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 expertise, designed to be highly effective and accessible,” Compton claims of his creation. “Midina stands out with its potential to report pitch bends, aftertouch, and MIDI CCs, offering you with a flexible and expressive sequencer.”
“There are simple methods to set off program adjustments routinely or manually,” Compton continues. “The linear sequencer inside every track supplies a transparent block order, designed that will help you make music that strikes. It helps prolonged observe and block lengths, enabling completely different artistic strategies of track constructing to be explored. Moreover, for many who get pleasure from a standard strategy, Midina gives strong step sequencer choices that may 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.” Every little thing is managed utilizing a 5″ AMOLED touchscreen show and eight push-switch rotary encoders linked to a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board pc — whereas, for many who want extra tactility, a bigger variant is out there 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 performing as a devoted clock generator. The supply for each the Python program and the Teensy’s firmware has been made accessible below a customized permissive license — and whereas not technically a real open supply venture, Compton has expressed curiosity in seeing group contributions. “In case you make vital enhancements,” he guarantees, “you’ll be able to earn a free Midina!”
Extra info on the venture is out there 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.