Eigenharp Google+ Community Archive

Scaler Illuminator v0.1.7 - Released latest update: now can be used as tonic lighter, demo scripts for all devices for factory setups, tonic and scale names. 0.1.6 bug fixes. far better readme, clear scale verb its contained in my agent package (with OSC pad), download here: https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/raw/master/agents/binaries/Technobear-2.0-stable.pkg then just double click to install, then just connect to a keygroup output features: - works with any scale or tonic on keygroup - works with any reference scale or tonic - light reference tonic (green inverted, red non-inverted) - light notes in reference scale (in green), or invert, show notes not in scale (in red) - if no scale set (and root=true), tonic from keygroup will be displayed enjoy! https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/raw/master/agents/binaries/Technobear-2.0-stable.pkg

open source build - issue with alpha? anyone tried using the open source build with an alpha?  (im thinking Geert Bevin :o) )  im having odd issues, which i didnt have with pico, described here: http://www.eigenlabs.com/forum/threads/id/1319/ open source build (2.0) works fine with the pico, but not alpha, yet the alpha (& agent) is (obviously) fine with 'released' build (2.0.74) http://www.eigenlabs.com/forum/threads/id/1319/

CreateLayout - version 0.1 after discussion about layouts, i decided it would be nice to have something to automatically create musical mappings for us as to do so manually is tedious! so, ive created the layout creator, which ive added to 'creator' , as its useful for that as well... but remember you can use it on existing setups. it can be used to create all but one setup in http://fstrixner.de/files/EigenD/Eigenharp_Layouts_Comparison.pdf and can be used to create many more :o)  the ones in the above pdf, are included in the examples.txt included as its part of creator, you  can find it in: https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/tree/master/creator (bin/createlayout.sh ) supports: - vertical, horizontal, block layouts - ascending and descending  layouts - custom increments e.g. increment in 3rd - splits - linear and non linear input mappings  - any device -  all layouts, all devices! basic command line: (see examples!!) CreateLayout keygroup kgstartrow kgendrow kgrow kgc...

You people are quite fantastic. There. I said it.

A teaser :o)

I'm going to promote this to it's own topic. Have a look at the linked entry. This is an idea that is new to me and quite interesting. There are limitations cited but they are a bit fictional. For example, just because this system is in use, does not imply one cannot play other notes that the system does not suggest. So, the limitation is really in the player being a slave to the system. So the thing that struck me is that scales (as used in EigenD) are song scales and, because they exclude non-scale notes, they make 'errors' less glaring but they also make intentional accidentals impossible. We have all butted up against this. That leads directly to the question: could a way to use chord scales be implemented? Also, could a way to use song scales without the limitation be implemented? Looking at the second question, doing this would imply that the actual layout be fully chromatic which might be a concern for the Tau and definitely for the Pico. The upside is that, for ...

Mark Harris OSCPad is working out just fine. Have seen reference to a delete/undo last action option? One of the FCB1010 configs I worked with had this. Seems it would be useful.

There's a First Time for Everything... Going for a couple days off (vacations...) did garb my Pico's (yes! two of them) but did have concert last night and so,  had to bring all the gear along; what follows next?  can I resist the temptation ? private gig? on the beach?

Midi device not 'appearing' - factory setup 3 (saved) Ive got a weird thing going on in EigenD and a midi device, which only happens with the Alpha (i.e. was doing the same thing with the Pico and never had an issue - ever!) a) im using factory setup 3, I selected my midi output device, and all is fine. so I saved the setup. Now SOMETIMES when I load the setup, it doesnt work. if I look at  in eigenbrowser, I cannot even see my midi device... though its there and working! b) If I power down the keyboard, and repower it up, Eigenbrowser shows the midi device, and I can select it. BUT now eigenD is unresponsive, no notes play, and even the menus are frozen (e.g. I cannot select say sample 1) I know midi device is fine, as Pidule (etc) can see and use it. If I restart EigneD sometimes it works sometimes not... (sometimes again it cannot see midi device again) so it looks like, initially load has an issue with midi driver, and reconnecting the driver puts eigenD in a non responsive...

