Extracting an arresting array of sounds from a guitar became a mission for keen coder Gary. In the latest issue of The MagPi, he tells Rosie Hattersley how he built a Raspberry Pi-based expression pedal.

Guitarist and keen coder Gary Rigg says he always thought floor-based controllers — particularly expression pedals — should have a more prominent role. They are usually operated by pressing your foot down for a subtle or more obvious wah-wah or delay effect, but only in a single direction, also known as one degree of freedom (DOF). 

You use your foot to “control the pitch of the pedal, and the pitch determines the parameter value.” Gary reasoned that adding degrees of freedom such as yaw (rotation around an axis) and roll to an expression pedal could extend its pitch parameters. He began pondering what new sounds could be achieved by redesigning how the humble foot pedal was operated. The result is the MIDI Gesture Controller, a Raspberry Pi Pico-based expression pedal that can control three parameters, “which ought to lead to more control while playing live.”

New musical direction

Gary hit upon a ball and socket setup, since these move through three or more planes of motion in multiple directions. He soon settled on a desk-based rotating puck design, realising that since the expression pedal did not necessarily need to be foot-operated, it could have several additional uses: “it works as well as a hand controller as a foot controller, so could be used for DJs or in a studio.” Camera controllers, stage lighting, and other non-musical applications also came to mind. Gary points out that MIDI is simply a protocol and could be swapped for something else, such as an HID controlling gameplay, for example. Sensor values are sent down a serial line, so the Gesture Controller could theoretically be used in “any situation needing a multi-axis controller.”

Give it a try

Gary uses Python regularly for his job as a software developer for websites and mobile devices. In “paid work land” he’s used Raspberry Pi for IoT projects to control lights and smart devices, in fire alarm panels, and alongside NFC cards and in MQTT Edge devices. As a hobbyist, Gary has created Raspberry Pi-based retro games consoles, set up sensors, and designed a Ghostbusters PKE Meter, so he is fairly confident with prototyping and seeing diverse projects through to completion.

He made use of Adafruit’s MIDI library, and says programming in CircuitPython using Thonny IDE on Raspberry Pi Pico made a lot of sense: “an incredible bit of kit as a low-cost microcontroller, and being in Python-land feels like home.” He also found it to be the best value for money, and the most reliable board for his project. Other components — including the 6DOF AHRS IMU sensor, arcade joystick ball, 3D printer, and neoprene rubber for grip — were bought from The Pi Hut and other stores. The wiring setup was straightforward enough, with the IMU (inertial measurement unit) and yaw reset button connected to Raspberry Pi Pico.

Despite Gary’s years of experience as a computer scientist and software engineer, the MIDI Gesture Controller project took him several weeks to complete and provided plenty of challenges. Getting a smooth motion on the ball joint was particularly difficult. Having designed the casing in CAD software, Gary says he must have 3D-printed nearly 20 variants to get it right. Another challenge involved getting actual pitch, yaw, and roll values from the IMU. “It took a bit of effort, as did calibrating the ranges and limits of minimums and maximums.”

Having first contemplated a multi-DOF expression pedal a few years ago, the MIDI Gesture Controller is now up and running, and Gary continues to tweak and improve it, planning to add a few extra features. He always likes to have a project on the go, is unafraid to try things, and is a big advocate for experimenting with designs in Tinkercad. A few years ago, he launched a Raspberry Pi-based Wi-Fi blocker that caught the press’ attention. The Kickstarter campaign wasn’t successful, but it was a fun project, and he still owns the trademark for a Wi-Fi ‘notspot’.

The MagPi #149 out NOW!

You can grab the new issue right now from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, WHSmith, and other newsagents, including the Raspberry Pi Store in Cambridge. It’s also available at our online store, which ships around the world. You can also get it via our app on Android or iOS.

You can also subscribe to the print version of The MagPi. Not only do we deliver it globally, but people who sign up to the six- or twelve-month print subscription get a FREE Raspberry Pi Pico W!

