Build Your Own MIDI Controller with Tubbutec’s Web App

TL;DR: Tubbutec has launched the Controller Designer web app at Superbooth 2026, letting you build a fully custom hardware MIDI controller with up to 25 faders, 12 pots, 8 buttons, and 20 LEDs. You pick the layout, the colors, the front panel artwork—and the firmware handles everything from MIDI CC to Sysex. Starting around €278,50 + VAT.

• Design your own MIDI controller via Tubbutec’s new web app; choose up to 25 faders with LEDs, 12 pots, 8 buttons, and 20 LEDs.
• Each controller supports up to four layers, meaning 25 faders can control 100 different parameters—great for menu-divey synths.
• Full MIDI support: MIDI CC, Sysex, custom value ranges, and even USB-to-TRS MIDI routing.
• Custom full-color FR4 front panel gives each controller a unique identity; powder-coated metal case measures 4 x 11.5 x 1.8 cm.
• Pricing starts at €278,50 + VAT, and controllers ship with DIN adapters and USB-C for power and data.

Reading time: 4 min

Want more synth news before your next coffee break? Join the Noxal newsletter — no spam, just gear worth knowing about.

Tubbutec gives you the drawing board

We at Noxal have a soft spot for anyone who looks at a sea of generic MIDI controllers and says, “No, I want my fader to do my thing.” Tubbutec, the German developer known for their synth mods and dedicated controllers for the MC-202, MonoPoly, and friends, has decided that the customer should be the designer. Ahead of Superbooth 2026, they’ve launched the Controller Designer web application—a tool that lets you spec out a custom hardware MIDI controller from scratch.

It’s not a new idea, but the execution is refreshingly direct. You go to the site, pick your control elements, arrange them, and order a physical box that shows up at your door. No crowdfunding, no “someday.” Just a custom front panel and a pile of knobs that do exactly what you tell them to.

I can already hear the grumbling: “But I can just map a generic controller in my DAW.” Sure, you can. But you can’t make that controller look like a miniature version of your synth’s front panel, with custom colors and a full-color printed faceplate. And you definitely can’t give it four layers of Sysex-slinging madness without a lot of scripting. Tubbutec is selling convenience and personality—and for some of us, that’s worth €278.

What you can actually build

The controller is based on Tubbutec’s existing Synth Mods form factor, so the physical dimensions are fixed. That means you’re not getting a giant mixing board or a tiny keytar. What you are getting is a compact box (4 x 11.5 x 1.8 cm) made of powder-coated sheet metal, with room for up to 25 faders with LEDs, 12 pots with various knob options, 8 buttons with color choices, and up to 20 LEDs.

That’s a lot of control in a small package. The layout is fully adjustable, so you can group parameters the way your brain works—not the way a manufacturer guessed. Tubbutec has already shown examples, including a Dreadbox Nymphes controller that makes me want to dust off my own Nymphes and give it the love it deserves.

The front panel is a custom full-color printed FR4 board. That means you can slap your own graphics, labels, or even a tiny photo of your cat on it. It’s a nice touch for a synth nerd who wants their studio to look like a control room, not a beige cubicle.

Software and MIDI smarts

Here’s where Tubbutec’s experience with synth mods pays off. The Controller Designer software lets you assign specific behaviors to each control element right out of the box. LEDs can change color based on parameter values, faders can send any MIDI CC or Sysex message, and buttons can toggle, latch, or momentary. The value range of each fader or pot is freely definable, so you can map a full 0-127 sweep or a narrow 12-step range for filter cutoff.

The controller supports up to four layers. That means 25 faders can control up to 100 different parameters. For a synth like the Novation Peak or the Dreadbox Nymphes—both of which hide a lot of modulation options behind menus—this is a game-changer. You get instant tactile access to the stuff that matters, without scrolling through pages of LCD menus.

And it’s not just MIDI CC. The controller can send Sysex, note data, and just about anything else you can dream up. Tubbutec has baked in a MIDI router that handles USB, DIN, and controller data simultaneously, so you can use it as a USB-to-TRS MIDI interface if you want. That’s a surprising amount of flexibility for a box that fits in your palm.

Connections and build quality

Connections are on the right side: MIDI input and output via TRS-A, with DIN adapters included in the box. There’s also a USB-C port that provides both MIDI connectivity and power (5V). If you’re using it purely with traditional MIDI, you’ll need a separate power source, but USB-C covers most modern setups.

The case is powder-coated sheet metal—nothing fancy, but it’ll survive a drop or two. The overall design is compact and utilitarian, which is what you want in a controller that lives on a crowded desk. It’s not going to win any beauty contests, but the custom front panel gives you room to make it your own.

We at Noxal appreciate that Tubbutec didn’t skimp on the basics. The controller works as a standalone MIDI router, which means you can chain it with other gear without needing a separate MIDI thru box. That’s a small feature, but it’s the kind of detail that shows the developer has spent time in a real studio.

The bottom line: who needs this?

The Tubbutec Custom MIDI Controller isn’t for everyone. If you’re happy with a generic 8-knob controller and a DAW template, you’re probably not the target. But if you have a synth that you love but hate diving into menus to tweak, this is a lifeline. It’s also perfect for modular users who want a dedicated control surface for a specific voice or effect.

Pricing starts at around €278,50 + VAT. That’s not cheap for a MIDI controller, but it’s competitive when you consider the custom front panel, the four-layer architecture, and the fact that it’s built to your exact specifications. Tubbutec has essentially created a boutique service for the rest of us.

I’m already planning a controller for my old MatrixBrute—the one synth that has more menu pages than a Russian nesting doll. If Tubbutec can save me from scrolling through “Mod Matrix Page 4” ever again, I’ll consider it money well spent.

I’m going to need a second coffee just to decide which synth gets the custom treatment first. Maybe I’ll design a controller that has a button labelled “Make Coffee” — and it’ll just send a Sysex message to my kettle. Priorities.