MacroPot

Deftaudio MacroPot is a single knob deeply programable MIDI controller with extended interface capabilities based around Teensy HW and Arduino programming model. It's designed to be the most compact Teensy3.2 MIDI implementation in a very dense packaging inside a rugged enclosure. You don't need to be experienced in Arduino programming, it comes with full featured firmware. However for experienced users can leverage an Open Source firmware available for your own modifications.

Introduction Video

https://youtu.be/noCOXES7csQ

Hardware features:

• Rotary dual color (with brightness control) encoder with a push button

• OLED display for a visual feedback and preset information

• Up/Down buttons for a preset management

• 1 x MIDI Input (3.5mm TRS MIDI A or B)

• 3 x MIDI Output (3.5mm TRS MIDI A or B)

• USB MIDI Class compliant with 4 x MIDI devices under OS (1 physical port)

• 1 x Audio/CV/trigger/sync output (via PWM or DAC)

• Programmable activity LED

• Standalone operation from a power bank or power supply.

Software features:

MacroPot is based around the idea of controlling multiple parameters at a time and quick switching between presets (macro). Within a current macro it’s possible to assign up to 5 simultaneous active controllers for transmit as well as a push button behavior. This allows to create layers or splits in values, assign controllers to different events, messages and MIDI ports, implement curves. MacroPot is also a 1x3 MIDI interface device with merging capability, which enables it at any place in the setup -- as a USB controller for any class compliant device or pass through HW MIDI input for your gear.

• Number of Macros:10

• Number of controllers per Macro:5

• Controller parameters:

  • USB output port number 1-4 to send a data out

  • MIDI port number 1-3 to send a data out

  • Type of the transmitted data: CC, Note, Program Change, Pitch Band (Synclavier mode), NRPN(future FW releases)

  • MIDI Channel 1-16

  • Programmable CC number, MIDI Note number or Program Change number

  • Controller range: Low value, High value

  • Controller mapping onto encoder position: Map start, Map end

  • Controller Curve for creating curves for CC messages

  • Programmable MIDI Note number for Note ON messages

• Push Button parameters:

  • USB output port number 1-4 to send a data out

  • MIDI port number 1-3 to send a data out

  • Type of the transmitted data: CC or Note

  • MIDI Channel 1-16

  • Programmable CC number or MIDI Note number

  • Programmable CC value or MIDI Note velocity

  • Different action behavior supported: Push button or Toggle(for Note)

• MIDI Merge capability: configurable per Macro HW MIDI input can pass through to any HW of 1-3 outputs

• Assignable Macro name: up to 7 characters on the display

• Programming: SysEx over USB

Purchasing

MacroPot is an open project, you may decide to purchase a PCB only and source other parts by yourself with a BOM, get an electronic kit, a complete kit or go by pieces. There are multiple options for your level of experience and a budget.

• MacroPot PCB only - $8

• MacroPot base electronic kit (all electronics but Teensy 3.2): - $38

  • PCB

  • OLED

  • Encoder and a cap

  • Buttons and caps

  • Passive components - resistors, capacitors, diodes

  • Connectors - pin headers, 3.5mm TRS sockets

  • Dupont wires

• MacroPot complete kit: - $68

  • Base electronic kit

  • Teensy 3.2 (pre-programmed)

  • Enclosure (requires drilling and painting)

  • Acrylic panels

  • Rubber stands

  • Top screws

  • Thermal pad (TIM)

  • USB cable

• MacroPot assembled unit - $118

• Spares:

  • Acrylic Panels - $10

  • Transparent encoder cap - $5

  • Custom 3.5 mm mini stereo to 5 pin DIN MIDI breakout cable (male or female, Type A or Type B) - $7

Available at:

Tindie: https://www.tindie.com/stores/deftaudio/

• https://www.tindie.com/products/deftaudio/macropot-deeply-programmable-midi-controller-kit/

eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/ktracker_rus/m.html

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333318502019
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333318503584
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333318504255
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333318504975
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333319417566
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/333319422143

BOM list

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15D16pYKxWzvwlihMUm6H49rWIW-DiubtF_ozgL0KMLI/edit?usp=sharing

Assembly Guide

MacroPot is modular, you may decide that for particular project you don’t need all three MIDI outputs, or MIDI input, or Analog output and so you can omit some components. The schematic is open, you’re free to do that. Complete assembly process is documented in the guide and includes soldering, mechanical and programming steps.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nHQZJlmbKfMoiNE-2jQ2WAEOWn6yFhDtXKQVzbqB8Ts/edit?usp=sharing

ASSEMBLY VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/n0h99QKWodY

Programming Guide

MacroPot is programmable over SysEX messages. There is no GUI editor currently, instead you just send a raw SysEx command with your favourite tool. I highly recommend cross-platform command line SendMIDI utility by Geert Bevin https://github.com/gbevin/SendMIDI but other tools, such as MIDIOX will work too.

SysEx programming may look confusing in a first place, in fact, you got great documentation to support your learning. You'll learn everything from here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nPIYxyJ24XFE5UrgwzTidY-a2B3J3utPwMfMKG4Hb1w/edit?usp=sharing

PROGRAMMING VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/COOzS5v5v0I

Synclavier Mode:

https://youtu.be/EoEbT5Iu1uM

Andrei Kudryavtsev, Deftaudio 2008-2019.