Multiple features.

MIDI Goblin will ship with a patch saver, arpeggiator, auto-chord, arp-note, sequencer, remap function, the ability to send program change messages and a MIDI LFO app ready to use right out of the box. Users will be able to set MIDI in and out channels, and define functions for two push buttons through the MIDI goblin settings menu. User settings for each device are saved to the removable micro SD card and load automatically when their device is selected.

…it’ll also be completely open source! (more on that later)

The MIDI Goblin started off as a simple patch bank for 1 synthesizer…As time passed, more features were added and more are still being added.

One of the unique features of MIDI Goblin is its compatibility. MIDI Goblin does not care what brand or synthesizer, MIDI controller or computer program sends it Control Change values. Users define their own devices. You tell MIDI Goblin what parameters to save values for and it saves them.

You can watch a video tutorial on the process over on our youtube channel but we’re currently working on making the process even simpler.

Want to name and load patches you’ve saved locally on your synthesizer? You can use MIDI Goblin to send program change messages! This handy little feature allows you to load your saved patches by name. You can name patches for synths that use one single bank or even multiple banks. This is especially useful if you need to load multiple patches in specific order during live performances.

MIDI Goblin can save patches(collections of Control Change values) for quite a few devices. Synthesizers, MIDI Controllers and even programs.

If your device can transmit Control Change values, MIDI Goblin can save them. This is pretty useful for synths that don’t have the ability to save locally. Check out our youtube channel, we have multiple examples of patch saving for the reface line of synthesizers, aira-s1, roland boutique synths and even devices that lack MIDI out such as the Korg Nts-1 and Volca keys.

…with that being said..

I dont want to get anyone’s hopes up - If your device doesnt use MIDI CC (control change) - it is not possible to load a MIDI CC patch onto it.

You are fully analog baby - and your fine the way you are.

.….As a HUGE Behringer fan, this is a harsh reality. We’ll keep an updated list of devices confirmed to work with MIDI Goblins patch saving features and on the other hand - if your synth can send and/or receive MIDI Note data, you might find our other apps useful!

If your synth can send and receive MIDI note messeges, and lacks an arpeggiator - you’re in luck!

Rather than resorting to purchasing an additional midi controller keyboard with a built in arpeggiator, the MIDI Goblin reads midi Note messeges, and simply arpeggiates them. Users can arpeggiate up to 8 notes, adjust speed and change modes on the fly. This feature is a must for a lot of synth players and is curiously missing from a lot of synths.

The MIDI Goblin also has a little sequencer! Its currently 32 steps and a hell of a lot of fun.

You can create sequences on the fly, just hook up your synth, slap some keys and the notes will be entered into the sequence. The interface is rediculously simple. You can and, edit or remove notes, change the recording / playback mode, adjust the sequence tempo, length and save your sequence (plus playback speed) to micro sd!

The sequencer is extremely fun to fiddle with and expect more features to be added prior to the Kickstarter launch. For now, check out a quick demonstration of the sequencer on our YOUTUBE or INSTAGRAM.

Made for polyphonic synth users - With the press of a key, you can create chords in major or minor key up to 8 notes in length.

Also - if you generate a chord smaller than the number of voice your synth has - you can play leads overtop of the chord that was generated!

What the heck’s an Arp-Note?

Arp-Note is a combination of the arpeggiator and auto-chord features.

Press a note, hear an arpeggio. That’s it!

Users can define the length of the arpeggio (up to 8 notes) in major or minor keys annnd the users can also choose the direction of the arpeggio. its REALLY satisfying and does not require a polyphonic synth.

Check out demos of Arp-Note in action on your YOUTUBE or INSTAGRAM!

Using the MIDI LFO function you can automatically modulate any MIDI CC number. You can modulate the CC value based on basic waveform shapes to craft new sounds for your synth that were previously not possible. Its not an analog LFO but it sure beats moving a slider or knob with your hand 30 times per second.

Plus - if you’ve added a txt file to their device’s folder, the name of the co-responding CC number displays when this field is selected and is replaced with the CC number when the field is not selected - useful!

MIDI Goblin also has the ability to re-map your outgoing midi CC messages

Using the REMAP function, you can easily assign new CC number values to CC messeges received by synthesizers or midi controllers. This allows you to program synths with parameters hidden in menus. If you save a patch with REMAP on, the remapped CC values are saved to your patch file, meaning you can patch a synth using another synth or MIDI controller. Users can also save/load their custom maps through he REMAP app. This is a potential game changer for people who hate menu diving.

So far the entire MIDI Goblin project has a been a one-man operation.

My name is Andrew Crawford. I’m an artist currently living Toronto and have worked with musicians on album art, merchandise and in the animation industry as a layout designer (I most recently worked on Zokie of Planet Ruby and drew quite a few of those backgrounds). I also work at a local music venue and love the music scene here.

I can currently produce MIDI goblins right now - but - they’d be expensive! And without sufficient time optimizing the code, they’d probably be buggy.

With your help, through Kickstarter, we can raise the funds required to bring the cost of MIDI Goblins WAY down. More time can be allocated to optimizing code and in the end MIDI Goblin will be a cheaper and better product. Please subscribe to the email list for kickstarter launch updates.

If the MIDI Goblin is crowd funded…why not make it open source too?

It only seems fair! Hell, if the people are going to pay me to improve the code, I think the people are entitled to the code.

This thing has a lot of potential to be a hassle-free tinkering device for programmers and if its open source, they’d be attracted to using it as a platform(in theory) which could result in more sales….plus I have a pretty limited vision when it comes to coming up with new ideas for programs and I’m actually WAY more excited to see what others come up with.

I invested a lot of my own time into writing the code for the MIDI Goblin, creating a circuit board, drawing the graphic design and fiddling with CAD software to perfect the case - but if the Kickstarter’s modest goal can be reached, itll be worth the time and effort, and anyone on the planet will be welcome to use my code!

As for the hardware - The heart of the MIDI Goblin is a standard, 32 pin usb-c ESP32 microcontroller.

I considered implementing a surface mount version of the esp32 directly on the midi goblin circuit board but giving users the ability to pop this little guy out and use it in their own projects adds value to the MIDI Goblin so I’m happy to say, users can literally remove the micro controller from the MIDI Goblin if they wish.

The esp32 can be programmed using the Arduino IDE and is FRICKIN GNARLY. ESP32 was chosen over standard Arduino due to its much, much larger program memory. The current incarnation of the Midi Goblin’s code will not fit on most Arduino boards - on the ESP32, it only takes up 30% of the program memory and 7% of the dynamic memory. Hell yeah.