Patch name, system param and extended patch param editing

[DrJustice]

IMO the MatrixBrute could do well with losing the dependency on the MIDI Control Center for basic operations like preset naming and changing MIDI settings and other system parameters. Using the MCC isn't always an option, and some day we may even find ourselves without the ability to run it unless we maintain vintage computers. For the synth to have true stand alone operation and longevity as an instrument, the MCC dependency must go away. I'd think every paying customer recognizes this.

There is also a problem with requests for extended patch parameters, like e.g. envelope looping, since the UI has no provision for specific things like that.

Here's a scheme that would make all of patch naming, system parameter editing and extended patch parameter editing simple and consistent.

Naming presets on the synth

 - Hold Save then press PRESET to enter naming mode
 - The PRESET button blinks to indicate that naming mode is active
 - Preset display shows "NAM", matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows first 4 letters of the name, first letter (cursor) blinks
 - Translate lower to upper -case if the original has lower case chars, replace unavailable special chars with e.g. "-"
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to move the cursor, blinking char indicates cursor position, for blanks, blink a special cursor symbol, e.g. top and bottom segment
 - Use Mod Amount to select character (A-Z, 0-9, space, _, -, [, ] is an adequate character set) - could also use the matrix as a 'keyboard'
 - Hold Save then press PRESET to save the name and exit naming mode (or rely on patch saving as usual?)
 - During naming mode, e.g. pressing Save PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits naming mode


Editing system parameters

 - Hold Save then press SEQ to enter system parameter editing mode
 - The SEQ button blinks to indicate that system parameter editing is active
 - Preset display shows "ICH" (Input MIDI Channel), matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows the parameter value, e.g. 1
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to select the parameter
 - Use Mod Amount to adjust the value
 - During system parameter editing mode, e.g. pressing Save, PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits system parameter editing mode

The parameter names and values could be something like:

ICH,OCH,LCH => Input, Output and Lower Part MIDI Channel, values: ALL, NONE, 1-16
MCK => MIDI clock source, values: ALL, USB, MIDI, SYNC
SCK => Sync Clock In/Out Settings, values: 1S, 1P, 24PQ, 48PQ
MPS, MPR => MIDI param send/receive, values: OFF, ON
MOS => MIDI out select, values: OFF, USB, MIDI, U+M
LOC => Local control, values: OFF, ON
PCR => Program Change Receive, values: OFF, ON
P1P, P2P => Pedal 1/2 polarity, values: NORM, INV
FSP => Footswitch polarity, values: NORM, INV
VEC, ATC[1] => Velocity/Aftertouch curve, values: LIN, LOG, EXP
SAS => Sequencer/Arp Sends Note, values: OFF, ON
SLT => Load Sequence Tempo, values: ALW, PAUS
E14 => Enable 14 bit automation: values. OFF, ON
ATS => Aftertouch Sensitivity, values: 0%-100%
O1N, O2N => VCO 1/2 Pitch 0V MIDI note, values: C2-G8

[1] Hoping for Aftertouch curve as an addition. Aftertouch is universally deemed too abrupt, requiring a lot of pressure before suddenly skyrocketing (an issue with many AT implementations), so let's assume that the current response is EXP.


Editing extended patch parameters

 - Hold Save then press MOD to enter extended patch parameter editing mode
 - The MOD button blinks to indicate that extended patch parameter editing is active
 - Preset display shows "E1L" (Envelope 1 Loop), matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows the parameter value, e.g. OFF
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to select the parameter
 - Use Mod Amount to adjust the value
 - During  extended patch parameter editing mode, e.g. pressing Save, PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits  extended patch parameters editing mode

The parameter names and values could be something like:

E1L, E2L, E3L => Envelope 1/2/3 Loop, values: OFF, AD, ADSR
ExA, ExD, ExR => Envelope 1/2/3 attack, decay and release curves, values: LIN, EXP1, EXP2, EXP3, LOG1, LOG2, LOG3
EFS => External input envelope follower speed, values: 1-N
SER, AER => Sequencer/Arp end step repeat, values: OFF, ON
etc. depending on which extended patch parameters might be implemented - the basic method would in any case open up for such extensions


IMO, describing this in the manual would be adequate, but a sticker or magnetic label for the front panel, with instructions on how to enter these modes and which controls does what, would be better.

