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Download the Project Bundle
Your project will use a specific set of CircuitPython libraries, and the code.py file. To get everything you need, click on the Download Project Bundle link below, and uncompress the .zip file.
Plug your Kee Boar board into your computer with a known good USB cable with both data and power wires. It should show up as a thumb drive in your File Explorer or Finder (depending on your operating system) named CIRCUITPY.
Drag the contents of the uncompressed bundle directory onto your Key Boar board CIRCUITPYÂ drive, replacing any existing files or directories with the same names, and adding any new ones that are necessary.
Upload the Code and Libraries to the KB RP2040
You should have the following files on your CIRCUITPY drive:Â
- lib folder
- code.py
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2023 John Park for Adafruit
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
# Cyber Cat MIDI Keyboard conversion for Meowsic Cat Piano
# Functions:
# --28 keys
# --left five toe buttons: patches
# --right five toe buttons: picking CC number for ice cream cone control
# --volume arrows: octave up/down
# --tempo arrows: pitchbend up/down
# --on switch: reset
# --nose button: midi panic
# --record button: ice cream cone CC enable/disable (led indicator)
# --play button: start stop arp or sequence in soft synth via cc 16 0/127
# --treble clef button: hold notes (use nose to turn off all notes)
# --face button: momentary CC 0/127 on CC number 17
import keypad
import board
import busio
import supervisor
import digitalio
from adafruit_simplemath import map_range
from adafruit_msa3xx import MSA311
import usb_midi
import adafruit_midi
from adafruit_midi.note_on import NoteOn
from adafruit_midi.note_off import NoteOff
from adafruit_midi.control_change import ControlChange
from adafruit_midi.program_change import ProgramChange
from adafruit_midi.pitch_bend import PitchBend
supervisor.runtime.autoreload = True # set False to prevent unwanted restarts due to OS weirdness
ledpin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.A3)
ledpin.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
ledpin.value = True
i2c = board.STEMMA_I2C()
msa = MSA311(i2c)
key_matrix = keypad.KeyMatrix(
column_pins=(board.D2, board.D3, board.D4, board.D5, board.D6, board.D7, board.D8, board.D9),
row_pins=(board.D10, board.MOSI, board.MISO, board.CLK, board.A0, board.A1)
)
midi_uart = busio.UART(board.TX, None, baudrate=31250, timeout=0.001)
midi_usb_channel = 1
midi_usb = adafruit_midi.MIDI(midi_out=usb_midi.ports[1], out_channel=midi_usb_channel-1)
midi_serial_channel = 1
midi_serial = adafruit_midi.MIDI(midi_out=midi_uart, out_channel=midi_serial_channel-1)
octave = 4
note_offset = 9 # first note on keyboard is an A, first key in keypad matrix is 0
def send_note_on(note, octv):
note = ((note+note_offset)+(12*octv))
midi_usb.send(NoteOn(note, 120))
midi_serial.send(NoteOn(note, 120))
def send_note_off(note, octv):
note = ((note+note_offset)+(12*octv))
midi_usb.send(NoteOff(note, 0))
midi_serial.send(NoteOff(note, 0))
def send_cc(number, val):
midi_usb.send(ControlChange(number, val))
midi_serial.send(ControlChange(number, val))
def send_pc(bank, folder, patch):
send_cc(0, bank)
send_cc(32, folder)
midi_usb.send(ProgramChange(patch))
midi_serial.send(ProgramChange(patch))
def send_bend(bend_start, bend_val, rate, bend_dir):
b = bend_start
if bend_dir == 0:
while b > bend_val + rate:
print(b)
b = b - rate
midi_usb.send(PitchBend(b))
midi_serial.send(PitchBend(b))
if bend_dir == 1:
while b < bend_val - rate:
