Eigenharp Google+ Community Archive

Loop Loft is running a 50% off sale this weekend. They offer a great selection of drum and percussion loops in a variety of formats. Use code: THANKS50 Remember to choose the AIFF format if you plan to use inside EigenD.

Strummer with Kontakt & Orange Tree Steel Strings Guitar. Anyone with experience of setting OTS Steel strings guitar with strummer? In particular it has a midi guitar option, Ive got that kind of working, except pitchbend seems limited to an octave, and strummer says is need 24 semitones otherwise you dont get full range - which is the issue I face! Ive seen others posting about OTS, and found a post by Geert Bevin  mentioning it being used with strummer. any other tips about setting it up , or for that matter Kontakt which Ive only played with very briefly. I can only do in a limited way (using Kontakt Player) until my version of Komplete arrives on Wednesday...

good day for my alpha... after last weeks bad news, today is all good. - new cables arrived, so im up and running again, I really like the 6m for my office and now have a 12m as backup :o) - breath pipe back at eigenlabs, and has been repaired, and is on its way back to me :o)  - Komplete sale - 50% off, Ive been waiting for this for months, so thats ordered too... all smiles in eigenland!

Creator - Midi Clock in Midi rig or not? Ive recently been suffering issues with linking EigenDs midi clock  with External Midi hardware  see:  https://plus.google.com/110586757591577940744/posts/JijGrDQGybZ I propose that the Midi Rig should NOT contain a midi clock, as it does in the default factory setups, and propose to remove it from the Midi Rig. In particular I would: a) remove midi clock from midi rig b) create a new template, that creates a midi input , midi clock and output that is SOLEY for midi clock data. the advantage, is that you will be able to control explicitly the syncing of clock data to and from EigenD. (currently EigenD will always send the clock to ALL midi rigs and then outputs, regardles of if they are active or not) I cannot see any disadvantage... can you ? Thoughts? Have i missed something?  If no cries of 'stoppppppppp!!!' then I will do asap. https://plus.google.com/110586757591577940744/posts/JijGrDQGybZ

bad week with the alpha :o(  my breath pipe gave up last week, and needs to go back to the UK. and now my instrument cable has given up too... so now I need to order one of those too, hope they have them in stock :o(

Watched a few videos on the monome yesterday.  Quite an interesting instrument.  I have a fondness for sequencers and its ability to add some controlled randomness to the sequencer is pretty cool. One of the videos by stretta showed how he could manipulate the layout of the buttons to form scales and patterns.  This led me to thik about the alternate layouts many of you are playing with on the 'harp. And, it's convinced me that I need to explore this more.   I've always thought about patterns in music, in the improvisation I've done in the past, in scale and arpeggio studies, in various musicology courses I've taken.  I think I need to explore some new patterns on the Eigenharp to see what may come of it.

Database Of Free Audio Plugins http://www.gersic.com/plugins/index.php?daCat=-6 http://t.co/t4mETgqDj5

Thought I would share my first live loop. Just got my new drummer (Superior Drummer 2) and have been working on some fingering patterns on the Tau. I know it's pretty sloppy and need a lot more practice, but I'm pretty happy with most of the sounds and got a bonus with how the Tau drove the bends and filters on the lead sound. All the parts were looped on my Tau using Ableton, except the drum track, which was a pre recorded loop. I started with 8 bar blank loops in each clip, except the lead, and set the default global clip length to 8. I then went down the line and played each section. I had a prerecorded couple of clips that were just over a bar long and jumped to those clips to end the song.  Again I know the playing is a bit sloppy, but thought it would be fun to get something out. You can here it here: https://soundcloud.com/tenorjazz/eigenloopjam1 https://soundcloud.com/tenorjazz/eigenloopjam1

Just got approval for vacation time in April next year, and also some tickets to MoogFest :-)

I was reading Mark Harris discussoin with Leslie Norton of the 12th, thought maybe the time was right to jump in with a report on my own attempts to run the basic configurations. But first to stress how specific the physical setup has to be.  I'm using last year's high-end MacBook Pro that I got for use with the Alpha (ordinarily I'm a PC person), and a high end RME audio interface.  To avoid potential software conflicts, the laptop basically it has only music programs on it (NI instruments,  Omnisphere, Trillian) but even so I've been very surprised how sensitive the setup is physical setup is.   Most USB cables --including the one that came with the instrument--don't work with it.  And the basestation has to plug directly into the laptop, with absolutely nothing else on that USB circuit--I've tried three hubs, and EigenD will eventually lock up with any of them, even if nothing else is plugged into the hub.   Before it locks up, the output is sometimes degrade...