Please discuss, and if you want to see something like this, be sure to submit a tech support ticket, weighing in to increase the chance of something like it being implemented.

[PES]

Yes, that's exactly how it should be done. Very tidy and consistent menu system, I'll quote your suggestion and send in a request so they've got another "vote" for it.

[joeman]

Good stuff! +1

[Alexandrejoe]

Very nice !

I advise you (and everybody interested) to duplicate this post in a support request on Arturia website for it to be prioritised. Here is an extract from the answer I had from Arturia while asking about the next update :

My colleagues are having a look at the forum topics regularly but don't have much time to answer on it unfortunately. In any case when something relevant is raised and discussed my colleagues are logging these in our database.

However, in order to make sure that any feature request will be properly referenced the best is to directly submit them to us and if relevant we'll immediately reference them and will link to it any other related customer complaint in order to increase its priority.

[fede bts]

IMO the MatrixBrute could do well with losing the dependency on the MIDI Control Center for basic operations like preset naming and changing MIDI settings and other system parameters. Using the MCC isn't always an option, and some day we may even find ourselves without the ability to run it unless we maintain vintage computers. For the synth to have true stand alone operation and longevity as an instrument, the MCC dependency must go away. I'd think every paying customer recognizes this.

There is also a problem with requests for extended patch parameters, like e.g. envelope looping, since the UI has no provision for specific things like that.

Here's a scheme that would make all of patch naming, system parameter editing and extended patch parameter editing simple and consistent.

Naming presets on the synth

 - Hold Save then press PRESET to enter naming mode
 - The PRESET button blinks to indicate that naming mode is active
 - Preset display shows "NAM", matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows first 4 letters of the name, first letter (cursor) blinks
 - Translate lower to upper -case if the original has lower case chars, replace unavailable special chars with e.g. "-"
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to move the cursor, blinking char indicates cursor position, for blanks, blink a special cursor symbol, e.g. top and bottom segment
 - Use Mod Amount to select character (A-Z, 0-9, space, _, -, [, ] is an adequate character set) - could also use the matrix as a 'keyboard'
 - Hold Save then press PRESET to save the name and exit naming mode (or rely on patch saving as usual?)
 - During naming mode, e.g. pressing Save PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits naming mode


Editing system parameters

 - Hold Save then press SEQ to enter system parameter editing mode
 - The SEQ button blinks to indicate that system parameter editing is active
 - Preset display shows "ICH" (Input MIDI Channel), matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows the parameter value, e.g. 1
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to select the parameter
 - Use Mod Amount to adjust the value
 - During system parameter editing mode, e.g. pressing Save, PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits system parameter editing mode

The parameter names and values could be something like:

ICH,OCH,LCH => Input, Output and Lower Part MIDI Channel, values: All, NONE, 1-16
MCK => MIDI clock source, values: ALL, USB, MIDI, SYNC
SCK => Sync Clock In/Out Settings, values: 1S, 1P, 24PQ, 48PQ
MPS, MPR => MIDI param send/receive, values: OFF, ON
MOS => MIDI out select, values: OFF, USB, MIDI, U+M
LOC => Local control, values: OFF, ON
PCR => Program Change Receive, values: OFF, ON
P1P, P2P => Pedal 1/2 polarity, values: NORM, INV
FSP => Footswitch polarity, values: NORM, INV
VEC, ATC[1] => Velocity/Aftertouch curve, values: LIN, LOG, EXP
SAS => Sequencer/Arp Sends Note, values: OFF, ON
SLT => Load Sequence Tempo, values: ALW, PAUS
E14 => Enable 14 bit automation: values. OFF, ON
ATS => Aftertouch Sensitivity, values: 0%-100%
O1N, O2N => VCO 1/2 Pitch 0V MIDI note, values: C2-G8

[1] Hoping for Aftertouch curve as an addition. Aftertouch is universally deemed too abrupt, requiring a lot of pressure before suddenly skyrocketing (an issue with many AT implementations), so let's assume that the current response is EXP.


