Dear Folks,
I am new here. I was reading many posts, but could not go to the end of the sw topics (please add a search function to the forum).
I have a Symbolic Sound Pacarana and an old Cabybara, mainly for scientific reaseach (we excite and detent/analyse audio rate signals in relation to biophysics of a protein). I would now use them also as musical instruments. I was thinking on the Continuum but there were some points against it: price, size and that most probably Kyma/Pacarana can do everything sound- and processing-wise as the Continuum (IS THIS CORRECT?, if yes, why duplicate functionality). The Soundplane is therefore very interesting.
I have few basic questions to improve my understanding of the Soundplane system (some of them must have been unswered - sorry for that).
Where can I find more info (manual) on the client software. I would like to see how far one can customise things.
Does the user have complete freedom in assigning the pitch to each key? For instance can it be isomorphic (neutral in other name): any accord is played exactly with the same relative finger positions independently from the root note. Or can one arrange the notes as on the guitar or any string instruments? Can one create completely custom layout, I mean freely defining the center pitch for each key (even outside the chromatic series)? Can one save these layouts/assigments?
How about custom scales and microtunings? It would be very nice if one could just pick up a tuning scale say in Scala ( http://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/ ) and layer it on the grid. Or this task is for the instrument, which is played by Soundplane? I think the Continuum and also Kyma can do it, most modern hw and sw synths too.
Is there pitch rounding implemented? I mean pitch rounding to the pitches of the selected scale (even if non-chromatic), if any (like in the Continuum). Say, if one wants to play arabic, indian or other ethnic music.
How does the client comminucate with Kyma/Pacarana? OSC or MIDI? I thing the Continuum uses MIDI to communicate now with Kyma (earlier there was a faster, higher resolution connection I think). I think internatly Kyma uses MIDI but with the possibility of fractional note numbers.
Is there still anything missing from Soundplane-Kyma/Pacarana integration?
Thanks for reading.
Best,
Tibor
A few more questions on the interaction of Soundplane with hw and sw instruments.
How does one play hw synthesizer, which accepts only MIDI? The client outputs MIDI from the Soundplane to the MIDI interface attached to the computer?
And sw instruments? How do they see the notes coming from Soundplane? Are ther OSC synths out there? Does the client communicate with Kyma via MIDI or OSC?
Can one record a piece played on the Soundplane as MIDI (or OSC) in track in a DAW, say Digital Performer or Reaper?
How about playing analogue hw synths with CV input? Could one use MOTU Volta ( http://www.motu.com/products/software/volta ). Are there other ways?
Would Soundplane work with Bidule ( http://www.plogue.com/products/bidule/ - it should be able to input/process/output both OSC and MIDI)?
Cheers,
Tibor
Hi and thanks for your interest.
Until I implement search on the site, you can use Google to search the forums here: "site:madronalabs.com query"
The client software is still changing relatively quickly as I add features. There is no finished manual yet, only the read me file.
Yes, in the Soundplane software you can make a map where any rectangle of keys, as small as one key, is assigned to an arbitrary note. So any layout is possible and can of course be saved.
I think tunings are a job for the instrument side, so I have implemented .scl and .kbm file reading in Aalto and Kaivo.
Yes, most people play with pitch rounding on. Both videos on the Soundplane page on the site are played with initial pitch rounding on.
The Soundplane can communicate with Kyma via OSC or MIDI.
Soindplane interoperates with all MIDI instruments and devices, software and hardware, in the usual ways that a MIDI source such as a keyboard would. So of course the data can be recorded, etc., and sent to many other systems. I haven't personally tried Bidule but it should work.
Thanks for the detailed reply!
Tibor