The only thing I wish it could do, that a DIY Arduino control could potentially do, is have the sliders be motorized so that presets could move the sliders to their appropriate positions. I've been itching to find a use for some of these. I doubt that Pianoteq will ever be able to send any MIDI messages when you change presets, and there probably won't be an API to probe the current Pianoteq settings, but you could maintain a set of presets (for some PTQ parameters) on the Arduino itself.

There's not really any layman's guide (here's the main Arduino site), but as far as soldering goes, there's not that much involved, especially if you use breadboards and pre-built shields (add-ons that plug into the top of the Arduino). There's some soldering, but so far I've gotten away with only through-hole (the easy kind) soldering. There's also a programming component, but lots of nice, smart people have contributed open-source libraries to do many of the things the Arduino can do.

It's really just a crazy idea I've had that probably won't pan out, but it's certainly possible to make your own MIDI controller.

In any event, I think I like this one, for a mini moog, the best (he seems to have built quite a few of these things):

http://www.synth-project.de/Gallery/Sei...ue.html#13 , which opens or transforms to become this: http://www.synth-project.de/Gallery/Sei...ue.html#19  (The mini moog is just inserted into the top at an angle?EDIT: No he says that he designed a larger board with more knobs, too. I guess that just slides in at an angle.)

I'm surprised that no one builds good-looking wooden cases for keyboards. They could be designed much like the usual fiberboard Yamaha slab stand, with better looking legs, but the same open back for cabling. A box of sorts on top with a slanting lid--like what used to called a secretary or a secretary desk. (Several versions from a google search: http://www.google.com/search?q=secretar...mp;bih=460 .) Make them in two sizes so that any keyboard would fit, and it would be easy to lift the keyboard out to carry to a show.  And somewhere inside would be something like a Korg NanoKontrol. They would appeal to players, or spouses, who don't want their living room looking too much like a practice room, and protect against spills, smoke, dust, et al.

Come to think of it, the NanoKontrol would almost be my shameless layman's answer to wiring--the knobs and sliders pop right off and could be replaced with metal or wooden knobs and sliders. Too bad about the shiny plastic casing, though...

Edit: Here is an add-on that would allow any Arduino or other microcontroller to send (and receive?) MIDI data.

There are other projects that allow an Arduino to act as a USB device, and therefore a USB MIDI device, which is more complicated, but simpler to connect to a computer.

That's a sweet look for sure! I bet a good woodworker could duplicate the size and shape of endblocks of a controller at least. I'm looking at my Studiologic VMK188+ right now, and on most of the Fatars the endblocks come off easily.

Part of the attractiveness of the Nords is their cool design with red stained wood also.

Thanks for sharing that!

Michael

http://www.synth-project.de/Project-5.html