Hackaday.io Hackaday.io
Projects
Discover Contests Courses Stack
More
Courses Tutorials Events Hackerspaces Hackaday.com Tindie Marketplace
Sign up Log in
Close
0%
0%

Modular Synthesizer Controller Keyboard Case

3d print your own synthesizer controller! Multiple sections fit together so you can expand it as much as you need!

tina-belmontTina Belmont
Following Follow project
Liked Like project

Become a Hackaday.io member

Not a member? You should Sign up.

Already have an account? Log in.

Sign up with Github
Sign up with Twitter
OR
Forgot your password?

Just one more thing

To make the experience fit your profile, pick a username and tell us what interests you.

Pick an awesome username
hackaday.io/
Your profile's URL: hackaday.io/username. Max 25 alphanumeric characters.
Pick a few interests
Projects that share your interests
People that share your interests

We found and based on your interests.

Choose more interests.

OK, I'm done! Skip
Join this project
Similar projects worth following
5.1k views
8 comments
430 followers
38 likes
  • Description
  • Details
  • Files 0
  • Components 0
  • Logs 1
    • View all
  • Instructions 0
  • Discussion 8
  • The 2015 Hackaday Prize
View Gallery
5.1k
8
430
38

Team (2)

  • tina-belmontTina Belmont
  • pat-morrisseyPat Morrissey

Join this project's team
  • Pinshape
ongoing project
synthesizer 3d printing model keyboard controller Synth MUSIC Instrument 2015HackadayPrize

Related lists

2015 Hackaday Prize: Quarterfinalists

Projects that were officially submitted to the 2015 Hackaday Prize

Unique Music Playback

Everyone has a phone; build something special to play your tunes.

This project is submitted for

  • Hackaday.com Tip Line
  • The 2015 Hackaday Prize

This project was created on 07/11/2015 and last updated 5 years ago.

Description

Multi-part design for synthesizer controller keyboard, the DIY synthesizer designer's dream!
Modular design allows you to print as many sections as you need. Need another octave of keys? Print all you want? Want 5 modulation wheels? You can do it!
This design has many useful features for the DIY synthesizer designer! The front panel has a grid embossed on the back for easy drilling of holes for knobs and sliders; never worry about the drill sliding away from you again! The bottom includes mounting holes for screwing down circuit boards. The edges have grooves in them so that the parts will not jump out of alignment. The whole design is designed to be fastened together at the ends with threaded rods through all of the parts.
The parts are currently designed at a very small scale so that you can scale it up to any size that you need.
You can currently download it from Pinshape.

Project Logs
Collapse

  • Some test prints...

    Tina Belmont • 10/14/2015 at 10:14 • 0 comments

    Theron at Crashspace in Culver City was nice enough to print out a few of the newly repaired parts for me! Thank you so much, Theron!

View project log

Enjoy this project?

Share

Discussions

Log In/Sign up to comment

Become a Hackaday.io Member

Create an account to leave a comment. Already have an account? Log In.

Sign up with Github
Sign up with X
OR
Tina Belmont wrote 10/11/2015 at 09:20 • point

Hey, a lot of folks complained about non-manifold geometry, and for a long time I was powerless to fix it. But recently I got Windows 10 and it came with "3D Builder" which seemed to do a decent job of repairing the files! So if anybody wants to give it a shot again, I've reuploaded everything to Pinshape here: https://pinshape.com/items/7200-3d-printed-modular-synthesizer-control-keyboard

  Are you sure? yes | no

cris wrote 10/05/2015 at 20:50 • point

Hi,

Very excited about this, and my 8yo has just started playing piano!

But, I downloaded and unzipped and starting with the black and white keys, there is something wrong with the files - they don't slice properly...

Has anyone sucessfully printed them?  How did you get them to print?

Cris. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Tina Belmont wrote 10/06/2015 at 21:20 • point

I think the Windows 10 3D Builder might be able to repair and print it. I'm going to test it on that soon.
All of the other programs can't seem to handle the overlapping geometry that SketchUp created.

