The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →AmeNote ProtoZOA is a developer board for building and validating MIDI 2.0 devices—not a finished consumer instrument. Its Raspberry Pi Pico-based hardware lets you exercise USB MIDI 2.0 class-compliant behavior, MIDI-CI discovery, Universal MIDI Packets (UMP), MIDI 1.0/2.0 translation, and hardware expansions while working with AmeNote’s MIDI 2.0 Workbench.
What ProtoZOA is designed to do
AmeNote calls ProtoZOA an “Industry Standard MIDI 2.0 Prototyping Tool.” The practical purpose is to shorten the path from a protocol idea to a device you can connect, inspect, debug and revise. It is aimed at firmware developers, operating-system and driver engineers, and hardware teams exploring MIDI 2.0 interoperability.
The board is intended for experimentation and validation. The published material does not establish independent performance benchmarks, adoption figures or measured development-time savings, so ProtoZOA should not be treated as a proven ranking winner or a substitute for testing your own implementation.
How the dual-Pico design is arranged
Main ProtoZOA processor
A Raspberry Pi Pico serves as the main processor. AmeNote describes the Pico as providing processing, power regulation and USB-C connectivity, while the ProtoZOA base PCB supplies the MIDI and expansion interfaces. A custom PCB adds knobs, buttons and LEDs that can generate UMP messages, including notes and 32-bit controller values.
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- The Raspberry Pi Pico is a beginner-friendly microcontroller board that uses MicroPython to give you a taste of the Internet of Things and microcontrollers. The RP2040 is a well-designed microprocessor that can be utilized in almost any Internet of Things project. It has enough power to complete the task quickly.
- 【Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller】Raspberry Pi Pico features Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. With 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.Supports up to 16 MB of off chip flash memory via a dedicated QSPI bus
- 【Multiple Software Support】Pico has rich and complete software support, it comes with a complete Rasberry Pi official C/C++ SDK, Micropython SDK.The programming and burning of Pico need to be carried out on the computer. Supported operating systems and computers include:Raspberry Pie with Raspberry Pi OS,Other platforms equipped with Debian based Linux system Computer with MacOS, Computers with Windows, etc.
- 【Rich Hardware Interface】Raspberry Pi Pico has 30 GPIO pins, 4 pins for analog signal input and 26 × multi-function GPIO pins, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.USB 1.1 supported by host and device, The installation mode can be flexibly selected by users to facilitate welding with other development boards.
- 【Build Project in Tiny Size】Only 2.1cm*5.1cm ( as small as your thumb). Pico has been designed to use either soldered 0.1" pin-headers or can be used as a surface-mountable 'module'.
PicoProbe debugging
The original announcement describes a second Pico used as a PicoProbe-based debugging tool. That arrangement gives a developer an integrated way to program and inspect the main board rather than adding a separate general-purpose debugger. The current product page should be treated as the authority for what is included in a specific purchase.
For historical context, see Gareth Halfacree’s Hackster.io description of the dual Raspberry Pi Pico ProtoZOA. Its announcement-era pricing and access terms are not current product terms.
Rank #2
- Raspberry Pi Pico: A tiny, fast, and versatile board built using dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor (Comes with pinout card and stickers)
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
- Easy to Use: Just connect the board to your computer (installed IDE) with the USB cable to program it
- Get Support: Our technical support team is always ready to answer your questions
MIDI 2.0 functions you can exercise
| Capability | What it enables in a prototype |
|---|---|
| MIDI-CI discovery | Discover compatible devices and begin MIDI Capability Inquiry exchanges for protocol negotiation. |
| USB MIDI 2.0 | Operate as a class-compliant USB MIDI 2.0 device for host, driver and application testing. |
| Universal MIDI Packets | Generate and inspect UMP data, including message types such as notes and 32-bit controllers. |
| MIDI 1.0/2.0 translation | Test conversion between legacy MIDI 1.0 messages and MIDI 2.0 data. |
| MIDI 1.0 ports | Connect conventional MIDI 1.0 input and output hardware to a newer MIDI 2.0 test setup. |
| UMP endpoint and Function Blocks | Develop source-code features for describing and exposing MIDI 2.0 endpoints and Function Blocks. |
These functions make ProtoZOA useful when the question is “does this negotiation, packet or translation path work?” They do not by themselves guarantee that a finished product will behave correctly across every operating system, host application or third-party MIDI device.
Integration with MIDI 2.0 Workbench
AmeNote says ProtoZOA integrates closely with its MIDI 2.0 Workbench software. The board can therefore serve as the physical endpoint while Workbench supplies a software environment for sending, observing and exercising MIDI 2.0 behavior. Confirm the current Workbench operating-system requirements and supported release when planning a project; the product page does not establish a universal OS matrix in the information reviewed here.
Rank #3
- Latest Version: Higher core clock speed, double memory, more powerful Arm cores, optional RISC-V cores (compared to the 1 series) (This W version has onboard wireless LAN and Bluetooth)
- Switchable Cores: Allows users to choose between dual industry-standard Arm Cortex-M33 cores and dual open-hardware Hazard3 cores
- Compatibility: Delivers a significant performance boost, while retaining software- and hardware-compatible with the 1 series
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
Firmware and source-code model
The firmware builds on tinyUSB and AmeNote’s Raspberry Pico OS abstraction layer. AmeNote also describes open-source firmware and says developers can use USB MIDI 2.0, MIDI-CI, MIDI 1.0/2.0 translation, UMP, UMP Endpoint, Function Blocks and Ethernet-expansion source code under a no-charge permissive license.
