Conductive Labs MRCC on Kickstarter

Update to this post, in via Simo.

Conductive Labs MRCC is now on Kickstarter here.

" MRCC Provisional TECH SPECs

I/O - 11 in x 21 out routable and filtered MIDI ports
Message filters - clock, note on/off, CC, prog change, & Stop/Start/Continue
Mappings - velocity scaling, channel, & 16 PC virtual cables
Tools - save/load presets, MIDI routing tests for all ports and channels, & Visual MIDI monitors
And more - MIDI CC control for MRCC, CV Clock Out, CC LFOs, "Light Show" mode & algorithmic MIDI note modifiers. Details to follow as development progresses.

The OLED screen, navigation buttons and encoder are intended to "future proof“ the MRCC. We will monitor the MIDI 2.0 spec, and as features are adopted by the industry we wish to provide FW updates where possible.
Latest Project Status

As of launch of this Kickstarter, for hardware we have created a breadboard prototype, a hand built prototype on perf board, and the latest prototypes are PCB assemblies with a socketed processor board and socketed OLED display (pictured above). All hardware features on the latest prototype are fully functional (with a couple of blue wires). The next step for hardware development is to start PCB layout with the microcontroller and OLED display down on our own PCB rather than socketed. We need to adjust port spacing and get mounting holes where we need them. We'll also evaluate if we will stay with a 5V DC input or add another voltage regulator to accept a wider range of input voltages.

We plan to make a prototype enclosure soon that reflects the proposed design language. We'll post pictures as soon as we have it.

On the software side, MRCC is routing MIDI with no issues, from any of the inputs and outputs including USB host and PC. We'll be demonstrating this at Knobcon 8 in Chicago this week! There's a functioning MIDI status screen, and some filters are implemented as a proof of concept. There's still work to be done to optimize the user experience with navigation on the display. We want a tight relationship between the button presses and what's reflected on the display so you will see exactly what information you need when you need it. Now that we have the new prototypes, this work can begin. After that, implementing configurable MIDI filters, MIDI effects and we have some really cool ideas for MIDI diagnostics features.

Why We Kickstart

Kickstarter is a great way to gauge interest in a product idea. We like to make things we want and need, and we hope others will like it too. From a bill of materials standpoint, we're creating MRCC to be the center of your music space and we are sparing no expense to make it the best it can be. The money from the campaign will be used for development expenses, such as prototypes and parts, and to get MRCC into production with some funds left to help our business grow."