Category Archives: Delta

MB firmware compatibility with Arduino 1.6.0

I’ve discovered to my shock that the type definition “prog_uchar” that I’ve been using to place data in SRAM has been deprecated in the latest version of the IDE (Arduino 1.6.0). It means that most of the firmware for the MB won’t compile in the latest IDE!

While I update the code, the work-around is to not use Arduino 1.6.0, but instead to use the version before – Arduino 1.0.6.  I’m working on a fix as we speak.

UPDATE

Done! 2015-03-13

And the latest IDE versio is no 1.6.1

Delta firmware v.122

Hot on the heels of v.120, here’s v.122 with the following changes:

  • fixed an issue where no ties were not created with random pattern creation if the note density was set to full
  • not as many accents are created with random pattern creation
  • optimized some functions to save space
  • on the Preferences Page, ThruOn now has three settings: 0 = off, 1 = full, 2 = partial (no note data is echoed, but things like clock, stop & start are)

Delta firmware v.120

Here’s another update to the Delta firmware. It features a number of bug-fixes for using the Delta when slaved to MIDI clock, and also updates the code to use V4.0 of the MIDI Library. The complete list of fixes are as follows:

  • code now uses MIDI Library V4.0
  • accent levels no longer static when sending MIDI notes out, but adjustable with  Pot 2 in Pot-Shift Mode
  • Start/Stop enabled whilst receiving MIDI clock (F1 in Edit Mode)
  • Clear All enabled whilst receiving MIDI clock( hold Shift L and press Shift R)
  • adjusting note duration is now enabled for MIDI notes whilst receiving MIDI clock
  • sending automation is enabled whilst receiving MIDI clock
  • Play Mode is reset to Forward after Clear All
  • accents are cleared on Clear All
  • automation persists when using random pattern generators

Delta firmware v.115

I’ve uploaded an update to the Delta firmware. The current version (v.115) is available here.

New features are Play Modes (toggle between them with F1 in Pattern Mode)

  1. Forward – from step 1 to 16 and jump back to 1.
  2. Reverse – from step 16 to 1 and jump back to 16.
  3. Pendulum – from step 1 to 16, and down again from 16 to 1.
  4. Random interval – play, for example, every  3rd step (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 3, 6, etc) until step 1 is reached again, then choose a new interval (between 1 and 16).
  5. Drunk – decide at random whether the next step will be the one after or the one before this one.
  6. Random – the next step will be randomly chosen (from 1 to 16)

The transpose via MIDI feature has been greatly improved. The current pattern can be transposed by sending notes from an attached MIDI keyboard or from sequencing software (Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, etc.). Unlike in v.112, transposition is now centered around C3 – so, to transpose up by a semitone, press C#3 on the keyboard. To transpose down by an octave, press C2. To return to the original key, press C3 again.

The Delta no longer responds to MIDI messages on any MIDI channel, but only to the channel selected in the preferences for Note Out (whether Note Out is currently turned on or not). I’ve also replaced the Note Entry preference  (F4 on the preferences page) with the more useful Thru On option, so you can now turn MIDI Thru on and off.

For further bug fixes, please see this forum post.

Delta V111 Demo

Here’s a demo of the Delta V111 firmware.

Drums are from Cakewalk Sonar and a touch of reverb, delay, and stereo chorus have been added.

With the exception of a couple of hitches, it was pretty straightforward to replace the DAC-based sound engine of the Groovesizer Alpha with the PWM-based granular one of Peter Knight’s Auduino. It positively drips with character and squelchy goodness. All the sequencer features of the Alpha firmware have been retained. These include:
– 32 step sequencer
– step ties, rests, and slides
– MIDI sync (in and out)
– 112 save locations for patterns
– saved patterns are chainable
– record movements of pot 1 with the option to send recorded automation out as MIDI cc data
– random pattern creation (chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic)
– accents