What is a Custom MIDI Controller?

A standard MIDI controller is an electronic device that does not produce sound on its own. Its primary function is to send MIDI messages to control software on a computer or external music hardware like synthesizers and drum machines. It can also send Keystrokes (keyboard presses) to control any application that accepts them.

This is where a Yaeltex custom MIDI controller transforms the concept. Instead of adapting your creative process to a generic, mass-produced product, you design the hardware to fit your exact workflow. Think of it as building your own personal instrument from the ground up, perfectly tailored to the way you work and create.

Here are the key aspects that make a Yaeltex controller uniquely "custom":

1. Design Your Hardware with The Factory

The Factory is our intuitive web application where you design the complete physical and aesthetic layout of your controller.

• Choose Your Canvas: Start by selecting from different case sizes and orientations (horizontal or vertical).
• Place Your Components: Drag and drop our library of "Elements" onto your design. These include:
• • Encoders: Rotary controls for endless adjustment.
  • Buttons: Arcade or rubber buttons for triggering actions.
  • Analog Controls: Potentiometers (knobs), faders, and 2-axis joysticks.
• Customize Its Look: Upload your own images for the front panel, add text labels, and choose indicators to create a unique aesthetic.
• Transparent Pricing: The Factory features a real-time calculator that displays the exact cost of your design as you build it.

2. Program Its Brain with Kilowhat

Once your controller is built, Kilowhat is our tool for configuring its every function.

• Individual Control: Every component on your controller has a corresponding "card" in Kilowhat, allowing for precise, individual setup.
• Define MIDI Messages: For each control, you can define the exact MIDI message type (Note, CC, Program Change, etc.), MIDI channel, and output port (USB, 5-pin DIN, or both).
• Custom LED Feedback: Configure the built-in RGB LEDs to respond to incoming MIDI messages. Create fixed colors or dynamic feedback (like "value to color") that syncs with your software, which is incredibly useful for remote scripts like our one for Ableton Live.
• Up to 16 Banks: Create up to eight layers of controls. Think of it like a "Shift" key on your keyboard, allowing you to assign multiple functions to the same physical component.
• Advanced Features: Dive deeper with MIDI merging, fader takeover modes, and encoder rotation speed settings.

3. Hackable & Open-Source Firmware

For users who want ultimate control, we provide another layer of openness.

• Open-Source Code: The firmware for the Kilomux (your controller's main board) is open-source and available on our GitLab repository.
• Endless Possibilities: Users with programming knowledge can modify and compile their own firmware, opening up a world of deeply personalized functionality.
• Safe to Update: Firmware updates are handled by our desktop app. Crucially, updating your firmware will not erase your Kilowhat configurations.

4. Deep Integration with YURS for Ableton Live

To provide the most seamless experience for Ableton Live users, we developed the Yaeltex Universal Remote Script (YURS).

• A Powerful Translator: YURS is a custom script that translates your controller's MIDI messages into specific, complex functions within Ableton Live.
• Deep DAW Control: Go far beyond simple MIDI mapping. With YURS, your controller gains instant, deep control over:
• • The complete mixer (volumes, sends, mutes, solos).
  • The clip launcher (launching clips and scenes).
  • Transport controls (play, stop, record, tempo).
  • Device parameters on the selected track.
• Link Multiple Controllers: YURS can even link multiple Yaeltex controllers, allowing them to function as one massive, unified control surface.

In summary, a Yaeltex custom MIDI controller is a complete, user-designed ecosystem. It's a physical instrument you design in The Factory, a powerful brain you program in Kilowhat, and a deeply integrated tool that can be enhanced with custom scripts like YURS or even your own modified firmware.

Updated on: 26/06/2025