SimonDreyer
Inspired
Midi & Setlist Controller
My requirements:
My requirements are for a floor controller to control a Fractal Axe FxII in a band performance environment. After 7 years using the AxeFx in hundreds of shows, I require the following:
1) Setlist Control: The ablity to wirelessly download a setlist from Bandhelper or other app from my phone, at the gig, in less than a minute.
2) Two buttons to scroll through the setlist, Next Song, Previous Song
3) LCD display to show the current song name
4) Two buttons to trim the volume of each scene. These changes are retained by the scenes so only really needed when new songs are introduced to the setlist.
5) Four buttons with LED indication for scene selection. I use a dedicated patch for each song but only use four scenes, always allocated to the same functions, Intro, Verse, Chorus & Solo
6) Two expression pedal inputs (I have provided the option for 4 expression pedals, can also be used as on/off buttons)
7) Power and USB Midi over single Ethercon cable
Unit Capabilities:
Hardware:
1) 8 X programmable footwitch pushbuttons, any button to any function
2) 4 X Expression pedal inputs (or buttons)
3) OLED 128X64 Display (i2c or STI interface)
4) Traditional Midi In and Midi Out 5 pin DIN connector with optional power supply over the Midi Out connector.
5) Ethercon connector for power and USB (breakout board required)
6) Optional USB-C Power Supply
Components:
Unit is based on a Raspberry Pi Zero W2, code is written in Python3.
Expression pedal analog converter is an ADS1115 module.
General:
Drawings are designed and developed in EasyEDA, I will make them public as soon as I figure out how to do that in the program.
I have had one set of prototype boards manufactured by JLCPCB, 5 Main boards and 5 power/USB breakout boards. Coast was AU$40.00, perfect quality and delivery to Australia from China in under two weeks.
This is the second iteration for review. Plese feel free to offer suggestions and advice wherever you see fit. I would like to order the second run of the PCB in the next week.
The minimum order is 5 boards, I will probably have a few spare so if you want one just let me know.
My development board is using a small OLED display interfaced by I2c, but my preference would be to upgrade to a larger SPI driven LCD
https://core-electronics.com.au/mon...WDvyMmqYdqM2X4P9lfPKkRsgcT2OETJ8aAhw4EALw_wcB
Functions are configured using a basic .xml file that can be edited with any text editor. I have no plans to build a pretty graphical configuration application because I will hardly ever change the config.
WiFi:
Because I am using a Raspberry Pi, it has built-in WiFi (that can be used as an access point if you don't have WiFi on stage) Our band uses an Allen & Heath Qu-SB with an iPad Pro as the interface, we have a WiFi router in our rig already.
Bluetooth:
The Pi also has Bluetooth built-in so the pedal can work with any Bluetooth midi device, I have tested it with the Yamaha TRD amp.
NOTE - Ground Screens on the PCBs are hidden for clarity.
My requirements:
My requirements are for a floor controller to control a Fractal Axe FxII in a band performance environment. After 7 years using the AxeFx in hundreds of shows, I require the following:
1) Setlist Control: The ablity to wirelessly download a setlist from Bandhelper or other app from my phone, at the gig, in less than a minute.
2) Two buttons to scroll through the setlist, Next Song, Previous Song
3) LCD display to show the current song name
4) Two buttons to trim the volume of each scene. These changes are retained by the scenes so only really needed when new songs are introduced to the setlist.
5) Four buttons with LED indication for scene selection. I use a dedicated patch for each song but only use four scenes, always allocated to the same functions, Intro, Verse, Chorus & Solo
6) Two expression pedal inputs (I have provided the option for 4 expression pedals, can also be used as on/off buttons)
7) Power and USB Midi over single Ethercon cable
Unit Capabilities:
Hardware:
1) 8 X programmable footwitch pushbuttons, any button to any function
2) 4 X Expression pedal inputs (or buttons)
3) OLED 128X64 Display (i2c or STI interface)
4) Traditional Midi In and Midi Out 5 pin DIN connector with optional power supply over the Midi Out connector.
5) Ethercon connector for power and USB (breakout board required)
6) Optional USB-C Power Supply
Components:
Unit is based on a Raspberry Pi Zero W2, code is written in Python3.
Expression pedal analog converter is an ADS1115 module.
General:
Drawings are designed and developed in EasyEDA, I will make them public as soon as I figure out how to do that in the program.
I have had one set of prototype boards manufactured by JLCPCB, 5 Main boards and 5 power/USB breakout boards. Coast was AU$40.00, perfect quality and delivery to Australia from China in under two weeks.
This is the second iteration for review. Plese feel free to offer suggestions and advice wherever you see fit. I would like to order the second run of the PCB in the next week.
The minimum order is 5 boards, I will probably have a few spare so if you want one just let me know.
My development board is using a small OLED display interfaced by I2c, but my preference would be to upgrade to a larger SPI driven LCD
https://core-electronics.com.au/mon...WDvyMmqYdqM2X4P9lfPKkRsgcT2OETJ8aAhw4EALw_wcB
Functions are configured using a basic .xml file that can be edited with any text editor. I have no plans to build a pretty graphical configuration application because I will hardly ever change the config.
WiFi:
Because I am using a Raspberry Pi, it has built-in WiFi (that can be used as an access point if you don't have WiFi on stage) Our band uses an Allen & Heath Qu-SB with an iPad Pro as the interface, we have a WiFi router in our rig already.
Bluetooth:
The Pi also has Bluetooth built-in so the pedal can work with any Bluetooth midi device, I have tested it with the Yamaha TRD amp.
NOTE - Ground Screens on the PCBs are hidden for clarity.
Attachments
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PCB Bottom Layer.PNG124.5 KB · Views: 29
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PCB Top Layer.PNG118.7 KB · Views: 29
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Schemativ V1.1.pdf179.9 KB · Views: 14
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Schematic v1.1.PNG118.9 KB · Views: 28
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Midi Functions.PNG31.3 KB · Views: 29
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Ethercon Breakout.PNG31 KB · Views: 23
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Config File Example 1.PNG59 KB · Views: 23
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Config File Example 2.PNG104.8 KB · Views: 22
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Config File Example 3.PNG64.3 KB · Views: 26
Last edited: