Coordinated BeatBuddy and Aeros Songs and Song Parts

General Discussion
#1

I’ve searched but can’t seem to find a clear definition of whether or not the BB and the Aeros can be coordinated in such a way that a BB Song parts can be used to trigger individual pre-recorded instrument loops in the Aeros.

I’m already using BB in my performances so I’m getting pretty familiar with loading, starting, controlling parts, and ending BB songs via MIDI. What I would like to do is use an Aeros with preloaded loop parts in a song that could be coordinated with the BB parts of a BB song. So, for example I’d like to capture a keyboard part for the intro, verse, verse fill, chorus, chorus fill, and end as separate loops and trigger them in conjunction with the BB parts of a selected song. I know the Aeros has a limitation on the length of the loops, but I don’t see that as an issue if I’m coordinating the loops on different song parts. But is this possible or is it just not a realistically possible with the current state of the Aeros?

#2

Hey there,

Yes, from what you’re saying it seems totally possible, some things to note: You will likely want to have a MIDI controller to send Aeros to the part you want from a stopped state.

Otherwise you’ll have to make those changes on the Aeros.

You will also likely want to set the Aeros to turn off both Playback and Record options for MIDI Start in the Main Device menu, this will make it so that even if BB sends MIDI Start, nothing happens. Aeros is in sync however, so it will not start playing back until the next 1 of the following measure. Another thing I would suggest is to disable BB sending out the CC 102 command in the Main Pedal > MIDI settings > MIDI Out settings page. This will stop the Aeros from starting playback every time BB changes parts.

Your options:

  1. Use a MIDI CC 113 1-6 and CC113 value 0 a measure before the loop should start playing back, this is useful if you want to start loop playback as soon as BB transitions
  2. Use a CC 113 value 1-6 MIDI command that is only being read by the Aeros channel, or send the CC113 value 101-106 midi commands that do not affect the BB as of beta v3.9.x (this will be out of beta very soon and is already available on the forum to try).
  3. Set the Aeros to the desired part by toggling with the Next Part button while it is stopped, and then hit the Play/ Stop all button on the Aeros to set up playback at the start of the next measure. This is helpful if you do not want the Aeros to start playback immediately with BB.

If you do want Aeros to start with BB you can also consider setting the Aeros to use MIDI start to always start playback.

Does this answer your question? Let me know!

#3

I think it sounds maybe doable. Just to clarify, I’m controlling BB via MIDI from my Line 6 Helix as a replacement for a full drummer in a 4 piece band. Generally I only use a simple intro, a part for verse, a part for chorus, a fill, sometimes a pause and an end. In order to keep things minimal I was envisioning starting both BB and Aeros together even if the aeros loop is empty at first but timed to start the Aeros verse loop when BB finishes it’s Intro so that it comes in with the rest of the band. I would assume I’d need the Aeros to switch loops when I signal BB to go to the Chorus part, and then switch to the Aeros loop when I signal BB to play the end outro. I foresee using the Aeros to fill in additional instruments with the band such as a keyboard, strings or pedal steel guitar.

The really important question here is would I need different commands for controlling the Aeros than the ones I use to signal the BB changes as that might be the thing I wouldn’t be able to do.

#4

If the Aeros part you have selected while stopped is empty, you can make the Aeros enter a scrolling mode, I have never seen someone use the scrolling mode without recording in it however. I do not know if there is an issue with that approach definitely let us know, as this is not the typical usage for Aeros! So plenty to learn :slight_smile:

The CC for Aeros and BB changing parts is coordinated! CC113 value 1-32 starts the BB part transition and CC113 value 1-6 selects the Aeros song part while stopped or starts the transition if playing back. To start the Aeros from stopped with a part change, you would need a CC113 value 101-106 command that is specifically for this. BB will not ignore these in v3.8.0 but it is filtered as of beta 3.9.0.

#5

Let me know if that answers your questions!