External midi clock & eigenD has anyone got EigenD to sync to an external midi clock? Im having 'issues' with it... Ive got my synth sending midi clock, and ableton live is able to sync to it happily. But EigenD - argghhh I select midi input port (ProMidi14), then enable midi clock (in midi 1 tab), and then turn on metronome - nothing, nada, zilch! Now get this.... Ive noticed, if go to ableton, and get it to retransmit the clock on Eigenlabs 1, the metronome goes crazy, (as if getting 2 clock signals) if I then stop the retransmission, it then syncs up immediately with my Synth, and i can change tempo on synth and eigenD follows. (though i note, tempo doesnt change in Stage :o(  )  I don't get it, it shoudn't even be listening on Eigenlabs1, only ProMidi14. but it seems it needs some kind of start signal on eigenlabs1, and only then starts listening to the midiinput port!?!! Annoyingly, i cannot sync my synth to eigenD clock, as the synth doesnt like the fact that ...

The video of my TEDx talk is now available. Please share it around and promote it if you like it. I think this might be a very useful concise way to explain what the Eigenharp and other new electronic musical instruments are about. The more people understand what can be done, the more they'll ask for improvements with software and hardware makers and the more we'll get out of it as musicians. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G69vjVxARrY

arranger fun.... ok, just checked in a few things for arranger for  creator,  that is the start of  some  fun! (thanks to António Machado for making me start this) experimental/arranger.conf, shows basics. - but that is just what you are used to.. how about trying Euclidean rhythms (thanks to Duncan Foster for this idea) experimental/polyarranger.conf - creates 3 arrangers, one with 8,9,10 steps. as you will see from the setup, trivial to create N, with what combinations you want. as a final demo, of how easy this stuff is. experimental/multiarranger.conf - 3 arrangers, arranger 2/3 are normal note players running at 1/2 beat, but arranger 1, step on bar, and turns the other arrangers on and off. allow a dynamic setup of arrangements. nothing really new, but if you look at the config files, you'll see how easy it is to do with creator  enjoy

So… I'm returning the Bose L1 system I recently purchased.  Have a 30 day return option, so am opting to take advantage. Reasons: 1)  It's really overkill for my purposes at the moment.  The system sounds great and is really portable.  But when I took an honest look at what I do and am likely to do over the near term, it's not practical. 2) Stereo is a lingering issue.  While I could find patches that don't require stereo separation, the pieces I have performed live so far and those I'm likely to compose and perform later do require it.   These pieces are made up of multiple tracks with drums/percussion, bass, and 2 to 5 other instruments.  In order to produce a nice, un-muddied mix, I need to pan some of the instruments out of the center (where drums and bass may live), or place an instrument forward or in the back of others.  I can't do that using a mono system.  Even one with the clarity of the Bose L1.

Since you've been talking on various issues with EigenD, I've got to ask this: How much time do you get from an EigenD process before you need to reload it? I usually get about a week, by which time the keys start chewing the notes first intermittently and then stop responding altogether. The orange light still appears upon a key press, but no midi data arrive, as far as I can tell from the Pianoteq's midi monitor. Has such a thing happen to you? I use a macbook air  if it matters.

Looking to sell my Tau, black keys on black. Still in great condition, just not making use of it. I'm in the Vancouver BC area, so relatively cheap shipping to the US. PM for additional details.

New template and conf. (Pico but not exclusive) Usefull for multitimbral au's aumidichchanger.conf createaumidichannelchanger.bc Not much but getting the hang of #Creator

This and the second in the series are lovely demos of the new sequencer from Intellijel. Wouldn't it be nice if this was possible on the eigenharp? http://vimeo.com/78402007

Could not resist... For the Pianoteq 2013 video contest. One more year and many more thanks for this amazing sounds!! This time Eigenharp Pico (actually Double Pico), special thanks also to Mark Harris   for the great pico mix setup and the availability of the arranger on the Pico. Originally shared by António Machado https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlkBmON1mbw&feature=autoshare