print(b)
b = b + rate
midi_usb.send(PitchBend(b))
midi_serial.send(PitchBend(b))
def send_midi_panic():
for x in range(128):
midi_usb.send(NoteOff(x, 0))
midi_serial.send(NoteOff(x, 0))
# key ranges
piano_keys = range(0, 28) # 'range()' excludes last value, so add one
patch_toes = list(range(28, 33))
cc_toes = list(range(35, 40))
clef_button = 33
nose_button = 47
face_button = 34
record_button = 44
play_button = 45
vol_down_button = 43
vol_up_button = 42
tempo_down_button = 41
tempo_up_button = 40
# patch assigments
patch_list = (
(0, 0, 0), # bank 0, folder 0, patch 0
(1, 0, 0),
(1, 0, 1),
(2, 0, 0),
(3, 0, 0),
)
pb_max = 16383 # bend up value
pb_default = 8192 # bend center value
pb_min = 0 # bend down value
pb_change_rate = 100 # interval for pitch bend, lower number is slower
pb_return_rate = 100 # interval for pitch bend release
# accelerometer filtering variables
slop = 0.2 # threshold for accelerometer send
filter_percent = 0.5 # ranges from 0.0 to 1.0
accel_data_y = msa.acceleration[1]
last_accel_data_y = msa.acceleration[1]
# midi cc variables
cc_enable = True
cc_numbers = (1, 43, 44, 14, 15) # mod wheel, filter cutoff, resonance, user, user
cc_current = 0
cc_play = 16
cc_face_number = 17
started = False # state of arp/seq play
note_hold = False
print("Cyber Cat MIDI Keyboard")
while True:
if cc_enable:
new_data_y = msa.acceleration[1]
accel_data_y = ((new_data_y * filter_percent) + (1-filter_percent) * accel_data_y) # smooth
if abs(accel_data_y - last_accel_data_y) > slop:
modulation = int(map_range(accel_data_y, 9, -9, 0, 127))
send_cc(cc_numbers[cc_current], modulation)
last_accel_data_y = accel_data_y
event = key_matrix.events.get()
if event:
if event.pressed:
key = event.key_number
# Note keys
if key in piano_keys:
send_note_on(key, octave)
# Volume buttons
if key is vol_down_button:
octave = min(max((octave - 1), 0), 7)
if key is vol_up_button:
octave = min(max((octave + 1), 0), 7)
# Tempo buttons
if key is tempo_down_button:
send_bend(pb_default, pb_min, pb_change_rate, 0)
if key is tempo_up_button:
send_bend(pb_default, pb_max, pb_change_rate, 1)
# Patch buttons (left cat toes)
if key in patch_toes:
pc_key = patch_toes.index(key) # remove offset for patch list indexing
send_pc(patch_list[pc_key][0], patch_list[pc_key][1], patch_list[pc_key][2])
# cc buttons (right cat toes)
if key in cc_toes:
cc_current = cc_toes.index(key) # remove offset for cc list indexing
# Play key -- use MIDI learn to have arp/seq start or stop with this
if key is play_button:
if not started:
send_cc(cc_play, 127) # map to seq/arp on/off Synth One, e.g.
started = True
else:
send_cc(cc_play, 0)
started = False
# Record key -- enable icecream cone
if key is record_button:
if cc_enable is True:
cc_enable = False
ledpin.value = False
elif cc_enable is False:
send_cc(cc_numbers[cc_current], 0) # zero it
cc_enable = True
ledpin.value = True
# Clef
if key is clef_button: # hold
note_hold = not note_hold
# Face
if key is face_button: # momentary cc
send_cc(cc_face_number, 127)
# Nose
if key is nose_button:
send_midi_panic() # all notes off
if event.released:
key = event.key_number
if key in piano_keys:
if not note_hold:
send_note_off(key, octave)
if note_hold:
pass
if key is face_button: # momentary cc release
send_cc(cc_face_number, 0)
if key is tempo_down_button:
send_bend(pb_min, pb_default, pb_return_rate, 1)
if key is tempo_up_button:
send_bend(pb_max, pb_default, pb_return_rate, 0)
How It Works
The main functions of the code are to turn key and button presses into MIDI messages, and to read the accelerometer and turn it's values into MIDI CC messages.