The page reviewed does not reproduce the exact license text. Before shipping a product or redistributing modified code, inspect the current repository and confirm the applicable license and notices rather than assuming that every component has identical terms.
Rank #4
- This breakout board is specially made for Raspberry Pi Pico, with additional pin headers, which are fully compatible with the board
- The product needs to be soldered by itself, and the pico can be inserted after successful welding
- The breakout board is gold-plated on both sides and holes are plated, and the material of the PCB board is excellent
- The breakout board is equipped with Raspberry Pi pico, which is convenient for users to develop and integrate flexibly
- Note: The package does not include Raspberry Pi pico. This product needs to be soldered and assembled by yourself
Expansion interfaces and optional hardware
ProtoZOA exposes SPI and UART connections for custom hardware. AmeNote names several optional expansions:
- Waveshare Pico-LCD-1.14: a small display module for status or experiment feedback.
- CME WIDI Core: an option for adding wireless MIDI-related connectivity.
- AmeNote Ethernet expansion: intended for UMP over IP.
- Analog Devices A2B network evaluation board: for experimenting with A2B-based networked audio and control arrangements.
These are options, not features that should be assumed to be included with every standard board. Check the purchase configuration, connector requirements and software compatibility before selecting an expansion.
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- RPi Pico 2 W Microcontroller Board (pre-soldered header (color-coded)), Based on Official RP2350 Chip, Dual-core & Dual-architecture Design. Upgraded hardware from Pico 2 with wireless communication, onboard antenna, features 2.4GHz 802.11n WIFI and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Adopts unique dual-core and dual-architecture design: dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor and dual-core Hazard3 RISC-V processor, flexible clock running up to 150 MHz.
- Onboard Infineon CYW43439 wireless chip, supports WIFI 4 wireless and Bluetooth 5.2.
- 520KB of SRAM, and 4MB of on-board Flash memory.
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards. USB 1.1 with device and host support. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
What comes with the current purchase
AmeNote’s product page currently lists standard ProtoZOA hardware at $320, accessed September 28, 2026. The page directs prospective buyers to contact the company, and prices or availability can change. Use the current AmeNote ProtoZOA page to confirm the quote and included hardware.
The Hackster announcement reported free access for MIDI Association/AMEI members and $250 for additional boards at that time, alongside a planned public release in late 2022. Those were announcement-period terms and should not be used to estimate today’s cost or availability.
Who should consider ProtoZOA
Good fit
- Teams implementing USB MIDI 2.0 class-compliant devices or host software.
- Developers who need to explore MIDI-CI discovery and capability negotiation.
- Engineers validating UMP generation, Function Blocks or MIDI 1.0/2.0 translation.
- Researchers and makers who need physical buttons, knobs, LEDs and debugger access while iterating on firmware.
- Projects that may later add wireless, Ethernet, SPI, UART or A2B-connected hardware.
Less suitable
- Musicians looking for a ready-to-play MIDI controller or synthesizer.
- Buyers expecting a complete wireless or Ethernet product in the base package.
- Teams that need independently published benchmarks, support guarantees or broad compatibility certification before doing their own tests.
A practical evaluation checklist
- Define the behavior you need to test: USB enumeration, MIDI-CI discovery, UMP messages, translation, Function Blocks or a combination.
- Confirm that your host computer, operating system and MIDI 2.0 Workbench version support the workflow you intend to use.
- Ask AmeNote what the $320 standard configuration includes, especially the second Pico/PicoProbe arrangement and any cables or accessories.
- Choose expansions only after checking electrical interfaces, connector fit and firmware support.
- Review the current source repository and license text before incorporating code into a commercial product.
- Test against the actual target hosts and legacy MIDI 1.0 devices; a successful ProtoZOA experiment is evidence about your implementation, not a universal compatibility guarantee.
How to compare it with another development path
If you are deciding between ProtoZOA and a different MIDI development setup, compare the parts that affect engineering work rather than judging by board size alone:
| Comparison axis | Question to answer |
|---|---|
| USB MIDI 2.0 | Is class-compliant MIDI 2.0 operation available, and can you inspect host enumeration and traffic? |
| MIDI-CI | Can the platform perform discovery and protocol negotiation? |
| UMP and translation | Can it generate UMP data and translate MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 messages? |
| Software support | Which Workbench tools, operating systems and host applications are supported? |
| Debugging | Do you get PicoProbe or equivalent hardware and source-level access? |
| Expansion | Are SPI, UART, wireless, Ethernet or A2B options available for your design? |
| License | Can you reuse and modify the supplied source under terms acceptable to your project? |
| Total cost | What is the current board price plus required host hardware, cables and expansions? |
The available sources do not identify a named competing product or provide a controlled side-by-side test, so no objective performance ranking can be claimed.
Bottom line for developers
ProtoZOA is best understood as a hands-on MIDI 2.0 lab endpoint: a Pico-based board, integrated debugging approach and open firmware aimed at exercising the protocol features that are difficult to validate with software alone. At the current listed price of $320, it makes the most sense when MIDI-CI, USB MIDI 2.0, UMP or 1.0/2.0 interoperability is central to a real development project. Treat optional expansions, license details, availability and compatibility as items to verify with AmeNote before ordering.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
