Dagger Synth by BeepStreet (Released)

uncledave

Actually, the Bend Range setting in KB-1 only applies to MPE, since it needs to convert keyboard slides into Pitch Bend messages.

We could make a StreamByter script to scale Pitch Bend messages to a smaller range. For example, divide by 6, so maximum wheel motion would produce 2 semitones when the synth is set to 12 semi. It's not difficult, but a little tricky.

uncledave

This script for the free StreamByter app will scale the Pitch Bend messages down so max wheel will only be 2 semitones when the synth bend range is 12 semis. Just route all the MIDI through StreamByter and on to Dagger, as shown in the screenshots. I realize this may look a bit scary for a MIDI newb, but the complication is due to the format of the Pitch Bend message. The script will be saved in any AUM session, just like the settings in other apps.

Edit: KB-1 defaults to MPE (every note on a different channel). You should probably set it to normal MIDI to avoid confusion.

Note: To post scripts formatted like this, put a separate line with 3 backticks (not apostrophes) before and after the text.

#ScalePitchBend

# Scales down the range of pitch bend messages for use with
# synths expecting a large range. For example, if an app
# is set for maximum PB of 12 semitones, scaling the value by
# 6 means the maximum wheel will only produce 2 semis.
# This script only affects PB messages. All others pass
# unchanged.

# Load StreamByter in a MIDI slot. Paste this in and Install Rules.
# You can Save it for later reuse (hamburger menu in lower right). 
# Tap the magnifier to see the actual input and output messages. 
# Text following # are comments. They don't affect the code.
# Numbers without dollar $igns are hexadecimal representations
# of bit patterns.

If load
Set Name PBscal

Alias $6 scaleFactor
Alias $3 halfScale      # must be half the scaleFactor

Ass I01 = 2000      # saved previous value

End # Initialization ———————————————————————————

If MT == E0   # handle PB, M1 is LSB, M2 is MSB
   # This calc uses 16-bit register I00.
   mat I00 = 80 * M2      # combine bytes to one 14-bit value
   mat I00 = I00 + M1
   if M2 < 40         # convert to positive offset. 2000 is middle wheel.
      mat I00 = 2000 - I00
   else
      mat I00 = I00 - 2000
   end
   mat I00 = I00 + halfScale      # round up
   mat I00 = I00 / scaleFactor   # scale offset
   if M2 < 40      # convert back to PB value
      mat I00 = 2000 - I00
   else
      mat I00 = 2000 + I00
   end
   if I00 != I01      # only send when value changes
      ass I01 = I00      # remember last value sent
      mat M1 = 7F & I00      # update message bytes
      mat M2 = I00 / 80
   else
      block
   end
End

tyslothrop1

I just tried it. If you want to use dagger as a mono synth, just leave mpe on and change the pitch bend range to 12 st (gear icon, tab mpe &midi) and you can do pitchbends right on the keyboard, if the little glide icon over the keys is active. Maybe there are disadvantages, but in a quick test, I didn't run into anything problematic. If you want to use dagger paraphonically this method gets wonky, though.

Edit: It gets better, activate slide too and set the slide cc to 1 (gear icon, expression tab) and you can play, bend and modulate with just one hand. Only gets weird, when you touch and slide two keys at once.

uncledave

@tyslothrop1 said:
I just tried it. If you want to use dagger as a mono synth, just leave mpe on and change the pitch bend range to 12 st (gear icon, tab mpe &midi) and you can do pitchbends right on the keyboard, if the little glide icon over the keys is active. Maybe there are disadvantages, but in a quick test, I didn't run into anything problematic. If you want to use dagger paraphonically this method gets wonky, though.

Edit: It gets better, activate slide too and set the slide cc to 1 (gear icon, expression tab) and you can play, bend and modulate with just one hand. Only gets weird, when you touch and slide two keys at once.

Right. That's how MPE works. I believe you need to select the "Uniform" keyboard style as well. But this doesn't relate to the previous question of limiting the range of the bend wheel while using a conventional keyboard layout.

thecalimaki

Thanks for the suggestions @uncledave and @tyslothrop1. I know that MPE makes perfect sense on a touch screen, but years of experience just make me gravitate towards the pitch wheel. I’ll definitely try the StreamByter script.

Also, would automating the pitch wheel (to stay at a constant value) be the most viable way to simulate a global Tune knob? Dagger doesn’t have a knob like that, which I find unfortunate since the synth has FM capabilities. In Moog Model D (for example), I often find myself reaching for the global Tune knob when playing with FM in order to wrangle the sound back to the nearest chromatic note.

tyslothrop1

@uncledave said:

@tyslothrop1 said:
I just tried it. If you want to use dagger as a mono synth, just leave mpe on and change the pitch bend range to 12 st (gear icon, tab mpe &midi) and you can do pitchbends right on the keyboard, if the little glide icon over the keys is active. Maybe there are disadvantages, but in a quick test, I didn't run into anything problematic. If you want to use dagger paraphonically this method gets wonky, though.

Edit: It gets better, activate slide too and set the slide cc to 1 (gear icon, expression tab) and you can play, bend and modulate with just one hand. Only gets weird, when you touch and slide two keys at once.

Right. That's how MPE works. I believe you need to select the "Uniform" keyboard style as well. But this doesn't relate to the previous question of limiting the range of the bend wheel while using a conventional keyboard layout.

Yes, I found it interesting, that MPE can have uses for non-mpe synths. The string layout, that I prefer works, haven't tried any others.

espiegel123

It might be worth contacting BeepStreet and requesting a pb range setting.

sigma79

Dagger Synth.

I sold a Faderfox Pc12 and actually cut the Faderfox overlay ( just because Dagger had earned its place ) as the synth on the controller.

This is with the Faderfox EC4 firmware update ( who needs LFOs for filters ) when you got upgraded encoders.

Theres enough mapped.

Medusa upgrades any synth but I guess its easier to dial in with Dagger, as its character is clear.

sigma79

The Legendary tweaking Synth.