MIDI control over variations

[ambivalence]

What is the problem?

With variations, users can build all their performance using only one pattern and it won’t get old. However, it is difficult to play variations in a complex setup with more instruments.

What do you want to achieve?

Switch from one variation to another via MIDI. Even better if it’s possible to switch immediately or in the end of the sequence.

Are there any workarounds?

Any links to related discussions?

• MIDI control over patterns
• MIDI control over Perform mode

Any references to other products?

[icaria36]

@ambivalence the feature request is clear but then in the description you get deep into implementation details and links and references to other discussions. This makes it hard to process.

In general, I think the Wishlist is a place to present problems and wishes. If a wish is accepted, usually there will be various possible approaches to implement it, and anyway it will be the Polyend team who will have to plan them in detail.

[ambivalence]

@icaria36

is this wish simple enough?

[icaria36]

What about now?

I am moving the embedded part here so it doesn’t get lost:

@ambivalence

One possible implementation could be: imagine 16 CC values corresponding for each of the tracks.

CC1, message 0: track one, previous variation
CC2, message 0: track two, previous variation
…
CC9, message 1: track one, next variation
CC10, message 1: track two, next variation

Sometimes player will need to change variation without waiting for the end of a sequence, so it’s another set of 16 CC values just for this purpose. Maybe it’s possible to have a shift button (while some CC = 1, values CC1-CC8 in this example would give another result switching variation immediately), but the best way would be to offer both options: separate CCs for immediate changes and the shift button, as it will simplify further midi programming and will make its usage more universal.

CC17, message 0: track one, previous variation, no waiting for the end of a sequence

Changing variations for multiple tracks at the same time would require 2 separate CCs to switch variation for selected tracks (another set of 16 + one CC to unselect all, see the FX thread). Another possible option is to allow player to create some sort of presets, per project or globally, like:

1st group: 1, 2, 3 tracks
2nd group: 7, 8 tracks
etc.

with pre-defined CCs for them.

Surely it’s not for casual players, but it will allow to make some serious stuff.

The last important navigation feature here, quoted from the patterns’ midi-therad, “previously played variation”:

And, last but not least, the possibility to get back to a previously played pattern (variation) shouldn’t be forgotten (also both delayed and immediate). There’re many reasons player might want to do this, but if we’re sticking to multi-instrumental example, player could just program his MIDI controller to switch to some pattern on a footswitch press and get back to the previous pattern on release .

It would be useful along with a separate CC mapped to the whole grid (0-127) or if it would be allowed to stack messages until the end of a sequence:

…stacking switches for the next bar could be immensely useful too (like sending double “right” or something, to jump over some progression parts).

[ambivalence]

whatever works for you. I just thought it won’t hurt anyone hidden in the spoiler anyways.

[icaria36]

(((I’m just trying to do whathever works for the Polyend team, and they have made it clear that the wishes need to be simple and modular to be promoted.)))

[ambivalence]

I meant whatever works for you, guys, plural

[miropoly]

@here ready for voting! Thanks for the wish