Author Andrei
10/07/2019
Midiboy is an open-source DIY handheld microcomputer with MIDI support that comes in a form of a kit. Based on Arduino - one of the most popular maker platforms - Midiboy can run different MIDI programs or retro games called sketches. As you have to assemble the Midiboy yourself, you will learn about electronics, soldering and programming in the process. If you are a beginner and haven’t assembled an electronics kit before, don’t worry. All of the Midiboy’s components are easy to solder and our extensive assembly and software guides will get you going with ease. For those, who would like to learn programming and make their own games or MIDI utilities, we will be sharing some advanced walkthroughs and programming tutorials in the coming weeks.

Inside the MIDIboy is what you would expect from any review of the ArduBoy schematics. There are six buttons, a speaker, a USB port, and a SPI OLED display. In addition to all of this are two big chonkin’ DIN-5 ports for MIDI in and MIDI out, and yes, the MIDI in port has an optoisolator.
Specs
- 8-bit ATmega328P 20MHz Microcontroller
- 1.3” OLED Display, 128x64 Pixels
- 2 x MIDI DIN-5 Ports
- 6 x Tactile Buttons
- Piezo Speaker
- Powered via USB or 9V Battery (up to 16 hours)
- Comes as a DIY Electronics Kit
- Dimensions - 100x66x39mm
- Arduino Compatible

As for what you can do with a tiny little game console connected to MIDI, there are already a few choice apps — the MIDI Chords app creates chords, obviously, and the MIDImon sketch is a MIDI monitor. There are some controllers for MIDI synths, and of course this device is completely open source. If you’ve ever wanted a DIY controller for your favorite MIDI synth, this is what you need. Here on the side you have an example game.

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