An Accordion MIDI Controller
If you’d like to play electronic music, a keyboard, or perhaps some sort of drum sequencer, is likely the first thing you’d think to use…
If you’d like to play electronic music, a keyboard, or perhaps some sort of drum sequencer, is likely the first thing you’d think to use. On the other hand, if you’re an accordionist and software developer like Brendan Vavra, you might have other ideas.
Eschewing traditional electronic instruments, he decided to instead convert a non-working accordion into a MIDI controller. This involved embeddding an Arduino Mega board, and a meticulous dissection of the accordion’s keys.
What’s more, Vavra included a Bluetooth module to his setup for wireless communication with a computer, as well as a barometric pressure sensor that enables the bellows to add dynamic expression and change the volume.
This type of instrument could be purchased already in electronic form, and tend to be rather expensive, but with his creative use of resources, Vavra was able to get his working for around $400 — including $150 for a broken accordion.
Not only can you see how it works in the video below, you can check out all of the project’s schematics, code, and guide for building your own on GitHub.