The post Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Gesture Controller appeared first on Raspberry Pi.

Hello future coders! Whether you're a freshman just stepping into the world of coding or a seasoned senior wrapping up degree projects, GitHub should be your go-to platform. Embrace it as your new digital playground where the possibilities are as vast as your imagination. On GitHub, you can store and manage your code, collaborate with peers, and contribute to open-source projects. Imagine creating something extraordinary, collaborating with friends across the globe—GitHub makes it possible!

GitHub: A Game-Changer for Students

For students, GitHub is not merely a tool; it's your passport to the tech universe. It enables you to track your coding journey, collaborate on group assignments, and build a professional portfolio showcasing your projects. Here’s why GitHub becomes indispensable:

• • Code Management & Version Control: Keep track of what has changed, who changed it, and why. Version control is vital in software development.
  • Collaboration: GitHub supports team projects, allowing multiple contributors to work on a project. You can also engage with the global community by joining open-source initiatives.
  • Learning and Feedback: Get exposed to industry-standard practices and receive constructive feedback from seasoned developers worldwide.
  • Portfolio Building: GitHub showcases your projects to potential employers, demonstrating your real-world coding skills and collaborative experiences.

Whether involved in a university project or pursuing a personal coding venture, GitHub ensures a streamlined and organized experience.

Unlocking the GitHub Student Developer Pack 

One exciting feature you shouldn't miss is the GitHub Student Developer Pack. This pack is a treasure trove of free tools and resources crafted specifically for students, elevating your academic and personal projects to the next level.

What’s Inside the Pack?

• Software: Access industry-standard software for coding, design, and development.
• Cloud Services: Leverage cloud platforms to test and deploy your applications.
• Developer Tools: Tap into a variety of tools to enhance your coding, testing, and deployment skills.

How to Redeem the GitHub Student Developer Pack

1. Sign Up: Head over to the GitHub Education page.
2. Verify Your Student Status: Use your official student email to register and verify your academic status.
3. Enjoy: Dive into a suite of powerful resources and tools that support both your learning and projects.
   
   

Utilizing these resources will not only sharpen your technical acumen but also set you ahead of the learning curve in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Looking Ahead: GitHub Copilot

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post, where we'll delve into GitHub Copilot. This AI-powered tool is set to become your coding companion, assisting you in writing better code, faster. GitHub Copilot is changing the future of coding, and we’ll guide you on how to make it part of your toolkit.

In conclusion, leveraging GitHub is not just about enhancing your coding skills but about building your future in technology. Whether it's connecting with a vast network of developers or refining your portfolio, GitHub positions you strategically in the ever-competitive tech domain.

So, get started on GitHub today, and unlock the next level of your coding journey!

GitHub Copilot Bootcamp is a series of four live classes designed to teach you tips and best practices for using GitHub Copilot. Discover how to create quick solutions, automate repetitive tasks, and collaborate effectively on projects. REGISTER NOW!

Why participate?

GitHub Copilot is not just a code suggestion tool, but a programming partner that understands your needs and accelerates your work. By participating in the bootcamp, you will have the opportunity to:

1. Master the creation of effective prompts.
2. Learn to develop web applications using AI.
3. Discover how to automate tests and generate documentation.
4. Explore collaboration practices and automated deployment.

Agenda

Sessions are scheduled for 12pm PST, 3pm ET, 2pm CT, and 1pm MT.

Who can participate?

If you are a developer, student, or technology enthusiast, this bootcamp is for you. The classes are designed to cater to both beginners and experienced professionals.

How to apply?

Secure your spot now and start your journey to mastering GitHub Copilot!

👉 REGISTER NOW!

New year’s resolution: Start writing better code faster in 2025.

Kick off the new year by learning new developer skills and elevate your career to the next level.

In this post, we explore learning resources and live events that will help you build critical skills and get started with cutting-edge technologies. Learn how to build custom agents, code intelligent apps with familiar tools, discover new possibilities in .NET 9, use Copilot for testing and debugging, and more. Plus, get details about using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code—for free! 

New AI for Developers page
Check out the new AI for Developers page. It's packed with free GitHub courses on building apps, machine learning, and mastering GitHub Copilot for paired programming. Learn your way and skill up for what's next in AI.

Use GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code for free
Did you hear the news? You can now use GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code for free. Get details about the new Copilot Free plan and add Copilot to your developer toolbox.

What is Copilot Studio?
Have questions about Copilot Studio? This article from Microsoft Learn covers all the basics you need to know about Copilot Studio—the low-code tool for easily building agents and extending Microsoft 365 Copilot.

From C# to ChatGPT: Build Generative AI Solutions with Azure
Combine your C# skills with the cutting-edge power of ChatGPT and Azure OpenAI Service. This free learning path introduces you to building GenAI solutions, using REST APIs, SDKs, and Azure tools to create more intelligent applications.

Register for the Powerful Devs Conference + Hackathon
Register for the Powerful Devs Conference + Hackathon (February 12-28, 2025) and get more out of Power Platform. This one-day online conference is followed by a 2-week hackathon focused on building intelligent applications with less effort.

Code the future with Java and AI: RSVP for Microsoft JDConf 2025 today
Get ready for the JDConf 2025—Microsoft's annual event for Java developers. Taking place April 9-10, this year’s event will have three separate live streams to cover different regions. Join to explore tools and skills for building modern apps in the cloud and integrating AI.         

Build custom agents for Microsoft Teams
Learn how to build custom agents for Microsoft Teams. This free learning path will teach you about different copilot stacks, working with Azure OpenAI, building a custom engine agent. Start building intelligent Microsoft Teams apps using the LLMs and AI components.

Microsoft Learn: Debug your app with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio
Debug more efficiently using GitHub Copilot. This Microsoft Learn article shows you how. Discover how Copilot will answer detailed questions about your code and provide bug fixes.  

Make Azure AI Real: Watch Season 2
Elevate your AI game with Make Azure AI Real on demand. Season 2 digs into the latest Azure AI advancements, with practical demos, code samples, and real-world use cases.

GitHub Copilot Bootcamp
Streamline your workflow with GitHub Copilot—craft more effective prompts and automate repetitive tasks like testing. This GitHub Copilot Bootcamp is a 4-part live streaming series that will help you master GitHub Copilot.

10 Days of GenAI – Gift Guide Edition
Start building your own Gen AI application. These short videos outline 10 steps for creating your app—choose a model, add functions, fine tune responses, and more.

Extend Microsoft 365 Copilot with declarative agents using Visual Studio Code
Check out this new learning path from Microsoft Learn to discover how you can extend Microsoft 365 Copilot with declarative agents using VS Code. Learn about declarative agents and how they work.   

Developer's guide to building your own agents
Want to build your own agents? Watch this Ignite session on demand for a look at the new agent development tools. Find out how to create agents built on Microsoft 365 Copilot or your custom AI engine.

Master distributed application development with .NET Aspire
Get started with .NET Aspire—an opinionated, cloud-ready stack for building distributed applications with .NET. This series covers everything from setup to deployment. Start your journey toward mastering distributed app development.

Learn: What's new in .NET 9
Discover what's new in .NET 9. Learn about new features for AI, improvements for building cloud-native apps, performance enhancements, updates to C#, and more. Read the overview and get started with .NET 9.

Become a .NET AI engineer using the OpenAI library for .NET
Use your .NET skills to become an AI engineer. With the OpenAI library, .NET developers can quickly master critical AI skills and apply them to real world apps. Read the blog to learn more about the OpenAI library for .NET.

Test like a pro with Playwright and GitHub Copilot
Supercharge your testing using Playwright and GitHub Copilot. Watch this in-depth demo and discover how you can easily create end-to-end tests using Playwright's powerful built-in code generator.