I’ve been reading up on MIDI since getting into music and have been harbouring ideas on creating some hardware things as I’ve been reading. Last night I discovered pocket strings which led me on to Christian’s video on string programming. That stopped me in my tracks as I just wasn’t aware you could play instruments like shown. It instantly made me think about making some kind of orchestral controller to play with while I learn my way in music.
This got me thinking, those that use them, are there things that existing solutions are lacking in, are there tactile or functional elements that aren’t quite right?
I plan to start playing with designs and testing prototypes, so thought I’d ask those in the know how I could make something bettter? I’m a design engineer, so things like this really float my boat, and if it helps me learn more about music, then even better.
I’d be really keen to hear your thougths and ideas, woh knows it could end up in my actually bringing a product out, such is the way of the world these days, it is relatively easy to bring ideas to reality.
Oh i’ve sketched many iterations of mine, mixes of faders and knobs and buttons.
So the basics are obvious. 3 faders for expression, modulation and vibrato. Then from there my designs had 3-4 shorter faders for mic positions for the libraries that have that. Then a set of 4-6 knobs on top for well… knobs… so like…. You know just reverbs, tightness release attack or in the case of pocket strings the glass and reverb controls, that kind of thing… also would need a trs plug so i can connect an expression pedal but that’s a very ME thing i like to play with 2 hands and i use the expression pedal for CC1 sometimes. Then at some point i added a transport control because why not?! We’re already here might as well throw in that for ease of use! So that’s could be 4 buttons
100% needs a way to program the midi CC for each controller
Other buttons that might be of use i would say maybe 8-16 SMALL buttons programmed to notes in order to use as key switches for articulations could be super useful but maybe not needed, just nice to have closer specially for people that have smaller keyboards.
That’s all i can think of that i’ve considered for my own controller that maybe someday i’ll make
Interesting question. I’m not a superfan of traditional faders due to ergonomics but I use them for lack of a better simple option. Christian mentioned in a video or two that he remaps basic CC controls to better work with the natual function of hand tendons. I’m positive there are “better” option. So let’s rant a little… First off, you have a lot of existing options for human to midi communication; Some of which you can even buy in bulk. Mix and match and you could get something fun. Here’s what I’ve seen so far.
Basic = Buttons (arcade, gamepad, keyboard switches), levers, on/off switches (spring or latch), Sustain/foot Pedal.
One axis = Slider, Knob (stop or endless), wheel, trigger, spring back wheel, Spring back pedal, Twist/torque sensor, Bite/lip pressure sensors
One axis velocity sensative = drum pads, piano keys, buttons, pedals, Accelerometers and Gyroscopes, slide rails,
X/y position = Joystick, touchpad, drawing tablet(pressure/tilt), Trackball, touch screen, mouse, rotary knobs, balance/tilt switch, pressure sensors, proximity sensors, breath pressure,
x/y/z position = multi-touch pads, deformation/squish/bendable rod sensor, Whatever the F#k a Theremin does.
Multi position and motion tracking = “Leap Motion”, “Kinect”, “EEG” device, hand gesture tracking, Voice/whistle to midi, face tracking (blink/twitch/“emotion” to midi), Dance to midi.
… Obviouslty you can use this stuff to make something with proven ergonomics like a one handed GamePad with pressure sensative buttons and triggers, a trackball, CC velocity sensors, CC tilt sensors, etc (that’d be cool).
You could also get weird with it and make a spinning wheel that controlls an LFO and responds to tilt, pressure, and verbal abuse.
You could even make a “power glove” that can control a drum kit through clapping and body percussion.
But please, for the love of god, don’t make yet another Trapper Keeper with faders and rotary knobs.