Compact Arduino MIDI Switch

This is basically a simplified and very compact version of the 8 Channel MIDI Switch. The Compact MIDI switch has two channels/switch outputs with relays and can replace footswitches of non-MIDI gear. So if you can connect a conventional footswitch to your gear, then you can most likely also control that gear with this MIDI switch and easily make it MIDI-controllable or midify your DIY gear. The switch can receive program change messages as well as control change messages (as an option). See it in action in this video:

You have to configure some basic settings in the source code before uploading the Ardunio sketch to the Arduino (Nano) board (get the Arduino IDE for free from arduino.cc). You can enable/disable program change and control change messages, define the MIDI channel and set a fixed controller number for each output, e.g. controller number 28 = output #1 and controller number 64 = output #2. If you then send a controller value < 64 for controller number 28, output #1 will be switched off; a controller value >= 64 will switch it on.

// MIDI Switch Light v1.0
// 2021-02-25
// Arduino MIDI switch by jimkim.de
// https://www.jimkim.de
// This MIDI device can receive MIDI program change and control change messages
// For each program (preset) the 2 outputs can be individually set (settings are saved to non volatile memory)
// Additionally, a MIDI controller can be assigned to each output (e.g. controller number 4 --> output 1)
// Controller values from 0-63 will switch off the output, values from 64-127 will switch it on
// Program change function and control change function can be globally enabled / disabled in the setup

byte programChangeActive = 1;     // switch listens to program change messages (0 = OFF, 1 = ON)
byte controlChangeActive = 1;     // switch listens to control change messages (0 = OFF, 1 = ON)
byte setMidiChannel = 1;          // MIDI channel (1 - 16)
int ctrlNumberSwitch1 = 51;       // MIDI controller number assigned to switch #1
int ctrlNumberSwitch2 = 52;       // MIDI controller number assigned to switch #2

The compact MIDI switch can be build on tagboard and fits into a Hammond 1590N1 enclosure (121x66x39mm). This also depends on the relay type and size you are using. Make sure that the relays of your choice do reliably work with 9V (there is some voltage drop due to the protection diode and switching transistors). I used Hamlin reed types with 12V coil voltage (HE721A12, simply because I had them lying around, and they fit into 14pin DIP sockets); these work from 7V upwards. If you use 6V types, consider putting current limiting resistors in series with the relay coils. Of course you can also build a dedicated power supply, but the basic idea is to power the device from regular pedal power supplies for matters of simplicity.

Usage with program change messages: Send a program change command on the MIDI channel that has been set in the source code. The MIDI led will light up shortly and the outputs will switch to the settings that have last been saved (these maybe random after first programming). Now set the outputs with switch #1 and switch #2 (short press). When done, press switch #1 for about 2 seconds to save the settings for this program number. The MIDI led will light up 3 times to confirm that the current settings have been saved.

You can use MIDI control change messages to set each single output within a MIDI program/patch, or of course to exclusivley control the MIDI switch with CCs. Send a controller value in the range of 0-63 to switch the output off, and a value in the range of 64-127 to switch it on.

The source code will be available soon.

In order to compile and upload this sketch in your Arduino IDE you have to manually install the OneButton library. You can get it from https://github.com/mathertel/OneButton

Note: The “MIDI thru” function is documented in the schematic, but has not been actually implemented in my prototype. It has been copied from another project but has yet to be tested and approved in this context. Please let me know if it is working for you.