This is a sneak preview of the upcoming MIDIbox SEQ V4 Lite, a new project which I’m developing together with Christian aka. CD
Picture of the prototype (built by Christian):
We are planning to create a PCB for the button/LED matrix, and a Ponoko-like case!
Feature list:
minimalized user interface without LCD. Buttons and LEDs are directly connected to the MBHP_CORE_LPC17 module (no DIN/DOUT modules required)
64 LEDs and 48 buttons
reduced feature set, optimized for live/step recording -> MIDI Looper
each function has a dedicated button
only two sequences are available, you can alternate between these sequences, or play both together.
it’s also possible to enter a new sequence while another sequence is playing
sequences have to be entered with an external keyboard in realtime or with the step recording function
a sequence consists of up to 64 steps for notes - up to 16 note/velocity/length values can be stored per step (16 note polyphony)
CCs and Pitchbender are recorded as well with 4x step resolution (64th)
sequence length can be set from 1..64 steps (also uneven lengths are supported)
note transpose via keyboard
layers are auto assigned on incoming CCs, up to 19 CCs layers can be recorded into a sequence
MIDI events are sent via MIDI, USB, OSC (ethernet) and optionally also via CV (AOUT/AOUT_LC/AOUT_NG)
MIDI clock as Master or Slave; Tap Tempo function
Copy/Paste/Clear/Undo function
sequences can be stored/restored on/from SD Card
Sounds like a simple sequencer project, but now the special gimmicks which are possible thanks to the mighty MBSEQ V4 engine which is running in background.
On the recorded sequence, following effects can be applied:
It will be the ultimate live-tool. Think about it: 1 SEQ for 1 Synth. Editing is easier tham a 101 Sequencer and way more flexible and versatile. The aim is to keep it simple and to be able to generate cool patterns and alternations of patterns within just a few seconds (and less) without having to dive deep into menues …
Anybody here who thinks like me? Any suggestions …
I’m only planning a LPC17 release, but with some adaptions it should run on a STM32 as well.
Since J10 (the 8-bit IO port) isn’t available on the STM32, the button matrix would have to be connected to different pins which are not used anywhere else.
Or shift registers could be used, connected to J8/9
Let me suggest a perhaps difficult but incredibly useful feature:
Imagine being able to instantly load and play stored sequences from the SD card (or maybe cached in memory) simply by sending a midi note.
This would allow you to trigger various sequences on the fly using half of a midi keyboard. They could either latch, play once or play only for the duration that the note is held.
Let me suggest a perhaps difficult but incredibly useful feature:
Imagine being able to instantly load and play stored sequences from the SD card (or maybe cached in memory) simply by sending a midi note.
This would allow you to trigger various sequences on the fly using half of a midi keyboard. They could either latch, play once or play only for the duration that the note is held.
This isn’t difficult to implement since this function is already available -> Load button.
Currently the pattern can only be changed with the GP buttons (left half: select A..H, right half: select 1..8 -> makes 64 patterns) or with a MIDI keyboard if you press the free definable remote key + GP key.
I don’t think that an additional MIDI control capability is required, since the current solution is already very intuitive - e.g. with the remote function you can also enable/disable recording or Fx features from your MIDI keyboard.
Best Regards, Thorsten.
P.S.: this reminds me that everybody who built the MBHP_CORE_LPC17 module could try out MBSEQV4L without additional hardware by just controlling it from a MIDI keyboard
I love it!