Tubbutec Custom Controller

Features

• Up to 25 faders with LEDs
• Up to 12 pots with various knob options
• Up to 8 buttons with various color choices
• Up to 20 LEDs to show button states, various shapes and sizes
• Full color printed FR4 front panel
• A layered architecture with up to 4 layers
• MIDI input and output via TRS-A MIDI. Adapters to DIN are included
• USB MIDI connection
• MIDI router for USB, DIN and controller data allows the connection in multiple ways
• Also works as a USB MIDI to TRS MIDI interface
• Can be powered from a USB host or standard USB-C power supply
• Powder coated sheet metal case 14 x 11.5 x 1.8cm, black
• Easy configuration change via MIDI
• Firmware update via USB

The configurator

Our web based configurator let’s you design the controller you’ve always wanted.
You can place faders, pots, and buttons, configure their behavior and look.
Freely adjust LED colors and sizes, and upload a full color image to be printed on the front panel.
The price is automatically calculated depending on how many control elements are used.

The configurator also allows you to change MIDI messages, LED colors and controller behavior at any time. The changes can be uploaded to the controller via MIDI.

Examples

Examples of these controllers are certainly our synth-controllers which use the same hardware. These controllers can also be found in the configurator (Project Browser -> Examples), ready to modify, play around and see what is possible.

Faders

Up to 25 faders can be placed on the controller.
The faders have 20mm of travel and a red LED.
When moved, the LED lights up and the controller can send all kinds of MIDI messages.
It is also possible to adjust the MIDI value range and polarity of each fader.

Pots

Up to 12 pots can be placed on the controller.
The pots have T18 shafts and we offer various knob options. Of course, you can also use your own knobs!
Functionally, pots are identical to the faders: Turning a pot will send MIDI messages and the value range is adjustable.

Buttons

Up to 8 configurable buttons can be placed on the controller.
Another 4 buttons are used to select layers and for the ‘send all’ function, and are placed automatically.
The buttons have a square shape with 5x5mm and are available in various colors.
Each button has at least one LED showing its state.
Two of the buttons are special multi-state buttons and can have up to 5 LEDs.
This allows cycling through multiple states with each button press.

LEDs

The RGB LEDs sit beneath the FR4 panel and shine through it. This allows us to freely determine the shape and size of the ‘LEDs’ on the panel. You can choose between a rectangular opening with rounded corners, and a round opening with various diameters between 1mm and 3mm.
The LED color can be freely configured using a color picker.

Panel image

A full color image ca be uploaded and printed on the panel. We support both pixel and vector formats. When creating your controller, you can download an SVG image template that also includes the position of the control elements and LEDs. This makes it easy to design a panel graphic using common vector or pixel graphic design software.

The hardware

The case is manufactured from 1mm thick sheet metal and powder coated a matte black. Rubber feet on the bottom prevent the controller from moving, which allows fader movements with one hand.
The dimensions of the case are 14 x 11.5 x 1.8cm (5.5 x 4.5 x 0.7”)
The panel is made of FR-4 material. Depending on the control elements placed in the configurator it is either fixed with small M2 bolts, potentiometer nuts or a combination. The configurator takes care of a proper mounting strategy automatically and shows bolts if needed.

The layered architecture

The custom controller features up to 4 control layers. On each layer, faders, pots or buttons can send different MIDI messages and thus control different aspects of a synthesizer.
The layer select buttons on the right of the controller let you quickly switch between the various layers.
This effectively quadruples the number of MIDI controls: 25 faders can control up to 100 different parameters.

MIDI messages

The controller does not only support MIDI CC messages, but basically all kind of MIDI messages, including sysex. The value range of each fader or pot, as well as the values of button states can be defined freely. It is even possible to send multiple MIDI messages at once from just one control element.

How to connect

Just connect the MIDI output of the controller to your synthesizer.
Additionally, you can connect other MIDI devices to the controller via the MIDI input or via USB. MIDI messages coming into the controller are forwarded to the synthesiser.
It is also possible to use the controller for other purposes, such as controlling VST plugins. In order to do that, just connect it to your computer via MIDI, or via USB-MIDI.

Sending the current state

You might want to send the current position of the sliders and buttons to your synthesizer to synchronize them. In order to do so, press the ‘SEND ALL’ button for about 2 seconds.