Scarff Midi for accordions.

[boxplayer4000]

Scarff Midi
Tom Scarff is an electronics expert based in Dublin. He programmes (and sells) Arduino processors specifically for the MIDI market, including the accordion market. I used a couple about ten years ago and found them to be easy to use as long as you were comfortable about constructing keyboard contact boards. As I was only ever interested in midi bass and chords I was eventually restrained in their use because the Arduino boards in use at that time were larger than the space normally available in many bass ends and mounting the boards inside the bellows meant much more wiring. However, despite all that I found them simple and effective to use and wondered if anybody had used them recently in an accordion situation.

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[Corinto]

Interesting!

 

[boxplayer4000]

Those pre-programmed units are the most economical way of midi-ing an accordion that I know. (Probably about 10 times cheaper). I suppose the cost could be reduced still further if your skills extend to Arduino programming.

 

[McSqueeze]

I've twice used Tom Scarff's units to successfully Midi accordion bass and chords. An economical way to do this. And he is very helpful.

 

[boxplayer4000]

McSqueeze:
I found him very helpful as well and we had some correspondence in the early days (10 years ago). Electronic accordions have not been top of my list but have used a midied bass and chords for a long time. 10 years ago the Arduino boards (for 3-channel accordion) were approx 2.1/8" by 4.1/4" (53mm x 106mm). Size was a consideration and the ones shown on the current website may be smaller.
I still have an unused unit here if anyone is interested in buying. I tested it recently and it remains in order.