0.2.0: external synths

PolyPulse Updates
1

Hey all,

I’m very exited to release this update!

Highlights:

  • Added external sound engine which can control others synthesizers using MIDI/MPE:
    • Configurable MIDI channel per pulse.
    • Each pulse has a hold parameter which sets the time between the note on and note off.
    • 12 parameters that can be morphed and modulated, with configurable MIDI CC, channel and label:
      synthesis-external
      synthesis-external544×160 1.08 KB
    • Sends pitch bend messages to support note list slides and custom tunings (if polyphony is 1 or if the pulse is set to MPE)

Other changes and bugfixes:

  • Fixed all note lists being empty triggering an error while saving a project.
  • Fixed custom tuning selection not being saved when a note list is empty.

Here is the new firmware: polypulse-firmware-0.2.0.zip (912.3 KB)

See here how to update your PolyPulse . Note that the file manager only recognizes *.zip files whose name starts with polypulse-firmware- as firmware updates.

Enjoy! :yellow_heart:

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2

Note that I have not been able to update the manual yet so here is a short guide.

  • The middle column of the numpad sets the output type: MIDI or MPE.
  • The right column of black buttons on the numpad sets the MIDI channel or MPE zone.

synthesis-external
synthesis-external544×160 1.08 KB

In this example 3 parameters are used. They are all sending on MIDI channel 1 and their CC’s are 43, 74 and 42. The pulses are sending MIDI on channels 1, 5 and 7.

To change a parameter’s MIDI CC, channel and label hold [edit] and press on the corresponding encoder. You can give a parameter a text label as a reminder what it controls. Each parameter can send on a different MIDI channel or the channel can be set to 0 so that it is disabled and does not send unnecessary MIDI messages.

edit: the manual is now updated with more details: External - PolyPulse manual

2 Likes
3

Awesome looking forward to trying it! Haven’t had much time for experimenting the last few days but did get some play in the last couple of hours. Getting really interesting sounds!

2 Likes
4

Yeah, it’s a great update, just what I’ve been waiting for, and it works fine. Having random access to 12 labeled CC’s simultaneously at the turn of a knob is pretty sweet.

3 Likes
5

Hi everyone,

I d like to use this feature but it doesn’t work for me. Maybe I don t understand what to do.
I d like to send a melody line from polypulse to my TD3 behringer.
Channel midi ok both sides (8)
should it work without any CC parameter (melody from polypulse played by td3 ?)
Or maybe TD3 isen’t responsive to note from polypulse ?

Thank you for your help

F

PS : which gear do you use that works with externel sound engine ?

6

Hey,

I’ve tested it with a Nord Lead 2, Intellijel Cascadia and a few plugins on my computer.

The external sound engine should work if both devices have the same channel, but some devices use the channel numbers 0-15 while others use 1-16 (which the PolyPulse does). I searched online and it seems the TD3 should be able be played using MIDI.

Maybe also check if the MIDI cable is in the correct port, the output is the connector on the right, next to the ethernet port.

image
image700×524 63.5 KB

Yes, sending CC’s with PolyPulse parameters is a separate thing and is not needed to play melodies.

7

Thank you.
I have the clock and start stop working
But the melody is still internal to td3
Probably something i forgot somewhere.
Thank you

8

Hi

I finally made it work.
By putting the TD3 just after the polypulse in the midi chain…
Amazing to use your sequencer with it !
I imagine that the external sound engine doesnt use much cpu.
Thanks again
F

1 Like
9

Hello!

Running OS 1.1.0

I just can’t get MIDI OUT notes to work.

I tried multiple devices and even tried different MIDI channels.

I even hooked up my norns and ran a MIDI MONITOR to see what the PolyPulse is sending.

So I took a Progue synth module and set it to channel 1.

Connected it to the CIRKLON and it works perfectly.
MIDI CH 1
Receives pitch info etc., etc.

The using the same MIDI cable…

When I connect it to the PolyPulse out I can’t get it to play a note.
(I made sure the track was active)

Here is what the MIDI Monitor shows from the PolyPulse.
There doesn’t seem to be any note ON info.

PolyPulse
PolyPulse1920×1440 157 KB

And here is the info from the Cirklon…

Cirklon
Cirklon1920×1440 166 KB

Note: MIDI CC is working from the PolyPulse because I did program a knob and I could see/hear it control the filter on another device.

PLEASE any help would be greatly appreciated!

10

It looks like all notes that are sent are with velocity 0 (that the norns monitor interprets as note off). I think min velocity (0) and max velocity (127) are set in such a way that all the MIDI notes are sent with velocity 0.

Can you try opening track settings with [edit]+[track] and then setting:

  • min velocity (0) to -48 dB
  • max velocity (127) to 0 dB
11

That worked!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Question…
Is there a reason why it defaults to -24 when it need to be at -48 to initially start working?

Would there be a way to set a default for that?

12

The default values of min/max velocity is something I forgot to adjust in last update when some things relating to dBs have changed. I’ll fix that in next update, so that external directly works by default.

For now you could make a template project with all tracks set to external and the min/max velocity set up with a wide range such as -48 dB to 0 dB.

1 Like