Tiny Cardputer Synth MIDI Keyboard
Turn your M5 Card Computer into a tiny Rompler Synth and MIDI Controller. This code lets you change all the parameters of the Dream SAM2695 Chip inside the M5 Midi Unit. A simple circuit lets you patch in an external keyboard too!
If you want to patch in an external midi controller, it usually won’t work, but I whipped up this simple passive circuit that lets an external piano control the module and still let you change settings on the Card Computer at the same time.
Fun fact: you can buy this M5 Midi Unit and just give it 5v power on the red and black wires, and plug in any midi keyboard, and voilà! Instant rompler, with piano coming out of it’s audio out jack. You can even choose from 256 different sounds by sending a midi Program Change message.
BUT the moment you plug in the card computer, it pulls the data pin high and external controllers won’t work. However, with this circuit, it seems to unlock the midi input jack on the M5 Midi Unit and allow it to talk at the same time. Well, don’t literally send messages from both at the same time, that will make weird stuff happen, because this isn’t a proper midi merger. But both should work. It seems a little finicky and is not ideal, so your results may vary. Set the switch to BYPASS mode. Message me if you have improvement suggestions.
This also works on the M5 Synth which uses the same chip. Curious how it sounds, but don’t want to do hacking? The same sound chip is also in the Akai Mini Play (original and mk3), which I also have and love.
#midi #m5cardputer #synth #midigear #diymidi #midicontroller #diysynth #sam2695 #piano #musicproducer