Started practicing lots on my Alpha this week, including pieces, wow what an instrument. But realised with extra keys (and more complex pieces) the configurability because immense. In particular how you use splits, with different scales and octaves to get where you need. so I started to think.. could this be automated, made easier? so started fleshing out an idea... you can read it here: http://myeigenharp.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/custom-keyboard-layouts/ NOTE: IM NOT SAYING I WILL DO THIS, and if I do it wont be soon as Im too busy practising.  But Im wondering, is it possible? is it useful? Also from the musicians and experienced players, the logic behind how I choose things, is this what you do manually? The above should be understandable by both non-techies and techies alike, as its pretty high level.  (the 'analysis' section in particular) Thoughts? http://myeigenharp.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/custom-keyboard-layouts/

Just realized, I've not added any new pieces to my Soundcloud collection since April. I have put together a couple new things, but have spent more time fiddling with performance setups instead of creating. Not particularly happy... Is performance worth it?

Ok! Well you might be surprised but I'm working on posting something. It is amazing how, when you set out to do something a bit novel, you have to work through things as you plod forward. The focus here isn't on a great video (or even being musically good) but just to explore a style (interestingly one which is unfamiliar to me). The camera does not even have an articulated screen, so just being in the shot is a necessary first step. Oh well, this is all overdue and it will be fun to have something just my own to show. I was slowed down in the whole process by the electrical company who decided (surprise!) they they really need to move in massive equipment and replace our closest pole just right now. This includes a massive air drill pounding away on solid granite to make a hole for the pole that is 19" in diameter. They are partly done at the moment so lets hope there will be a window of power and quiet before they return. At this point there are a few trials that are not...

Ok. Here's the Alpha version of the OSCPad, Ableton Live setup. Read the description in the setup for details. Unzip and copy the 2 files into your Setups folder. http://carvingcode.net/eigenharp/alpha_midi_osc.zip

Here's a link to the compiled setup for this. This setup is intended to be used with Ableton Live. It requires Mark Harris's OSCPad agent. See the setup's description for full details. Unzip and drag both files into your Setups folder. http://carvingcode.net/eigenharp/tau_midi_osc.zip

António Machado  Are you there with some Ableton Live help? How do I get Ableton Live to respond to a MIDI Channel change?  More specifically, I set up a small multi in Omnisphere and want to switch between Channel 1 and Channel 2. I have the Talker creator and have verified that it is working.  But Ableton is not sending the channel change thru to Omnisphere. Any suggestions?

It's here! not good pictures will do better later, but looks fantastic. My setup is now complete :o) Practicing has started, I've reserved the rest of the day to start the process.

Last one for awhile. Here, function keys (octave/tonic change and metronome) moved to percussion. The region representing the Live clip window bordered in red. OSCPad controls in bottom 2 rows. 16 rows on playable keys. Plus a scale selector accessible with mode key (course 1, key 17, amber). Think I'll stay with this for awhile, port it to Tau and see how it all works out.

Latest version of Tau OSCPad setup. This includes octave and tonic change keys using the 4 round keys. Metronome in percussion keygroup. Colorized the 8 OSCPad keys to better indicate their purpose. Still has 4 by 4 scrollable region for record/playback of Ableton Live clips.

im having real issues trying to connect a new effect channel to an audio unit in belcanto. can anyone else get it to work? what is the magic belcanto? (ive tried alot of combinations, some of which the belcanto is rejected, some is accepted but doesnt work) ive tried the obvious forms of connect, that work elsewhere with no luck,  and it works in WB. (you can try yourself, disconnect effect 1 from its AU, and then try to reconnect it using belcanto) thanks

Illuminator question: I added an Illuminator agent, wired to the keyboard agent (alpha keyboard 1).  Added the following to the physical map field using Workbench: [[[2,17],red],[[3,17],red],[[4,17],red],[[5,17],red]]] No lights on those keys. Any ideas?

One (1) Behringer FCB1010 MIDI foot pedal for sale.  Fully functional, with all cables, manuals and original box. +Mark Harris and #OSCPad has rendered it obsolete to me.

Here's a similar OSCPad setup for Tau. I'll zip up the Creator files and add in a comment.

Here's what the Creator/OSCPad setup I mentioned below looks like.

