MIDIbox of the Week (MIDIbox of Josh)

[TK.]

A very noble MIDIbox controller made by Josh aka Jost (Michigan, US)!

He wrote:

  I have attached 7 images of my MIDIbox.  I started it last September, and

just got around to finishing the final details.  I designed it to be used

with Propellerhead's Reason software to select the drum patterns.  After I

got the midibox64 software loaded I found I could use it with my Korg

Electribe for pattern selection too.

  The entire midibox was designed on CAD software, that's where the rendered

image comes from.  It gave me an idea of how it was going to look when I got

finished.

  The pattern select keys took the most time to construct.  These are used

to select the drum patterns in Reason, or Synth patterns.  Labeled

A,B,C...1,2, etc. I made each one by hand from plexiglass.  I sandwiched the

printed label in between 2 pieces 1.5"x1.5".  They set on a frame with some

microswitches under the bottom edge of each butotn.  The frame consistes of

a PCB and aluminum rails to support the top edge of the key, and a

microswitch button at the lower edge of the button.  These all mount on the

keypad PCB which I drew in CAD and etched myself.

  The three switches (2-way momentary toggles) on the right are for

selecting drum kits, mounted on a steel plate milled on a Bridgeport.  The

knobs came from a Heathkit Shortwave radio, which help with the "Vintage"

look I was going for.  The dial markings are printed on photopaper and

protected by more plexiglass.  The LCD is the largest 16x2 Hantronix

Backlight display I could find with viewable area of 99mm x 13mm.  This

mounts under a steel trim plate, also milled on a Bridgeport.  The toggle to

the left of the LCD is for menu navigation, and the buttons to the right are

for Menu and Snapshot.

  The power transformer is mounted inside under the keypad to eliminate the

annoying "wall wart."  The wooden case is Walnut, coated with Minwax

Polycrylic Aerosol, about 5 coats.

  I took pictures of everything, so if you want more let me know.

[pay_c]

Really extravagant! I wouldn´t buy it  ;) but I love it.  ;D

Especially that ABC... stuff. Matrix keyboard from somewhere or self-built?

[shed]

those buttons were self made i think

The pattern select keys took the most time to construct.  These are used  

to select the drum patterns in Reason, or Synth patterns.  Labeled  

A,B,C...1,2, etc. I made each one by hand from plexiglass.  I sandwiched the  

printed label in between 2 pieces 1.5"x1.5".  They set on a frame with some  

microswitches under the bottom edge of each butotn.  The frame consistes of  

a PCB and aluminum rails to support the top edge of the key, and a  

microswitch button at the lower edge of the button.

anyway good job josh, reminds me a bit of a small stone phaser i borrowed once, someone told me they made them out of russian tank parts.  And i can imagine that after a direct hit all that would be left of a tank would be the reason drum pattern selector!  It looks solid.

[moebius]

And It's so nice to see that beautiful wood there.. classy stuff!

Bye, Moebius