Turn your drawing tablet into a MIDI strumming controller

Welcome to Strumboli

Strumboli is a Python application that transforms your drawing tablet into an expressive MIDI strumming controller. Use your tablet's pressure, tilt, and position to create natural, dynamic MIDI performances with chord progressions, strumming patterns, and real-time expression control.

What is Strumboli?

Strumboli reads input from HID-compatible drawing tablets (like XP-Pen, Wacom, etc.) and translates stylus movements into MIDI messages. It's designed for musicians who want to add expressive, guitar-like strumming to their DAW workflows or live performances.

Key Features

• Natural Strumming: Use your tablet's X-axis to strum through chords with pressure-sensitive velocity control
• Expressive Control: Map pressure, tilt, and position to MIDI velocity, pitch bend, and note duration
• Chord Progressions: Built-in chord progression presets spanning major, minor, blues, jazz, rock, and gospel styles
• Tablet Buttons: Configure your tablet's express keys to switch chords, transpose, or toggle effects
• Stylus Buttons: Quick access to common actions with your stylus buttons
• Flexible Configuration: Comprehensive JSON-based configuration system with auto-detection for supported tablets
• Web Dashboard: Optional web interface for real-time monitoring and control

Quick Example

With a simple configuration, your tablet becomes a chord strumming instrument:

{
  "tabletButtons": "c-major-pop",
  "strumming": {
    "initialNotes": ["C4", "E4", "G4"],
    "upperNoteSpread": 3,
    "lowerNoteSpread": 3
  },
  "noteVelocity": {
    "control": "pressure",
    "curve": 4.0
  }
}

Press a tablet button to select a chord from the C Major Pop progression, then strum across your tablet to play notes with pressure-sensitive dynamics.

Getting Started

1. Installation - Set up Strumboli on your system
2. Configuration Overview - Understand the settings structure
3. Tablet Setup - Configure your specific tablet
4. Actions Reference - Learn what your buttons can do
5. Chords & Progressions - Explore the chord system

Who Is This For?

• Electronic musicians wanting expressive MIDI control
• Producers looking for natural strumming patterns
• Live performers needing dynamic, tactile controllers
• Anyone with a drawing tablet curious about alternative uses

System Requirements

• Python 3.7 or higher
• HID-compatible drawing tablet (XP-Pen, Wacom, etc.)
• macOS, Linux, or Windows
• MIDI output capability (built-in or virtual MIDI)

Ready to get started? Head to the Getting Started guide!