Wolf + Lamb Custom 3 Channel Midi Controller

Make a beautiful custom 3 channel midi controller. Use it for Ableton Live DJing (recommended) or any other MIDI compliant program. Total cost: $450!

Step 1 The joy of buying your own parts...

I spent a lot of time researching the perfect parts for our controller. Since a lot of the drive for making this controller came from the cheap knobs and sliders found on most $50 - $500 controllers, we wanted to make sure each knob, slider and button had the perfect amount of resistance, the proper detents, and of course, looked sharp. Another factor in my selection was the fact that we generally perform in a pitch black room. We wanted something that would allow us to go even darker.

Spend some time getting the right components. Don't like the way something feels? Send it back. Don't bother going to radio shack, they have a lousy selection.

Get spare parts! You might not be able to find something later, and then you'll have a frankenstein controller.

1x BRAINS
- Doepfer: Pocket Electronics DIY Controller Board ($115)
This board had the perfect amount of documentation for me and the right contol amounts
http://www.analoguehaven.com

1x CASE
- Action Electronics KB 7-7 ($29.24)
This seemed like the perfect fit. Nice gentle slope, 7x7x2 7/8. Cheap.
http://www.action-electronics.com/lmkb.htm

9x EQ LED Tipped Kill Switches
- NTT Switches M2112TCW01 ($8.76ea)
Beautiful, rugged, red LED tipped toggles.
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=870-0093

1x POWER ROCKER ($2.49)
- PH-30-850 Rocker Sw.
http://www.action-electronics.com

9x POTS (Potentiometers or the Rotating Knobs) ($1.19!!!ea)
- 313-2000-10K Taiwan Alpha 16mm Ca Linear B10K
For a buck, these pots feel better than anything I've seen on any m-audio controller!?
IMPORTANT!!! These have a "center detent", this means it click in place in the center. I later found out that this is not good with how we have it mapped to Ableton, since we use "EQ 3" which has 0.00dB at about 75% turn, so the center detent is essentially useless.
http://www.mouser.com

9x KOBS (the silver piece that goes on top of the pot that you actually touch) ($7.66ea)
- 506-KN900A1/4 Alcoswitch Knobs 1/4" Shaft knurled
Ahh, these are beautiful. Big, shiny, metal. Mmmmmm
http://www.mouser.com

1x HEADPHONE VOLUME KNOB (one mounted on the side for headphone volume) ($4.62)
- 506-KN500B-1/4 Alcoswitch Knobs .5" DIA BLACK
http://www.mouser.com

3x MAIN VOLUME SLIDER PER CHANNEL ($1.83ea)
- 312-9301-10K Taiwan Alpha Slide P 60mm TRVL Linear 10K
Once again, a super cheap component that feels better than anything out there.
http://www.mouser.com

3x PUSHBUTTONS ($2.49)
- 275-644 SPST Pushbutton Switch
Be careful, these are plastic, a millisecond extra on the solder and it'll melt inside. If you find a better button, let me know.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062508

1x BATTERY PACK
- 23-342 9.6V Ni-Cd Battery Pack and Charger Combo Pack ($19.99)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062124

CASE
- 10" x 7-1/2" x 4" h Commercial-Grade Case Black
- DIY Foam Cutout Kit
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=61536&CATID=231

OTHER
- Threadlocker Blue or any Bolt Locking Glue or Paste (Radio Shack)
- Soldering Station (As a self respecting hobbyist you should have one anyway)
- Solder
- Colored Wire

Comments

[Newblit]

Just curious I am looking to get into dj-ing just as a hobby you know how would you recommend me getting involved?

[zevieee]

Yes - It's loads of fun..

[Newblit]

Yea but how would I start getting into it lol.

[zevieee]

Go to beatport, find a genre you like.. spend a few months developing a collection and practicing mixing.. then ask everyone you know to play for their event for free, learn how to work the crowd (this is about 3 years in minimum), then your ready for the big time.. if you don't suck

[jweise]

That is actually some of the best advice I've heard!! The best of which "Don't Suck"! Most people think Dj'in is something anybody can just jump into but most people would be better off saving their money! It is expensive as hell and pretty difficult to master for someone with little to no musical knowledge. But it can be really fun when you get it down and very rewarding in many other ways! Great instructable, but too expensive for me at the moment.

[atumas]

Awesome instructions mate. So if I use the new 64 board, I can have 20+ pots, some buttons and faders, all USB bus powered? Do the rotary pots have to be of any special type, or any of them will work to send a MIDI signal?

[neoumlaut]

A much cheaper controller is the Arduino. Only 30 bucks and  can do midi control or whatever you want.

[avibank911]

can you use any potentiometer to control mmidi if connected into an interface? interface are expensive and i only need 1 pot. any one got any ideas?? awseom controller btw!

[zevieee]

You could also spring for this thing that just came out...
http://www.doepfer.de/usb64.htm

it will allow you to make the controller bus powered!

~z

[teeps]

this is wonderful! I just DJed my first gig ever and Ableton was all I used for a four hour wedding reception. I would love to get a hot little controller like this. I have one of those midi to usb adapters already but are there control boards available that do straight to USB?

[zevieee]

Thanks.. I do not know if any other controller board that can easily do this. USB powered would be even better!

[OnionRingOfDoom]

Wow, that's a solid-looking controller! Bet it feels great too! If only I had 100 bucks to drop on the midi interface...

[beastmaster]

oh yes. 16mm alpha potentiometers. only the best.

[qµrec]

amazing project!

[philcollis]

awesome! really looks nice too.