Wired MIDI alternative on zero hardware

[dave730308]

Hi all, is there a way to connect a wired midi port to a waveshare zero without the Featherwing Midi pub?

[Builty]

Hi. A few users have been directly connecting without using the normal "optocoupler" (the main part of the Featherwing.)
There are some posts in the discussions threads here.
It's not something that I have personally done or recommend as its against the Midi standards, but the others have been happy with the results.

[dave730308]

Can I wire a midi in circuit with opto at 5v instead Of 3v3?

[Builty]

Hi Dave. The output from the optocoupler into the ESP32 needs to be 3.3v maximum. The microcontroller cannot directly handle a 5v input signal, and may damage it.
You can use 5v for Midi, but you would need to reduce this down to 3.3v for the esp32. This could be done with 2 resistors, forming a voltage divider.

[dave730308]

finally I have done with 3v3 input wiring with a 6n138 and a few components

[pwaugh]

UNSUBSCRIBE Sent from my iPhoneOn May 17, 2025, at 18:35, Builty ***@***.***> wrote: Hi Dave. The output from the optocoupler into the ESP32 needs to be 3.3v maximum. The microcontroller cannot directly handle a 5v input signal, and may damage it. You can use 5v for Midi, but you would need to reduce this down to 3.3v for the esp32. This could be done with 2 resistors, forming a voltage divider. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>