Seq Midi CC

[ATepper]

would love to see a way in a future update to sequence midi cc messages.. ie. changing each dial doesn't change the pitch but changes the message..

so somewhere in-between the controller mode and sequencer mode.

oh and also note velocity in sequence mode is a must.

ta.

[stuey]

Like the top panel of Spark, but for beatstep?

The ability to sequence all that data in a GUI sequencer would deb a nice touch 

Cheers Stuart

[ATepper]

i've not used spark so i don't know. but yeah sequencing data would allow you to create some interesting patterns on a filter for example, and also outboard gear that uses midi, editing preset parameters and so on..

as beat step works as a controller as well it seems to me there could be some crossover between the sequencer mode and the controller mode.

[stuey]

Yeah I see what you mean but that's basically what happens in Spark 2. The danger is that they will just replicate what they already have. If you have an app to control the musical data of beatstep you then have the issue of releasing beatstep software. I like the beatstep because it has no software and is just a CV/midi sequencer. When recording in Pro Tools all that data is recorded anyway, therefore can be edited and manipulated later.

Thanks, Stuart     

[ATepper]

check this vid out as an example of what it could do - this guy's using Sugar Bytes Thesys to do the sequencing of cc messages into the jomox mbrane (analog percussion machine with midi) but it would be nice to use beat step going straight into it rather than going near software.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktj2dy17-10

and there is software for beat step to configure it differently (control centre) but once you've configured it you can store it then take the software out of the equation.. that right?

[stuey]

Configuration software, yes. I'm talking about a GUI that's reliant on it always being plugged in, like Spark is for example.

I'm not knocking the idea but based on what Arturia have produced over the years, anything like that is going to be dependant on software.

Thanks, Stuart

[ATepper]

i'm pretty sure it could be achieved keeping the unit working exactly how it does.. with a firmware update.

as far as i'm aware, beat step already sends midi cc data, it sends it in sequence mode from the pads to turn notes on and off and in control mode it send it via the knobs to change parameters on a synth.
so, (for example) you press the two mode buttons together, they both light up and bingo - you have the knobs in sequence mode sending cc data.. and maybe the potential for more crossover features like that.

just an idea anyway!

[AndyPlankton]

It does sound like a firmware change to be able to do it with a single unit,  not sure on what options they have available in the unit but it could be possible to have the sequencer work in 'pages' each page controlling a different parameter.
e.g Page 1 Note On/Off, Page 2 Note Length, Page 3+ Assignable CC's

Of course paging isn't ideal as a user interface, plus if the knobs are not continuous encoders you have the problem of them not being in the correct position when you switch pages.

If the sequencer had a choice of Note or CC's , you could then run multiple units giving a better interface as all controls are available at the same time,  but this would mean adding the ability to sync multiple units.

I am contemplating getting one of these for use with iPad and iMini. iMS-20 and Gadget,  but the current limitations (No individual step length and no CC sequencing) are putting me off. It's current form does not suit any of the above perfectly, but is better value than the Novation LaunchControl as it does have at least a basic sequencer and more solid build quality.
However, if all you want is a controller, for similar money you could get 2 Korg NanoKontrol2's with faders giving an equivalient 16 controls (plus lots of on/off buttons) but with faders, which give better visual feedback than rotaries