DIY MIDI Controller From Toy Piano — Cheap + Effective Electronics Hack

DIY MIDI keyboard conversion tutorial showing how I turned a cheap $1 toy piano into a fully working MIDI controller using an Arduino, with matrix scanning, and simple electronics. See how to hack plastic keyboards into real synth controllers. In this fun build, I take a yard-sale toy keyboard and completely transform it into a functional MIDI controller. You’ll see the disassembly, matrix mapping, wiring, soldering, Arduino repair, custom code, and the final test running a real synthesizer. This is a perfect project for anyone into DIY electronics, music gear hacks, budget synth builds, or turning scrap tech into something useful. If you enjoy DIY audio gear, Arduino projects, circuit bending, keyboard hacking, or synth mods, this one’s for you. Chapters: 00:00 The $1 yard sale find 00:16 Testing the toy keyboard 00:30 Plan to convert it to MIDI 00:50 Opening the case and inspection 01:20 Identifying chips and components 01:40 Cleaning contacts and checking notes 02:20 Speaker and battery removal 02:50 Soldering wires to the matrix 03:20 Understanding the key matrix layout 03:55 Preparing the Arduino 04:25 Drawing the matrix map 04:50 Final wiring and assembly 05:20 Uploading code and first power-on 05:40 Testing with the Roland JU-06A 06:10 All keys working as MIDI 06:25 Final thoughts Here is the Arduino code for the conversion: https://github.com/Slider2732-2/mini-... Bits used: Arduino Nano 5 pin MIDI connector 220 ohm resistor Several wires Rotary tool to make the case holes #MIDICONTROLLER #ArduinoProject #KeyboardHack