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From the MAKE Flickr pool

Routing MIDI data to/from Arduino (or similar) seems like it should be a relatively simple task, but often ends up being much more complex. Mark of Spikenzie Labs created a very handy piece of software for just such occasions. Built using Processing, the Serial - Midi Converter translates makes that basic data stream palatable to common music software -

Normally, to use an Arduino or other micro-controller with your MIDI software you had to build a MIDI-in and MIDI-out circuit with a few parts and an opto-coupler. Easy enough, but then you would typically need a MIDI to USB adaptor to connect it to your computer.

With the SM and a board like you the Arduino with USB, you don’t need any other hardware to get your Arduino to play music with software such as Apple’s GarageBand or Ableton’s Live !