Libraries
First, we import libraries. keypad allows us to read the key/button matrix, board gives us pin definitions, busio is used for I2C, digitalio for LED, simplemath map_range is used to turn accelerometer values into useable CC values, msa311 is the accelerometer board, and the remaining libraries are for MIDI.
import keypad import board import busio import supervisor import digitalio from adafruit_simplemath import map_range from adafruit_msa3xx import MSA311 import usb_midi import adafruit_midi from adafruit_midi.note_on import NoteOn from adafruit_midi.note_off import NoteOff from adafruit_midi.control_change import ControlChange from adafruit_midi.program_change import ProgramChange from adafruit_midi.pitch_bend import PitchBend
ledpin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.A3) ledpin.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT ledpin.value = True
i2c = board.STEMMA_I2C() msa = MSA311(i2c)
key_matrix = keypad.KeyMatrix(
column_pins=(board.D2, board.D3, board.D4, board.D5, board.D6, board.D7, board.D8, board.D9),
row_pins=(board.D10, board.MOSI, board.MISO, board.CLK, board.A0, board.A1)
)
You'll set things up so octaves can shifted with one of the arrow button pairs. The octave variable will keep track of this, and the note_offset accounts for the lowest key (0 in the matrix) being an A (9 for the lowest MIDI A).
octave = 4 note_offset = 9
MIDI
MIDI is set up on both the serial UART and over USB. You can change which channels to use here if you like.
midi_uart = busio.UART(board.TX, None, baudrate=31250) midi_usb_channel = 1 midi_usb = adafruit_midi.MIDI(midi_out=usb_midi.ports[1], out_channel=midi_usb_channel-1) midi_serial_channel = 1 midi_serial = adafruit_midi.MIDI(midi_out=midi_uart, out_channel=midi_serial_channel-1)
These functions are set up to send all of the required MIDI messages:
def send_note_on(note, octv):
note = ((note+note_offset)+(12*octv))
midi_usb.send(NoteOn(note, 120))
midi_serial.send(NoteOn(note, 120))
def send_note_off(note, octv):
note = ((note+note_offset)+(12*octv))
midi_usb.send(NoteOff(note, 0))
midi_serial.send(NoteOff(note, 0))
def send_cc(number, val):
midi_usb.send(ControlChange(number, val))
midi_serial.send(ControlChange(number, val))
def send_pc(bank, folder, patch):
send_cc(0, bank)
send_cc(32, folder)
midi_usb.send(ProgramChange(patch))
midi_serial.send(ProgramChange(patch))
def send_bend(bend_start, bend_val, rate, bend_dir):
b = bend_start
if bend_dir == 0:
while b > bend_val + rate:
print(b)
b = b - rate
midi_usb.send(PitchBend(b))
midi_serial.send(PitchBend(b))
if bend_dir == 1:
while b < bend_val - rate:
print(b)
b = b + rate
midi_usb.send(PitchBend(b))
midi_serial.send(PitchBend(b))
def send_midi_panic():
for x in range(128):
midi_usb.send(NoteOff(x, 0))
midi_serial.send(NoteOff(x, 0))
Key/Button Assignments
All of the keys and buttons will show up as a key matrix event when pressed or released, these are their correlations to the physical buttons:
piano_keys = range(0, 28) # 'range()' excludes last value, so add one patch_toes = list(range(28, 33)) cc_toes = list(range(35, 40)) clef_button = 33 nose_button = 47 face_button = 34 record_button = 44 play_button = 45 vol_down_button = 43 vol_up_button = 42 tempo_down_button = 41 tempo_up_button = 40
patch_list = (
(0, 0, 0), # bank 0, folder 0, patch 0
(1, 0, 0),
(1, 0, 1),
(2, 0, 0),
(3, 0, 0),
)
Pitch Bend Setup
These variables set the maximum, default, and minimum values for pitch bend messages, as well as the increment size to sweep through them.
pb_max = 16383 # bend up value pb_default = 8192 # bend center value pb_min = 0 # bend down value pb_change_rate = 100 # interval for pitch bend, lower number is slower pb_return_rate = 100 # interval for pitch bend release
Accelerometer Filtering
These values are used to filter the raw accelerometer readings into something more useable.
