MIDI Controllers

neotechtonics · Post by **neotechtonics** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:04 pm

Didn't know where to post this so I guess here is as good a place as any. I was on the DJtechtools site last night having a look at peoples customised... and custom built MIDI controllers for DJ software (USB) I saw one example of someone who had gutted his Korg nanokontrol and built it into a custom chassis with custom buttons and knobs to space everything out a bit more and in a layout that made sense for what he was using the controls for... this idea appeals immensely to me personally. I'm not much of a DJ only really started playing around when i purchased my hercules DJ console Mk4 which is very limited.. but the nanokontrol i just bought puts alot more at my fingertips. I now have alot of ideas bubbling in my head.

I was wondering if anyone here had tried their hand at either building their own or modifying a controller to meet their personal needs or preferences.

EDIT: i should have named this thread CUSTOM MIDI controllers.

dayuri · Post by **dayuri** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:05 pm

Have a look at this: http://highlyliquid.com/midi-controllers/midi-cpu/

Though if I were making a MIDI controller from scratch I would go for an arduino microcontroller with a MIDI shield attachment since it'd be cheaper and more flexible.

IMO unless you have something very definite, unique and specific in mind like a Monome or something its probably going to be more trouble than its worth. For the price of a first gen nanokontrol you can't even buy the parts for a full DIY job. Chopping up a nanokontrol and customizing it should be fairly straightfoward, but I doubt you'd be able to add in any extra controls. Could be fun, you should go for it.

neotechtonics · Post by **neotechtonics** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:40 pm

yeah the nanokontrol is cheap so the idea of modifying one really appeals... I dont have the patience or relevant knowledge to build something from scratch. I might look into perhaps integrating my existing DJ controller with the nanokontrol.. it'll still have 2 USB cables but I'd be able to put everything in a layout that isnt so tightly packed.. perhaps dedicate 4 knobs, sliders and sets of buttons to each deck and have the 9th set for something general. Will do some research on how other people have done there nanokontrol mods... could be a fun project

dayuri · Post by **dayuri** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:07 am

Totally. I think you'll have to change the pots though. The pots Korg tends to use these small PCB mounted ones to save space, so it'll probably be more convenient if the first thing you do is replace the pots with larger ones which you can screw into the surface of your DJ controller like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/5-x-B100K-100K-OHM- ... 1561wt_907 (though I dunno what the values are on the nanokontrol pots). Thats what I'm doing right now with my modded monotron in order to mount it properly and space the knobs nicely. They feel much nicer and are also more durable than the ones the Korg uses. Haven't a clue about how you'll mount the siders though, tell me how that goes.

neotechtonics · Post by **neotechtonics** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:30 am

I dont intend on doing it right now... far too busy with work and also dont have my tools, multimeter, soldering iron etc at my disposal. if i get any kind of decent amount of time to spend back home then i'll consider doing it. I'll need to find how other people have done it first. will post links when i find some good info and how-to's

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:44 pm

Doepfer's OEM boards are quite good.

When I built my custom synth, I used their 16-input CC scanner board, a fater keybed plus scanner board, and the alps vector joystick they offer.

neotechtonics · Post by **neotechtonics** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:47 am

looks like one of the EQ pots on my Hercules DJ console Mk4 is slowly dying.. throwing out erratic MIDI signals. Will open it up to have a look.. and at the same time look at the internals to see how possible it would be to gut it an my nanokontrol and build them both into a single controller... but if i do that i think it would be best to buy a new controller as a backup incase it all gets borked