Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

MIDI issues

2014-09-05 by bob@...

Hi

I'm trying to integrate a Chroma polaris into a MIDI set up, and am having some problems.

What I need is for the keyboard/controllers to route to MIDI out, and the MIDI IN routed to the sound engine.

Basically I want it to behave like a more modern keyboard in LOCAL OFF.

The manual is not the clearest thing I've come across when it's describing the function of the MIDI interface switch assignments.

I'm not bothered with the link assignments, or the sequencer assignments. In fact they should be off.

I either get double triggering once on Note on, and again on Note off, or I get a MIDI loop with freezes the entire machine up.

MIDI out is feeding a Unitor 8 connected to a Mac running Logic (MIDI monitor enabled), MIDI in coming from same UNitor 8.

Polaris needs to be able to be triggered via computer MIDI playback.

Any pointers most appreciated.

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-07 by David Clarke

> What I need is for the keyboard/controllers to route to MIDI out,
> and the MIDI IN routed to the sound engine.
> Basically I want it to behave like a more modern keyboard in LOCAL
> OFF.
>
> The manual is not the clearest thing I've come across when it's
> describing the function of the MIDI interface switch assignments.

For what you describe, it appears that you effectively want to turn
'local control' of the Polaris off.

Assuming your 'MIDI out' and 'MIDI in' are otherwise OK and you just
want to essentially turn 'local off'.

The main area of interest will be the settings achieved from "Lower
Function, Interface". Specifically, turn off:

Lower Function, Interface, 1 (Main Local control)
Lower Function, Interface, 2 (Link Local control)
Lower Function, Interface, 3 (Sequencer Local control)

David Clarke

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-07 by Bob Stewart

Hi David

Pretty sure I had that setting, and it wasn't working. I'll check it again tomorrow if I get a chance.

That's all three LEDs off ya? 1,2, and 3

What about the status of the others... 4-12? Just in case they have a bearing on the overall function.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

On Sunday, September 7, 2014, 'David Clarke' ac151@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> What I need is for the keyboard/controllers to route to MIDI out,
> and the MIDI IN routed to the sound engine.
> Basically I want it to behave like a more modern keyboard in LOCAL
> OFF.
>
> The manual is not the clearest thing I've come across when it's
> describing the function of the MIDI interface switch assignments.

For what you describe, it appears that you effectively want to turn
'local control' of the Polaris off.

Assuming your 'MIDI out' and 'MIDI in' are otherwise OK and you just
want to essentially turn 'local off'.

The main area of interest will be the settings achieved from "Lower
Function, Interface". Specifically, turn off:

Lower Function, Interface, 1 (Main Local control)
Lower Function, Interface, 2 (Link Local control)
Lower Function, Interface, 3 (Sequencer Local control)

David Clarke

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-07 by David Clarke

> That's all three LEDs off ya? 1,2, and 3

Yes, correct. These control whether the local controls (keyboard,
sequencer, etc.) will/won't send data to the internal sound generators
in the Polaris. So - if you turn those off, hitting the keys won't
trigger the Polaris to sound. You can test that without any MIDI
attached, just to confirm you're seeing the expected behaviour (e.g.,
lights on, keys make sounds - lights off, keys don't make sounds).

If you're not using the Chroma interface (you're probably not) then
settings 4-6 don't matter.

Settings 7-12 controls how the system handles MIDI In/Out.

So - for what you describe (and for simplicity of the other settings)
I'd expected:

LF - Interface: 1-6: off, 7-12: on

There are other settings that can also come into play - but those will
only adjust what 'sort' of MIDI data is sent (and on what channel,
etc.) - so I'd first look to confirm you can get the keyboard to not
trigger the local Polaris - and then go from there. (E.g., quantify
exactly what is/isn't being seen vs. what is expected/desired).

Let us know how you make out.

David Clarke

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-08 by Bob Stewart

Hi Dave

OK thanks. I'll give it a go.

Thanks for your help :-)

Bob

On Sunday, September 7, 2014, 'David Clarke' ac151@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> That's all three LEDs off ya? 1,2, and 3

Yes, correct. These control whether the local controls (keyboard,
sequencer, etc.) will/won't send data to the internal sound generators
in the Polaris. So - if you turn those off, hitting the keys won't
trigger the Polaris to sound. You can test that without any MIDI
attached, just to confirm you're seeing the expected behaviour (e.g.,
lights on, keys make sounds - lights off, keys don't make sounds).

If you're not using the Chroma interface (you're probably not) then
settings 4-6 don't matter.

Settings 7-12 controls how the system handles MIDI In/Out.

So - for what you describe (and for simplicity of the other settings)
I'd expected:

LF - Interface: 1-6: off, 7-12: on

There are other settings that can also come into play - but those will
only adjust what 'sort' of MIDI data is sent (and on what channel,
etc.) - so I'd first look to confirm you can get the keyboard to not
trigger the local Polaris - and then go from there. (E.g., quantify
exactly what is/isn't being seen vs. what is expected/desired).

Let us know how you make out.

David Clarke

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Robert Stewart

OK...

Had a chance to have a quick look at the Polaris, while the client was having his lunch.

Yes I can turn the immediate local control on, and off.

However, with 1-6 off, and 7-12 on, I'm still getting either double triggering (On Note On, and again on Note Off), or the note holding and not releasing (seems to depend on what patch I'm on.

Also I loose all editing/patch change control from the keyboard.

The client purchased the Polaris via Ebay, and it's going to need some work doing on it.
It's currently in his studio, but I'll be able to delve into it in more detail towards the end of the week with any luck.

Pretty sure this is all down to various settings.

