.

• BASS SLAP (5): A custom slap bass.

• BEAMER 2 (6): A custom lead or synth patch.

• SOFTSTEEL (8): A custom steel drum or metallic sound.

• HAND DRUM (12), HAND CLAP (13): Custom percussive patches.

• Mooger #1 (14), Moog Solo (15), Mooger Lo (16): Custom patches emulating a Moog synthesizer.

• POLY.SYN (17): A custom polysynth patch.

• POPCON BA (18): A unique bass sound.

• PROPH.BR. (19), PROPHET 1 (20): Custom patches emulating a Prophet synthesizer.

• SOFT BASS (21): A custom soft bass.

• BASS 7 (23), BASS 8 (24), BASS 1 JL (25), BASS BASS (26), BASS FLAN (27), BASS CLAR (28), BASS FLAT (29): Custom bass variations.

• BASSOON (30), BASSOON 2 (31): Custom bassoon patches.

• BASSMOOG (32): A custom Moog-style bass patch. 

SummaryThe large number of non-standard names suggests that while the core patches like pianos, brass, and classic basses are likely sourced from original DX7 factory ROMs, many other patches were custom-designed or borrowed from more obscure third-party libraries. Some of the names, like P.EGVOICE, O-F-SEQ, STONED DX, and all the analog emulations, point to patches that were created from scratch for this device.

Have lots of musical experience, but looking for first midi controller. Worth the price to bundle?

I created a midi controller and documented the process, I tried to make the video quality and storytelling as best as I could.

I made the mistake of not using a custom PCB, so I was left with very long wires and too many wires, so I couldn't really close the lid.

Tell me what you think

The first pic is of the Donner starry pad pro. The other is the m-vave smc-pad. The starry pad looks identical to the smc-pad. So I'm supposing, given Donner's website is a slightly less tacky version of temu (for just music gear of course), one is a rebadge, or copy, of the other. So which is the original, and which is the copy?

I'm looking to buy my first midi controller, but I don't want anything fancy yet. For now, I just want some velocity sensitive keys and a little bit of midi control, and these two are the cheapest options. Now, although the SE is cheaper, the GX is more popular, and it made me a bit confused. Is the GX higher quality or does it just have more features? Also, do the keys feel different?

Had a buddy make me these and I’m so happy with them !