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Pimidi – 2x2 MIDI Interface HAT for Raspberry Pi

Pimidi is a stackable ultra-low-latency 2x2 MIDI interface HAT for Raspberry Pi.

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Meet Pimidi!

Pimidi is a stackable, compact 2in/2out MIDI interface HAT for Raspberry Pi and compatible Single Board Computers*. It comes with 3.5mm jacks following the official MIDI pinout standard (Type A) and offers ultra-low latency for real-time performance.

Pimidi makes use of a minimal set of Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, and duplicates all of the 40 GPIO pins for easy access to integrate additional HATs and external circuitry.

The secret sauce? Our pimidipy library — a Python API that makes working with MIDI messages and connections quick and easy. Explore community-made MIDI effects and routing scripts on Patchstorage.com, or create your own to perfectly suit your MIDI needs!

* We are thoroughly testing other boards and will update the supported SBCs list later on.

Features

Stackable: You can connect up to 4 Pimidi boards together to get 8 MIDI inputs and 8 MIDI outputs. Combined with USB-MIDI functionality via single-board-computer USB ports, this should meet all your MIDI connectivity needs.
Ultra-low Latency: Pimidi delivers exceptional responsiveness with a loopback latency of just 1.28ms, thanks to its direct I²C connection to your single-board computer. By avoiding USB communication overhead, it ensures tight, real-time MIDI performance.
Activity LEDs: Pimidi has a dedicated activity LED for each input/output port, making it easy to visually track MIDI data flows.
Pin Availability: Pimidi interacts with your SBC through I²C and 2 GPIOs only, leaving you plenty of options to connect other peripherals from buttons to OLED displays.

Tools

“pimidipy” library: pimidipy provides a simple yet powerful Python API for routing, modifying, and monitoring MIDI data flows. Whether it’s complex MIDI routing for your studio setup or unconventional MIDI effects, pimidipy is perfect for bringing your MIDI ideas to life. Plus, you can share your scripts and explore what others are creating over at Patchstorage. pimidipy forward example Pimidipy Docs Pimidipy Scripts
“amidiminder” utility: amidiminder is a background OS process crafted by our community member mzero. It simplifies MIDI routing by automatically applying your user-defined rules whenever new devices are connected or software is launched. Designed to keep everything running smoothly, amidiminder lets you focus on making music, not connections. Amidiminder Docs
Patchbox OS: Patchbox OS is a custom Linux distribution built specifically for Raspberry Pi-based audio projects. Optimized for low-latency, real-time performance, it comes pre-configured and packed with pre-installed audio software, including dedicated pimidipy module and amidiminder utility, so you can dive into your projects straight away! Download Patchbox OS

Specs

pimidi
* I²C baud rate set to 1MHz
Parameter Value
MIDI Inputs 2 x 3.5mm jack (MIDI Type A)
MIDI Outputs 2 x 3.5mm jack (MIDI Type A)
Activity LEDs 4
MIDI Loopback Latency 1.28ms *
I²C Baud Rate 100kHz - 3.4MHz
Current Draw 22mA @ 5.1VDC
Dimensions 58mm x 65mm x 18.5mm
Weight 21g

Want to Know More?

Head straight to our documentation page or to our community forums. If you would like to contact us directly, please email us at hello@blokas.io!

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