Self-explanatory. I would like to get started building my own midi controller. I have plenty of experience in making music, but zero experience building hardware, electronics, etc. Let alone designing them.

My guess is that a pre-designed controller would be a good place to start, I just don't know which.

Despite this lack of experience, I have a background in 3D modeling and know how to code. Recently a bunch of 3D printing businesses opened in my city, so I have, at the very least, the means of making the parts.

Thoughts?

 

All beginnings are difficult, but I think it's a great decision to try something new. Here are a few suggestions:

1. DIY USB Midi Controller With Arduino: a Beginner's Guide
https://www.instructables.com/DIY-USB-Midi-Controller-With-Arduino-a-Beginners-G

2. Livid Builder Box Kit (No longer Available?!)
https://lividinstruments.com/products/builder
Review: Livid Instruments Builder Box

Building your own MIDI controller just got a whole lot easier thanks to Livid Instruments' Builder Box kit (powered by the Brain Jnr.) G.W. Childs makes his own in this video & text review.
https://ask.video/article/audio/review-livid-instruments-builder-box

3. Mini UNTZtrument: 3D Printed MIDI Controller
Build a 16 button MIDI drum machine!
https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-untztrument-3d-printed-midi-controller/overview

4. MaKey MaKey + MidiMidi Software
https://feelyoursound.com/midimidi

5. OpenDeck Board (Shantea Controls)
https://shanteacontrols.com

6. This is how I build my own MIDI controllers for less than US$40.00
www.musiconerd.com/this-is-how-i-build-my-own-midi-controllers-for-less-than-us40-00-and-how-you-can-build-yours-too

7. Build a MIDI Controller with Arduino
https://midi.org/build-a-midi-controller-with-arduino

 

Last edited: Nov 11, 2025

I built a Midi expression pedal using an Arduino Teensy and some pre written libraries for the Teensy.

https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

This is a really good place to start, and the cost is very low. You can try out different functions for the Teensy and very quickly make it more feature rich as you get better at understanding how it all works

 

Of just configure something here: http://yaeltex.com/