Project Proposal

Problem Overview:

    
     On the market today sequencers can cost you a pretty penny. Our group’s goal is to develop and make a professionally built sequencer for a fraction of the cost. Along with being at a lower price, the sequencer will also be more user friendly than other sequencers currently on the market. To do so, our group has decided to address and create a midi sequencer that is able to work in conjunction with FL Studio, Logic and Ableton Live. Along with being able to use these midi programs, the midi sequencer will also be able to utilize a direct analog input device, such as infrared sensors or microphones.

Design Constraints:

      There are multiple constraints that keep any midi sequencer and synthesizer from being the very best. Cost is a major factor that comes into consideration with equipment like this. Any sequencer design can be extravagant and intricate, but at the expense of elevated cost. The goal is to make an inexpensive device that is also user-friendly. Device function is directly proportional to cost. The sequencer also cannot be too big. If the device is too bulky it will become difficult to transport. If the device is too small, accurately manipulating the controls becomes difficult. The sequencer will only be able to express the sounds and notes that are generated by the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).  Any parameters that are controlled through the sequencer device (cutoff, pitch, volume, etc.) are also limited to the DAWs’ effects. For example, if the user wanted to add a low pass filter onto a sequence, the user must make sure that the DAW can add a low pass filter. 

Existing Solutions:     

     The M-AUDIO Axiom series 61 key, midi keyboard controller is top of the line hardware that also syncs up to Digital Audio Workstations. Our planned midi device pairs up well with the M-AUDIO keyboard at only a fraction of the cost.

     The 256 Monome is a controller that excels beyond most others. The minimalistic interface is made up of 256 silicon rubber buttons capable of copious options. It syncs to other Digital Audio Workstations with numerous layouts, capable of hundreds of options. For example the user can program the Monome to play games including Tetris and Pong through downloadable maps.

     What the proposed device has that the others don't is a user friendly interface that contains a small learning curve compared to its competitors. The sequencer also contains a fully functioning infrared sensor capable of linking to any midi parameter. This will give the user more control over the sequences rather than having to manually input any automations/effects in the Digital Audio Workstation.

	Axiom 61 Controller	Proposed Device	256 Monome
Price	$499.95	$120.00	$1400.00
On Board Storage	♪	♪	♪
User Friendliness*	X	♪	X
Parameter Control	♪	♪	♪
LCD Screen	♪	♪	X
LED for DAW feedback	♪	♪	♪
Pitch and Modulation Wheel	♪	X	X
Live Sample Cutting	X	X	♪
Drum Machine/Pad	♪	X	♪
Games	X	X	♪

*Based on installation, control layout, and mapping process

Design Goal:

     The goal of this project is to create an automated music step sequencer through the use of the arduino micro controller. The sequencer will also have a midi output device to connect to various virtual music suites allowing the user to physically manipulate musical information, rather than using the program directly. Many different tasks will be involved when creating this device. Device construction will be one of the many obstacles. Programming the arduino to send out midi data will be another challenge. This will also be mounted with an on board midi digital synthesizer. A LCD will also be mounted to the board for information display. Programming the device to successfully interface with the computer program through midi protocol will be the largest part of the project.

Project Deliverables:

• Working sequencer capable of creating numerous arpeggios with pitch and cutoff filter variation
• Working and tested circuit board for both sequencer and synthesizer
• Arduino able to accurately send MIDI messages through USB to chosen DAW, such as Ableton Live or FL Studio
• Arduino takes input from an array of potentiometers and sends corresponding MIDI notes
• Arduino is able to save and load sequences to an SD card
• LCD integrated and able display current note and length, tempo, and sequence number
• Analog input devices send MIDI control messages to DAW (infrared sensor)
• Sequencer able to send midi data to hardware synthesizer to produce simple wave forms including sine, triangle, saw tooth, and square.
• Sequencer programmed as a MIDI input device compatible with different software environments