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ODROID XU4 USER MANUAL
which includes the MPU-401 interface.
USB-to-MIDI-Adapter:
A number of basic devices are available which
have been proven to work on both Android and Linux. Compatible de-
vices will be advertised as a “no device driver required” model.
Direct UART to MIDI interface:
Since MIDI is a asynchronous serial
interface, standard serial ports can often be easily converted to a MIDI
interface.
Sound Cards and Devices for MIDI File Playback on the XU4
Not all sound cards and modules provide native MIDI ile play
-
back capability, including the ODROID USB sound card. Many other
USB sound cards do however, so make sure to consult the device’s
speciications. Professional-level USB MIDI synthesizers are also
available, including sampling synths by Roland, Ensoniq, Kurzweil,
Roland, and Korg.
Experimental Music with the XU4
Using an ODROID-XU4 for computer music opens up possibilities
beyond those of traditional computer music performance, productions,
and engineering. A MIDI Interface and any number of sensors could be
used to create unique musical instruments. For example, a pressure
transducer could be used as a MIDI breath controller, ultrasonic trans-
ducers could be used to make a Vulcan Lute, a string-less harp, or a
super-theremin, or a capacitive touch controller such as the Freescale
MPR121. Using conductive paint for the capacitive inputs could inspire
even more interesting inventions.
Android
Android is an easy-to-use, yet powerful operating system, in-
tended for smartphones, tablets and other portable devices It also
runs very well on the ODROID-XU4, not only as an inexpensive test-
ing platform for building Android applications, but also as a set-top
box for video and music streaming and playback, a general-purpose
operating system capable of web browsing, social networking, remote
control of other computers, and much more.
Desktop Environment
The Hardkernel Android image offers several Android tablet fea-
tures, including two pulldown menus at the top of the screen. As shown
below, the top left menu shows notiications and application informa
-
tion. The top right menu offers direct access to the operating system
Chapter 3
