ARPIE - MIDI Arpeggiator kit

Published on Mar 25, 2013 Jason Hotchkiss·118 videos

"I revised my earlier minimal MIDI arp design to be able to offer it as a DIY electronics kit.
Currently running as a fundraised on Tindie.. Check the product page on Tindie for a full description https://tindie.com/shops/hotchk155/ar..."

"ARPIE is minimal, compact, hackable MIDI arpeggiator
You may be quite familiar with what a MIDI arpeggiator is, otherwise: An arpeggiator it is a device which takes chords (From a MIDI keyboard, for example) and converts them into rapid sequences of notes, which can then be played through MIDI-compatible synthesizer hardware or software. Arpeggiation is a very common technique in electronica and chiptune music and is an excellent creative technique.

A dedicated hardware arpeggiator is usually something that might set you back a few hundred dollars. With and ARPIE you can build your own fully-featured arpeggiator for a fraction of this cost, and it is designed to be hacker-friendly to boot, utilising Arduino compatible open-source firmware and openly documented hardware design.

In your ARPIE kit you will receive two, high-quality printed circuit boards and all the components and hardware required to assemble the device, including two ready-programmed microcontrollers (Atmega328 and PIC12F1822). PP3 required for battery operation  Soldering is required to complete this kit. Surface-mounts will be pre-soldered so you will only need to fit the through-hole components.

Here is the low-down on what your ARPIE can do:
Arpeggio modes: Up, Down, Pendulum, Random Order, Manual Order
Octave span: 1 – 4 octaves
Note repeat modes: None, Lowest note, Highest note, 3 forward-1 back, 4 forward-2 back
Step length: 1 beat thru 1/128th beat including dotted and triplet time steps
Octave transpose: –2 thru +2 octaves
Chromatic transpose: –3 thru +12 semitones
Chord hold mode: on/off
16 point pattern editor allows you to apply a rhythmic pattern of mutes/rests over the arpeggio. Interactive control over repeating sequence of mutes which does not have to match the arpeggio length, allowing you to create weird and wonderful rhythmic and melodic effects.
MIDI send channel: 1-16
MIDI note velocity: 0-127 in 16 increments
MIDI note gate length: 15 increments up and tied-note mode
MIDI Synch mode: None/Master/Slave (can receive MIDI clock from IN or SYNCH sockets) Internal tempo generator for Master/standalone use
MIDI panic (all notes off) feature
MIDI thru on controllers (e.g. Mod wheel, pitch bend)
Performance possible without attached MIDI controller by selecting CMaj/CMin/C7/Cmaj7/Cmin7/Random chord insert and using transpose features to change to noother root note
Minimal, but easy-to-use control surface is based on 16 data LEDS, 16 data buttons, 13 command buttons Three standard 5-pin DIN sockets for MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, SYNC IN
Receive, Transmit, Beat Clock and Chord Hold LEDs on control surface, plus firmware diagnostic/power LEDs on main board.
Integral 9V PP3 battery holder and 9V DC socket (centre positive 2.1mm barrel)
Small size (98mm x 87mm x 35mm approx dimensions) and light weight (approx 125g without battery)

The basic ARPIE device is a minimal bare-bones design, however it is designed to be easy to customise (e.g. to install the electronics inside a case or to build an alternative control surface)

ARPIE is the latest in a line of similar arpeggiators I have created, originally inspired by the RPG-8 module in Propellerheads Reason - which was of course itself inspired by several classic hardware argeggiators... so in effect it is hardware emulating software emulating hardware!

Once the fundraiser ends I will need to get the printed circuit boards manufactured. I will endeavour to dispatch all orders received during the fundraiser within 4 weeks of the target being met.

PLEASE NOTE: In case it was not clear from the above - ARPIE is a MIDI Arpeggiator and requires separate synthesizer software or hardware to be connected to it to make sound. It does not make any sound by itself!"