Zayik: Design-it-yourself MIDI Controllers!

Written by Dan White on November 16th, 2011 20 Comments

Launched today, Zayik is a new website that allows controllerists to design their own MIDI controller within a web interface. The brainchild of a handful of cool smaller music technology companies, Zayik is a fun and simple tool that is great for taking simple ideas for controllers and assembling them. More information, our thoughts, and links after the jump!

While not the end-all-be-all in terms of designing MIDI controllers, Zayik (pronounce it like “mosaic”) is a great tool to test ideas on and making controllers that fit your workflow. Take it for a spin yourself by starting out on one of their pre-populated templates, or start from scratch!

DJ Mixer Template
Production Template
Blank Template

What we like:

Simple interface, easy to get started.
Ability to save ideas and come back to them later.

What we think it needs:

iOS support: I immediately tried to test their site out on a iPad so I could pretend like I was using the controller. Sadly, the interface isn’t compatible!
Interface design help: for a product all about designing awesome controllers, it looks like a 1990s web interface.
More interface elements: Where are the arcade buttons, touch strips, joysticks and our awesome-looking knobs (couldn’t resist).

Naturally, when you’re finished designing your controller, you can send it to Zayik and they’ll give you a quote on how much it would cost for them to build – but be warned, custom controllers can get pretty pricey!

Filed Under | Controllerism, DJ Internet Tools, News
Tags | 60works, controller designer, custom controllers, zayik

SmiTTTen

I have been fiddling with my knobs in the little baggy all evening. Even the wife has had a go.
Riko Roos

A maximum of 32 items sounds a bit outdated if you don’t want to buy 3 or 4 controllers to have a DJ set ready. In addition i am missing encoders, pots and faders are so outdated…. encoders, encoders and… encoders
Zhao

I can only imagine what would happen if DJTT teamed up with these guys!
Btw I think their website is down.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeroen-Krieger/1101447983 Jeroen Krieger

Well these things are very expensive!
You can buy a djm-900 or a xone 92 and a APC40 for that money…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeroen-Krieger/1101447983 Jeroen Krieger

Well these things are very expensive!
You can buy a djm-900 or a xone 92 and a APC40 for that money…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeroen-Krieger/1101447983 Jeroen Krieger

Well these things are very expensive!
You can buy a djm-900 or a xone 92 and a APC40 for that money…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=706943871 Daniele Ascione

dont’ they think these thing are a little overpriced?
we’re talking of loooots of money for “just” MIDI controller…
DJ Intelkt

When I saw this article, I thought I could finally design a controller the way that fits my work flow. When I saw the price point was like DAMN!!! If you have money to burn then I guess its some folks.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
http://twitter.com/SINFM SINFM

The idea is genius but this interface is really poor. it’s ugly looking and its really frustrating. Putting knobs close together with the mouse is annoying as I keep grabbing the wrong one. And as mentioned in the article, really lack of elements.
romy

“More interface elements: Where are the arcade buttons, touch strips, joysticks and our awesome-looking knobs (couldn’t resist).”

plug your products more shamelessly please.

pretty sure no one else in the world uses arcade buttons.
romy

“More interface elements: Where are the arcade buttons, touch strips, joysticks and our awesome-looking knobs (couldn’t resist).”

plug your products more shamelessly please.

pretty sure no one else in the world uses arcade buttons.
http://www.facebook.com/people/PaulHolland-DoubleDutchdj/100001027166218 PaulHolland DoubleDutchdj

Plug your ignorance less shamelessly please
http://www.facebook.com/people/PaulHolland-DoubleDutchdj/100001027166218 PaulHolland DoubleDutchdj

Plug your ignorance less shamelessly please
tuff

in short: Concept = excellence, Execution (including price point) = poor