david fabre Posted January 8 Posted January 8 (edited) Hello all ! I've been thinking for years about having a midi instrument, both for quiet practices and for exploring new possibilities (new sounds, new button layouts, ...) I had the idea of using a load sensor to replace the bellows to significantly reduce the complexity and cost, and coming back here I saw the idea has already been carried out, and it works. So the decision is made : in 2025 I start my own midi Anglo concertina project ! Looking at resources and discussions on c.net and elsewhere, I can see that I will have to face a number of issues, both mechanical (which buttons tu use, how to mount and calibrate the load sensor, ...), electronic (how to wire the buttons, matrix and/or multiplexers, ...) and software (latency, spurious notes at bellows reversal, ...). Fortunately, I see the way has been paved and several persons have shared their experience, including software on Github, this will be very precious. The software part should be the easy part for me, but for the rest I'll have to learn a lot. I can access a 3D printer and a PCB printer but I have never used this. Overall, very challenging ! My main instrument being a Wheatstone 40 buttons, my goal will be an instrument with at least as much, possibly up to 56 (including control buttons). However, I think I will proceed in two steps, starting by a simpler version 1.0 with only 30 buttons, closely following existing designs. And to start, I have ordered the Arduino starter's kit, and should receive it tomorrow. I think my very first project will be a breath controller, or possibly a multi-controller combining breath sensor, joystick, expression pedal and switch pedals. See you soon there and happy new year ! Edited January 8 by david fabre typo 2
RAc Posted January 8 Posted January 8 (edited) Hi David, welcome to the growing community of diy concertina builders! If you followed the recent discussions here, you will notice that I have used light distance sensors (a Vl680x to be more precise) instead of a load cell. This works well for me. If you want more info, please feel free to contact me per pm. I can even mail you a selection of sensors from Germany (these can only be purchased in quantities of 5+, so I have spares). Edited January 8 by RAc
david fabre Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 (edited) For my own perusal and for the community, I list here a number of related projects which I have identified. If I have miss some, please help me complete the list ! A/ DIY projects 1/ Steven Schulteis, "A very basic USB-MIDI 30-button Anglo concertina.". Github (with software) Youtube video. Steven also designed a very attractive Terrarium Synth pedal . 2/ Howard Mitchel "Meillionen Midi concertina" . 40 buttons, close to the design of Steven, as far as I understand they worked together. Youtube video 3/ Xcott Craver "Caj" . "Load cell concertina" with apparent buttons illuminated by leds. Thread on c.net. Video on youtube I guess this one will inspire my 1.0 ! 4/ Danny Chapman "Ratface" Bandon.ino Thread on c.net. Youtube video. 5/ RAc designed an instrument using light distance sensors. Thread on c.net. Youtube video (early prototype) 6/ Pierre Banwarth designed several prototypes of midi concertinas and midi accordinas. Github repo (with arduino s/w) . Development journal (in french) Video (prototype V 0) 7/ Łukasz Martynowicz has an ongoing (?) project, discussed in this Thread on c.net. B/ Commercial projects 1/ Concertina Nova project. Currently developing a midi english, as far as I understand they expect to release it in 2025. First facebook page (Germany). Second Facebook page (Vietnam) They are mostly communicating through a Facebook group (I just joined !). 2/ Jordan D. Petkov From Midiboutique sells midi encoders for various keyboards. PDF document with many details describing midi conversion of an english concertina. 3/ Roy Whiteley of Accordion Magic is building midi instruments by converting vintage instruments. Video Paul Hardy own one. Web page 4/ Wim Wakker used to build such converted instruments as well. No more listed on his website. Jody Kruskal used to own one. Michael Eskin also owns one, and demonstrates it on this Youtube video Edited January 8 by david fabre Update list 1
david fabre Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 Hello RAc, Thanks for your message and for the proposal of sharing infos ! I'll be watching for the development of your project and may ask you for infos in due time. I have just compiled a list of resources and added your project. If you have a video or any other online material I will add links.
RAc Posted January 8 Posted January 8 there is a link to a video buried somewhere in the thread you linked to: The demo video towards the end is outdated, the response is much better and quicker now than in the video.
david fabre Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 Thanks, I added link to your video as well as a few others. My first reaction was "the bellows is terrible, how can that sound ??" until i realized that with a distance sensor it does not need to be airtight !
caj Posted January 10 Posted January 10 On 1/8/2025 at 8:35 AM, david fabre said: I think my very first project will be a breath controller, or possibly a multi-controller combining breath sensor, joystick, expression pedal and switch pedals. Good evening, What are you planning to do for a breath controller? I'm building an instrument in the lab that requires a breath controller and I'm not sure where to start. Right now I'm taking cues from this guy:
david fabre Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 (edited) That's cool if we are working on similar projects and we can exchange ! Indeed I saw this video and other projects from the same guy. I like his overall philosophy, but as far as I understand you have to buy his KLICK Kit and then only have to follow the directives. This is not the approach I want to follow, I prefer to take ideas at various places and combine them together to have my own design. For the breath controller, I will rather take inspiration from this one : https://www.hackster.io/costis/arduino-breath-controller-for-cheap-usb-midi-fe3a8f I'm not sure I'll keep the baby nasal aspirator (not even sure how it is supposed to be used, no video provided) and I'll have to adapt to DIN-Midi instead of USB-midi because I'm starting with Arduino UNO which does not have USB interface. I have ordered the pressure sensor, midi connector and other pieces and expect to advance on this next week. I'll keep you informed. Meanwhile I'm having fun with the starter's guide easy projects. This morning I learned how to blink 3 LEDs. Cool Edited January 10 by david fabre
RAc Posted January 10 Posted January 10 3 hours ago, david fabre said: I'll have to adapt to DIN-Midi instead of USB-midi because I'm starting with Arduino UNO which does not have USB interface. which is exactly why I switched to a Due. However if your DIN runs over a UART, it is about the same effort (possibly less) than MIDIUSB, so you will be fine that way.
caj Posted January 11 Posted January 11 On 1/10/2025 at 6:41 AM, david fabre said: For the breath controller, I will rather take inspiration from this one : https://www.hackster.io/costis/arduino-breath-controller-for-cheap-usb-midi-fe3a8f It sounds like you're on the right track. These pressure sensors have a much faster response than you'd probably get from a balloon+proximity sensor. Imagine someone double-tonguing a reed instrument, for example: you could probably pick that up with a pressure sensor, and a balloon wouldn't even register that.
david fabre Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 (edited) RAc : Yes, I guess at some point I'll have to upgrade to another card, Due, Leonardo or Teensy. But I decided to start with UNO as I read everywhere it is the best way to start. Also, the starter's kit is fun and I expect to embark my kid on some projects ! I'm not sure exactly what is UART, but as far as I've seen, wiring a DIN connector on a UNO is straightforward. See there (in french) https://www.aranacorp.com/fr/creer-un-controleur-midi-avec-arduino/ For my next projects, although it seems outdated, I'll definitely keep the DIN connectors. For me one of the charms of MIDI is allowing to plug together instruments of various generations. I will love to play my old Roland D20 with a concertina keyboard ! caj : Just received the pressure sensor, news soon ! Edited January 11 by david fabre
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