PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico

Name: PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico
SKU: 29236
Price: 11.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (4 reviews)

(4 Reviews)

Capsense MIDI keyboard for RaspberryPi Pico

Designed by todbot synth toys in United States of America

PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico 1

PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico 2

PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico 3

PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico 4

PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico 5

2023-03-16T19:57:39.295Z-picotouch_slidercase1.jpg

2023-03-16T19:57:39.295Z-picotouch_slidercase2.jpg

Buy with confidence.

Our Tindie Guarantee protects your purchase from fraud. Learn More

Capsense MIDI keyboard for RaspberryPi Pico

What is it? PicoTouch is a super-thin 23-key MIDI controller using just a PCB, a Raspberry Pi Pico (not included), and 23 pre-soldered 1M resistors. Just solder down the Pico! (And if you're looking …

What is it?

PicoTouch is a super-thin 23-key MIDI controller using just a PCB, a Raspberry Pi Pico (not included), and 23 pre-soldered 1M resistors. Just solder down the Pico! (And if you're looking for the synthesizer version, that's the PicoTouch Synth!)

It's one of the thinnest MIDI controllers around, measuring less than 6mm (1/4") at it's thickest point. And at $4 for the Pico and $11 for this board, it's one of the cheapest MIDI controllers.

The PicoTouch board includes 6 controller keys that can be mapped to pitch up/down, mod wheel up/down, and octave transpose.

It's designed as a MIDI controller, but code it how you like! Make it a Macropad! Put a Pico W on it and make it a WiFi MIDI controller!

Examples in both CircuitPython and Arduino are provided.

Current programs:

MIDI keys controller : demo video
MIDI slider controller : demo video
Keyboard macropad (basic example)
MIDI keys controller in Arduino

How do I build it?

The picotouch board comes with all the resistors already soldered, just add the Pico!

(NOTE: this board will NOT work with the Pico2, since its RP2350 chip has a hardware error)

First solder down the Pico. Here's an example of how to do it: https://youtu.be/dW9LiOq3Dso

Then, install CircuitPython and the picotouch program. Find out how to do that here: https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/#firmware-installation

Why did you make it?

I often need a MIDI controller to input notes into my computer. Here's a real cheap one that's hackable!

What makes it special?

It's hackable, it's thin, it's cheap!

Is there a case for it?

Yes! A slim 3d-printable case is available on Printables. It's easy to print and just slides together, protecting the PicoTouch but giving you acesss to all 23 touch pads. Here's a demo video of it.

No country selected, please select your country to see shipping options.

Change Destination Country:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (5.00)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Peter | Jan. 16, 2024

Sweet!

Thin, really cool-looking; works great! All you have to do is overcome the fear of surface-mounting the pico...then it's easy! I bought a second one for a picoW.

Mina J | Oct. 4, 2023

easy excellent and fun

A easy solder job that takes no time, tack down a corner and your good to go.,works great, and it small size makes it a great travel interface . I ordered two, was so impressed with the first I wanted to gift it so I got another about a week later. Both orders shipped fast, about a week( I live in Mid-Atlantic USA). Very Impressed! They were securely packaged and would take being dropped from 3 stories to damage the packaging. It took about 5 minutes to solder and another 5 to get up and running. 10 minutes for a sweet midi controller for a unbeatable price. I look forward to printing the 3d case and getting my groove on in LMMS. Get one [or two] you won’t be disappointing :)

Brian | Aug. 5, 2023