Given the delays in the delivery of the modules and the MIDIpal cases, I got some time this week to empty my TODO list for the MIDIpal firmware.
- A new app called ‘settings’ allows some global system settings to be defined, such as 0xFE message handling (let them go or filter them), app selection menu encoder hold time, and more goodies (see below).
- The MIDIpal can now be edited using CC messages. CC #80 changes the first parameter, CC# 81 the second parameter and so on. The whole CC range (0 to 127) is mapped to the range of each parameter. The ‘remote control’ channel is defined in the settings app (setting called “ccc” for “cc channel”), and can be of course disabled - when the channel is set to 0.
- The length of the arpeggiator rhythmic pattern can be altered - this allows many new crazy irregular rhythms!
- The CC LFO app can now send pitch bend messages. Wowowowow. To do so, select CC# 127 - a modulated pitch-bend message will be sent instead of a CC# 127.
- The clock divider app now has a built-in clock delay function. For example, when the delay is set to 6; the transmission of the START message and of the subsequent clock ticks is delayed by 6 clock ticks. This can be used to create interesting time-shifting effects between two drum machines or sequencers.
- The MIDIpal can now be clocked by using note messages on a user-selectable channel. See details below.
More about the “Notes as clocks” thing:
- Go to the settings app and select the MIDI channel (setting called “clc” for “clock channel”) from which note messages will be interpreted as clock messages.
- Select the clock resolution: by how many ticks each note will move the clock forward.
- Go back to the application you want to control with note messages (sequencer, arpeggiator…).
- Select the ‘ext’ clock source.
- Repeatedly play a note on the selected channel to start and advance the clock.
- Play any other note on the selected channel to stop and reset the clock.
This feature allows the flow of the arpeggiator/sequencer to be controlled by another sequencer or drum machine (in the spirit of this).
Observations:
- Very fresh - it hasn’t been thoroughly tested.
- This firmware won’t be installed by default in the units sold on the shop for the next 2 months.
- When it’s ready, donations will be appreciated.
- It is very likely that I’ll have to let go the “ear training” app - at the moment the firmware can’t compile with this app included because of the added features; and I’d have to save ~250 bytes to make it work!
