1. What is DART_MOBO?

DART_MOBO is a complete MIDI controller development system based on Arduino. You can start with almost no coding, using only the online DART Editor, then gradually move to custom hardware, our dedicated PCB, more powerful boards, and advanced firmware customization.

2. Do I need programming skills?

No. Most common controller configurations can be created directly with the DART Editor, without writing a single line of code. Programming becomes useful only for advanced custom features.

3. Can I use it with Traktor?

Yes. DART works with Traktor and virtually any MIDI-capable DJ software. The system was heavily optimized for DJ performance, including touch-sensitive spinners that behave like real jog wheels and offer many additional creative possibilities.

4. Is it a ready-made controller or an electronic board?

Both. We offer several ready-made controllers (DART, Stratos, Korova and ONE), DIY kits, custom projects, and the DART_MOBO PCB itself. You can start from a finished product or build your own controller from scratch.

5. Can I build a custom controller?

Absolutely. The software, firmware and editor can be used freely to create DIY controllers with inexpensive and widely available components. Basic knowledge of MIDI and Arduino is recommended, and both topics are extensively documented online.

6. How do I configure the controller?

All our controllers come with a practical default configuration, but every parameter can be customized through the DART Editor. The editor includes multilingual dynamic hints that guide users through both simple and advanced configurations.

7. Can I save multiple configurations?

Yes. DART controllers use a dual-page system. Think of it as having two synchronized controller layouts that remain aware of the software state at all times. In addition, the editor allows you to create and store unlimited preset files.

8. How do I update the firmware?

Through the Arduino ecosystem. The firmware can be uploaded using the Arduino IDE, one of the most popular and accessible open-source development environments available today.

9. Can I use buttons, potentiometers and encoders together?

Yes. DART supports buttons, potentiometers, encoders, touch sensors, distance sensors, piezo sensors, force sensing resistors and many other input devices.

10. How many controls can I connect?

The standard system supports up to 48 controls. With our “Extraplex” expansion, this can be extended to 56 controls, providing more than enough inputs for most MIDI controller projects.

11. Can I write custom code?

Yes. The firmware includes dedicated User Items that allow your controller configuration to call custom code sections. Several examples are already included, making it easy to create personalized functions without starting from scratch.

12. Is the project open source?

The core DART Sketch is publicly available and includes everything needed for most DIY controller projects. Additional advanced features used in newer products will be released progressively. The DART Editor is free to use, although not all of its source code is currently distributed.

13. Where can I find the documentation?

Documentation is available on GitHub, on the DART website, and directly inside the firmware source code. The file d_guides.ino contains extensive explanations of the system, while the editor itself provides contextual documentation through its dynamic hint system.

14. What if I need a special feature?

Get in touch with us. The best way is through the official contact address on dartmobo.com. We are always interested in discussing new ideas, custom functions and unusual controller projects.

15. Is DARTMOBO a modular system?

Yes, but we no longer sell the PCB modules separately.

We found that fully modular DIY systems often require builders to assemble, wire and debug the modules themselves before they can even start building a controller. To reduce complexity, our modules are supplied pre-connected and tested as part of complete kits.

16. Are you a company?

DART was born in 2014 inside the Hackspace Catania community as a collaborative project between makers, musicians and developers.

Our goal has always been simple: build the MIDI controllers we wanted to use ourselves, focusing on reliability, customization and long-term evolution rather than mass production.

Today we still operate as a small independent workshop, developing hardware, firmware and software directly. In the future, if the project continues to grow, we may move under a more structured company framework. For now, we prefer to keep the spirit of a laboratory: experimenting, building and improving our tools every day.

17. Do you offer a warranty?

Yes. All our controllers include a one-year warranty.

Because we work directly with our users, support is usually fast and personal. Many issues can be solved remotely through email, whether they involve firmware, configuration or simple hardware adjustments.

If a problem cannot be resolved remotely, we will repair or replace the unit at no cost during the warranty period.

18. How fast is shipping?

We are not a large-scale retailer, and we do not try to compete with next-day delivery services.

Each controller is assembled, tested and shipped directly by us. Typical delivery times are about one week within Europe and up to two weeks for most international destinations.

Custom projects require additional development and testing time. In some cases, delivery may take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the build.