Do you want to learn about the various MIDI cable connectors and how they are different?
Do you want to build a simple device that can determine if that 3.5mm MIDI adapter is Type A or Type B?
Do you want to build your own devices with MIDI connectors of their own?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you!

The workshop is a slide presentation and demo talk that describes
- Why MIDI exists at all
- What is happening electrically on a MIDI cable (with demo)
- the basic MIDI IN and MIDI OUT circuits
- what can go wrong with these circuits in a real DIY project
- the Type A and Type B Tip Ring Sleeve (TRS) MIDI connector types
- A DIY TRS to DIN Type A and Type B identifier device (with demo)
- special TRS MIDI issues
- A better MIDI OUT circuit that is protected against Eurorack power supplies and control voltages
- A better MIDI IN circuit that automatically works with Type A or Type B MIDI wiring and is protected against Eurorack power supplies and control voltages
- How to make your own USB Host to MIDI adapter using a Raspberry Pi Pico and the MIDI I/O circuits described above (with demo)
- How to find all of my Raspberry Pi Pico USB MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI projects on GitHub so you can build them yourself

IMPORTANT NOTE:
While this workshop focuses on the hardware aspect of MIDI and provides info related to DIY projects, there is NO building/soldering component in this class and NO hardware is included with the ticket/RSVP. Unlike most DIY-focused events at the library, this is NOT a workshop where you take a physical project home with you, only knowledge to empower you to build (or simply better understand) your own devices.

Instructors:
Paul Kovitz

Date: Sunday, November 16th, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 3 PM
Location: Synth Library Portland
1256 Lloyd Center
Lloyd Center Mall, 2nd Floor, near Dicepool

Free!
(We always encourage donations or becoming a member if you want to support our mission of bringing low-cost/no-cost creative tools and education to our local community)