monome

• we produced 400 units of the 40h. they’ve sold. we’re designing new devices which are similar. if you’re interested in designing your own 40h-like device, this kit can help you get there.

• it’s completely compatible with the original 40h and will run anything from our growing library of applications.

• the keypads feel really good.
  

we’ve put together two kits. one is the logic board, the other is the keypad. they are designed to work well together, but you can use the logic kit with other buttons (think micro or wall-sized or alternative layouts like 8×16) or the keypad kit with a different electronic brain (like an arduino or doepfer or midibox).

other monome designs will be available in the future, so building your own is not the last opportunity to get involved.

please review all of this information thoroughly before considering a purchase!

also see the visual assembly guide before buying.


→see finished user kits and project logs.

the logic kit contains the full potential to make a device compatible with monome applications. it is powered by and communicates via usb. it reads a matrix of switches and is capable of driving an 8×8 led matrix. it also contains four auxiliary i/o pins which are by default programmed as analog inputs (for knobs, sliders, accelerometers, etc.)

the kit ships with a programmed atmel atmega32 chip. no programmer is required. the jtag header is available on the circut if you’d like to change the firmware.

each usb transceiver is pre-serialized (assigned a m40h0??? number to the internal eeprom.)

the board includes corner screw holes for mounting. we suggest proper mounting with standoffs.

the keypad kit does not include leds. we chose not to provide leds due to the vast selection of colors available which will allow personal customization. suggested leds are listed at the bottom of this page with part numbers and parameters.

the keypads are designed to use 3mm through-hole leds. we’ve also had success with 0805 smd leds, but we do not recommend this method unless you’re quite confident.

the keypad kit does require you to solder surface mount diodes. these diodes are included in the kit. orientation is very important, do not solder them on backwards.

the keypad kit does not include a top plate. this is an integral component for best results. the complete layout for the 40h top plate is available for modification. the plate does not need to be aluminum. it also does not need to be the same thickness that we used. various shops can laser/water cut or machine a custom part. we highly encourage you to seek out a local shop.

the keypad kit does not include a bottom enclosure. make something beautiful.

several keypad kits can be aligned for one continuous grid. due to the layout requirements of the boards, you can only tile on one direction (several side-by-side) without substantial modification to the boards. several logic kits (hence usb ports) will be required. usb hubs must be externally powered.

we’ve put together a 4×4 kit, which will include four 4×4 boards, 4 keypads, and diodes. this is intended for more advanced user since more hand-wiring will be required and wires are not included.

some configurations (4×4, 4×8, 8×4) will work immediately with our existing software. other configurations (16×4) will require some software or firmware modification, since the 40h logic board will still detect the odd-shape as an 8×8.

we’ll be posting wiring diagrams soon. more discussion will appear on the forum.

again, these 4×4 boards are intended for users that are up for a challenge. we absolutely do not recommend them for beginners.

the logic kit uses all through-hole components which are easier to solder than many of their surface-mount brothers and sisters. we’ve designed it this way to ensure higher success in assembly, though we highly recommend past soldering experience.

unless you really know what you’re doing, we discourage the use of cheap soldering irons. they’ll leave you frustrated with a broken project in addition to possibly burning your house down. spend at least $30 on your soldering iron. if you’re really serious about electronics, you will not regret spending $100 on a nice iron. (like buying quality knives for cooking, the difference is immediately tangible.

we are not liable for any malfunction or damage to any equipment used while assembling, testing, or using these circuits. understand that you will be connecting a device to your computer, a device that you yourself soldered. if this makes you uncomfortable in any way, consider passing up this project.

we provide no warranty.

no returns, sorry.

on the positive side, there are very few ways you could damage or misassemble this project, and the likelihood of damaging your computer is very small. we’ve thoroughly tested the kit, and each preprogrammed microcontroller is tested before being shipped.

help is available on the forums please do not e-mail us directly. your kit purchase does not include unlimited support.

we make all source code, schematics, layouts, and drawings available here in the spirit of free information (as in liberated, not simply cost-free.)

we encourage you to use and modify our work to extend your own personal projects.

there is currently not a suitable widely used license for open-source hardware, but we request thoughtful consideration if you consider having derivative parts manufactured. we absolutely prohibit the use of companies who take advantage of questionable governments with loose or nonexistent labor and environmental laws. local, high-quality manufacturers exist who are environmentally responsible and provide living wages to their workers. seek them out. help make positive change by supporting sustainable businesses and local economies.

• each logic kit is $110.

• each keypad kit is $140.

see here for shipping prices. shipments are made via UPS, tracking numbers are provided. international customers are responsible for any customs fees imposed by their countries when receiving the package.

→see availability to order

source files and datasheets
visual assembly guide