# accelerometer filtering variables slop = 0.2 # threshold for accelerometer send filter_percent = 0.5 # ranges from 0.0 to 1.0 accel_data_y = msa.acceleration[1] last_accel_data_y = msa.acceleration[1]
MIDI CC Variables
These variables are used to track the ice cream cone CC enable state, set the CC numbers used by the right paw toes, play button, and face button.
The started and note_hold variables track state of the arpeggiator/sequencer enable switch (on the software/hardware synth, there is not a built in arpeggiator in the code), and the state of the note_hold clef button.
cc_enable = True cc_numbers = (1, 43, 44, 14, 15) # mod wheel, filter cutoff, resonance, user, user cc_current = 0 cc_play = 16 cc_face_number = 17 started = False # state of arp/seq play note_hold = False
The main loop checks for accelerometer changes and button events.
If the accelerometer is enabled, it will send CC messages on the chosen number.
while True:
if cc_enable:
new_data_y = msa.acceleration[1]
accel_data_y = ((new_data_y * filter_percent) + (1-filter_percent) * accel_data_y) # smooth
if abs(accel_data_y - last_accel_data_y) > slop:
modulation = int(map_range(accel_data_y, 9, -9, 0, 127))
send_cc(cc_numbers[cc_current], modulation)
last_accel_data_y = accel_data_y
Key Matrix Events
This line checks to see if any keys or buttons have been pressed or released:
event = key_matrix.events.get()
If pressed or released, they all run their corresponding functions as defined earlier:
if event:
if event.pressed:
key = event.key_number
# Note keys
if key in piano_keys:
send_note_on(key, octave)
# Volume buttons
if key is vol_down_button:
octave = min(max((octave - 1), 0), 7)
if key is vol_up_button:
octave = min(max((octave + 1), 0), 7)
# Tempo buttons
if key is tempo_down_button:
send_bend(pb_default, pb_min, pb_change_rate, 0)
if key is tempo_up_button:
send_bend(pb_default, pb_max, pb_change_rate, 1)
# Patch buttons (left cat toes)
if key in patch_toes:
pc_key = patch_toes.index(key) # remove offset for patch list indexing
send_pc(patch_list[pc_key][0], patch_list[pc_key][1], patch_list[pc_key][2])
# cc buttons (right cat toes)
if key in cc_toes:
cc_current = cc_toes.index(key) # remove offset for cc list indexing
# Play key -- use MIDI learn to have arp/seq start or stop with this
if key is play_button:
if not started:
send_cc(cc_play, 127) # map to seq/arp on/off Synth One, e.g.
started = True
else:
send_cc(cc_play, 0)
started = False
# Record key -- enable icecream cone
if key is record_button:
if cc_enable is True:
cc_enable = False
ledpin.value = False
elif cc_enable is False:
send_cc(cc_numbers[cc_current], 0) # zero it
cc_enable = True
ledpin.value = True
# Clef
if key is clef_button: # hold
note_hold = not note_hold
# Face
if key is face_button: # momentary cc
send_cc(cc_face_number, 127)
# Nose
if key is nose_button:
send_midi_panic() # all notes off
if event.released:
key = event.key_number
if key in piano_keys:
if not note_hold:
send_note_off(key, octave)
if note_hold:
pass
if key is face_button: # momentary cc release
send_cc(cc_face_number, 0)
if key is tempo_down_button:
send_bend(pb_min, pb_default, pb_return_rate, 1)
if key is tempo_up_button:
send_bend(pb_max, pb_default, pb_return_rate, 0)
Page last edited January 22, 2025
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