12/21/2025 - Researched what a MIDI keyboard is and its components

I was inspired by the Akai MPC Mini's design due to its small form factor and also due to the pads it had.
However, I felt that 25 keys wasn't enough for me as that wouldn't cover enough octaves. Hence, I decided that my MIDI keyboard would have 3 octaves, like the MPC Key 37, but with one less key, making 36 keys as that would fit in a switch matri. However, I felt that I wouldn't need a screen on my MIDI keyboard as it would take up too much space and I could just use my DAW.

I feel like sliders would look so cool on the MIDI keyboard so I would probably add those. The sliders should be able to change being used for EQ to being volume sliders for the mixer and such, but I have no idea how to do any of those right now :(.
I would also like to be able to physically make my drum beats, however, I would like them to be separate from the piano keys, so I want to add rubber pads.
There are going to be knobs for the volume and pitch.
There will also be buttons to start recording.

1/29/2026 - Designed my keyboard

After a long time away from my project due to school starting, I have designed how the keyboard should look. The keyboard will have 36 keys, 8 pads, and 12 buttons, for a grand total of 56 switches. These will fit in a 7x8 matrix. The pads will be achieved with piezo sensors, which should be pressure sensitive. The keys will be linear cherry switches to emulate the feel of a piano keyboard. The buttons will be regular buttons.