Minimal Macro-MIDI Pad

Today you likely control your computer with a keyboard and mouse. However, many of us, including myself, have added a third input device in the form of a macropad.

One popular semi-DIY solution for this type of auxiliary input is the Adafruit MacroPad RP2040, which includes an encoder, buttons, and a small screen. For those with some musical aptitude – or at least curiosity – such devices may also resemble a MIDI device. Musical-hacker Tod Kurt thus created the MacroPadSynthPlug that plugs into the onboard StemmaQT port and to add an audio out plus MIDI input to the device.

Of course, if you're going to make a custom pad design, and would like this functionality, then why not just integrate it into your board off-the-bat? Dave Darko’s LoKiPAD Adafruit Macropad clone does just that, adding the MacroPadSynthPlug design under its OLED display.

Besides the addition of synth components, the LoKiPAD is a somewhat simplified clone of Adafruit’s design. Changes include using generic 12mm SMD buttons instead of actual keyswitches, and it integrates a Raspberry Pi Pico instead of an individual RP2040 and components.

Darko notes that you may have to switch the encoder pins around in code if things seem backwards, but other than that simple tweak it looks like a straightforward way to get started in the MIDI/macropad world.

While Darko only has a picture of his device up on GitHub, you should be able to use it to jam out in the same manner as Kurt in the clip below: