Turning a micro computer system into MIDI device

[kortezzzz]

Hi all,

I'm very curious to know if there is any trick to make flowstone application send MIDI signal to the outside world, through a micro-computer's USB slot. My plan is to use one of thoese:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Original-PIPO-X9-Smart-TV-BOX-8-9-Dual-OS-Mini-PC-Windows-10-Android/32499427144.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.28.ajYm9I&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9_21_79_78_77_92_91_22_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

And to make a kinda independent software controlled midi controller. The software would produce the a midi sequence and it should be streamed out by the micro-computer's USB slot to any external source that has a midi input or can handle midi from it's USB input (like a sound module or such). I can only guess that I'll need a driver to make it happen, but if someone already done it or has a better idea that he would like to share, I'm all an ear

[Attic]

If you try I would like to know how it works out. It has hdmi out but thats probably not ideal for studio use. I like the fact that the screen is included.

[kortezzzz]

Already tried this model:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MEEGOPAD-T02-Mini-PC-Windows-8-1-or-UBUNTU-OS-mini-Compute-Stick-Quad-Core-Intel/32404994868.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.1.TisVGK&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9_21_79_78_77_92_91_22_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

It has the same spec's as the one from my first post. Well, the Intel Atom Z3735F is not powerful enough to run synths or a DAW. It s(t)ucks, clicks, pops and etc. with windows 10 32bit The limited ram amount (2gb) doesn't helps as well. but... it still runs FS made midi sequencer (without the audio destination connected, of course) pretty well with a reasonable CPU usage, so I believe it would perform very good as a pure midi engine under windows embedded. Maybe I'll consider to seed it into a midi controller and build kinda interesting hack: The controller's buttons and knobs control a FS made midi arpeggietor while the generated midi sequence is sent out from the USB to outside world.
The touch screen would show the software GUI and would allow to set the rest of the ARP's parameters (like midi notes and such). Sound like a fun product, isn't it? I believe that cool hacks are FS's last chance to produce
something interesting and exciting from the music's side of the map. Other than that, its a pure prototyping platform in the nowadays. I can't use it for anything else.

[Attic]

I believe that cool hacks are FS's last chance to produce something interesting and exciting from the music's side of the map. Other than that, its a pure prototyping platform in the nowadays.

I agree with that statement. I have been looking for a cheap Micro System that is powerful enough to run synths so I appreciate you sharing what you have found with the Pipo box's. I wonder if the one your looking at now might be slightly faster ... it looks to be a bit more of a machine. I haven't been around much lately and now that I am back for a moment it looks like Trogludite is Mia you haven't heard from him have you? I need to ask him a quick question. I look forward to seeing what you choose for this project.

[kortezzzz]

I wonder if the one your looking at now might be slightly faster ... it looks to be a bit more of a machine

No, unfortunately its not. It's the same machine in a bigger box, with screen included

it looks like Trogludite is Mia you haven't heard from him have you?

He is kinda gone. I have no idea what's going on with his. If I would, I probably would contact him by my self to thank him for his help and of course, to "ask some quick questions" He is one of those "criminal minds (in a good context, of course ) here that can turn an idea into reality.

I look forward to seeing what you choose for this project

Well, we first have to solve the "midi driver" issue for that. If there is any chance that some driver or even 3th party device with it's own hackable driver (maybe a USB Phidget?) can turn the my whole hack into independent hardware midi controller system that would be recognized by the "external world", that would definitely open some doors to very interesting developments for all of us. Hope that people here will come up with some ideas.

[Attic]

This might not be the most elegant idea but I wonder if you could take one of these and cram it inside. http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Interface-Converter-Keyboard-Adapter/dp/B00ZBZN3LW/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1447469934&sr=8-16&keywords=midi+adapter

[Attic]

http://www.en.gino-midi.nl/gino-midi_interface.htm
http://morecatlab.akiba.coocan.jp/morecat_lab/MOCO-e.html
http://cryptomys.de/horo/V-USB-MIDI/index.html

[kortezzzz]

I believe it would be possible to use one of these 2 solutions. But I still have 2 problems to solve:

1) How to make FS application stream it's midi output to the micro-computer's USB ? Without that function, I have no
way to convert the virtual midi signal into true workable midi signal.

2) How to hack the whole system so it would be recognized by any external device (sound module, other computer, etc.) as an independent midi controller with it's own ID? For instance, if you connect Native instrument's midi controller to computers or sound devices, they recognize it as "Native instrument midi controller is found and ready to use". What I aim to do is to make such device that would be recognized as " 'your device' midi controller found and is ready for use".

So I have 2 challenges here:
1) find a way to stream midi signal to the USB
2) stream the midi signal from the USB to some midi receiver (as you suggested) that is already provided with an hackable driver and has the ability to turn your custom design into independent hardware device.

[oddson]

While I've not read this thread in its entirety I wonder if you've seen this:
http://www.dsprobotics.com/support/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1859

This was a while back but I think the Teensy 2.x is still available and makes a great MIDI choice (5V supply/signal compatible whereas later models run 3.3V).

It has some very big advantages as a MIDI device over other Arduino-based boards.

The post focuses on using FS to send SysEx the box to configure the on-board parameters of a simple MIDI CC controller interface, which isn't really relevant but I think it might help.

[oddson]

A MIDI IN port needs opto-isoloator but for OUT you just need two resistors (unless you feel the need to buffer the signal with some kind of logic gate or two chained inverters).

https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_MIDI.html

Programming is relatively simple depending on what you want to do.

If you're really doing all the heavy lifting in FlowStone you may just need to pass any MIDI messages received.

https://forum.pjrc.com/threads/27339-Si ... -interface

Changing the ID the Teensy board presents thru USB is a bit tricky.
https://forum.pjrc.com/threads/22017-Di ... -MIDI-port

I hope I haven't missed the point completely