Build a Midi Fighter for Your Next DJ Battle

MIDI controllers come in all shapes and sizes, and for every possible musical need. One of the most important aspects of a good MIDI controller is the tactile feel of the buttons and controls. Some musicians prefer the feel of a good old fashioned keyboard, while others are completely comfortable with just using their laptops. But, if you want a MIDI controller with a great tactile action, arcade-style buttons can provide a really nice feel.

Medium writer w4ilun has a nicely detailed tutorial on how they built their arcade button-based MIDI controller. The finished controller has a beautifully premium feel to it, and that’s due to both the high-quality components that were used, as well as the masterful design. Unlike many homemade MIDI controllers, the top and bottom pieces of the enclosure were made from aluminum. This meant sending the design files out to a shop to be cut, but the resulting quality speaks for itself.

The most important part of the build, for usability and feel, was the buttons themselves. While they’re pricey, w4ilun decided to go with top of the line Japanese Sanwa OBSC arcade buttons. These provide a quick action and excellent spring, while maintaining that quality with long term durability. For visual appeal, these were backlit with 32 RGB LED mini NeoPixels.

Running the MIDI controller is a ATmega32U4, and it’s all mounted on a custom-designed and professionally made PCB. That PCB was designed in KiCAD, and the professional printing really comes across with the black screen printing that matches the rest of the controller. If you’re interested in building your own, w4ilun has posted all of the code along with detailed instructions.