MIDI CONTROLLERS · ARDUINO · MUSIC PRODUCTION

The Nerd
Musician Blog.

Tutorials, reviews and DIY projects about MIDI controllers, Arduino and music production. Learn how to choose your gear, build your own controls and improve your setup.

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Render of the Nerd Musician DJ MIDI controller with two jog wheels, faders and buttons.
ARTICLES & GUIDES

Latest posts37

Projects3 min read

I Built a US$10 MIDI CONTROLLER

Turn a shoebox and reused controls into an Arduino MIDI project, then configure the control counts and pins and map the result in Ableton Live.

Projects5 min read

Traktorino Crowdfunding Launch LIVE

A launch livestream documents the Traktorino’s DJ layout, USB MIDI and LED feedback, Pro Micro with two multiplexers, modular enclosure, and open-source rationale.

Workflow6 min read

REACTING to the 2025 MIDI INNOVATION AWARDS

Explore all ten projects in this MIDI Innovation Awards 2025 reaction, including Anukari, DataBass, Morphonium, Azoteq, Demon Box and Roto-Control.

Tutorials4 min read

How Expressive MIDI Controllers Work

Understand expressive MIDI controllers through MPE, pressure, position, Hall-effect and optical sensors, and the relationship between gesture and sound.

Tutorials6 min read

Make a Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Fidget Spinner

Build a Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI controller with an LDR and fidget spinner: Arduino IDE setup, TinyUSB MIDI, 3.3 V wiring, calibration and musical mapping.

Reviews5 min read

REACTING to the 2024 MIDI INNOVATION AWARDS

Explore ten MIDI Innovation Awards 2024 projects, from foot control and magnetic sequencing to expressive drums, isomorphic keys and proximity sensing.

Build your custom MIDI controller. The easy way. Bring your idea to life with the MIDI Controller Builder. Start building your controller.