MIDI CONTROLLER
Tactile Audio Interface for Emerging Creators
A four week-long individual project at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), exploring how physical interaction can empower digital music-making.
The goal: design and fabricate a MIDI controller that minimizes setup friction and enhances creative flow through intuitive, tactile control.
Overview
Emerging music producers aged 19–30 working in compact home studios, bedrooms, or university labs. These creators often switch between laptops, synths,
and hardware in tight spaces and crave gear that feels immediate, expressive, and personal.
Who Its For
Create a MIDI controller that:
– Encourages play without digital barriers
– Feels emotionally engaging
– Avoids feature bloat in favor of workflow clarity
– Provides tactile feedback through physical components
Design Challenge
01 Research Insights
Key user insights emerged through contextual research, interviews, and observation of studio workflows:
Setup kills momentum
→ Users need plug-and-play simplicity—no menus, no lag
Tactility boosts creativity
→ Knobs and sliders let users “think with their hands”
Generic interfaces fail to connect
→ Materials and form must feel personal, not sterile
Clear layout over complexity
→ Focused design builds confidence and trust
02 Enclosure Design
Compact. Protective. Ergonomic.
ANGLES TO CREATE SLOPES FOR ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE
USER CAN GRAB MIDI
INDENTED LIP FOR ALUMINIUM PLATES TO SIT ON
FEET OF ENCLOSURE
USB “C” PORT
Overhang protecting knobs and sliders during transport.
A tilted silhouette to improve visibility and interaction.
Stepped surface separating control zones visually and physically.
03 Interface Design
INTERFACE 1
Split zones with knobs and single slider.
Simple but feels disconnected and lacks interaction variety.
Balanced layout with knobs, sliders, and one big dial.
Visually clean but too rigid, less intuitive flow.
High knob density with two sliders on top.
Offers control but overwhelming and lacks hierarchy.
Clear hierarchy: knobs, sliders, and master control.
Balanced, intuitive, and supports creative flow without clutter.
Best fit for portable, ergonomic, and user-friendly control experience.
INTERFACE 2
INTERFACE 3
INTERFACE 4
two sliders
This FINAL Interface combines eight knobs, two sliders, and a master knob in a clear, intuitive layout. It balances detailed and broad control, supporting the purpose of delivering ergonomic, tactile interaction for fluid music-making in any setup.
eight knobs
master knob
04 Hardware Design
Four Components. Eight Knobs.
ALL COMPONENTS WERE MANUFACTURED BY MYSELF ON THE METAL LATHE. EACH COMPONENT WAS TURNED AND PRESS FITTED. MEASUREMENTS WERE CRUCIAL IN ORDER TO HAVE THE PRESS FIT WORK (0.001" DIFFERENCE)
05 Electronics Design
POWERED BY ARDUINO LEONARDO, ROTARY POTENTIOMETERS ARE WIRED THROUGH A SOLDERABLE BREADBOARD TO PREVENT FROM COLD CONNECTIONS, ENHANCING THE MIDI’S PERFORMANCE
+/- CONNECTED TO
ROTARY POTENTIOMETER
ANALOG PIN LEADING FROM POTENTIOMETER TO ARDUINO
solderable breadboard
5V and GND connecting to arduino
PROTOTYPING INSIDE TEST ENCLOSURE
FOUR COMPONENTS CONNECTED
CABLE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
Full-Scale MIDI Controller Concept — 9 Rotary + 2 Linear Potentiometers (11 Inputs)
This version represents the intended fully-scaled design, expanding the MIDI controller to handle up to 11 independent inputs, limited only by hardware constraints of the Arduino Leonardo.
This version reflects the functional final prototype, utilizing 3 rotary potentiometers to match the actual analog input capacity and wiring limitations of the Leonardo-based build.
Final Working MIDI Controller Prototype — 3 Rotary Potentiometers (3 Inputs)
06 Assembly
07 Final Prototype
For a detailed technical breakdown of the hardware design, click here.