Although building MIDI controllers with Arduino boards is becoming quite popular, not many of these have resulted with an imaginative form of user input similar to the "Hard-DJ" example we found recently. Based on an Arduino Mega-style board, the Hard-DJ uses the usual buttons and sliding potentiometers for control. However the designers have taken the next step and used two old hard drive platters which are mounted to encoder wheels, that act as controls which are operated in the same way as a DJ would fool about with two record players. For example:
Certainly a step above the rest, the "Hard-DJ" is a MIDI controller that works well and can be reproduced with a little effort. To do so, visit the project page on GitHub for the code, Arduino libraries and other information. And we're on twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.
When projects such as the Hard-Dj have outgrown the normal Arduino-compatible boards, running out of program and flash memory space, or you're stacking on Ethernet and microSD shields, or all at once - it's time to upgrade to the Freetronics EtherMega:
Quite simple the EtherMega is the fully-loaded Arduino-compatible board on the market today. Apart from being completely Arduino Mega2560-compatible, it includes full Ethernet interface, a microSD card socket, full USB interface, optional Power-over-Ethernet support and still has a circuit prototyping area with extra I2C interface pins. Using the EtherMega you could even introduce Internet-control to your MIDI controller! So if your project is breaking the limits, upgrade to the EtherMega today.
