USB Midi Device from old Gamepad

You can spend a lot of money on an expensive USB Midi device, or make your own. You can buy HID USB boards and build your own totally from scratch. To make the process even easier, salvage an old USB gamepad and all you need is just a few parts. This project can easily be done for under $10, if you get cheap buttons and a second-hand controller.

What you need:
1 USB Gamepad (I used an old Gravis Gamepad Pro.)
1 small project box
10 push-button n.o. switches (Normally Open: Contact closes when button pressed.)
10 LEDs & 220-Ohm resistors (optional)

These parts should run you about $10, less if you scavenge LED and switches from old electronics. Substitute a small kid's lunch box for the project box and be old school!

Step 1: Tools

Equipment:
small screwdrivers
soldering iron
solder
drill (I needed 1/4in and 5mm bits)
wire cutters/strippers
ruler and square
electrical tape
solder, solder braid (clean up messes)
rubber feet (so it doesn't move as you're jamming)
small spool of shielded wire

Comments

[tudgeanator]

Does anyone know of a link to download Rejoice that actually works?

All the links I've found have a thing on them whereby you have to email '[e-mail]' or they will 'stop working after 7 days'. They work for a couple of days and then stop working, even if you do email this address (which I presume is a scam for spammers). Any help?

[ezasčiurinskas]

Hi, i make that project. I have fergo joystick midi. It works perfectly on ableton 8.2.2 but not working on Traktor and virtual dj! I dont like ableton I wanna Traktor or virtual dJ! Please HELP!!

[Randallmarr]

BCD3000- Ah. Me to. : )
Nice job btw.

[dj3gah]

hi there in my project everytings working but the thing is everytime i open the multi control and use the gamepad i have to re calibrate again and again.the settings in multi...do we hev any or solution with this? tnx in advance

[phevtron]

wanna see a vide plz :)

[dj3gah]

tnx for this video info ...

[potato413]

Can you explain the soldering more? I don't really understand how you can solder to a pcb contact.

[Ghost Wolf]

What does it do? Because a small description would be nice (friendly criticism).

[then-comes-dudley]

 Great hack; I picked up a $10 Alienware one just for something like this. Do you know if that software also transmits CC messages from joysticks? I'm thinking that the 2 joysticks would make fantastic X-Y controllers for something like Ableton Live, or modwheels for various softsynths.

[clairey]

Know that it's been a while, but was thinking about the joysticks making good x-y controllers too... Did you have a go at this? did it work out nicely?

[then-comes-dudley]

Haha, sadly I never did get around to it; I ended up getting a Novation Launchpad instead. But I'd imagine they'd work just fine, as long as you tweak some settings in whatever gamepad-to-MIDI program you're using. (Live lets you map keyboard keys to specific functions, but I doubt that's doable with joysticks.) Get a cheapo gamepad & try it out.

[nastika]

Hi,
While soldeing the tin melts contacts on the board (tin was not captured on the board).
what tin have you been using?
is there any soldering method while working with such board (printed boards)?
THX

[kbishop]

I wonder..about the last comment, is there any chance putting an analog fader between 2 buttons and make it work as a mixer fader ?

[cheft]

Not really.

[nastika]

hi, can anyone tell me if i can convert (replace) axis buttons to analog fader. if it can be done how should i do it?
THX

[cheft]

You can remove the analog joysticks, and replace them with 100K potentiometers for a total of 4.

[PyroMonger]

Can anyone point me to a program that allows me to do exactly this but with HOTKEYS instead of MIDI synths??

[cheft]

GlovePIE can convert the gamepad into almost anything, including key presses.

[PyroMonger]

thanks

[iamgreatbob]

Where is a good place to get all of the supplies for this cheap? Cause I went to my local radio shack and just the switches and a project box would have put me over $15.

[cdousley]

i have an old ps2 controller it has 8 wires is there any way to hook it up to that
cool project!

[cheft]

Not unless you have a PS2 to USB converter.

[cdousley]

that wont work my dog chewed the cord in half

[gladys45]

 patch the cord back together, and look for PS2 controller to Parallel port mods.

[evilme]

Hey, just random but any ways,  you could hack this and one of those external number  together, make a compact professional looking box, just thinking.......

[cheft]

Sure you can, but I wanted this project to prove you could build something for less than $10 USD,

[iGianlucaConidi]

I would like if i used differents led to understand that resistance should i use?
could use witouth resistance?

[cheft]

You must use resistors otherwise you will burn out the LED in no time. Look for a LED resistor calculator on the internet to determine what you need for your project.

[mastermakoko]

oooo and can i change the button into the one like in your unopad instructables????? it wont be cool if there is only normal buttons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[amplex]

different leds might need different size resistors. in practice ive found that most schematics use 4.7k resistors to protect leds but these make them too dim. but the leds i buy in general need only 270ohm or so to be brightly lit. experiment because some leds have different voltage capacities/current usage etc. this is an awesome project idea btw!!!!

[HADJISTYLLIS]

I installed MIDI YOKE but i can't find ed on my PC?

[WillTheRescue]

I've been running out of enough midi controllers in Ableton (For the type of thing I do) I must build one of these! I can see my practice space being loaded with USB extensions and hubs, plus a bunch of gaming controllers by the time this weekend is over.

[cowgomoo]

i like the xbox controller hack better.

[Chaz-imus]

compatibility with ableton live?

[cheft]

Yes.

[ShuckDarns]

how do you determine whats ground and whats hot?

[cheft]

If you look closely at the circuit board, you can see where multiple buttons already share a ground. Just use a small wire and connect different areas and see if it registers buttons. Alternatively, you can get a meter and Ohm out each contact point.

[ShuckDarns]

NIce little walkthrough. A couple questions though. First, could i use buttons with the leds already in them? Can I use any type led? Can i use toggle switches with leds? Sorry for all the q's. Thanks in advance.

[cheft]

Sure, properly resisted you can use any LED. Yes, you can use buttons w/ LED in them, I chose these simply to show how low costs can be. Yes, toggle switches are a good idea (FX, EQ Kill).

[zsuki]

wow, great job. simple & useful. Is there any way to add potentimetars & rotari encoders to this project??? sorry for bad english.