Something for the pico this weekend... If you have Reaktor, then this and the pico are (imho) a perfect match: http://boscomac.free.fr/?p=koto Its hard to play something that doesn't sound good on it :o)  try also plucktrion, actually all his stuff is pretty good http://boscomac.free.fr/?p=koto

creator 2.2.0 given we potentially have a few new users digging in, i decided to clean a few things up, and make things a bit more logical. changes: a) move all  templates into sub directories by functionality I think Randy Brown proposed this some time ago, and its a good idea. you will find the basic templates in 'basic', others are in 'logical' sub folder. note: rigs that have specific folder (e.g. midi) have been moved to that folder. b) device specific templates - now under functional sub directories e.g. pico/createdevice.bc - > basic/pico/createdevice.bc c) configs  have all been changed to use new structure also they also are now organised function e.g  alpha/scaleilluminatordemo.conf -> scaleilluminator/alpha/scaleilluminatordemo.conf d) better cross platform support configs should always use / for functional sub folders e.g. basic/createdevice.bc creator will now convert this to basic\createdevice.bc for windows. ive two other tidy ups I may do....  a) r...

I have been thinking about various ways I might integrate the Eigenharp into my recording and performance setups and was wondering what some of you have done? For recording I have over a dozen hardware synths I would like to have access to as well as Omnisphere and Vienna Strings in 64 bit and a few more if I use 32 bit on my computer. I run both an 8 and 4 port midiman interface to give me enough inputs. Because of latency issues I don't like to daisy chain midi. Getting enough analog inputs for all the synths has been a challenge. I have a 32 channel analog mixer that I can sub-mix down to my Mackie 1620i to get 16 digital channels into my computer. When money permits I'll get a digital interface that has more inputs. Up until now most of my recording has been with Logic but with my move to Windows I will be using Digital Performer as I move forward. I started with Pro Tools but the cost of upgrades and lack of tools, in earlier versions, got me to move to Logic, but I hear...

Creator workshop - follow up. Apologies to the guys who were hoping for it to be recorded, the on-air failed for some reason, and then my screen recording too. Thanks to the guys who attended, sorry it was a bit all over the place but the technology gods were not with us - and rather threw me a bit, as  i couldn't really use both camera and screenshare - any way hope it was useful. I might try to record a video which will (in a more succinct way :o)) go over some of the ground we covered, for a 'refresher' but also those that didnt attend. (I need to check that I can record it in such a way the text can be read :o)) thanks again for bearing with me, and if you have any questions, just post here .... most of all though, just give it a go and have fun :o)

I have the privilege to be testing the new product that Wolfgang Palm is working on ... and he put in everything we need as Eigenharpers! Full Voice per Channel support with per-channel pitch-bend, and two per-channel expression parameters! Finally things I turning around one we're starting to get native plugins that we can leverage the Eigenharp's expressiveness with. I'll tell more as soon as I can ... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=658484500850335&set=a.306164816082307.78065.100000663739008&type=1

Creator - pre workshop tidy up  (complete) big tidy up is complete, now all templates use the new v2 declare statement to improve readability, ive moved a few more 'specialised' things out the way, and added a few readme's to explain what stuff is, and how its organised. ive got to finish off my own setup now, so may be that that throws up a few enhancements later too. #creator

decisions, decisions... Now Ive got my audio interface and midi setup all ticking along nicely, I need to update my eigenharp setup. stupidly, when I modified the factory setup, i didn't script all the changes, so now I have to do it again (ok, in fairness i just need to redo the config file for creator)  ... which is why ive been avoiding it! also , I really want to a faster loading setup ....  so do i  a) trim down factory setup 3 (I need the splits) , add scale illuminator and my layout. (scripted this time!) b) create a custom setup using creator (I dont need more more than a few splits, midi and au's) c) sit down and really get MAX working, ive got all the essentials done - its tantalisingly close :o)   (already have my scale lighting and layouts working!) tempted with (a) as a stop gap... ho hum...

Mark Harris , I tried to use Scale Illuminator agent with the experimental basic midi setup. It didn't work. I pulled the relevant lines from the supplied .bc script and changed the output name, but it didn't help. I noticed that when created your illuminator agent makes some connections on its own which leads me to suspect that it was meant to be used exclusively with the factory setups. Am I right?

I've been working with a lot of my soft-synths recently, auditioning patches that work well in a mono output.  My new Bose L1 is mono, so I'm finding patches, i.e.: leads, pads, arps, etc. that do not have a lot of phase, panning, and/or broad stereo effects.  This has been interesting. First, the setup I'm using is a simple, 1 keygroup (full) with a scale selector for 8 scales.  I have an audio unit rig and a MIDI rig int he setup.  Plus, I have a metronome for syncing to some arp patches and Abelton Live and octave up/down keys on the percussion group. Why has finding mono patches been interesting?  I guess the biggest interest is that I'm finding I enjoy the patches that are not overly theatrical and, dare I say, gloomy.  I'm finding some patches that are beautifully and subtly modulated by MIDI modulation.  Patches that are percussive or string based sound wonderful through the L1. I thought I'd miss stereo.  In truth, I don't.  Stereo in performance can...

