MIDI/USB 61 NOTE VELOCITY ENCODER

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Description:

This design is based on the requirements of a 61 Note Velocity sensitive Fatar keyboard. The keyboard is arranged as two matrices of 8x4 (32), for the Left Hand Bass range. Also an 8x4 (32) matrix, for the Right hand Treble range, but only 29 of the 32 switch positions are connected. So this produces a total of 61 (32 + 29) keys. The connections can be made via two 16 way (2x8) Micromatch ribbon cables, which can plug in directly to the corresponding Micromatch socket on the Fatar keyboard PCB.

Operation:

The 61 note range is from C2 (MIDI Number 36) to C7 (MIDI Number 96). The MIDI Channel is preset to MIDI Channel 1. However other values for the MIDI Channel and the note range can be pre-programmed into the firmware. The encoded switches are wired via IN4148 diodes. There are 2 switches associated with each key. They are called the Break (BR) and Make (MK) switches. When a key is pressed the Break contacts close first and then the Make contacts close, as the key is further pressed. The difference in time between these two switch closures provides the time which is used to calculate the MIDI Note On velocity for each keypress. Also the MIDI Note Off velocity is calculated in a similar way when the key is released. This unit can be connected to new keyboards or it can be used with an older non-MIDI keyboard by using magnetic/reed switches, or Hall Effect devices, to isolate the old and new scanning circuits. This will allow the older keyboard synthesiser to continue to operate as normal while also providing a MIDI output.

This unit can work in standard MIDI mode and via the USB connection, at the same time. It defaults to standard MIDI Baud rate of 31250. By replacing the original firmware on Mega8u2/16U2, the Arduino will act as USB-MIDI device (Standard Midi Class), you do not need to install additional device drivers on Windows, MaxOSX, and Linux, as the firmware acts as a device of Standard Midi Class. It will automatically install on the system as an Audio USB Device.

Velocity Curve Selection:

There are 5 choices for the MIDI Velocity Curve selection. They are Linear, Exponential, Logarithmic, S-Curve and n-Curve. The unit defaults to a Linear curve. Each curve is selected by a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) momentary action switch. Also there are 5 LEDs associated with each of the 5 switch selections.

Power Supply:

External power can come either from an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. The adapter can be connected by plugging a 2.1mm center-positive plug into the board's power jack.

The board can operate on an external supply of 7 to 20 volts. If supplied with less than 7V, however, the 5V pin may supply less than five volts and the board may be unstable. If using more than 12V, the voltage regulator may overheat and damage the board. The recommended range is 7 to 12 volts.

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Features:

The MIDI/USB 61 Note Velocity Keyboard Encoder Unit consists of:

• An assembled MIDI Arduino Board, including a suitable pre-programmed microcontroller,
• The MIDI channel is preset to channel 1,
• The start note of the keyboard encoder is from MIDI note C2 (MIDI Note 36),
• Other MIDI channel and start note values can be pre-programmed into the firmware on request,
• A 2.1mm power socket, and associated LED,
• A MIDI 5-pin DIN output socket and associated series resistors.

The MIDI/USB 61 Note Velocity Keyboard Encoder unit requires:

• a 9v battery or equivalent DC power source or via the USB socket
• 61 suitable key-switches or magnetic reed switches

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Resources:

The MIDI/USB 61 Note Velocity Keyboard Encoder Unit Resources:

• The switches schematic is available,
• The 61 Note Velocity Bass Keys Wiring,
• The 61 Note Velocity Treble Keys Wiring,
• The Pin wiring for 61 Note Velocity Sensitive Encoder,
• The MIDI Velocity Curve Selections,
• The MIDI Velocity Curve Selection Circuit,
• The Arduino Mega circuit schematic,
• The Arduino Mega pins,
• The Arduino Mega 18 x 2 connector pins,
• The MIDI Out Wiring is available.

 

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