Compact B-System Button Accordion MIDI Controller

[nticaric]

Hey everyone,

Over the past couple of months I’ve been tinkering in my workshop on a little side project—a B-system button-accordion-style MIDI controller that I built entirely for my own silent practice and travel needs. After a few prototypes, here’s the result:

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A Bit About How It Works​

• MIDI Outputs: USB-C MID and traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI via a TRS jack adapter
• Layout: 6 rows,4 octaves, B-system button arrangement
• Switches & Buttons: MX style switches topped with genuine Italian accordion buttons for that authentic feel
• Function Key: The top-left button doubles as a “Fn” key—hold it plus any other button to switch MIDI banks or programs on the fly
• Electronics: Custom compact PCB keeps everything slim and portable
• Ideal For: Silent at-home practice, hotel rooms, backstage warm-ups, or any “on-the-go” session
• Battery powered

I’m curious what features or improvements you’d value most—drop your thoughts below! Also do you guys think there would be interest in commercializing this?

 

[Jaoe]

Hello,
First of all well done. Some time ago I was in the market for similar thing and in the end I bought used Roland fr3x.
Things that are important for me:

-Authentic feel of the keyboard - not keyboard action but distance between each button and height of each row. I see that you are from Croatia so the keyboard is flat balkan style but it would be good if you could add a variant with each row on a different level like in standard button accordions.

-I would also like 2nd part with free bass or stradella bass (which I think is more complicated to do). Ideally I would like to have some setup to hold those two vertically to play like an accordion, but this I could figure out on my own so it's not so important.

When it comes to selling this I think you should check how your price is stacking against used older models of Roland accordions.

My other idea is to create something like this:



With the air flow sensor this becomes totally different thing and I think a lot of people would be interested in that.

 

[nticaric]

Hey, thanks for your kind words and for reaching out!

I’ve been focused on making this prototype super compact and lightweight for easy travel and quiet home practice. That’s why I went with a fully flat Balkan layout—keeping every row on the same level helps the case stay slim and light. Also, this is what we play here. I’ve popped in a photo so you can see it next to my Dallape. The angle might make the spacing look bigger, but the buttons are actually 19 mm apart just like on Rolands accordions and little tighter than the Dallapé’s 20 mm.

 

[Jaoe]

I think there should be market for this in the Balkans because I've seen some people play those big chromatic button keyboards such as this:


When I was interested in similar midi controller I found this

PicoDeon

A MIDI chromatic accordion keyboard.

www.picokeebs.fr

For me 220€ was too much for what it was another one was a controller from music tech which was 1250€ and that was about what I would pay for used Roland fr3x so I didn't think much about it. I don't know what your cost is when it comes to materials and labor but if you price it around 200-250€ probably there would be people interested.