What is it?

Have you ever needed multiple MIDI foot pedals or expression pedals to control Logic, Ableton, PD, Max/MSP, or basically anything that that talks MIDI? If so, the PhIn6 might be for you. The PhIn6 features 6 1/4" inputs perfect for MIDI foot pedals or other digital or analog controllers. You can even use contact microphones (as sensors, not as audio rate microphones)— perfect for triggering MIDI drums or envelope tracking.

The Phin6 MIDI Controller is powered by the Arduino-compatible microcontroller Teensy. Everything is MIDI over USB so no need for MIDI cables.

For those comfortable with basic Arduino programming, who might even have a Teensy of their own laying around and enjoy a little soldering, get the kit! It's cheap and easy to get going. For those who want a fully assembled and preprogrammed product ready to go out of the box, we got that too.

On the bottom of the board you will find a dip switch for connecting contact microphones.

How do I use it?

If you got the preassembled version, plug in your controller (MIDI foot pedal, knob, or expression pedal), open your MIDI capable software, and start playing. If you got the kit you have some assembly and programming to do.

If you want to use the PhIn6 with contact microphones instead of foot pedals or knobs you will need to turn the dip switches on the bottom of the unit to the ON position.

Why did you make it?

Building my own live performance patches in PD or Max/MSP, I often had a need for a bunch of foot pedals or other knobs and sliders. Commercial products just couldn't do what I needed so I developed a simple board (really it's just a shield) that is small, light, cheap, highly customizable, and easy to setup in a performance situation.

Examples of homemade thingies that connect to the PhIn6: ⁃ Fader ⁃ Knob ⁃ Button ⁃ Contact microphone ⁃ Flex sensor ⁃ Pressure sensor

Examples of commercial products that connect to the PhIn6 ⁃ Foot pedals ⁃ Expression pedals ⁃ Contact microphones

I also often use contact microphones to trigger samples or audio events. The Phin6 does that over MIDI making it much more flexible and convenient to use with a large variety of music applications.

What makes it special?

The PhIn6 is a small, light, low-cost, highly customizable MIDI over USB device that can handle up to 6 foot pedals, expression pedals, or contact microphones as inputs.

What does the kit come with?

• 1 pcb
• 6 1/4" jacks
• male header pins
• 6 100 ohm resistors
• 6 1M ohm resistors
• 1 6 position dip switch

What sort of things can I use this for?

Customizable MIDI controllers

Describe the product dimensions.

Is there anything required for this product to work that does not come included?

This product does not include any controllers (foot pedals, knobs, faders, contact mics, etc).

User notes

• The default mode is "AUTOSELECT" meaning that input devices will be detected as digital or analog based on the type of cable used. The best way to wire a switch for digital communication is by using tip and sleeve then jumpering the ring to the sleeve. This way you can use either balanced (stereo) or unbalanced (mono) cables to connect the switch to the PhIn6. If you can't jumper the ring and the sleeve you would probably set the PhIn6 mode to "PEDAL" using the PhIn6 software to avoid the controller being incorrectly detected as an analog device (like a knob).
• The kit comes with a 1M ohm resistor for contact microphones. You might need a different value resistor for some contact mics. If so, the kit is your best option.
• The 100 ohm resistor prevents a short circuit if you plan on hot-swapping controllers but slightly limits the range of analog read— if you care (MIDI doesn't care but serial communication will).