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https://github.com/todbot/picotouch
Tiny capsense touch MIDI keyboard controller from a Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/todbot/picotouch
capsense circuitpython keyboard midi midi-controller pico raspberrypipico
Last synced: 6 days ago
JSON representation
Tiny capsense touch MIDI keyboard controller from a Raspberry Pi Pico
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/todbot/picotouch
- Owner: todbot
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2021-04-13T21:27:35.000Z (over 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-09-06T00:54:36.000Z (26 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-09-22T14:33:10.820Z (10 days ago)
- Topics: capsense, circuitpython, keyboard, midi, midi-controller, pico, raspberrypipico
- Language: Python
- Homepage:
- Size: 8.45 MB
- Stars: 94
- Watchers: 9
- Forks: 7
- Open Issues: 1
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# picotouch
Tiny capsense touch USB MIDI keyboard from a Raspberry Pi Pico
If you're looking for the synthesizer version,
that's at [github.com/todbot/picotouch_synth](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch_synth)
## Demos
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/274093/216477797-90a1e4ca-b68f-4eb2-be46-de1d6d81551e.mp4
Also see videos in this Twitter thread : https://twitter.com/todbot/status/1382469033061093377
And check out [picotouch videos on my Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@todbot/search?query=picotouch)
## Materials needed
If you [buy a black 'picotouch SMD' board from my Tindie store](https://www.tindie.com/products/todbot/picotouch-capsense-midi-keyboard-for-raspi-pico/), the resistors are soldered for you, so you only need to
[solder the Pico](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9LiOq3Dso).
If you're building one by hand, you will need:
- 1 - picotouch PCB ([order from OSHpark](https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/5MnI1jPf))
- 1 - Raspberry Pi Pico **(NOTE: Not the Pico2, since its RP2350 chip has a hardware error)**
- 23 - 1M ohm 0805 SMD resistors ([Digikey cart with this & Pico](https://www.digikey.com/short/w381rn4w))
## How to solder the Pico
It's not too bad! A pretty easy first-time SMD soldering project. Here's
[how to solder the Pico down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9LiOq3Dso).
The technique is: line up the Pico solder one corner, solder the other, then finish all the rest.
In the video you see I don't get it aligned perfectly straight (hard to see around the camera), but it still works great! ([Youtube version of the below video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9LiOq3Dso))
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/274093/217670870-b04d55ed-e37d-4be2-bea7-4985d2b3f8c4.mp4
## Firmware Installation
* Install CircuitPython
- Hold down BOOT button while plugging in Pico to get RPI-RP2 drive
- Download CircuitPython UF2 from https://circuitpython.org/board/raspberry_pi_pico/
- Drag UF2 to RPI-RP2 drive. CircuitPython is now installed!
* Install CircuitPython libraries onto Pico
- If you have Python on your computer you can do:
```
pip3 install circup
circup install adafruit_midi adafruit_debouncer adafruit_ticks
```
- Otherwise, download the CircuitPython Libraries Bundle at https://circuitpython.org/libraries
and copy over the `adafruit_midi`, `adafruit_debouncer`, & `adafruit_ticks` libraries
to the `CIRCUITPY/lib` folder on the Pico.
* Install picotouch `code.py`
- Via commandline:
```
cp picotouch/circuitpython/picotouch/code.py /Volumes/CIRCUITPY/code.py
```
- Or you can drag-n-drop using your computer's GUI
- Note: this will delete the previous `code.py` on your Pico.
Normally this is fine, but if it's not, be sure to save it if you want to keep it!
## Going further
There's other things you can do with the picotouch board.
- Use it as a MIDI slider bank
Install
[`picotouch_midislider/code.py`](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/blob/main/circuitpython/picotouch_midislider/code.py) instead of the regular picotouch code.py.
- youtube demo: [midislider demo video](https://youtu.be/1Psw3PLqYS8)
- Use it as a HID keyboard macropad
- example code: [`picotouch_macropad/code.py`](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/blob/main/circuitpython/picotouch_macropad/code.py)
It's early days, but it's a start at that idea
## Press
- https://www.hackster.io/news/tod-kurt-s-ultra-slim-picotouch-is-a-button-free-23-key-raspberry-pi-pico-powered-midi-keyboard-700a3ce2227b (26 Feb 2023)
- https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/picotouch-synthesiser-magpimonday/ (22 Nov 2023)