Hands-on MIDI control for Kraftor

Teletype puts five keys and four knobs within reach of your next synthetic voice performance. Designed as a compact companion for Kraftor, it lets you trigger sounds, recall phrases and adjust voice parameters through MIDI.

Two slide switches select four banks, giving you 20 assignable note slots across the five keys. Each knob can send a MIDI Control Change message or pitch bend. Choose your mappings in the browser configuration app and save them on the controller.

Play your voice engine

For a live speech setup, assign five keys to the MIDI notes that trigger your chosen phonemes, allophones or stored phrases. Switch banks to reach another set of five. Map the knobs to supported parameters such as pitch, speed or modulation, then shape the voice as you play. Available sounds and parameters depend on the voice board and firmware installed in Kraftor.

Connect Teletype’s 3.5 mm TRS MIDI output to Kraftor’s Type B MIDI input with a suitable cable, and power both devices by USB. Once your mappings are saved, a computer is not needed for performance.

Five keys, four knobs, your mappings

• 5 hinged keys: assign a MIDI note to each key in each of the four banks.
• 2 bank switches: select one of four banks, for 20 note assignments in total.
• 4 knobs: individually assign MIDI CC or pitch bend.
• USB MIDI and TRS MIDI output: control compatible software or hardware instruments.
• Independent MIDI channels: choose one channel for the keys and another for the knobs, each from 1 to 16. Both groups can also use the same channel.
• Browser configuration: choose your mappings in Chrome or Edge and save them on Teletype.
• USB-C power: in a 3D-printed enclosure, available in seven colours.

The keys send short note triggers. Holding a key does not sustain a note. Teletype is a MIDI controller and produces no sound on its own.

Configure, save, then play

Use the Configure tab in the browser interface to assign notes, knob functions and MIDI channels, then save your settings on Teletype. Saved settings are retained when the power is turned off. After setup, you can close the interface and play without it. For hardware control through TRS MIDI, no computer is needed: power Teletype by USB and connect it to your MIDI instrument.

The optional Monitor view shows incoming MIDI messages and knob values while you play. Reopen the app whenever you want to change your settings or see this feedback.

Beyond Kraftor

Use Teletype with a DAW, sampler or another MIDI instrument that responds to note triggers, CC messages or pitch bend. Match the receiving instrument’s MIDI channel and mappings to the controls you want to use.

Firmware, configuration and documentation

Open the Teletype browser interface in Chrome or Edge to configure your controller or monitor incoming MIDI. Source code, setup instructions and build documentation are available in the TeleTypeController GitHub repository.

Update without compiling

Download Teletype v1.0.1 UF2 firmware, then open the RP2040 browser firmware uploader in Chrome or Edge and follow its steps. No compilation is required. Use the Teletype firmware file for this controller.

If you prefer to build the firmware yourself, follow the instructions in the GitHub repository above.

Choose your colour

Available in red, beige, black, white, blue, green and orange. Select your preferred colour when ordering. The product photos show the blue version.

Weight and dispatch

Product weight: 160 g. Ships from Belgium.

Design credits

The key and hinge geometry was inspired by Adafruit’s USB MIDI Keyset by the Ruiz Brothers and remodelled for Teletype. Teletype is a Polaxis product.

Introducing Kraftor, the newest addition to Polaxis’s lineup, engineered to enhance your speech synthesis projects.

This versatile host system for our voice boards eliminates the need for a Eurorack. It connects seamlessly to your computer, giving you direct access to a world of auditory creation.

Whether generating text-based speech or crafting unique sounds via MIDI or Serial inputs, Kraftor’s flexibility and performance are designed to meet your creative needs.

Specifications:

– CPU: SAMD21 ARM® Cortex®-M0+ running at 48 MHz.
– USB Connectivity: for power, software updates, MIDI control, and serial communication.
– MikroBUS Port: for easy addition of hardware synthesizers.
– Built-in 3-watt amplifier with volume control: Ensures a clear and robust output, making Kraftor ideal for standalone use or as a speaking device to assist the visually impaired.
– MIDI Control: Through TRS (type B) or USB for precise voice and sound modulation.
– Serial Control: Allows for unique ‘talking printer’ capabilities.
– Non-Volatile Storage: 32 KB on-board FRAM (high-speed, permanent memory that allows storing pages of text).
– Channel Settings: Easily adjustable via onboard switches.
– Power: USB powered for convenience and mobility.
– Output Ports: Includes external Speaker 3.5 mm jack (with volume control) and a Line level audio out 6.35 mm Jack.
– PCB Dimensions: 10×6 cm.
– Grove Connector: for further I2C connectivity (OLED, sensors,…). Includes an I2C isolator.

Kraftor’s design prioritizes ease of use and flexibility. It features a straightforward interface with USB connectivity for all functionalities.

While Kraftor includes a built-in amplifier for clear output, the focus is on its flexibility and compatibility with Polaxis voice boards, which are designed to meet the diverse needs of creators and innovators.

Whether used for music production, interactive installations, or educational tools, Kraftor is ready to bring your ideas to life with remarkable accuracy and flexibility.

Rediscover the roots of speech synthesis with Kraftor – your computer’s new voice companion, bridging the legacy of classic speech chips with your contemporary creativity and innovation.

Phonetic engines

(Builds speech by sequencing phonemes via MIDI)

Speakjet

Kraftor SpeakJet MIDI

This firmware lets you trigger the
SpeakJet's allophones and built-in sound effects from MIDI notes, and control volume, pitch, and bend/speed parameters
from MIDI messages.

SPO vox

Kraftor SPO vox MIDI

This firmware drives a SP0256-AL2 allophone chip and accepts control over USB MIDI or the hardware serial MIDI input.

Mea vox

(coming soon ..)

Robotrax emulator

(coming soon ..)

Robovox

Kraftor Robovox MIDI

This firmware allows Kraftor to fully control the Votrax SC02 hosted on Robovox via MIDI.

Text to speech engines

(Normal text is stored in memory and triggered live)

Sino vox

Kraftor SinoVox

Kraftor Sinovox is firmware for
driving a SinoVox speech module. It accepts Pinyin or English text over USB serial and a graphic user interface, stores sentences in RAM or optional I2C FRAM, and recalls them from USB MIDI or TRS MIDI.

SAM emulator

Kraftor SAM Serial MIDI

This is an emulation of the SAM Software Automatic Mouth text-to-speech firmware for Kraftor. It reads typed text over USB Serial, stores phrases in RAM and optional RC256 FRAM, and lets you trigger stored phrases or shape the voice via USB MIDI or the hardware serial MIDI input.

Nexus vox

Nexus Serial Midi for Kraftor

This firmware allows Kraftor to trigger Nexus speech from MIDI. The sentences are edited and stored in Kraftor using a serial terminal software.MIDI notes are used to trigger the sentences.

Vax Vox

VAX USB keyboard reader

Generate speech directly from a compatible USB keyboard. Sentences are typed and edited with the help of the LCD Screen

Vax Serial Midi for Kraftor

This firmware allows Kraftor to trigger VAX speech from MIDI. It is designed to trigger sentences via MIDI notes. The sentences are edited and stored in Kraftor using a serial terminal software.

Media

Use it with Terminal : just plug the USB Nano receiver at the rear of Terminal and remove its vertical shunts.

Use it with EMY : just plug the USB Nano receiver into the USB gender changer and attach it to Emy’s USB connector.

Use it with Kraftor: connect the USB nano receiver to the Y USB cable and use the USB input of the Y cable to power both Kraftor and the keyboard