"The Builder series and Livid enables our community to produce custom controllers like an OEM. Livid takes the hard part out of the design allowing our crew to focus on parts, shape, interaction, durability, and creation of a perfect match for the performer. Kind of like what Livid does, only on a localized agenda." - Marc W., Ableton Colorado User Group

The Livid Builder line is inspired by our own desires to create custom controllers using quality production-grade parts, without the need to create custom circuit boards for every design. Even if you have no experience with electronics we have designed the Builder series and provide tutorials to make it easy for beginners and hackers alike.

User Project Examples

Brain
The Builder Brain is the central device in the Builder line of products. Connecting components to its pins turns your collection of parts into a MIDI controller. The Brain is a USB-powered class-compliant MIDI device and converts digital and analog signals into MIDI, and takes MIDI input to control LEDs. Completely configurable with the simple to use Brain Editor software, this board can control up to 64 analog inputs, 179 Buttons, and 48 LEDs. Flexible and adaptable, buttons and LEDs can be connected directly to the pins, or, with some additional soldering, extended with scanned matrices (multiplexed).

Creative builders willing to experiment can go beyond common knobs, sliders and buttons, and experiment with unusual sensors, such as bend, distance, proximity, temperature, and tilt.

Features
• USB Powered
• Class-compliant no drivers needed
• MIDI in and out jacks
• 16 direct wire digital button contacts (support up to 64 contacts with a diode matrix, and 179 with a diode matrix and support chips)
• 64 direct wire analog inputs
• 14 direct wire LED’s (support for 48 LED's with a matrix)
• Programmable MIDI settings with a software editor via USB
• Dimensions 3.75" x 4.5"
• OEM and quantity discounts available, email us for pricing

Omni Board

Our Omni boards allow you to create over 30+ different configurations using a single circuit board. You can use rubber buttons, LEDs, rotary potentiometers, 30mm and 60mm faders, and small and large arcade buttons. Use multiple boards to make your controller as large or small as you'd like. The Omni board's labels make it easy to connect your components and all of the connections are routed to pin headers for easy ribbon cable connectivity.

Examples

Omni Board
Dimensions: 4"(w) X 4"(l)

BYOB (Build Your Own Board)

Getting your own printed circuit boards made is expensive, requires circuit board design skills and setup fees, and is usually just not practical for DIYers or someone looking to prototype a new design. The BYOB set of Builder boards overcome these difficulties with a modular design and ease of connection. Each board is available in multiple configurations and is pre-scored to allow you to easily create a configuration for your design. Buttons can be arranged in grids, lines, or even organic shapes to match your hand. Each board contains jumper connections to easily daisy chain individual boards together, and the Breakout board provides an interface for connecting them to the Brain. This method of hands-on, rapid prototyping can quickly produce the exact instrument you want, and even inspire new ideas.

Push
The push board provides a circuit to use rubber key pads as buttons with controllable LED backlights. The Push board can be configured to fit the needs of your project. Our Builder Keypads work with these boards. The Push board can also be used as a standalone LED board. Push is available in two different button contact sizes and works with our Rubber Key Pads.

4x4 Push Board Small
Dimensions: 3.25"(w) X 3.25"(l)

4x4 Push Board Medium
Dimensions: 4"(w) X 4"(l)

Turn
The turn board allows you to easily use rotary potentiometers with a few on board soldering holes. Supports standard .1" pin spacing for thru hole potentiometer connections. Turn comes in a separable 4x4 configuration, or purchase a single rotary pot board. Turn works with a large variety of 9mm rotary potentiometers.

4x4 Turn Board
Dimensions: 4"(w) X 4"(l)

Slide
The Slide board is used you to connect a slide potentiometer (fader) in a single or 1x4 configuration. Slide works with a wide range of 60mm travel slide potentiometers. Our heavy-duty professional faders also work with this board.

1x4 Slide Board
Dimensions: 4"(w) X 4"(l)

Breakout
The Breakout board allows you to connect all of the BYOB boards to the Brain as well as other standalone components. Screw terminals can also be added to the breakout board to easily connect and disconnect wires directly from your controls to the Brain.

Breakout Board
Dimensions: 6.5"(w) X 3.5"(h)

Parts
While many off the shelf parts and components can be used to complete your project, we offer a wide range of custom components we have designed specifically for use with the Builder Series.