# PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico

Capsense MIDI keyboard for RaspberryPi Pico

- **Seller:** [todbot synth toys](https://lectronz.com/stores/todbot), Pasadena, California, United States
- **Price:** $11.00 (USD, before shipping and taxes)
- **Availability:** In stock
- **Categories:** Raspberry Pi, MIDI, USB
- **Product page:** https://lectronz.com/products/picotouch-capsense-midi-keyboard-for-raspi-pico

## Links

- [Documentation](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch)
- [Code](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch)
- [Design Files](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch)

## Images

![PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NTAzMTcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--8b6a70637fc753839bdf20dc00ae2877fbcb0b43/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGVnIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2xpbWl0IjpbOTYwLDY0MF0sInNhdmVyIjp7InN0cmlwIjp0cnVlfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--4e27bac8cdfb621fb828f6a3a5982fe1a423b516/2023-02-03T00-25-56.592Z-IMG_1712..jpeg)
![PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NTAzMTgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--9e9110373f72356cf90b03250c00fd070af7f9f3/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGVnIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2xpbWl0IjpbOTYwLDY0MF0sInNhdmVyIjp7InN0cmlwIjp0cnVlfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--4e27bac8cdfb621fb828f6a3a5982fe1a423b516/2023-02-03T00-25-56.592Z-IMG_1714..jpeg)
![PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NTAzMTksInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--258b66ddbb10f82d3f2ead5cef73e548fadcb1c1/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGVnIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2xpbWl0IjpbOTYwLDY0MF0sInNhdmVyIjp7InN0cmlwIjp0cnVlfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--4e27bac8cdfb621fb828f6a3a5982fe1a423b516/2023-02-01T21-17-52.239Z-IMG_1665..jpeg)
![PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NTAzMjAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--ff51aaec23ab1ef039bd2e63c4adfc5757a2a69f/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls5NjAsNjQwXSwic2F2ZXIiOnsic3RyaXAiOnRydWV9fSwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--970c165836a83091725a1a0fd4f37ce9408da1bf/2023-03-16T19-57-39.295Z-picotouch_slidercase1.jpg)
![PicoTouch - Capsense MIDI keyboard for RasPi Pico](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NTAzMjEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--d66552c9dccd94f59db67a8fab7f82684715685c/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls5NjAsNjQwXSwic2F2ZXIiOnsic3RyaXAiOnRydWV9fSwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--970c165836a83091725a1a0fd4f37ce9408da1bf/2023-03-16T19-57-39.295Z-picotouch_slidercase2.jpg)

## Description

#### What is it?

[PicoTouch](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch) is a super-thin 23-key MIDI controller using just a PCB, a [Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-pico/) (not included), and 23 pre-soldered 1M resistors. Just solder down the Pico! (And if you're looking for the synthesizer version, that's the [PicoTouch Synth](https://www.tindie.com/products/todbot/picotouch-synth-pico-based-midi-synth-keyboard/)!)

It's one of the thinnest MIDI controllers around, measuring less than 6mm (1/4") at it's thickest point. And at $4 for the Pico and $11 for this board, it's one of the cheapest MIDI controllers.

The PicoTouch board includes 6 controller keys that can be mapped to pitch up/down, mod wheel up/down, and octave transpose.

It's designed as a MIDI controller, but code it how you like! Make it a Macropad!  Put a Pico W on it and make it a WiFi MIDI controller!

Examples in both [CircuitPython](https://circuitpython.org/) and [Arduino](https://arduino-pico.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) are provided.

Current programs:

* MIDI keys controller : [demo video](https://youtu.be/4VkOs98ucw8)
* MIDI slider controller : [demo video](https://youtu.be/1Psw3PLqYS8)
* Keyboard macropad (basic example)
* MIDI keys controller in Arduino


#### How do I build it?

The picotouch board comes with **all the resistors already soldered**, just add the Pico!  

**(NOTE: this board will NOT work with the Pico2, since its RP2350 chip has a hardware error)**

First solder down the Pico. Here's an example of how to do it: [https://youtu.be/dW9LiOq3Dso](https://youtu.be/dW9LiOq3Dso)

Then, install CircuitPython and the picotouch program. Find out how to do that here: [https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/#firmware-installation](https://github.com/todbot/picotouch/#firmware-installation)


#### Why did you make it?

I often need a MIDI controller to input notes into my computer.  Here's a real cheap one that's hackable!

#### What makes it special?

It's hackable, it's thin, it's cheap!

#### Is there a case for it?

Yes!  [A slim 3d-printable case is available on Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/425326-picotouch-slidercase). It's easy to print and just slides together, protecting the PicoTouch but giving you acesss to all 23 touch pads.  [Here's a demo video of it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8tyhiod0QQ).