God how I miss my Creative-Prodikeys-DM-Keyboard. Unfortunately, they stopped manufacture, and didn't update the drivers. Maybe I'll try to stick my Arturia Minilab and a compact computer keyboard to a piece of hardboard or plywood or something using double sided carpet tape. Another of my pitiful DIY contraptions. LOL.

 

Wow, that's amazing! I didn't even know something like that existed, thanks @panther5!

https://files.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/TSD/8153/0x0FC65664/ProdiKeys_DM_English_Manual.pdf

The Prodikeys DM connects to a PC via a PS/2 interface; unfortunately, Creative has omitted a USB port. It comes with proprietary Creative software that boasts a powerful yet user-friendly interface and includes a learning mode for inexperienced but music-making enthusiasts. Experienced musicians, on the other hand, can immediately begin composing and export their compositions in MP3, WAV, or MIDI format. Furthermore, the Prodikeys DM can be used as a MIDI controller with most music software.

The Prodikeys DM is expected to be available in stores from the beginning of February 2004; the price will be around 100 euros.

 

Wow that's exactly what I would need for my desktop tower. What a pity it doesn't exist anymore.

 

It seems like every one they ever made is on ebay for 50 bucks.

 

Yeah but I don't trust much used tech stuff.
Moreover there are 3 models, the worst of them being the only one having USB connection, and my ideal gizmo would be this below, but it has PS/2 connection.

 

The modern version, without driver problems, could look like this; perhaps a manufacturer will be found who takes up this old idea again and delights the musicians of this world with an improved new edition.

 

TL;DR: Consider refining your digital design parts to CNC/Injection mold specification and partnering with an established company like Novation. After you learn (a LOT), then maybe you can try some independent production runs of a new product.

Unless you're based in Germany, China, or near some manufacturing outlet in southeast Asia, its hard to start from the ground up. Look at ARM holdings, makers of the best chip architecture we've seen for consumers (Apple Silicon, Snapdragon, etc) - yet they don't make anything, nor do they have manufacturing capacity.

If you're not an engineer (by trade, not degree), it can be more expensive with increased amount of iterations from minor adjustments learned along the way. I learned with 3D printing. Without seeking perfection in the theoretical applications of your digital designs, the real process will take longer, and thus costs more money. Not just the materials, but the tools that wear down fast and often need replacing. Those tools are really expensive and manufacturing facilities markup the price to profit. Then there is the issue of priority customer, long-term contracts (or lack of) and so on.

 

Look here, he sold DIY music synthesizers, you can still learn something from him! --> www.tubeohm.com/diy-hardware.html

TubeOhm DIY Synthesizer Jeannie

You want to build a synthesizer yourself ? Preferably polyphonic ? And with effects like reverb , delay , chorus ..... Then have a look at this video. Jeannie is an brand new 8-voice polyphonic DIY synthesizer. During the development we made sure that the instrument is relatively easy to build. But, component know how and soldering skills should be present.

Then nothing stands in the way of a successful DIY. This video gives a short overview of the individual construction steps. After that, some sounds are presented. Approx. 400 sounds are currently available in 3 banks. 15 sound banks with 128 sounds each can be managed. 800 different waveforms and an effect DSP round off the synthesiser kit.

The synthesiser is freely programmable, the software open source. Features: 2 DCOs/800 waveforms for each DCO , three LFOs with /64 waveforms each , two ADSR generators /lin/log/exp, FX DSP for effects like reverb , delay, chorus , phaser , pitch shifter .... and much more. more infos here : www.tubeohm.com

 

Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM

At the end, the notion of "integration" is a nightmare.
Devs only work on one DAW, they drop dev on DAW side or controller side ...

Seen multiple Native Ins dropped controllers ?
Seen Arturia instability ?
How many abandoned paper weights controllers without software update ?
And on and on ...

I've tried too many half backed "integrated" solutions to care any more.
I still use an old remote SL KB 25 , without ANY integration.
Just for the controls and the 25 simple input keys (if i want a real KB feel, i use my digital piano with hammer touch and triple sensor + MIDI out).

If you really want flexibility, go tablet + OSC apps.
It is a lot more open than MIDI 2.0.
And it worked for years and years.

I would not pay any big bucks any more for something relying on TWO devs teams (DAW maker + controller maker).
Burned more than once.

 

in the dimension i live in a "midi controller" is nothing which has to "memorize parameter names".

a midi controller ist a midi controller.

for DAW remote there are better solutions nowadays.

in the dimension i live in a "midi controller" is not limited to the use with "VST plug-ins", nor would it be required for a software to have the phycial controller´s output beeing remapped, since it is easier to do that in the software.

who cares what a certain product does. this thread is about DYI for beginners.

for beginners it is totally normal to rely on readymade boards such as doepfer or arduino.

for a "128 knob drehbank" you need 128 (or a few more) potentiometers, a case, a soldering iron, 7 midi extention cables and 8 DPE Kits. (for the user with "computer only" applications, given that the OS is not older than 25 years, you could also use 2 doepfer USB64.)

in "home user" quality that is easily possible under USD/EUR 1000, no programming on the chip, and only rudimentary soldering.

yes, but who cares?

and btw, the nektar controllers ARE basically midi controllers and have resolutions of 7, 10, and 14 bit.

all of that is possible with traditional MIDI, too. i just wouldnt know about an affordable kit...

 

Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM

Habe das neulich auch von ihm gelesen. Irgendwie ist es aber schräg einen Midi Controller dafür zu bauen, warum nicht gleich beides in ein Gerät gepackt?

 

In the dimension i live in, it looks that someone cares.
User angie originally asked:
"I created a lot of transparent masks for different plugins, the downside is that there is no recall for presets, the solution should be a a lot of encoders and something at the plugin level that sends the preset parameters back to the controller ... I don't know if there is something like that."

Can you see the word PLUGINS? I simply replied to a man who was asking if a specific kind of controller exists, trying to help him.

(This is also a valuable info for the OP, as I've seen dozens and dozens of startups offering the same kind of controller (usually 32 or something knobs), adding nothing new to the market. And most of them went belly up quickly - because they didn't do a proper research in the first place.)

 

The topic from User @Noizey98 : Starting a midi controller business is from the Dec 30, 2021!

 

How did you play that thing? My fingers would hit two of those keys at a time or get stuck in between keys... Seems like something for a kid to play...

 

I use Keystation 32, it's even smaller that this or near to it.
But its purpose it's not playing, it's just to transcribe chords and melodies.

To play I use a weighted 88 digital piano keyboard.