Editing extended patch parameters

 - Hold Save then press MOD to enter extended patch parameter editing mode
 - The MOD button blinks to indicate that extended patch parameter editing is active
 - Preset display shows "E1L" (Envelope 1 Loop), matrix is disabled
 - Sequencer display shows the parameter value, e.g. OFF
 - Use preset Left and Right arrow buttons to select the parameter
 - Use Mod Amount to adjust the value
 - During  extended patch parameter editing mode, e.g. pressing Save, PRESET, SEQ, or MOD exits  extended patch parameters editing mode

The parameter names and values could be something like:

E1L, E2L, E3L => Envelope 1/2/3 Loop, values: OFF, AD, ADSR
ExA, ExD, ExR => Envelope 1/2/3 attack, decay and release curves, values: LIN, EXP1, EXP2, EXP3, LOG1, LOG2, LOG3
EFS => External input envelope follower speed, values: 1-N
SER, AER => Sequencer/Arp end step repeat, values: OFF, ON
etc. depending on which extended patch parameters might be implemented - the basic method would in any case open up for such extensions

Dr. Justice, this is just great! I have just sent a ticket! Wow... you even found a way for wisely implementing envelope loops 

[endreola]

Very well written indeed!  Hopefully this use-case will get adopted.

[Eldon T]

Great work  !I hope this could be added. I haven't realised when bought a Matrixbrute than some important setup need a computer, and the question to rely on an AP in XX years is important too. Have the ability to change all major things on the synth is needed.

[joeman]

Great work  !I hope this could be added. I haven't realised when bought a Matrixbrute than some important setup need a computer, and the question to rely on an AP in XX years is important too. Have the ability to change all major things on the synth is needed.

All this said, (and I agree that it would be ideal to have access to absolutely everything from the synth itself), this stuff should at the very least be able to be changed with midi commands. There are plenty of synths that have stuff that can only be changed from MIDI commands. No special software required, just the ability to send standard MIDI messages is all that's needed in these cases. I really hope that arturia release the complete MIDI implementation for the Matrixbrute.

[RobGee]

+1

[F5D]

I fully agree with the OP. The most important changes for the new firmware are to make the synth work independently from any software, especially the patch name editing.

[Damiensad]

With the matrix panel for the open source program CTRLR you can change bank and preset via sysex. This works very well.

The developers of MCM have inserted a text field below it to assign a name for the preset. The whole Matrixbrute can thus be controlled.
The VST can be loaded into the DAW, so automation is possible. Every control movement from the program is played back by the Matrixbrute.
There are 4 versions, version 4 is the best, the panel has 4 tabs.
On Youtube you can find a video of version 3.
The only thing missing is the possibility to save it from within the program. They are still working on it.
It is probably because Arturia does not publish the midi implementation table.
Galerie: www.mediacellar.de
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CzFKkc1oE

[DrJustice]

That's nice, Damiensad. It's not what this thread is about though.

BTW, I think the most prominent DAWs have some kind of built in panel editor to create such things, even if not as pretty as the CTRLR one. There are automation panels for Ableton and Cubase for download here on the forum. The bank and preset changes don't use sysex, just normal MIDI CC bank and program change messages. Again I think most DAWs can do that, e.g. the Cubase  panel (MIDI Device in Cubase speak) has this built in.

A separate an appropriately named thread for this panel might make it easier for people to find it. Anyway, that CTRLR panel does look nice, and is no doubt useful, especially if your DAW doesn't already have one