B

On 07/09/2014 23:39, 'David Clarke' ac151@... [chromapolaris] wrote:

> That's all three LEDs off ya? 1,2, and 3

Yes, correct. These control whether the local controls (keyboard,
sequencer, etc.) will/won't send data to the internal sound generators
in the Polaris. So - if you turn those off, hitting the keys won't
trigger the Polaris to sound. You can test that without any MIDI
attached, just to confirm you're seeing the expected behaviour (e.g.,
lights on, keys make sounds - lights off, keys don't make sounds).

If you're not using the Chroma interface (you're probably not) then
settings 4-6 don't matter.

Settings 7-12 controls how the system handles MIDI In/Out.

So - for what you describe (and for simplicity of the other settings)
I'd expected:

LF - Interface: 1-6: off, 7-12: on

There are other settings that can also come into play - but those will
only adjust what 'sort' of MIDI data is sent (and on what channel,
etc.) - so I'd first look to confirm you can get the keyboard to not
trigger the local Polaris - and then go from there. (E.g., quantify
exactly what is/isn't being seen vs. what is expected/desired).

Let us know how you make out.

David Clarke

RE: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Had a chance to have a quick look at the Polaris, while the
> client was having his lunch.
>
> Yes I can turn the immediate local control on, and off.
>
> However, with 1-6 off, and 7-12 on, I'm still getting either
> double triggering (On Note On, and again on Note Off), or the
> note holding and not releasing (seems to depend on what patch I'm on.
>
> Also I loose all editing/patch change control from the keyboard.

Just curious: what software revision do you have? That's LF D 2.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Bob Stewart

Hi Paul.

Not sure. Will check when I'm back at the studio tomorrow.

Cheers

Bob

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Had a chance to have a quick look at the Polaris, while the
> client was having his lunch.
>
> Yes I can turn the immediate local control on, and off.
>
> However, with 1-6 off, and 7-12 on, I'm still getting either
> double triggering (On Note On, and again on Note Off), or the
> note holding and not releasing (seems to depend on what patch I'm on.
>
> Also I loose all editing/patch change control from the keyboard.

Just curious: what software revision do you have? That's LF D 2.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Bob Stewart

BTW Paul

Do you sell the Sync switch has gone on the Left hand membrane. Do you sell the panels seperatley or do you have to buy the pair?

Cheers

Bob

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Had a chance to have a quick look at the Polaris, while the
> client was having his lunch.
>
> Yes I can turn the immediate local control on, and off.
>
> However, with 1-6 off, and 7-12 on, I'm still getting either
> double triggering (On Note On, and again on Note Off), or the
> note holding and not releasing (seems to depend on what patch I'm on.
>
> Also I loose all editing/patch change control from the keyboard.

Just curious: what software revision do you have? That's LF D 2.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

RE: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Do you sell the Sync switch has gone on the Left hand
> membrane. Do you sell the panels seperatley or do you have to
> buy the pair?

The pair. Although I don't see how only one switch could fail, since
they're in a matrix. Generally, it's one column or one row in the matrix
that dies.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-09 by Bob Stewart

It's gone very intermittant. All the other switches are OK.

I think it's the membrane itself rather than the flexi pcb connector.

Just worn I guess.

No worries. Was just curious.

Think my client wants a set anyway. Will let you know.

Cheers

Bob

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Do you sell the Sync switch has gone on the Left hand
> membrane. Do you sell the panels seperatley or do you have to
> buy the pair?

The pair. Although I don't see how only one switch could fail, since
they're in a matrix. Generally, it's one column or one row in the matrix
that dies.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-10 by Robert Stewart

Hi Paul

Polaris is running Revision 5 software.

I'll be getting it up on the bench tomorrow to go through it in more detail, so will be able to try out various things then.

Cheers

Bob

On 09/09/2014 17:09, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Had a chance to have a quick look at the Polaris, while the
> client was having his lunch.
>
> Yes I can turn the immediate local control on, and off.
>
> However, with 1-6 off, and 7-12 on, I'm still getting either
> double triggering (On Note On, and again on Note Off), or the
> note holding and not releasing (seems to depend on what patch I'm on.
>
> Also I loose all editing/patch change control from the keyboard.

Just curious: what software revision do you have? That's LF D 2.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

RE: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-10 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Polaris is running Revision 5 software.
>
> I'll be getting it up on the bench tomorrow to go through it
> in more detail, so will be able to try out various things then.

I have no record of what changed from version to version, but it might be
worth upgrading to the latest version. It's possible that that aspect of
the firmware was buggy.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-10 by Bob Stewart

OK... Is that a set of chips to buy, or can the firmware be upgraded with a computer via MIDI?

On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> Polaris is running Revision 5 software.
>
> I'll be getting it up on the bench tomorrow to go through it
> in more detail, so will be able to try out various things then.

I have no record of what changed from version to version, but it might be
worth upgrading to the latest version. It's possible that that aspect of
the firmware was buggy.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

RE: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-10 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> OK... Is that a set of chips to buy, or can the firmware be
> upgraded with a computer via MIDI?

If you can get access to a UV eraser and an EPROM programmer, you can
download the hex files from the rhodeschroma.com web site, and reprogram
the ones you've got.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-09-10 by Bob Stewart

OK will see what I can get my hands on.

Thanks.

B

On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Stewart
>
> OK... Is that a set of chips to buy, or can the firmware be
> upgraded with a computer via MIDI?

If you can get access to a UV eraser and an EPROM programmer, you can
download the hex files from the rhodeschroma.com web site, and reprogram
the ones you've got.

--

Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] MIDI issues

2014-10-02 by bob@...

MIDI still being weird, but we've got around it, by disabling MIDI thru in Logic.
Waiting to get my hands on a Prom Programmer in the next few weeks, and then will try again with the latest firmware version.