Victor Carreon aka DJ Limbs is building his own mini MIDI controller for Ableton! This page will serve as a sort of project wiki as things progress.
1-10-2011
I bought this:
And am following this to make my midi controller:
http://noisybox.net/electronics/dickhole_keypiss/
I hope to make a very simple 4x4 mini pad that can sit on my laptop in the space directly to the right of the laptop trackpad.
This is helping me a lot:
http://pcbheaven.com/wikipages/How_Key_Matrices_Works/
1-14-2011
So I got almost everything I need to put things together. For the actual pad matrix, I opted to go with Livid Instruments' builder series because of the size:
http://shop.lividinstruments.com/builder/byob-push-small.html
http://shop.lividinstruments.com/rubber-key-pads-4x4.html
Unfortunately, I didn't plan my design out well enough and found putting anything in that space to the left or right of the trackpad is mad annoying when I'm trying to type or even use the mouse. So I'm back to square one as far as what I'm looking for, but I figured I'll still go through with putting it together and programming it. I might try cutting the buttons to make them as small as possible while maintaining the push feel as these stick out quite a bit and are very wobbly. If only I could use Novation's launchpad buttons!
Soldered the matrix together last night so all I need to do now is put the diodes in each button and connect it to Teensy++. Then the headache really starts when I try my hand at some C programming.
1-18-2011
So seriously re-thinking the design of this mini thing. I found these sites:
http://www.rfmicrolink.com/products.html
http://www.sigma6electronics.com/rubber-keypads/rubber-keypad-resources-pages-and-links/
That might be a way to custom create my buttons depending on cost. I'm also considering jacking the buttons from the Novation Launchpad but that'd make some very pricey pads and an unusable Launchpad. Maybe if I find one on craigslist for cheap.
Anyways, still waiting for diodes to come in the mail. Then I'll put 'em in and wire the keypad to the Teensy and get things started.
-- Link Dump --
http://highlyliquid.com/midi-controllers/midi-cpu/