Oh man, thanks for pointing out the XOR nature of the mute and solo messages. It’s seems like it’s so close, but having the MIDI messages operated solely on the current state of the device would make for a fragile live system. One slip up, and you’re out of sync if you’re trying to automate the looper.
I really hope they add absolute messages as well (in addition to the XOR), so that you could, say, run an “init” MIDI routine and have the looper exactly in the state you expect for a new performance, in addition to going from recording a track into play and not be forced to start a new track - if I understand correctly - that would be very limiting.
With the conditional trigs having been added to Octatrack, the combo could turn the Aeros into a very cool interactive looper that is almost self-run, by sending CCs to Aero on first play of an OT loop, and then mute for later - so that you can build up parts but make an arrangement that changes over the course of the performance. As it stands, there seems enough for it show potential. I might give it a try and see how far I can get. I love the looping features it has, I mean, it’s brilliant in this way. Definitely would be keen to have Auto Quantize - another way it could sync to OT.
My ultimate goal is to have an automated work flow that you can record parts with minimal fuss that get muted and then come back as the arrangement calls for it, with periods carved out for more improvisational moments, hence the need to be able to “reset” state of the pedal in case you go nuts. This is still all very exciting. I hope they are listening and I hope they come back with a MIDI spec that makes all of this possible.
Ableton really loves the performers who can do these “effortless” jams (after hours of pre-production and programming). Think of the way that Ableton can be automated by MIDI - every aspect (just about). That was truly groundbreaking and has allowed so much creativity beyond what they could have imagined. SS could certainly have a great vehicle on their hands if they made this possible, even if it was not what they had imagined it would be used for.
I also didn’t mention that you cannot load songs with PC messages. There’s a way to open the song loading screen and scroll though songs which is … I guess … one way to do it. Not really what a live performer wants. There is a command to start a new empty song based on the one you have currently loaded … which at first I thought would be a good way to reinit my session during practice … but it didn’t remember the “Lock Track” state (a newer feature of Aeros which I sometimes use which you can set before you start performing). And … Lock Track isn’t support in the MIDI commands … so bending down anyway.
Thanks for info @RockDebris. Yeah changing songs via PC messages will be pretty important for live performance.
I want to thrown in also, the Elektron Octatrack’s MIDI implementation incorporates both MIDI notes and CC messages. The MIDI notes are more geared towards operating the OT’s discrete operations via a MIDI controller (play, stop, record), while the CCs allow automation of other functionality (volume, panning, effects). It sure would be simpler to sequence a note sequence rather than a bunch of MIDI CC for the basic automation, so I hope it’s something they consider.
Meanwhile I’ve placed my order for an Aeros, so be expecting more feedback soon as I explore the device in person. I’m pretty excited at the possibility of it augmenting my production workflow right now, and then hopefully incorporate it into a live show once that’s a thing again. I think the combo of it and the Octatrack is going to make a powerful duo. I love what it does today, and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Oh I agree. I like the pattern of using Notes for discrete commands and not taking up entire CC ranges for that same, single concern or purpose (It also opens up the possibility of easily doing a few things from a simple MIDI keyboard if it suits your setup). Alternatively, pick a CC and fill that one up with discrete commands (that’s actually what the EHX 95000 does on CC 3). It’s still 128 potential commands filling up 1 space regardless how you slice it. I think with what could turn out to be a large set of controls and features in Aeros, you do want to plan a bit more carefully. At this point however, I’ll take even a badly planned implementation just do a few more critical things. Welcome to fray. I hope you don’t have to wait as long as I have.
This is what I do actually. In my case I use Bandhelper on my ipad for set lists and each song has either a backing drum track, or if I play with a drummer, a click track as Recording 1. Recording 2 is a MIDI file that I have created using MidiEditor that runs in parallel with the backing or click track. The Midi file controls the looper as well as Preset changes on all my Midi enabled gear. It turns effects like Harmony on and off on my VoiceLive.
You are right about performance. I play guitar, sing the vocals, and play bass with a combination of looped bass lines (using a Whammy to drop the guitar an octave) and playing simple bass notes with a set of basspedals. I am able to relax more and focus on my vocals and guitar with this setup. Still use the basspedals to play some simple bass lines and synth parts, but no more foot dancing for the looper and pedal presets.
My advice to you is wait. Aeros has been an expensive space holder on my board for months, waiting for MIDI implementation. There are a lot of us frustrated because I think many assumed the MIDI thread started by Singular Sound indicated it was happening soon, but we are all still waiting months later.
And from the looks of it, people will still be waiting months for all of it since they’re going to be breaking it up into different firmware releases. Next firmware is only supposed to be memory fixes and very little midi stuff, and then maybe lucky to get the other firmware by september for more midi stuff?
You won’t catch me defending SS over their MIDI implementation to date, however anyone who imagined it was going to be ready so soon after the last firmware release was just setting themselves up for even more disappointment.
Anyway, this thread was an attempt by me a while back to circulate some ideas among the community; best to let it fade unless anyone wants to add ideas (and there are probably better monitored threads now to do that as well).
@BrennanSingularSound I won’t be offended if you want to delete the whole thread if it interferes or maybe conflicts with any official info SS needs to put out. It could see it being confusing when it gets top posted.