Audio switch controlled by midi

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:43 am

Hi.

I´m searching for switchcontroller to control about 8 audio inputs -> one output. All switchable by midi.

It´s for vocal proccesing live. I have tried "switch it", it works fine but the knobs can´t be midi controlled.

Anyone?

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-03 07:46 ]

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:09 am

Do you have modular? If so, it's easy to patch: load 4 Stereo inserts in a standard M2 shell, in each insert an External Effect. In the Effect's Output, right-click to select the wanted hardware input. Save the External Effects with a custom name, their settings will not be remembered in patch/project. Add an 8x1switch. Now you have MIDI controlled selection of 8 hardware inputs in a patch, without a single wire in the Routing Window.

If you have enough dsp, Flexor's granular sequencer can be used to make smooth crossfades that don't click, up to 16inputs. Midi control via a ValMonitor on the seq's Ramp input. There you go

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:34 pm

Thanx - I will look into it.

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:52 am

We´ve now tested the suggested solution. The problem is still that it is´nt possible to change between each audio signal with only one midi CC. There is a 8x1 switch (not for modular), but only one CC can be assigned. Any firther suggestions?

It seems impossible that we´re the only people in the world with the need to route audio signals (via midi) in live situations. Or?

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-09 09:52 ]

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:34 am

There is a modular 8x1 switch, and it does take only one controller. Would that not be the one used to switch between 8 audio inputs?

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:26 pm

What about ControlRoom? It has only 6 inputs, but it is MIDI controllable.

Michu · Post by **Michu** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:36 pm

with flexor you could use grain sequencer (or 2 for stereo) and route audio to every second input. if you want snapping you'd have to to feed ramp input with constant value>bitcrusher(i think set to 3 bits for 8 steps)>control smoother(to avoid glitches)

dbmac · Post by **dbmac** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 2:14 pm

The "Switchit" I have is midi controllable. It's an old module that I think Ingo from CW made years back. It has a slider, not knobs, but it will jump cleanly from 1 to 8 with the right CC value.
If you can't find it here, I could email you the .mdl.

/dave

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:13 am

Thanx for the inputs, guys.

I will try to explain myself even better (my english is´nt that good).

Picture the vocalist in my band on stage with a midi foot controller on the flor. He´s hooked up (via mic->adat + controler
->midi) to Scope.

We will work with about 6-8 different vocal settings in Scope. Our wish is that he can change between each setting with only one foot press on the controller!

@Atomic:The 8x1 switch can´t be midi controlled according to my explanation. The board will send (on any given channel)CC0(off) to CC127(on) thus making the switch go from 1 to 8 and ignoring the signals from 2 to 6.

@Shayne: Controlroom: the diferent channels can´t be assigned to midi - it seems like it, but it does´nt work. Many of the other functions in control room works with midi.

@Michu: I haven´t tried that yet. I will rlook into it.

@dbmac: The problem is exatly the same as in the 8x1 switch from modular. ( See answer to atomic).

I hope that i have explained myself better this time. Thanx again.

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-10 04:14 ]

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-10 04:14 ]

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 6:16 am

Hey michu, no need for bitcrusher and control smoother when using granular sequencer !

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 6:18 am

here's a humble DIY for the hardware to control Switchit or the 8-switch in Modular.
Use an arbitrary controller that works with potentiometers.
If the pot is 100K linear (rather common), build a chain of 8 resistors each 12.5 k with tap switches between, so the respective tap makes the chain longer or shorter. You'll get the idea.
There has been something like this for PC joystick ports if I remember right.

cheers, Tom

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 6:47 am

Hi Tom.

I hope it doesen´t come to soldering and that kind of homebuilding projects.

It seems totally weird to me if we are the first people in the world with this problem.

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-10 06:47 ]

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:45 am

no, the design is so humble that you could as well knot the resistors together and fix it with cellotape...

it wasn't exactly serious, just a point in a certain direction in case you were one of those hidden soldering iron warriors

seriously (you may have noticed this already), if your controller switches between 0 and 127 you could build what you want in Modular by a bunch of volume attentuators.
But then you have to 'toggle off' the previous setting by an extra step.
Could be somewhat embarassing in front of the audience if it ends like a tap dance on the controller (in case the proper switch is forgotten)...

anyway, your courage deserves respect - I would dare a lot, but not something that crucial (as the vocals), unless you have a real good backup. Modular isn't the most reliable midi partner (imho).

that's why companies sell dedicated voice processors with foot switches - the Helicon stuff etc.

cheers, tom

dbmac · Post by **dbmac** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:38 pm

How about a volume type foot pedal that sends CC values from 0 to 127, instead of a footswitch that sends only 0 or 127
It would be difficult to accurately jump from say, switchit 2 to switchit 7 with a foot pedal, but I can do it with a (hand) slider.

/dave

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:02 pm

If your MIDI controller can only send 0 or 127, I think you need a new controller!

By the way, if you atill want a simple MIDI-controlled 8x1 switch, I could make one for you.

dbmac · Post by **dbmac** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:57 pm

Isn't that what a midi switch puts out? - on or off, up or down, whatever, only two values 0 or 127.
I thought that's what he was working with, a foot pedal that sent only on or off data.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your new switch.

/dave

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:17 pm

Yeah, but a one-button MIDI switch could not possibly allow you to switch between 8 audio inputs...

omnibounce · Post by **omnibounce** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:03 pm

The controller we use for testing is a Roland FC200 midi foot controller. It has expression but it´s(as already mentioned) impossible to have any kind of usable control over switch it with that one.

Shayne: It would be greatly appreciated if you could make a working 8x1 switch for us. We would prefer a non modular device.

By the way: i´m so into soldering but the box for a so called homemademidiwonderwitheightresistorsfootdevice would be to ugly to bring on stage.

Thanx again.

[ This Message was edited by: omnibounce on 2005-02-11 12:04 ]

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:25 pm

OK: head on over to the devices forum. You'll find your dream come true!

Shayne

valis · Post by **valis** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:16 pm

Shayne's thread:

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... forum=16&0