I thought folks here would be interested in my approach to hardware control of Rack modules, so here’s a video: https://youtu.be/BWebGwcX43E
The key feature here is the synchronization between connected control panels and what you see in Rack. Ports are replaced by buttons, pushing an input and output button simultaneously connects the corresponding ports. The buttons are then illuminated in the same color as the cable.
I started designing these panels before Rack v2, so the panels are laid out to match Fundamental modules from Rack v1.
Also very important, this isn’t vanilla Rack, I’ve added a few hooks, mainly around cable management, to keep port connections synchronized between Rack and the controllers. The module in the video labeled ‘HidDirector’, which keeps the connected panels synchronized with the modules, only works with this modified version of the Rack source code.
I think this approach isn’t for everyone. If you can afford real modules, you might be better of with the real thing. On the other hand, this approach is lower cost, enables patch saving/loading and easy polyphony.
For now I’ll probably just revise some component choices while making panels for other modules, probably some more basics from Fundamental, then maybe some from Audible Instruments.
Hello this looks very good and seems to work very well, congratulations for this work. Coincidentally, I am just starting to convert my private “hardware fleet” https://community.vcvrack.com/t/vcv-rack-gets-physical-a-diy-project-19-hardware-controler to Arduino controllers, or to equip new modules with them, however, I have no experience with these controllers so far. May I ask if you also use such, or similar microcontrollers for your project?
Hey @Icet, I used TeensyLCs for this initial batch of panels, but I’m thinking of switching to the Raspberry Pi Pico because they’re so much cheaper. Only catch is I’ll need to use an analog multiplexer or two as they only have 3-4 ADC inputs.
That being said, there’s pretty decent documentation for sending MIDI from a Teensy: Teensyduino: Using USB MIDI with Teensy on the Arduino IDE. You’ll probably find something similar for the Raspberry Pi Pico, possibly in Python too.
Hello @zyx,
thank you very much for the feedback. I had not considered the Raspberrys at all until now. Last week I ordered an Arduino Micro with breadboard and some multiplexers for experimenting and testing. It has a MIDI USB interface on board and should be recognized in the software as a Class Compliant MIDI device. If this works so far I think about cheaper controllers for the rack modules. The Teensys have, I think, the USB Midi interface directly on board, but are so hard to get.
@zyx did you make progresses with this project? It’s really interesting. Have you planned to share the modifications you applied to Rack, and your controller vcvraxk modules?
I hope a lot you will be able to make this become you main job. I think this kind of digital modular controller idea will have a huge future. Maybe you should make some good deal with behringer. Because if you could bring cost for the module to a price that allows people to get into modular I believe it would be a huge success. I mean how cool is the patching and how genuines to have the whole modular experience but to be able to come back to a old patch later. If I could afford it I would definitely buy it.
I hope a lot you will be able to make this become you main job. I think this kind of digital modular controller idea will have a huge future. Maybe you should make some good deal with behringer. Because if you could bring cost for the module to a price that allows people to get into modular I believe it would be a huge success. I mean how cool is the patching and how genuines to have the whole modular experience but to be able to come back to a old patch later. If I could afford it I would definitely buy it.