Maker and musician Michael Compton has designed a Raspberry Pi-powered Python-programmed linear MIDI sequencer, constructed with stay digital music performances in thoughts: the Midina.
“Midina is an open supply sequencer born from a ardour for digital music and know-how, designed to be highly effective and accessible,” Compton claims of his creation. “Midina stands out with its capacity to report pitch bends, aftertouch, and MIDI CCs, offering you with a flexible and expressive sequencer.”
“There are straightforward methods to set off program modifications mechanically or manually,” Compton continues. “The linear sequencer inside every tune supplies a transparent block order, designed that will help you make music that strikes. It helps prolonged monitor and block lengths, enabling totally different inventive strategies of tune constructing to be explored. Moreover, for many who get pleasure from a standard method, Midina presents sturdy step sequencer choices that can solely get higher with time.”
The Midina {hardware} itself is not designed to generate any sound; as an alternative, it information and sequences MIDI messages from exterior gadgets. It holds 128 “Songs,” damaged down into 16 “Blocks” every of which has 16 “Tracks.” All the pieces is managed utilizing a 5″ AMOLED touchscreen show and eight push-switch rotary encoders related to a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board pc — whereas, for many who desire extra tactility, a bigger variant is obtainable with 30 Cherry MX-style mechanical keyswitches with RGB lighting for suggestions.
Contained in the acrylic-and-aluminum case is the Raspberry Pi, which runs the Midina Python script itself, and a Teensy microcontroller appearing as a devoted clock generator. The supply for each the Python program and the Teensy’s firmware has been made out there underneath a customized permissive license — and whereas not technically a real open supply venture, Compton has expressed curiosity in seeing neighborhood contributions. “Should you make important enhancements,” he guarantees, “you possibly can earn a free Midina!”
Extra data on the venture is obtainable on Compton’s web site, together with supply code downloads; a Kickstarter marketing campaign for ready-to-run Midina {hardware} is now open, with pricing beginning at $399 for the Midina Contact and {hardware} supply anticipated in November this yr.