April 2022

Projects & Circuits

64-key MIDI Matrix – Part 1 – buy the TWO PCBs HERE and HERE
This simple project turns an Arduino into a MIDI key matrix. These are popular with musicians for triggering samples, but commercial versions cost hundreds of pounds. Ours costs a fraction of that, and you can customise it by changing the Arduino software. It supports regular or illuminated buttons and can also be programmed to act as a MIDI pass-through, among other roles.

Digital FX Unit – Part 1 – buy the TWO PCB options HERE (BCD) and HERE (pot)
Make like a pro muso with this Digital FX (Effects) Unit. It will produce unique sounds when connected to a variety of instruments… like an electric guitar, bass, violin or cello, even the output of a microphone preamp or within the effects loop of an amplifier or mixer.

High-current Battery Balancer – Part 1 – buy the HERE
Proper balancing is critical for a long battery life, especially if they are lithium-based rechargeable types. But many balancers are inefficient, as they dump excess charge for a given cell, restricting how fast you can charge the batteries and wasting power. Not this one – it redirects that extra charge into other cells, so you can charge fast with little heat or waste!

Series, Features and Columns

The Fox Report by Barry Fox
Right to repair, Windows 11 and 1 Gig broadband

Techno Talk by Mark Nelson
Go eco, get ethical!

Net Work by Alan Winstanley
This month’s Net Work brings readers a round-up of trends emerging in image scanners and the fast-changing world of space and satellite technology.

Flowcode Graphical Programming by Martin Whitlock
Programming with Flowcode – Part 3: LCD temperature monitor

Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell
The LM35 temperature sensor

Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent
Flashing LEDs and drooling engineers – Part 26

Audio Out – buy the PCB HERE
Analogue Vocoder – Part 6: Universal Audio PSU

Make it with Micromite by Phil Boyce
Part 35: Mini-Project: iButton-controlled Electronic Door Lock

Downloads

Download the files associated with this issue HERE