OK.  Started playing with Mark Harris 's #OSCPad.  Built the Alpha version of OSCPadDemo using Creator.  Tell me what I've done wrong: In Live, I created 8 tracks, one for each of the 8 keys used in the OSCPad layout..  The OSCPad keys will record/play/stop up to 5 clips in each of the 8 rows. Couple questions: 1) If I want to, say only record 4 tracks, do I modify the Talker, keygroup or both? 2) I notice in the Talker that there are actions for 'arrangement up', 'arrangement down', etc.  In the demo, all I'm able to do is record/play/stop.  What did I do wrong? 3)  Is there a way to use the OSCPad agent to 'stop all'?  Say we come to the end of a song, can I set a key to stop play of all tracks? I know Im coming a little late to the party, so may have missed this in the long thread.  Sorry, but appreciate your help.

creator update. added a few command line options, to support the creation of valid scripts for use with eigencommander etc (rather than bscript). Usage: createsetup.sh [-hd] [-S script name] [-F ouput file] [-D description] [DEVICE] [CONFIG] -h help -d debug -S create script, called name -F output script or debug to file -D description to be used for script file device = pico|tau|alpha configuration file to use example: ./bin/createsetup.sh -S "pico osc pad" -D "a script to add the osc pad to the pico factory setup" -F ~/Library/Eigenlabs/Scripts/picooscpad.bc  pico conf/pico/oscpaddemo.conf  idea is to make it easier to create scripts we want to hand out to others, who dont use creator. enjoy

easy way to share community... I dont really like sharing the direct community link, but have found pretty good way to do it less cryptically: https://plus.google.com/s/eigenharp/communities its actually a search, but its alot nicer than using: https://plus.google.com/communities/113007469663952313892 well until G+ finally decides to roll out vanity urls for everyone and communities. https://plus.google.com/s/eigenharp/communities

Ableton live - OSC pad.   (v0.9) Is now available as a self install package!!! https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/raw/master/agents/binaries/Technobear-2.0-stable.pkg This will install to: /usr/pi/contrib-2.0-stable/plugins/TheTechnobear/plg_oscpad/ and be automatically picked up by eigenD! Change history: v0.8:  supplies all resources and a script, so you have everything you need to get up and running! v0.9: includes demo for alpha and tau, thanks to Randy Brown and António Machado ... more elaborate setups on the way :) IMPORTANT NOTE FOR EXISTING USER: please REMOVE any pre 0.8 version you have manually copied, and install with the package, this will make upgrading MUCH easier... so please do NOW so you dont forget !!!!! Ive also moved the code into an open repository now for the devs out there, its in my Eigenharp repo in the agents directory i.e.  https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp Lots to do still, in particular one class needs the osc and live code splitting out....

My only work with the Eigenharp this weekend; my eldest playing the clarinet.   Given that she's four, this fairly conclusively disproves the 'you can't just pick up and play' argument!

My new control area - Trident Mark Harris  (awesome!!!) AB Live oscpad agent + Eigenharp mixup Left to right / top to bottom oscpad ta1ker 1,22-arrangement up (amber) 1.23-arrangement down (amber) 2,23-left down (green) 3,22-top up (amber) 3,23-top down (amber) 4,23-left up (green) 5,22-AB Live stop (red) 5,23-AB Live play (green) Eigenharp mixup 1,24-Main Mode key () 2,24-Percussion mode key (with multiple pages) () 3,34-Percussion octave down (green) 4,34-Percussion octave up (green) 5,24-Metronome (EigenD)  (red)

edit physical mapping dialog Ive only just noticed, the labels for row and column are reversed on this. or am going mad?    i used this dialog countless times, and never noticed it before :o)

Greetings.  Here's a tip: I've been working on some tunes that I'm using eigenD's Recorders to record and play back loops.  I noticed that some parts, particularly bass or bass-like patches, when the loops start, would produce some audio crackles (overloading the system a bit). After some experimentation, I found that if I turn the volume for the parts down a bit in eigenD's console mixer, the glitches stop.  I lower the individual instrument's level, not the Master.  Then, I just turn the audio interface up a bit to compensate and all is well. A larger buffer may also stop the glitches, but it's not worth it to me.  I set the audio buffer to 384 -- that's as far out as I want to go so I don't get latency that affects my playing.   Hope this helps someone.

So... who was the lucky winner of the piano black Alpha?

Digging using #Omnisphere's multis with the #Eigenharp.  Ability to load patches and switch easily with Talkers ='s musical freedom.

Anybody using max/msp? (Not m4l) Looks interesting and on sale (35% off)

Jim McLaughlin of Musicport ( www.musicportfestival.com ) would like to beg/borrow/steal an Alpha to show-off in the shop during Whitby Folk Week 17-23 Aug ( www.whitbyfolk.co.uk ). Can Alphas be rented in England? Anyone coming to Folk Week with an Alpha? http://www.musicportfestival.com/

No luck for me with recording direct from eigenD to DAW.  Tried the following: http://www.eigenlabs.com/wiki/2.0/Capturing_Audio_Streams_from_Host/ Any other suggestions for me?  TIA http://www.eigenlabs.com/wiki/2.0/Capturing_Audio_Streams_from_Host/

Any tips for creating synth patches that are used as wind instruments? What to mod with breath velocity? Velocity and a bit of resonance ( to make brighter, sustain level, touch of noise?

