MUSIC DIY
MUSIC
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HEADGEAR MIDI CONTROL
Make your own octo-microphone USB/
MIDI controller. By Tristan Shone
Based on my lifelong habit of “beatboxing” melodies
and rhythms and essentially songwriting as I walk,
drive, or shower, I’ve always wanted to make a
device that would take my vocal mush and output
exactly what’s in my head, in real time on stage.
MAIN COMPONENTS OF HEADGEAR
1. Electret microphones ( 8) Digi-Key part
#AUM-5247L-R
2. Curved stainless steel microphone housing
3. Spring-loaded microphone case cartridges ( 8)
machined in aluminum from my design; you can
substitute common hardware.
4. Gooseneck mic-stand attachment
5. Headgear Electronics Rack
» Arduino Duemilanove microcontroller available
at
makershed.com item #MKSP4
» Arduino ProtoShield containing basic
mic-powering circuit
» Mic outputs ( 8)
» USB hub (optional) for adding additional devices
6. PreSonus FireStudio 8-mic preamp unit or other
Fire Wire mic preamps, for input into computer
7. Computer running sound software (Ableton Live),
Arduino IDE, and Serial-MIDI Converter
Photography by Juliana Maschion
118 Make: Volume
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