Tag Archives: firmware

TB2 Attack! Out now!

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Yes, while the manual is still a work in progress, you can now download the Attack! drum machine firmware for TB2 here .

Here’s a feature overview:

Here are the vital statistics:
– 6 voices
– 12-bit, 22kHz, stereo playback
– loads wav-files off SD card (NB: samples are truncated to the first 250ms only!)
– individual control per voice over pan, pitch, sample start/end, volume, bit reduction
– assign sample start, pitch, bit reduction and volume to velocity
– save and load kits on SD card
– 32 step sequence
– 8 sequences per bank
– save and load sequences on SD card
– live recording/overdubbing
– set 2 velocity levels per voice (normal and accent)
– supports flams (individual delay and decay settings per voice)
– automate sample start and pitch per voice
– MIDI in/out/sync
– bult-in grain effects

 

MB firmware compatibility with Arduino 1.6.0

Alpha, Bravo, Delta, Multiboard, , , ,

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

Can’t find COM port for Arduino Due

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It seems to be a common issue with the Arduino Due that after uploading firmware perfectly normally for a while, the computer suddenly can’t find the COM port for the Arduino Due anymore. It had me tearing out my hair at the start, but I think I’ve got it figured out.

First off, check which port is available in the Tools/Port drop down menu of the Arduino IDE, and see if it’s selected (on my machine the port sometimes changes). If there’s nothing there, try the following: if you’ve been using the programming port, try plugging the usb cable into the native port (or vice versa). It should pick it up on a different com port. Just remember to select the different board type from the drop down list at Tools/Board – Arduino Due (Programming Port) vs Arduino Due (Native USB Port). And also make sure the port is selected in theTools/Port drop down menu.

Uploading firmware seems to jog the Due’s memory, so once you’ve uploaded the firmware using the different port, you should be able to go back to the port you used before if you prefer. I always use the native port since I don’t need serial communications with the PC and uploading is much faster. The only downside is that you often have to reset the board manually – you can hit the reset switch without removing the board (it’s next to the contrast trimmer for the LCD), so it’s not a big problem.

 

Delta firmware v.122

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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

Delta, ,

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

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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

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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

Coming soon: Groovesizer mk1 kits

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The original Groovesizer mk1 is still getting quite a bit of attention, so I’ve decided to offer it in kit form, too. I wanted to keep it simple and as close to the original as possible, but at the same time I couldn’t resist improving on some of the shortcomings of the first design. I’ve added two shift registers so that now there is an LED for each of the 16 steps – with some pins to spare broken out on an expansion header). I’ve also added a MIDI input alongside the output, so that it can be played as a standalone instrument, or synced to external devices.

Some prototype boards are being fabbed as we speak. It should be a great beginners kit with a low parts count and price. Groovesizer mk1_pcb