PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico

What is it?

PicoTouch is a super-thin 23-key MIDI controller using just a PCB, a Raspberry Pi Pico (not included), and 23 pre-soldered 1M resistors. Just solder down the Pico! (And if you're looking for the synthesizer version, that's the PicoTouch Synth!)

It's one of the thinnest MIDI controllers around, measuring less than 6mm (1/4") at it's thickest point. And at $4 for the Pico and $11 for this board, it's one of the cheapest MIDI controllers.

The PicoTouch board includes 6 controller keys that can be mapped to pitch up/down, mod wheel up/down, and octave transpose.

It's designed as a MIDI controller, but code it how you like! Make it a Macropad! Put a Pico W on it and make it a WiFi MIDI controller!

Examples in both CircuitPython and Arduino are provided.

Current programs:

1. MIDI keys controller : demo video
2. MIDI slider controller : demo video
3. Keyboard macropad (basic example)
4. MIDI keys controller in Arduino

How do I build it?

The picotouch board comes with all the resistors already soldered, just add the Pico!

(NOTE: this board will NOT work with the Pico2, since its RP2350 chip has a hardware error)

First solder down the Pico. Here's an example of how to do it: https://youtu.be/dW9LiOq3Dso

Then, install CircuitPython and the picotouch program. Find out how to do that here: https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/#firmware-installation

Why did you make it?

I often need a MIDI controller to input notes into my computer. Here's a real cheap one that's hackable!

What makes it special?

It's hackable, it's thin, it's cheap!

Is there a case for it?

Yes! A slim 3d-printable case is available on Printables. It's easy to print and just slides together, protecting the PicoTouch but giving you acesss to all 23 touch pads. Here's a demo video of it.