Build the REMI 2

Recorder-like Electronic Musical Instrument  (EWI MIDI Controller)

A DIY Project by M. J. Bauer

For a general introduction to the project see: ​​ 'Introducing the REMI'.

REMI 2 with Laptop
      Photo:  REMI 2 connected to a laptop via a MIDI-USB adapter -- The PC synth app shown is "Mini Mogue VA"

Overview 

The REMI is an "electronic wind instrument" (EWI) with a choice of fingering schemes based on the recorder, including close emulation of modern English and German recorders. A simplified generic REMI fingering is designed to be easier to learn, for beginners with no previous experience of wind instruments.

The REMI is simply a MIDI controller with standard MIDI OUT connection (5-pin DIN socket). It does not have a built-in sound synthesizer, so it must be plugged into an external MIDI sound module or synthesizer having a classic MIDI IN socket. A cable "breakout" adapter is required for "Power-over-MIDI" to supply 5V DC to the REMI via the DIN-5 connector.

A low-cost MIDI-USB adapter (under $10) allows the REMI to be used with a "virtual synthesizer" software app running on a computer or mobile device. There are lots of freeware synth app's available. (There are much better ones available at a price!)

The REMI can also control a modular analogue synth via a MIDI-to-CV translator box.

Features

  • Choice of recorder-like fingerings, incl. Baroque emulation  
  • Classic MIDI OUT connection (DIN-5) with 5V DC power input
  • Flexible configuration options for MIDI messaging, etc
  • Pitch offset (transpose +/– 24 semitones)
  • Select 1 of 8 synth presets directly from the instrument
  • Modulation control (sensor operated by RH thumb) 
  • Pitch-bend control (using low-cost MMA8451 motion sensor) 
  • USB/serial port for setup and testing using PC terminal app 
  • Compact (350 x 45 x 35 mm) and light-weight (~200g) 
  • Simple electronic circuit design
  • Very low parts cost (under AU$100, ~US$70) 

For a complete description of REMI features, the "service port" CLI usage, fingering schemes,
configuration options, hardware testing, sensor calibration, instrument presets, etc, please refer to
the REMI 2 User Manual (link below).

Firmware

The REMI firmware maintains a bunch of user-settable “configuration parameters” allowing it to function properly with a variety of MIDI-controlled sound modules and synthesizers, whether hardware or software. Some parameters define the physical properties of the instrument itself, for example, the touch-pad layout and fingering scheme. Other parameters are provided for calibration of the breath sensor and modulation pad. The REMI is configured using the USB port "CLI".

REMI firmware is built using Microchip PIC development tools - MPLAB.X IDE with XC8 compiler - free to download from Microchip's website. If you intend to modify or extend the firmware code, you will need these tools. Otherwise, you just need to install the PIC programmer application (IPE) on your computer. Please refer to Microchip documentation for instructions to use the development tools.

A PIC micro-controller programming tool, e.g. "PICkit-3", is required to install the REMI application firmware. Low-cost PICkit-3 clones are available from online suppliers via AliExpress, eBay, etc.

For details of firmware installation, see the code repository on GitHub (link below).

Downloads and Links

​​​REMI 2 Construction Notes (PDF)

​​REMI 2 User Manual ​(PDF)

​​​REMI 2 Firmware Repository (GitHub)

REMI 2 Enclosure Drill Template (PDF)

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The "ItsyBitsy M0 Sigma-6" synth is a MIDI sound module especially designed to suit the REMI 2:

See MJB's Index Page  for other DIY electronic music projects that might be of interest to you!

Technical support is offered to prospective REMI makers. Your comments and inquiries are welcome...