Most of the time I use Reason as my main synthesizer while playing. I'm including my analog synthesizer patch in the files section. Even those with other woodwind controllers should easily be able to use this patch to create great sounding music.
Reason offers a free 30-day trial, but even after that, you can load the patch and play live without issue (just can't save files from the DAW). Free Reason Trial
Great synth station for keyboards and live audio as well!
There will be some rack extensions that you need to install also, so hit me up if you need some help with this.
The actual schematics for this project are super simple. Three breakout boards and a Teensy 3.2 were used.
Originally a lower power microcontroller was used, as nothing in this project really requires the Cortex M4 or advanced feature set of the Teensy 3.2. However the project was transitioned over to this development board in the hope of one day creating a great sounding synthesizer on the same chip.
Breakouts for the MPR121 and BNO055 were used because I had them handy, but when the kit is developed I plan on having them native to the PCB. While MPR121s are at end of life, they are still readily available, and if become hard to source it would be easy to switch to another capacitive touch IC.
This schematic does not show the wireless serial connection, but for those who have an amateur radio license in the US, they can utilize the APC220 which is a really superb option for this project.
My prototype also has two pull-down resistors on SDA and SDL, but were not needed when using the breakouts from adafruit, but add them in if you are having trouble with your I2C.
In the digital instrument market today there are very limited options for MIDI woodwind controllers. This project aims to bring a DIY opensource version up to the plate that the average maker can create and play. This could eventually be a great project in school curriculum for those technologically inclined musicians beyond the standard robot classes.
We are flooded with MIDI keyboards, matrix controllers, drum sets, but those who wish to harness the dynamic response of breath are left lacking in options. This open source instrument should be a source to many hackers who would like to implement an intuitive and configurable instrument.
In the end I wish to offer up kits (laser cut files and pre-programmed microcontrollers) to those who would like to build their own instrument.
Project Goals:
Create an electronic aerophone (MIDI woodwind controller) that is intuitively playable.
Easily re-created by the average maker and is not just a music making gadget.
Inexpensive and easily adaptive to new sensors and fingering modes
J. M. Hopkins
