Sometimes menu diving can really affect the flow of a synth or drum machine - which is why Oliver Hagen has created the DivingBoard. It's designed for easy editing of parameters and straightforward adding of new parameters - the latter is made much easier, with a way to avoid even SEEING complex MIDI messages, using a unique Learning mode. I'm sure we all have a synth which we love to hate because of it's complex architecture - I'm looking at you Yamaha FB-01!
What it is:
A homemade MIDI controller aiming to solve the lack of parameter accessibility on the Roland JD-Xi synthesiser. It differs from other solutions I've seen in that customisability and potential ease-of-use are greater, and general use with a range of synthesisers is possible, rather than just with the JD-Xi.A little more info:
- It's capable of changing parameters using both CC and Sysex MIDI messages.
- The choice of editable parameters is user-set and easy to change.
- It can be programmed without the user needing to see or understand a single MIDI message- and without connecting the device to a computer.
- Material cost can be minimised at the moment to £60-£70. [1]
- It's a work in progress [2], currently existing as a functional prototype in regular use.
See the full details here: https://penguinatron.github.io/DivingBoard.html
More form Oliver Hagen here: https://www.youtube.com/@myHorribleMusic
About the author [midierror]: midierror makes nifty Max For Live devices, innovative music hardware, award winning sample packs and hosts a podcast speaking to people in the music world.
Revisions that turned synths into brand new machines