Basic Creator questions for * Mark Harris Doing an online workshop is a great idea! Now let me ask a couple of really elementary questions so when that happens maybe I can keep up... (You could just say you want to answer really elementary questions like this during the workshop--but I'll bet we'd get a lot further in our hour if you didn't need to explain the most basic ideas then!) Your YouTube video is clear and helpful, but of course you've moved far beyond that.  ( Eigenharp - modular setup builder ) One thing I don't understand is the relation between "creator.command" and "creator.sh"; and also the difference between "*.conf" (configuration) files and "*.bc" (template) files, in terms of how they are invoked/run. (It probably doesn't help that I am a PC person using a Mac for my Alpha adventures.) I figured out how to create a new configuration by double-clicking on "creator.command" to open the program in...

Tau, Windows 7, Ableton Thought I would separate this issue into a new post, I can't be the only one having trouble with this. I'm trying to figure out how to use my Tau with Ableton on Windows. I found a few virtual midi programs to help out: MidiYoke - http://help.touch-able.com/kb/installation/midi-yoke-installation-on-windows-vista-or-windows-7 Loop Midi - http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/loopmidi.html LoopBe30 - http://www.nerds.de/en/loopbe30.html Ableton sees the virtual midiport but can't figure out how to get EigenD into the mix. Any help appreciated!! http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/loopmidi.html

Creator for everyone - free workshop A few people have recently been commenting that they have been meaning to take a look at 'creator' for modifying setups. I realise that this its a bit intimidating (for programmers and non-programmers alike!). so Im wondering there is sufficient interest for me to run a 1 hour workshop (on google hangout) to show how to use it, i think this is much better than doing by posts, and being interactive will help too. Audience: anyone with any type of eigenharp (no programming experience necessary) Format: Google Hangout, hands on workshop - 1 hour Topics: - What is Creator?, What can it do for me? and dispelling myths - Setting yourself up to use creator - Using creator to extend factory setups using configurations - How to build your own configurations using existing templates - A look at templates, what are they...  how to write your own - Where next? To run it: - I need a minimum amount of interest (say 3 newcomers) .. to justify the effort i ...

I've enjoyed visiting this Community off and on, so I feel I know some of you, but I've only just now joined Google+, so I can ask you'all questions! Lots of questions!  I bought my Alpha a year or so ago, just noodled around for about 6 months, and then started formal lessons, with the intent of becoming reasonably proficient at playing other people's (written) compositions.  And to discover how I wanted to change the Alpha's configuration to match my own style.  Now I'm trying to make those changes--and finding it quite frustrating...   feels a lot like chasing the pages from a loose-leaf instruction manual down the road on a windy day....and finding that many of them are written at least partly in a foreign language...  I originally played saxophone, have studied some keyboard and some guitar, but for years my primary instrument has been a Buchla Thunder, driving modeled electronic instruments with strange and wonderful timbres.  I only play for my own amusem...

Because of a computer upgrade I have moved from Mac to Windows 7. So I've changed all my software over to the Windows platform. Most of it has gone OK with just 2 or 3 calls to support to work out driver issues and other problems. I have finally got to a point I can try and get the Eiganharp going. The basics mostly work but here's a few problems I haven't been able to sort out yet. 1. Stage no longer works 2. I can't see my Eigenharp midi instruments or Alchemy in my 64 bit DAW (Digital Performer). 3. I thought I used a quick little script to light up my root notes on my keyboard, but can't seem to find it. Going back to Windows after 10 years is difficult!! Any ideas would be appreciated.

u-he's Zebra patch 'HS Harpo': simply awesome to play.

Synth tutorials (Reaktor, Massive,FM8, Kontakt and Zebra ) Reaktor -  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5547658 Massive - http://www.massivesynth.com/members/hours-of-ni-massive-tutorials/ and more to come, apparently: " I'll also be making public all our subscriber FM8, Kontakt and Zebra tutorials over the coming days"

Belcanto cookbook a link back to a useful post for those new to the Eigenharp G+ community https://plus.google.com/107049701638987796678/posts/W8xC5XeeAW6 https://plus.google.com/107049701638987796678/posts/W8xC5XeeAW6