Hat in hand again: I created a Talker to channel the MIDI channel of an AUDIO UNIT.  (Purpose is that I want to change active patches assigned to a multi in Omnisphere).  I added keys to set midi channels 1, 2, and 3.  Have different patches assigned in Omnisphere. Talker saved the Belcanto, so no error in the Belcanto.  But the midi channel does not change.  Here's what I've used: audio unit rig 3 instrument audio unit 1 hey midi channel to 1 set Stage is set to Poly for that AU, as is the settings in the MIDI Routing Matrix. Any ideas?

Creator update! Ive added documentation!!!! As Randy Brown rightly pointed out, for people to use stuff they generally need documentation (unless like me you just explore :o)) and developers hate doing documentation, but i decided to force myself!!! two docs are: FAQ - which I think answers the important points, and does contain alot of facts and infer Development guide - which shows exactly how the basicdemo works, line by line and also explains how I create modules and debug them. These are both in the wiki @ https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/wiki Also ive tidied up the modules, all modules are now under creator/modules, they may be moved again, but at least it means the root directory is not full of stuff. (scripts have been updated accordingly so conf files dont change!) Enjoy and hope its helpful

Some questions on Eigenharp vs (as examples) guitar or keyboard. One way to put this question is: Do any of you sightread and play music not specifically adapted to an eigenharp (any model, but clearly the pico might be a greater challenge)? Background: It is fairly common for a guitar or keyboard player to be presented either with lead sheets, a score, or sheet music (possibly new to them) that they then simply play. Indeed, this is mostly what I work on in guitar playing (specifically, the skill to take a chord progression and melody and immediately do a relatively full expression of the song or, at least, a reasonable backing for singing with a bit of lead mixed in for a chorus and perhaps a bit of an solo). Of course any reasonable keyboard player should be able to take sheet music and just play it as written, perhaps also transposing for a singer on demand (which explains why I'm not a keyboard player) Strangely, it has not been a focus of mine with the Alpha. I've happily...

Have you seen Scuz play the Pico yet?  Check out some of his other Pico videos too.  Nice work! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ZPZe0n7cE

Open source agents - how to distribute? whats needed? The ableton agent is coming along nicely, but I've started to wonder, what do musicians expect before they will 'give it a go'? Some here are very technical and will try anything :o) But for others, the word Belcanto ... will get them running for cover, and similarly I'm not sure how many would run if we asked for it to be created in Workbench, and wire it up. The issue is doing a one click install, and creating custom setups is time consuming  ... but at the end of the day, we want the agents to be usable by all, not just a few elite eigenD hackers (though you guys a very important for v. obvious reasons!) Ive a few other agent ideas, so id like to understand this. Thoughts? What should be left to the end user? I wonder if a hangout might be useful to discuss this, i.e. the non-technical side of it all.

Anyone know the Belcanto for creating a new Drummer loop slot?  I've tried: drummer 1 hey voice 2 create drummer 1 hey 2 create drummer 1 voice 2 create drummer 1 2 create TIA

Anyone want to have a play with ableton agent (plg_oscpad)  ive made?    (release 0.7 now available!) Its inspired by Mark Powell awesome work with ableton, and is not nearly as good/polished etc etc But what it is a native agent, so easy to use a) install LiveOSC for Ableton (8 or 9) b) install plugin c) connect "osc input" to keyboard/keygroup  d) enjoy Ive checked in a compiled version for 2.0.74 at https://github.com/TheTechnobear/Eigenharp/tree/master/plugins/plg_oscpad you will find a readme, which explain the above in more detail. As I say, its more a proof of concept, and there is ALOT left to do, but thought some of you may enjoy! Thanks also to Geert Bevin for putting up with stupid questions ;o)

I was browsing the docs at Eigenlabs.com and noticed that I couldn't find any instructions for how to choose keys (musical/physical) from within Workbench.  Did I miss it? This is a pretty important task for creating setups (if not using Creator), but if folks are unclear they will be deterred from jumping in. It is relatively straightforward after you do it a couple times, but I wonder if a good tutorial/video would encourage those who may not yet have tried to do so?

This is really a remarkable instrument.