Check Out My New Mini MIDI Controller Prototype – Any Tips on Design or Control Ideas?
My latest WIP, the "World's Second Smallest MIDI Controller" (I think). It's a bit bigger than the first iteration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ws_JfCw5NY in order to accommodate a potentiometer and larger buttons, as well as a CR2032 battery instead of a CR2016. I also added an ICSP header pinout with the extra room, which is an absolute treat to flash versus using a chip clip, at least in my initial LED flashing test. Also used some better solder paste and possibly heated it to a better temperature and things seemed to melt into place MUCH better.
Cool making a 2nd prototype of something and getting to correct some of your errors! If any of you are musically inclined (or even if you're not) any suggestions on how to actually use it controls-wise? I have some ideas, but good to get other perspectives!
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YouTube
1 Inch MIDI: World's Smallest MIDI controller
How I made a the world's smallest MIDI music controller in the form of a 1 inch cube!
ToC:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Mechanical Design With Fusion 360
1:06 - KiCad Electrical Design
2:20 - PCB assembly
3:52 - Mechanical assembly
5:25 - Fits into a 1 inch cube and tested!
6:06 - Arduino Code
7:58 - Demo
9:21 - Outro
9:43 - World's first MIDI necklace?...
2 Replies
For my MIDI controller project, I used a 10K potentiometer, thinking that was a high enough value. However, I realize now that ~3V from the CR2032 battery will drain V/R or 3/10000 or .0003 amps constantly. Being generous, and looking for round numbers, this will constantly drain a 300 mAh capacity CR2032 battery in .3 / .0003 = 1000 hours, or just over 41 days.
This isn't an entirely unacceptable lifespan, but that's before any of the other stuff gets factored in. I should have really considered this pot a bit more before purchasing it. That being said, what's the disadvantage of using a 100k pot, or even a 1M pot? Are my math/assumptions correct? Guessing the voltage response might be slower.
Your math is correct. Using a 100K or 1M potentiometer would reduce current draw and extend battery life, but it might introduce noise and slow voltage response. If those aren't major issues, a higher resistance pot could work well.