  Are you sure? yes | no

cris wrote 10/06/2015 at 22:54 • point

Bingo.  I'm not in a rush, but if you like, I'll post a set of fixed files in a week or so...

OK.  so that's not a week...  I have a set of repaired files, shall I upload them to thingiverse?

Cris.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Tina Belmont wrote 10/11/2015 at 09:19 • point

I ran the repair and uploaded to Pinshape here: https://pinshape.com/items/7200-3d-printed-modular-synthesizer-control-keyboard
I suspect these might have funky holes, but it might work now. 

Did you get a chance to print your repair? Did it work?

  Are you sure? yes | no

Tina Belmont wrote 07/15/2015 at 10:32 • point

Thanks! 
Me too! But I didn't find one so I made my own instead!
I based it on consumer portable keyboards from Casio, Yamaha, etc. They all seemed to use a rubber bubble sheet with metalized contacts that touch on a circuit board that matches the shape of the keys. I don't know how to fabricate that yet, so I left it as an "exercise for the reader". One could just put contact screws on the bottom of the keys to bridge connections on the circuit board for a similar idea, although the feel wouldn't be great.. Probably standard pushbuttons would be the easiest way to start. 
I have a newer, unfinished design that actually puts holes in the keys to run wires through, but it isn't ready for prime-time yet.
Please let me know how it comes out if you try to print it!

  Are you sure? yes | no

DL101 wrote 07/18/2015 at 16:11 • point

Hi

Here is one idea:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28pcs-CHERRY-MX-Series-key-Switches-red-Axis-shaft-3-pin-original-mechanical-/331562111450?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d32a451da

Those could be mounded on a PCB directly under the key, and it would also support the key itself, and give it a proper feeling when being pressed.


Another option is this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-Micro-Switch-Spdt-Hinge-Roller-Lever-15A-V-156-1C25-/221534897913?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33948246f9

Microswitches would also do well, but those would require doing a custom holder for the switch, and a PCB might be difficult to do for this one.

I am out of resources for printing at the moment, the hackerspace is closed for the summer.

I already did a synth project once, here it is:
https://hackaday.io/project/375-diy-mini-midi-synth

But as you can see, it uses cheapo buttons, and those are awful!
They miss contact a lot, so even if you keep them pressed, if you don't apply enough force, they will loose contact for a moment, causing a keypress to be registred, which is really annoying!

I could try making a PCB layout for that, with cherry mx switches to fit on the keys, but I don't have the money at the moment to order/buy/print anything at all. But if I do that, I think the keys will require some adjustment to allow the switch to fit nicely in the key. I am no 3d modeler, so I am hopeless there.

  Are you sure? yes | no

DL101 wrote 07/14/2015 at 07:13 • point

Finally, I've been looking for synth keyboards for years now!
It still does not have the switches, something like charry MX might work, but an more inexpensive alternative would be better.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Similar Projects

A small(er) Vortex Particle separator that can be easily 3D printed. Use with a 2" or 1.25" (adapters needed - can be printed) vacuum hose.
Project Owner Contributor

3D Printed Vortex Particle Separator for Shop Vac

aaron-pAaron P.

A compact tweezers organizer in Hakko tip organizer style, hold up to 8 tools.
Project Owner Contributor

TWEEZERS ORGANISER

tonyTony

The need is real to replace the missing handle to the attic stairs!
Project Owner Contributor

Regain access to the attic staircase

frankFrank

A printable replacement for Ford part number 1692342
Project Owner Contributor

Carpet Mat Retaining Clip 2011 Fiesta

crispybusinesscrispybusiness

Does this project spark your interest?

Become a member to follow this project and never miss any updates

Going up?

About Us Contact Hackaday.io Give Feedback Terms of Use Privacy Policy Hackaday API

© 2025 Hackaday

Yes, delete it Cancel

Report project as inappropriate

You are about to report the project "Modular Synthesizer Controller Keyboard Case", please tell us the reason.

Send message

Your application has been submitted.

Remove Member

Are you sure you want to remove yourself as a member for this project?

Project owner will be notified upon removal.