CV to MIDI convertors to build microtonal controllers.

Olá,

I recently came across these which I'm hoping will stay in
production beyond when I'm in a position to use at least the
Doepfer (no velocity sensitivity, but much cheaper) to build a
generalised keyboard controller. Which is why I mentioned it to
Cycling74 to list on the Max/MSP (which I also want but don't
yet have) Resource Guide. I think McLaren may have mentioned the
PAiA before somewhere.

I suspect the Starr MicroZone is not on many people's grocery
list, so given that a variety of functional switches can be
bought for well under a Euro/Dollar each, this is a way to get
more microtonal music made.

It makes it feasible to build a variety of 128-note keyboard
arrays for around 100 Euros/Dollars each which can be
selectively plugged into the CV-to-MIDI board of your banker's
choice. Look for "tactile switches" on the www, Radio Shack,
http://www.e-switch.com/, http://www.omron.com. I think these
may well do the trick for a non-velocity sensitive controller.

Cheers,
Joel

Doepfer CTM64 - Euro € 99.00 (i.e. about US$ 95.00)
Contact To MIDI
Universelle MIDI-Out-Nachrüstung / Universal MIDI Out Kit
http://www.doepfer.de/ctm.htm
"CTM64 is an universal MIDI Out kit. Up to 64 free contacts can
be connected to generate MIDI note on/off or program change
messages. CTM is suitable to retrofit keyboards, switch panels,
button arrangements or any other contacts so that they are able
to transmit MIDI data. Up to 4 potentiometers can be connected
to generate common MIDI controllers and pitch bend. Additionally
a 1/4 jack socket is available for connecting a sustain pedal."

PAiA: MIDI Brain - US$87.75
http://www.paia.com/midibrn.htm
"This 8031 based CV to MIDI converter is available with your
choice of firmware for either a MIDI Fader or MIDI Drum Brain.
MIDI-In and Out connectors provide easy integration into a data stream and allows multiple Brain cards to be daisy-chained in
applications requiring more than eight inputs. Compact 4" X 6"
form factor easily mounts in the enclosure of your choice or
behind a 2W FracRak panel. Requires +5V @ 150 mA. power and
there are provisions on the board for filter capacitors and
voltage regulator for operation from higher voltage supplies."
It has just eight 0-5V inputs, senses velocity.

There's also this page listing various MIDI controllers:

Links zu Hyper-Instrumenten, alternativen Keyboards und MIDI-Controllern
http://privat.schlund.de/o/officeandtown/stoffel/alt_controller/alt_midi_controller.
html
(Ja, Deutsch, but it's quite accessible)