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Synth Controller
Operation Manual
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Welcome
Hello and thanks for buying a 'Stereoping Synth Controller'. We will use 'SSC' as an
abbreviation for 'Stereoping Synth Controller' in this manual. If you purchased a DIYassembly kit and are looking for the building instruction ... this is the operation
manual for the finished Controller. To get the building instructions please visit
www.stereoping.com -> Products -> Synth Controller -> Downloads
This manual does not give a detailed introduction into the world of Midi. To fully
understand the manual, we assume you have at least a basic knowledge about Midi.
If you experience problems using this product, have feature wishes, find things
annoying, are missing an SSC-edition for your favourite synth or just want to tell us
you LOVE this product, go ahead. We are looking forward to receiving your Mail!
[email protected]
The manual is divided into the following sections:
1. Overview of the SSC's features
2. Integrating the SSC into your setup
3. Operation
4. The Midi data filter and the Midicontroller change message to SysEx
translator
5. Technical limitations
6. Updating firmware
7. Synth specific addendum
8. Understanding Midi timelags and how to minimize them
9. Troubleshooting
10. Changes to recent versions
11. Imprint
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
1. Overview of the SSC's features
What is the SSC actually good for?
The SSC is a Synthesizer Hardware Editor which helps you to change the parameters
of your music synthesizer in a very comfortable way. Instead of editing on the synth's
frontpanel with it's limited and enoying user interface, you have 16 knobs and 3
buttons to quickly tweak the sound in a comfortable way. When you dial a knob, the
SSC sends the appropriate message in Midi SysEx-format over the Midicable into your
synth, causing the synth to change it's sound immediately.
Features
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Synthesizer hardware realtime editor
Frontpanel designed to suit visually to the appropriate synth
Easy operation, avoiding cryptic 'Shift' or 'Alt' operations
Beautiful lighted colored buttons of durable quality
Tough and handsome steelcase without oldfashioned wooden sides
Protection diode to avoid electronic damage from PSUs with wrong polarity
Built in 'Midi Control Change to SysEx'-translator for changing and automating
your synths parameters with standard Midi Control Change messages
Midi-bandwith optimization 1: blocks incoming SysEx-data, realtime-data and
Midi messages on Midichannels not used
Midi-bandwith optimization 2: pots altering parameters with few values (like e.g.
LFO waveform) send only real changes of that value to avoid redundant
messages
Handy 'move pot without sending messages'-feature to prevent excessive
parameter jumps
Useful 'Bypass Mode' letting all Mididata pass unfiltered for smallest latency
and ignoring pot changes at the same time
Funny 'Letter Dial Mode' - use the pots to dial in the patchname, save a lot of
time, find funny names by chance (only on synths offering SysEx-patchname
changes)
Learnt Midichannel permanently stored in memory
Firmwareupdate via SysEx-dump
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Editions
At the moment we offer editions for the following synthesizers
•
edition '8P' for Roland JX-8P
•
edition 'Alpha' for Roland Alpha Juno 1/2 and MKS 50
•
edition 'K3' for Kawai K3 and K3m
•
edition '8000' for Korg DW-8000 and EX-8000
•
edition 'Microwave' for Waldorf Microwave 1 (Software V 2.0)
•
edition '1006R' for Matrix 1000 and Matrix 6 / 6r
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Setting the Midichannel
This is the point, the ordinary musician stops reading the manual. Please, continue
with at least this paragraph and the technical info how to kill your SSC by using a
wrong power supply.
Before the SSC can fulfill your soundtweaking-wishes, it must be set onto the same
Midichannel as the synth itself (an exception here is the Microwave edition. The
Microwave does not take Midichannels into account when being edited by SysExmessages). How to set the Midichannel is described in chapter '3. Operation -> Button
Combinations and special modes -> Midichannel learn mode'.
Technical handling
The SSC was built to be used in a comfortable music studio environement. You can
operate it under free skies of course. But please keep in mind, it uses electricity for
proper operation and therefore is quite sensitive to water, drinks or other fluids.
Excessive heat or exposition to sunlight is also not advised.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Power supply
You can use any ordinary 9 Volt DC
powersupply to operate the SSC. The
connector should have Plus on the outside
and Ground - sometime labeled as 'Minus' on it's centerpin. Most guitar effects
walwarts for Boss, Ibanez and other brands
use this pin-standard. The SSC has a
protection diode for not doing any harm if
the polarity of the power supply is wrong. So
if the SSC's buttons won't light up after
pluging in the wallwart, it is most probably
of wrong polarity.
The current of the PSU should at least offer
about 200 mA. If it supplies more current
(e.g. 500mA) this is fine and won't cause
problems. The SSC gently just takes the
current it needs.
The right picture shows a suitable power
supply with the important properties marked
by green rectangles.
Please do NEVER use a powersupply on
the SSC which has an 'AC'-Output. AC
means alternate current.
