A Prototype of a MIDI 2.0 Controller for Inclusive Musical Interaction

This paper presents a software/hardware solution designed to facilitate music performance that is responsive to the various abilities and contexts of users, thus narrowing the gap between disability and technological access to sonic expression. We examine how the MIDI 2.0 protocol, particularly its profile configuration and property exchange capabilities, can be leveraged to create adaptive musical interfaces that dynamically respond to the spatial and situated conditions of performance. In this approach, the configuration of digital instruments becomes sensitive not only to individual users’ motor or cognitive abilities but also to the specific environments and cultural practices in which music-making occurs. We describe the development of the Inclusive MIDI Controller, a digital musical instrument designed to foster inclusive sonic practices and to expand the spatial and experiential possibilities of music performance for a wider range of practitioners. Finally, we detail the design and implementation of a MIDI 2.0 Device Manager developed using the Core MIDI workbench and the JUCE framework. This system was evaluated in conjunction with the ProtoZOA board, an open-source, flexible prototyping platform for MIDI 2.0, demonstrating its capacity to automatically configure instruments and interfaces.