Practical Usage

Category: Music equipment

  • Alesis Vortex: Testing remote Patch switch

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    rt
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    The Alesis Vortex, using firmware 1.20, can now receive and act upon Program Change requests. This means that you can select a Vortex Patch remotely. I tested the new feature using my M-Audio Oxygen keyboard, but this will work with any Midi input that can send Program Change Request (PC). I am also using a…

  • Alesis Vortex: Direct Patch programming using SysEx

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    In the previous post, I did a quick review of the new Vyzex Vortex software program. I also put in some details about the new features in firmware 1.20. I also updated the detailed user guide that I wrote a while ago to reflect the changes in the firmware, (even some undocumented ones). The main…

  • Alesis Vortex: Firmware update 1.20 and Vyzex Patch Edit program available

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    Well, Alesis is listening to it’s users. They have just published a new firmware version for the Vortex. Version 1.20: Allows compatibility with the Vyzex Vortex patch editor software Allows the pitch-bend wheel to be reversed Allows any pad to be set to “Panic Mode” (pad will send an “all-notes off” message) Allows a default…

  • MP-2 + MRe: Hacking the Alesis Vortex and using a Wireless Midi Transmitter

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    rt
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    A two-project merge! The Alesis Vortex needed a bit more… controls! So I decided to add a few sensors that would give me greater flexibility when playing. The Vortex is already quite capable, but my left hand was not “used” enough. Sure, there is a touch strip and a pitch-bend wheel at my finger tips.…

  • MRe-2: XBee Midi emitter

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    In the previous post, I  explained that I temporarily abandoned trying to use the RFM12B radio transceiver to exchange Midi information between two devices. This post explains how I successfully used the XBee radio transceiver to achieve sending information between a Midi source and a computer. The XBee radio comes in many different versions. The…

  • Alesis Vortex – First Review: What’s inside? (Tear Down)

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    I received an Alesis Vortex today: Of course, I will do a user review.  I also did a functional review. But first, a tear-down! (As usual, a click on the picture will enlarge it) I will try to be precise when describing the placement of parts: the Vortex is seen in this picture as a…

  • VC-1: New circuit

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    The first circuit design for the VC-1 was a bit unstable and very dependant on the quality of the control signal. Since the goal here is to control the resistance with a PWM signal from the micro-controller, the control signal is going to be a fixed frequency square wave with a variable duty cycle (variable…

  • VC-1: Volume Control Beta

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    The VC-1 is. On the left, the Silonex Audiohm opto-couplers (OC) with the electronic drivers. it has been described here. On the right, the line-buffer/impedance-controller described there. It works as expected, using two digital pins on the Arduino micro-controller to change the volume. Partial specifications I use 2.2 Mohm metal film resitors as a voltage…

  • Griffin Stompbox: A review

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    Update 16/1/31: Nothing left of this device on the Griffin site. I guess it has been retired (deprecated) Since I develop pedal boards, I thought I’d give the Griffin Stombox a try. To see what others are up to. The idea makes sense. A pedal board to control effects on the iPad. Sadly, there are…

  • Alesis iO DOCK: A review

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    There will be no un-boxing. Sorry, but there isn’t much in the box. Actually, I won’t do much functionality review today. In this first review, I am more interested in what is INSIDE the Alesis iO DOCK. The Alesis IO Dock The left side is for midi connection.Midi in-out and Midi USB. The iO DOCK…