🦆 DuckyMIDI

DuckyMIDI is a simple, compact USB-C MIDI drumpad with 17 keys, designed for music production, live performance, and drumming workflows.
It's powered by the Orpheus Pico and shows up as a standard USB MIDI device — no drivers needed.

Duck themed. Simple. Hackable.

Features

• 17 programmable MIDI pads
• USB-C powered & datadata - Simple, clean and efficient
• USB MIDI (class-compliant) - Works instantly on macOS, Windows, Linux
• Powered by the Orpheus Pico – Made by Adam from Hack Club!
• Low-latency, fast response for drumming
• 🦆 Duck-themed PCB & designsign

🧩 Hardware

• MCU: Orpheus Pico (RP2040-based)
• Keys: 17 mechanical switches
• Interface: USB-C
• MIDI: USB MIDI (no DIN, no adapters)
• Power: USB-C powered

PCB and Schematic / Early Prototypes

Full Build Render

Schematic

PCB (Silkscreen Removed)

Early Prototypes

💻 Software

• The firmware was written using TinyUSB MIDI
• Appears as "DuckyMIDI" on your system
• Works with all DAWs such as:
  • Logic Pro
  • Ableton Live
  • FL Studio
  • Reaper

Each key sends a MIDI Note On / Note Off message for the daw to proccess and then record/output.

Default MIDI Mapping

DuckyMIDI uses General MIDI drum mapping on Channel 10:

Want to customize? Just edit the MIDI_NOTES array in the firmware!

Also a quick note that you don't have to use DuckyMidi as a drumpad only! It can be configured to be used with instruments like the piano and synths as well!

Getting Started

Note DuckyMidi doesn't only have to be a drumkit! I've configured it like that as thats what I mainly play but you could totally use it as a synth!

For Logic Pro:

1. Plug DuckyMIDI into your computer via USB-C
2. Open Logic Pro
3. Create a new Drummer or Software Instrument track
4. In the track inspector, set MIDI input to DuckyMIDI
5. Load your favorite drum kit (Drum Kit Designer, Battery, etc.)
6. Start jamming! 🦆

For Other DAWs:

1. Plug in DuckyMIDI
2. Open your DAW preferences/settings
3. Enable DuckyMIDI as a MIDI input device
4. Assign it to a drum instrument or sampler
5. Tada!!

Flashing Firmware

1. Hold BOOTSEL button on the Orpheus Pico
2. Plug it into USB (while holding BOOTSEL)
3. The Pico appears as a USB drive
4. Copy the DuckyMIDI.uf2 firmware file onto the drive
5. It will auto-reboot and you're done 🦆

Customization

Want different notes or velocity? Easy!

Open the firmware and edit these lines:

// Change MIDI notes (line ~20)

const byte MIDI_NOTES[17] = {
   36, 38, 42, 46, 48, 50, 45, 47, 49,
   51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

};


// Change velocity (line ~29)

byte velocity = 100;  // 0-127



// Change MIDI channel (line ~30)

byte midiChannel = 10;  // 1-16

Then reflash and you're golden!

🦆 Why DuckyMIDI?

I started building this project after noticing a lack of MIDI Macropads in the market, Most of them that acomplish the same purpose often cost 100 AUD + while DuckyMidi Does it in only 15 AUD!!!

Don't believe me on that one?
Heres the cost breakdown::

1 - PCB - 12 AUD including shipping from JLC PCB for 5! = 2.40 per board
2 - Switches - 17 switches is around $3 from aliexpresss
3 - 3D printed case uses around 73 grams of filament and at a price of around 20 aud for 1000g thats only $1.77
3 - As for the Pico - It's not widley available for sale but you can use any sort of USB C or even a normal pico from AliExpress around $33

📜 License

MIT License

Made with ❤️ by The-UnknownHacker

Quack on! 🦆