About this project

My name is Max Justicz. I'm a high school student from Atlanta, and today I need your help funding my first major open-source project, the Chomp.

No idea what MIDI is?  Check this out.

MIDI allows you to control digital software with real life, physical objects.  The Chomp provides an affordable and practical way to begin making MIDI work for you.

Thanks to our friends at Hack a Day for the awesome article!

A great comment from backer Brandon:

"I've been dreaming of a device like this for months. I'm so glad it's finally being made. You could use this to hook up lots of input and output devices to your computer with no circuitry and no programming. This is a great product not just for musical instrument and DJ console makers, but also for installation and performance artists, interactive sculptures, really any kind of interactive or computer-controlled art.

This is superior to just using a normal Arduino (or even an Arduino Mega) because not only does it have tons on I/O capability, but since it's hooked up to MIDI you can control I/O through any MIDI compatible software, in particular Max or PureData. This is a big win for artists that don't want to learn programming. Although underneath you can still program it like any Arduino, so you don't lose any versatility or power if you want to get your hands dirty with programming."

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Introducing the Chomp: the bite-sized, affordable MIDI box for creative music projects.

It has come to my attention that the world needs an inexpensive (but extraordinarily solid) MIDI controller.  That's where the Chomp comes in.  With zero technical skills, you can hook up dozens of buttons, knobs, switches, and sensors to control endless parameters of digital software.

The Chomp is the first open-source MIDI controller that's been designed right.  Other MIDI controllers on the market are proprietary, difficult to use, non configurable, and most of all: expensive. One of the only other commercial options available ships exclusively from Europe and costs the US equivalent of $240.

But because it's Arduino powered and completely user programmable, the Chomp is more than an awesome MIDI controller.  With new code, Chomp can do just about anything: play Bach on a digital keyboard, or help you along in a live musical performance.

Its $50 asking price means that you can get a powerful digital music tool into your hands without spending a bundle.

I've done everything possible to get Chomp right.  It's made in the USA, durable, inexpensive, open-hardware, customizable, and absolutely tiny.

What does open-hardware mean?  Basically, all of the circuit diagram files behind the Chomp, all of the default code, and the of all the CNC files for cutting out the case are available for free.  This means that anyone can modify the core functionality of the Chomp without having to do any tricky reverse engineering.

I need your help to get 500 Chomps made and sold for only $50 each. (500 units*$50 = $25,000).

This project has the potential to open up digital music to a completely new group of people.

Make your next music project fantastic.

What makes it different?

The Chomp is:

• Completely open-source.
• Affordable (only $50).
• Compatible with ANY MIDI configuration.
• 48 Inputs/Outputs!
• Made and assembled in the USA.
• Programmable
• Tiny, only 100mm x 60mm x 25mm

Here's a big one:  Because the Chomp uses Input/Output multiplexers to drive each of its 48 pins, you can also use it as a souped up Arduino board.  If you don't feel like saving up for a fancier Arduino, the Chomp is a wonderful alternative to boards like the Arduino Mega.  Check out Arduino.cc for more information.

Input Boards:  the Chomp Button Board and Potentiometer Board

For those of you new to the world of electronics, I've designed a couple little boards that will make installing buttons and sensors a breeze.  The Chomp button board and potentiometer board make it super simple to create large arrays of buttons and knobs.

Due to budgetary limitations, I've been unable to manufacture these.  However, they are designed, and provided this Kickstarter is successful they should be arriving shortly!  Here's what they look like:

There's even a handy how-to guide printed right on each board!

Badges

Even if you can only spare a few dollars, you won't go unrewarded!  A backing of $15 or more receives one of these super cool, limited edition donator badges!  They are cut from 1/8" acrylic and have a hole in the top left so they can be used as a keychain.

Thank you so much.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my project.

Should you decide to donate today, you have directly helped place digital music into the hands of the hundreds of people.

All files are available under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA.