Description
Turn Light Into Sound. Build Your Own MIDI Controller.
What if you could control your synths, effects, and DAW with light? No buttons. No knobs. Just sensors responding to movement, shadow, and gesture.
Georg Werner—electronic artist and creative technologist—teaches you to build light-sensitive MIDI controllers from scratch using sensors and microcontrollers.
What You’ll Build: A custom MIDI controller using light sensors (photoresistors, LDRs) and Arduino-compatible microcontrollers. Control any MIDI-enabled software or hardware—Ableton, Max MSP, synthesizers, effects—with light, shadow, and physical movement.
What You’ll Learn:
- How light sensors work (photoresistors, photodiodes, light-dependent resistors)
- Microcontroller basics (Arduino setup, coding, MIDI protocol)
- Sensor-to-MIDI mapping and calibration
- Circuit building and prototyping on breadboard
- Connecting controllers to your computer (USB MIDI)
- Creative performance applications and expressive control
- Troubleshooting and customizing your setup
No soldering required. Breadboard prototyping means you can experiment, modify, and rebuild as you learn.
Walk out with a working controller you designed yourself—and the knowledge to build more.
Workshop Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 – 16:00 (6 hours with lunch break)
📍 Location: Berlin School of Sound Studio, Oderberger Straße, Prenzlauer Berg
👥 Group Size: Limited to 10 participants
🎓 Level: Beginners to intermediate (no coding or electronics experience required)
What’s Included:
- All electronic components (sensors, microcontrollers, cables)
- Breadboards and prototyping materials
- Arduino software setup and code templates
- Your controller to take home and expand
- Course documentation and schematics
What to Bring:
- Laptop (Mac/Windows/Linux)
- USB cable for Arduino connection
- Any MIDI software you use (Ableton, Max MSP, etc.) – optional but recommended for testing
Price:
€150 Regular (Raspberry processor included)
€120 Students (valid student ID required)
About Your Instructor: Georg Werner
Electronic artist and creative technologist specializing in experimental performance interfaces and sensor-based instruments. Georg builds custom controllers and interactive systems for live performance, installations, and studio work. His approach: technology should amplify creativity, not limit it.
Who This Is For:
✓ Electronic producers wanting expressive live control
✓ Performers looking for unique performance interfaces
✓ DIY enthusiasts curious about sensors and microcontrollers
✓ Modular synth users exploring CV/MIDI integration
✓ Anyone frustrated with mouse-and-keyboard music making
No prerequisites:
Never coded? Never built a circuit? Perfect. We start from zero and build up together.
What Makes This Different:
Most MIDI controller workshops teach you to use existing hardware. Georg teaches you to create hardware tailored to your creative vision. You’ll understand how controllers work at the component level—which means you can build anything you imagine.
Light sensors are just the beginning. Once you grasp the principles, you can integrate proximity sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, whatever responds to your performance needs.
Real-World Applications:
- Live performance: Control effects, filters, synth parameters with gesture and movement
- Studio workflow: Build custom interfaces for mixing, automation, sound design
- Installation art: Create interactive sound experiences responding to environment
- Modular integration: Convert sensor data to CV for modular synthesizers
- Custom instruments: Design controllers nobody else has
Ready to Build Your Own Controller?
Spots are limited to 10 people. Workshop runs with minimum 6 participants.
[BOOK YOUR SPOT – €150] [STUDENT PRICE – €120]
Questions? Email: fromzerotohero@berlinschoolofsound.com
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.