~ USB MIDI support on ESP32: the ESP32-S3

If you’re considering adding USB MIDI functionality to a music project with an ESP32, it’s crucial to choose the right variant of the chip. The ESP32-S3 is currently the go-to model for USB-related tasks thanks to its native USB capabilities. Unlike other ESP32 models, the S3 can handle USB MIDI directly without the need for additional components, making it an ideal choice for integrating MIDI devices into your setup. For more details on using USB MIDI with the ESP32-S3, check out the ESP32USBMIDI project.

When combined with the ESP32-S3’s built-in WiFi and support for OSC (Open Sound Control) or ESP Now, the platform becomes very versatile for music controllers or applications. A quick tip: after flashing your device in MIDI mode, the serial is not available any more. Flashing the device also becomes impossible. If you need to reflash your device, the process is simple: just hold down the Boot button and press Reset.

Another short tip: for troubleshooting and logging, the mot project provides useful tools for debugging OSC or MIDI messages. The support is currently stil in flux but do not make the mistake I made and do not try to do MIDI with a ESP C3 series.

UGent