xbox midi controller . fallen leaves, estranged feathers

The USB XBOX Controller MIDI Project

Here is some basic documentation on a project I recently undertook, involving the conversion of a standard XBOX controller into a fully capable USB MIDI controller that can be used to send CC and note data into a DAW/Softsynth program such as Reason/Ableton Live.

What you'll need (Must Haves):

XBOX Controller (preferably with the quick release connector cable)

USB Type A male connector (with some cable sticking out the back, so that you can splice it)

PC/Linux Box

Electrical tape or heatshink to tidy up your new creation

What will help (Optionals):

Soldering iron so that your cable splicing turns out nicely

Cable Stripper (you can use a sharp knife for this like I did, but it's rather fiddy)

What to do:

First, get your XBOX inline release cable and cut off the connector that plugs into the XBOX, right near the base of it so you have plenty of cable to work with. Strip back the outer plastic, shielding (a bunch of strands of exposed wire and some foil), thus exposing the XBOX control's wires. You should have (hopefully!) red, black, yellow, white and green wires.The yellow wire won't be used in this project, so just cut it straight off, or practice your knife wire stripping skills first, before removing it. Next, carefully strip each of these back to reveal about 1 - 2 centimeters (about 1/2 an inch) of exposed wire, being sure to not accidentally sever/rip too many of the individual strands.

Now, perform this same task on your USB cable, leaving at least about 10 - 15 centimeters (4 - 7 inches) sticking out from your USB Male connector, noting that you have the same corresponding four colours of wire.

Then, simply splice each pair of wire colours together and solder each join for extra strength and toughness (if you have the tools, if not, you'll just have to be a little more careful with the join). Tape each of these joins up individually, make sure that no exposed wire (not including the shielding wire we stripped back) is left uncovered, thus preventing any nasty short circuiting.

When complete, you should hopefully have something that looks vaguely like this, hopfully with more tape/heatshrink to cover up the wiring safely ;) . ps: sorry for the crap-tastic images, I didn't have a camera at the time.

Excellent, we're half way through! Now all we need to do is install some drivers and software.

You will need:

XBOX control driver for PC or Linux (sorry Mac users, I didn't see one out there)
USB-Joystick to MIDI mapping program, I've used Rejoice
MIDI pass-through program, such as the fantastic Midi-Yoke

Now all you have to do is install your software and drivers, read the manuals/readme's and you should be set to have some zany Reason fun! Maelstrom noise battles anyone?

Credits to:
The guide I used to do this
The CDM forums for pointing me to Rejoice

All trademarks are copyright to the respective owners, blah blah, yada yada, you know the drill.



	The USB XBOX Controller MIDI Project Here is some basic documentation on a project I recently undertook, involving the conversion of a standard XBOX controller into a fully capable USB MIDI controller that can be used to send CC and note data into a DAW/Softsynth program such as Reason/Ableton Live. What you'll need (Must Haves): XBOX Controller (preferably with the quick release connector cable) USB Type A male connector (with some cable sticking out the back, so that you can splice it) PC/Linux Box Electrical tape or heatshink to tidy up your new creation What will help (Optionals): Soldering iron so that your cable splicing turns out nicely Cable Stripper (you can use a sharp knife for this like I did, but it's rather fiddy) What to do: First, get your XBOX inline release cable and cut off the connector that plugs into the XBOX, right near the base of it so you have plenty of cable to work with. Strip back the outer plastic, shielding (a bunch of strands of exposed wire and some foil), thus exposing the XBOX control's wires. You should have (hopefully!) red, black, yellow, white and green wires.The yellow wire won't be used in this project, so just cut it straight off, or practice your knife wire stripping skills first, before removing it. Next, carefully strip each of these back to reveal about 1 - 2 centimeters (about 1/2 an inch) of exposed wire, being sure to not accidentally sever/rip too many of the individual strands. Now, perform this same task on your USB cable, leaving at least about 10 - 15 centimeters (4 - 7 inches) sticking out from your USB Male connector, noting that you have the same corresponding four colours of wire. Then, simply splice each pair of wire colours together and solder each join for extra strength and toughness (if you have the tools, if not, you'll just have to be a little more careful with the join). Tape each of these joins up individually, make sure that no exposed wire (not including the shielding wire we stripped back) is left uncovered, thus preventing any nasty short circuiting. When complete, you should hopefully have something that looks vaguely like this, hopfully with more tape/heatshrink to cover up the wiring safely ;) . ps: sorry for the crap-tastic images, I didn't have a camera at the time. Excellent, we're half way through! Now all we need to do is install some drivers and software. You will need: XBOX control driver for PC or Linux (sorry Mac users, I didn't see one out there) USB-Joystick to MIDI mapping program, I've used Rejoice MIDI pass-through program, such as the fantastic Midi-Yoke Now all you have to do is install your software and drivers, read the manuals/readme's and you should be set to have some zany Reason fun! Maelstrom noise battles anyone? Credits to: The guide I used to do this The CDM forums for pointing me to Rejoice All trademarks are copyright to the respective owners, blah blah, yada yada, you know the drill.

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