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# MIDI-Patchbay
This project contains hardware and firmware for a 4x4 MIDI
merger/splitter patchbay based on an Arduino MEGA 2560.
It has 4 MIDI inputs and 4 MIDI outputs. In the
simplest case, it will merge all 4 inputs and then split the combined
MIDI stream across the 4 outputs. However the routing is controlled by
the firmware so you can configure it to patch any combination of inputs
into any of the outputs.
# Table of contents
* [Hardware](#hardware)
* [Firmware](#firmware)
* [Warning](#warning)
## Hardware:
The [hardware](hardware)
directory contains Eagle schematics, board designs and Gerber files for
the following modules.
* [MIDI-Patchbay-Shield](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Shield)
is a shield for an Arduino MEGA 2560 that provides 4 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI
outputs and connectors for interfacing to the
[MIDI-Patchbay-Display](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Display)
board. It also contains connectors for accessing 8 analog pins and 8
digital pins for further expansion. This is the main board that you
need to build.
* [MIDI-Patchbay-Display](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Display)
is a board for mounting a 16x2 LCD display and two RGB rotary encoders.
This is an optional extra. You can build a fully functioning MIDI
merger/splitter without it.
* [MIDI-Patchbay-Simple](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Simple)
is the predecessor of the [MIDI-Patchbay-Shield](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Shield).
This is a reduced size shield for the Arduino MEGA 2560 that only has 4
MIDI inputs and 4 MIDI outputs, along with the relevant circuitry to
support it. If you just want a simple MIDI merger/splitter without any
extra frills then this is the simplest option as an *alternative* to the
above.
The boards use surface mount (SMD) components, but nothing smaller than
0805 (that's 2012 in metric: approximately 2.0mm x 1.25mm) which can easily
be soldered by hand. It's really not much harder than through-hole
components, so don't be put off if you haven't used SMD before. But you
will need to invest in some tweezers and a magnifier/light unit to help
you see what you're doing. And of course, a decent soldering iron.
## Firmware:
The [firmware](firmware)
directory contains the source code for the firmware that powers the
boards listed above. It is built around the Arduino [MIDI Library](https://github.com/FortySevenEffects/arduino_midi_library)
by [Forty Seven Effects](https://github.com/FortySevenEffects).
* [MIDI-Patchbay-Simple.ino](firmware/MIDI-Patchbay-Simple.ino) implements
a simple 4x4 MIDI patchbay that merges all four MIDI inputs and duplicates
them across all four MIDI outputs. It is specifically for use with the
basic [MIDI-Patchbay-Simple](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Simple) board, but
can also be used with the more advanced [MIDI-Patchbay-Shield](hardware/MIDI-Patchbay-Shield)
if you just need simple functionality. Or you can use this as a starting
point for your own implementation of the firmware.
## Warning:
These are new designs that haven't been fully tested yet. Use them at
your own risk.
## Author
Andy Wardley <abw@wardley.org> December 2017