MIDI Shield - Two Questions - Using without Switches/Pots, MIDI Thru

Kits
1

Hello. I’ve purchased a few MIDI Shields for projects… wondering about two things:

  1. I noticed that when I don’t solder on the three buttons and two potentiometers, the MIDI In does not operate. I’m trying to understand why this is by looking at the schematic, but can’t figure it out. Is there a ground connection that is being bridged when the buttons and pots are connected. I don’t want to use the onboard switches/pots , and need to keep a very low vertical profile (the pots won’t fit in my enclosure). Can you explain why the MIDI Input doesn’t work when I don’t have the switches/pots connected. And can I just bridge some connections to make it work without pots/buttons attached?

  2. For the MIDI Thru mode, just want to confirm… do I just solder together the two tiny pads on the back side where it says MIDI Thru? Do I need to cut a connection between the adjacent pad?

Thanks so much!

Jason

2

The input passes through those pots/buttons, you can simply jump them, but you need to place resistors for the same amount (10k) as the potentiometers…so yes, but not easily…probably easier to install them and cut them with a dremel or something.

https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/learn_t … g-thru.jpg you solder the 2 left jumper pads, connecting them

Be sure to run through these https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/mi … 1622745974 and https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/midi-tutorial

Best of luck!