How to Make Arduino Instruments that Play MIDI Songs!

Code, download links, and more details on my website:
www.devinejohnny.com/
This video describes how I turned a Music Maker lap harp and xylophone that play MIDI songs with Arduino.
The instruments are mounted with laser cut plywood and 3D printed parts. The design for these parts was done in Autodesk Fusion 360. I used a BOSS laser and Prusa MK3s printer. The notes on each instruments are struck by 5V solenoids purchased from Digikey.com. The instruments are run with Arduino boards (an Uno for the harp and Mega for the xylophone).
MIDI signals are sent to the Arduino boards over USB from a connected computer. The computer has a digital audio workstation (LMMS in this case) playing MIDI songs. Software on the computer (called loopMIDI) creates virtual ports so these signals can be passed to another piece of software (called Hairless MIDI) that creates a serial bridge to the Arduinos.

[@customerservicerobot454]

i've been looking for this exact thing forv so long, thank you so much!!!!

[@miha220]

This presentation is great! Thanx

[@TheJavaSync]

Nice presentation!! Thank You I searched this video for a long time

[@MisterDevine]

Thanks, always happy to help!

[@robotricks_labs]

Cool video!

[@grgr3519]

Thats great!!!

[@AppliedCryogenics]

Nice work! There are N-channel MOSFETs that can be directly controlled by gpio lines from the Arduino. This could eliminate the 12v supply and relay clicks.

[@MisterDevine]

Thanks! I took that approach with a later, better build: www.devinejohnny.com/projectgallery/midi-arduino-glockenspiel-with-tip120-transistors I also flash hiduino firmware to the Arduino in that build, which eliminated all that extra in between software; just plug in the USB and I pops up as a midi instrument. I also did a build with ULN2004 transistor arrays, which really slimmed down the electronics. Didn’t document it, but here’s some more about those chips: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ULN2003A

[@sjk44]

heck yah!

[@mirko124]

very cool! is it possibly with solenoids to also have different intensities of hitting? to have soft or loud tones and everything inbetween...

[@MisterDevine]

If you used transistors to control the solenoids, you can vary the amount of current they receive. With the relays, you can vary the amount of time they are closed (I used 8ms in this project, so a smaller time would be a less intense hit). The problem with this is that even subtle differences between solenoids (their internal friction, distance from the surface, etc.) means that some might not reach the keys at all while others do. In this project I had modes that did both (transistors and varied time), but also had a felt covered damping bar that could be pressed into the keys with varying pressure using servos. www.devinejohnny.com/projectgallery/midi-arduino-glockenspiel-with-tip120-transistors

[@magmagth4346]

Hi, if a midi file was stored in smartphone not in laptop, how can xylophone play midi song over Bluetooth? thank you

[@anuragbarhoriya3284]

how muro box work ? The music box which operate by mobile app . I want to see inside of muro box . The concept is same but your is bulky and complex hardware .

[@Mate2Frio]

Do you sell or have plans published for the solenoid holders?

[@MisterDevine]

Here's a link to an OBJ file: drive.google.com/file/d/12gwYgVF03RM6FXDwvpDPlw4yuGbG_UVL/view?usp=sharing I also put it on my project page: www.devinejohnny.com/projectdetails/midi-xylophone-with-arduino-mega If a different file type would be better for you, let me know.

[@clydebermingham121]

Would a set up like that work with Apple’s GarageBand or Logic Pro X DAW’s ?

[@MisterDevine]

Yes, I imagine so. It just needs something sending MIDI signals. I really need to do another video and write up on my website, but all my instruments after the ones in this video use hiduino, which re-flashes the USB chip on the Arduino so that when you plug it into something it is recognized natively as a MIDI device. That means you could plug a keyboard straight into the instrument and play it. No need for a DAW, hairless MIDI, loopMIDI, or any of that jazz. It's pretty cool.

[@andrestruus5475]

@@MisterDevine Looking forward to learn how did you achieved all that! Really neat job!

[@Qwanders]

Have you tried to use Solid State Relays instead of the electromechanical ones? Then you won't get the clicking from the Relays..?

[@MisterDevine]

Yeah, I used TIP120 transistors in this project. www.devinejohnny.com/projectgallery/midi-arduino-glockenspiel-with-tip120-transistors

[@Qwanders]

@@MisterDevine it is very very cool! You are doing really good and it is inspiring.

[@JTranDung]

can i know that relay type!? and the name. i want to make a hummer to hit the clock bells

[@MisterDevine]

I think this link will take you to what I bought on Amazon. They are relay modules made by ELEGOO, but there are numerous similar brands that would work as well. ELEGOO 8 Channel DC 5V Relay Module with Optocoupler Compatible with Arduino UNO R3 MEGA 1280 DSP ARM PIC AVR STM32 Raspberry Pi www.amazon.com/dp/B01HCFJC0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_C8G96KYR6HAHVXHRN5SY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@MisterDevine]

Also, if you didn’t see it already, I’ve got more details on my blog: www.devinejohnny.com/projectdetails/midi-xylophone-with-arduino-mega

[@JTranDung]

thanks, i love u guy.

[@thedombtech]

Ughh! You stole my idea 2 years before I had it! Great video though! This came out great!

[@MisterDevine]

Thanks! You should still give it a go, though. I would recommend some changes if you give it a try. I think the software mentioned in this video is no longer supported, but there is something called Hiduino, which is really cool. With a second Arduino acting as an ISP device, you can re-flash the firmware for the USB chip on your Arduino so that is acts as a native MIDI device. That means once you plug in the instrument to your computer, boom, it just shows up in your DAW and is ready to play. I've done that with some more recent instruments, but don't have a full write up on my website yet: www.devinejohnny.com/projectdetails/m7jy1wa0aukmz9ory546gcr8xu0wa5

[@JosephAnterola]

Please SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!! seriously how much would you charge to build one of these setups?