[aris] is continuing work on his harmonic table keyboard midi controller. Instead of the traditional linear keyboard layout, keys are laid out in a hexagonal pattern. This is the same idea as the C-Thru AXiS, which you can find a video demo of here. Along the left edge is a row of buttons to transpose the layout up or down. Switches for octave up and down along with a generic slider are also included. The final controller will include a 16×2 LCD character display. The core of the controller is MIDIBox, and he’s using the SDK to write the custom C code. Embedded below is the first test with just four buttons wired.

[D.St-Amand] is designing the SyncMaster, a compact modular midi controller, from scratch. The design focuses on a modular build where you can swap out pieces like the one pictured above to achieve different layouts. Not only is it modular, but its very compact. Shown next to some common competitors, it looks very sleek.

Development seems to be moving forward, the pictures have been updated frequently. Lets hope to see a fully functional demo some time soon. Some more detailed information on the build might be nice as well. This may remind you of our story on MachineCollective. While there are similarities in that they’re modular, SyncMaster appears to be a much more polished and portable product. Keep us updated [D.St-Amand].

Sometime ago…i decided to build a unique midi controller [ aka MIDIbox ]as an interface to Csound, pd, and Digital Performer.

I ordered the material for the core module, LTC module (display), and the A(nalog)IN module for the 64 knobs I planned to implement from SmashTV.

Having earned a C- in 8th grade shop class, this is an ambitious undertaking for me because of all the soldering involved. However, I have found many helpful resources on the web for this project, especially this well written tutorial with excellent videos and photos.

clockwise from top left: blank circuit boards, wire and green leds, midi connectors, potentomiters, core module stuff, the core module itself, pcbs, display unit [in center], and lots of jumpers.

Il progetto del MIDIBox è disponibile qui.

[via Make]