jstck / tlc-strummer

USB MIDI chord strummer for Teensy LC

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tlc-strummer

USB MIDI chord strummer for Teensy LC

Simple chord strummer with a 8x3 (or up to a full 12x3) keyboard based on the circle of fifths, like the Omnichord. For strumming the chords, a set of eight touch sensitive pads, strings or similar is used. In my build I simply used a 90 deg pin header for touch electrodes.

With an 8x3 keyboard setup using 6x6 mm tact switches, it all fits on a 7x5 cm perfboard.

Chords are selected as follows:

Columns from left to right selects the key Bb, F, C, G, D, A, E, B

Rows select the kind of chord you play top row - major, mid row - minor, bottom row - 7th

Additional chord combinations are top+bottom - major 7th, mid+bottom - minor 7th, top+mid - diminished, all three - augmented

How to use:

Connect USB to computer or other host device with a midi synth software installed and running.

Select "Teensy MIDI" as MIDI input in synth software if necessary.

Press and hold chord buttons and strum with a finger over the touch pads to play.

Upgrade to built in audio!

For additional built in audio output, you can use a Teensy 3.2 and the t32-strummer-ah.ino sketch. It will output a Karplus-Strong algorithm generated plucked string sound on the Teensy 3.2 DAC pin (A14). Surprisingly authentic sounding to an autoharp :) For the more Omnichord oriented audience, there is a t32-strummer-oc.ino sketch that will fit better.

Connect the Teensy 3.2 DAC output to an amplifier via a 4.7uF or 10uF capacitor to filter out DC component (positive pin to A14 pin, negative pin to amplifier positive input, teensy gnd to amplifier negative input). If you are using an amp module with built in input capacitor, you could leave it out.

Note that the DAC output pin is not in itself capable of driving speakers or headphones.

What you will probably like the most, though, is the t32-strummer.ino, where I've put some more stuff in:

Momentary setting switch on pin 24 (internal pullup, switch connects to GND).

To switch between autoharp and omnichord type sound, press setting switch and top row (major) C together.

To switch on/off a backing chord that is played at key press, press setting switch and mid row (minor) C together. Adjust volume for backing chord using set+Fm (down) and set+Gm (up). (Default on.)

To switch on/off rhythm part, press set+C7. Rhythm part volume is adjusted down with set+F7 and up with set+G7. Next pattern is selected with set+E7 and previous pattern with set+D7. Tempo is controlled with set+Dm (down) and set+Em (up).

As default, with rhythm on, a backing chord is played, gated in a suiting pattern. To switch this off and on, use set+Am.

Now also bassline patterns for the rhythm function. Use set+D and set+E for volume, and set+A for on/off.

Added support for hooking up an MPR121 board to get 12 strings instead of the built in 8. Un-comment the #define MPR121 line, recompile and upload. Connect MPR121 board to SCL, SDA, 3.3V and GND. (I've made it possible to use pin 23 for 3.3V and pin 16 for GND, so you can stick the MPR121 directly onto the header pins otherwise used as touch sensors).

Added option to reverse strumming direction with set+B.

Settings chart:

[ ][str v-][str mod][str v+][bas v-][bas 1/0][bas v+][revers]

[ ][bac v-][bac 1/0][bac v+][tempo-][bac gat][tempo+][ ]

[ ][rtm v-][rtm 1/0][rtm v+][r pat-][ ][r pat+][ ]

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USB MIDI chord strummer for Teensy LC

License:GNU General Public License v3.0


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