PyxelWidgets: Graphical user interface framework design for musical grid controllers

In this thesis, in order to add new control parameters to musical grid controllers, graphical user interface framework, called as PyxelWidgets, is developed by using Python programming language. MIDI 1.0 protocol is used to communicate hardwares or softwares that are supported by PyxelWidgets, since musical grid controllers communicate with MIDI. First, it is examined to find which control parameters can be added to musical grid controllers.To achieve this aim, controllers are grouped into two categories named as control elements and performance elements. Then it is analyzed to determine how to express these elements. Similarly, musical grid controllers are analyzed to find how they get color information and how to transmit user inputs. After that, PyxelWidgets is developed using the results obtained by analysis of the musical grid controllers. In fact, PyxelWidgets is designed such a way that it can be used with all kinds of musical grid controllers. To check PyxelWidgets performance, it is tested in two models of musical grid controllers, Akai APC40 MK2 and Novation Launchpad MK3, and seen that all kinds of new controllers added work successfully. Moreover, by means of the architecture of PyxelWidgets, it can be adapted to new musical grid controllers that will emerge in the future. To improve user-friendliness, window manager is developed to use more than one windows or musical grid controllers. Through properties and structure of the PyxelWidgets, musical grid controllers capacity improves and users get more ability to control their hardwares or softwares, which are used in sound design and production. As a result of these improvements, musicians, sound engineers, and sound designers can more easily use their equipment that can be used with musical grid controllers. Furthermore, they have more time while production due to faster processing. Moreover, due to the increase in the capacities of the musical grid controllers, the possibility of a decrease in the need for equipment diversity arises. Keywords Musical Grid Controllers, MIDI, Graphical User Interface Framework, Object Oriented Programing, Python