If you happen to encounter strange behaviour like unlighted buttons although power
is attached or you smell something burnt coming out of the SSC, please unplug
powersupply and consult the troubleshooting guide or contact support.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
2. Integrating the SSC into your setup
There are several ways to patch the SSC into your setup. Here are the three most
common examples. The term 'SysEx' used in the diagrams describes the Midi
messages generated by the SSC to alter the parameters in your synth.
Example 1 - SSC together with a single Keyboardsynth
You might have a single keyboardsynth (e.g. Korg DW-8000, Roland JX-8P), standing in
your bedroom and want to play it together with the SSC. Put the SSC on a free space
on your keyboard, patch a Midicable from the SSC's Midi Out into your synths Midi In:
Now you can play on the keyboard or - if your synth offers one - let the arpeggiator
fiddle while using the SSC to change the sound. You might have to enable 'SysEx
receiving' in your synths menu first (e.g. Kawai K3 Master Parameter 44 to value 5, or
on Korg DW-8000 Parameter 85 to value 2).
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Example 2 - Midi-Sequencer/DAW into SSC into Synth
If you send Midi data from your sequencer to a synth module and wish to edit the
module at the same time with the SSC, plug it this way:
The SSC merges incoming Midi data like notes, velocity, (unused) Midi Control Changes
or pitchbend with it's own messages in Midi SysEx-format and hands the data to the
synth through it's Midi Out jack - which therefore in fact can also be considered to be a
filtered Midi Through jack.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Example 3 - SSC into Midi-Sequencer/DAW into Synth
You can record the SysEx messages of the SSC into your sequencer to automate
sound changes in your composition - with some limitations concerning Midibus
bandwith. Although we recommend another setup described below, you could plug
the devices like this:
Many sequencers are filtering Midi SysEx by default because it eats a lot of the small
bandwith of the Midi bus and is in most cases not used in the normal music
production process. So please dig into your sequencers settings to disable SysEx
filtering if necessary. Keep in mind the SysEx-message which change the parameters
in your synth are quite 'big' and might jam the Midibus.
Better alternative to example 3: The SSC has a built in data-translator to convert
Midi Control Change data into the SysEx-data which your synths likes to receive for
parameter changes. For automation of parameter changes we recommend pluging
the SSC between sequencer and synth and to use ordinary Midi Control Change
messages being sent from the sequencer/DAW into the SSC for automation. Midi
Control Change messages are by far more easy to handle and edit than SysEx data.
The wiring is exactly as shown in example 2.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
3. Operation
Using the SSC is quite simple. After setting the suitable Midichannel once, all
operation will be performed by just 3 buttons and 16 pots. In the following you'll be
explained in detail how to use them.
Colorcoded parameters
In the upper left corner are 3 colored lighted buttons represention 3 edit modes.
Pressing a button causes the SSC to switch into the appropriate color mode. Some
adaptions of the SSC have the colors Red, Green, Yellow, some have Red, Green, Blue.
There are even adaptions using other color combinations.
Now each color mode has a set of parameters
printed in that color on the frontpanel, which are
sent out on the MIDI Out jack when the
appropriate pot is dialed. For example if you
press the green button it will light up and the
parameters on the frontpanel printed in green
will be sent to the synth as you move the pots. If
you find a parameter you want to change next,
have a look at it's color and change into that
color mode with one of the 3 buttons - if it is not already selected.
Front panel parameters printed in neutral colors
Some very common parameters - according to
the adaption you purchsed - like 'Volume' or
'Cutoff' might be printed in a neutral color
(white, black or grey). These parameters are
always used when dialing this pot, regardless of
the selected color mode. Exception: if the SSC is
in Bypass Mode, these parameters are ignored
like any others.
Front panel in general
In rare cases you will find some parameters printed twice on the frontpanel. The 'K3'Edition e.g. offers 'Lowcut' and 'LFO Speed' in the red AND the green parameterset.
The reason: after all synth-parameters were layed out, we still had parameter slots left
over which we did not want to leave unused.
Some parameters have a small '0' or a dot printed above their knob. These parameter
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
can get positive or negative like e.g. LFO 1 modulation of DCO1 in the 1006R edition.
Center position of the knob means neutral or no modulation.
Most knobs do not have any additional description. E.g. a parameter 'Waveform' could
have beed expected to have additional words around the knob saying 'Sawtooth',
'Squarewave', 'Triangle' ... Well, the SSC is quite small and we thought the 16 knobs
with their dedicated functions multiplied by 3 colors are quite messy enough. This
hardware editor tool is designed to interactively explore your synths possibilities by
dialing pots. It's not considered to be a technically precise laboratory science thing. We
tried to keep it mostly simple and somewhat cute while maintaining the easy
accessable and clear concept.
Single Button Functions
Change color mode
If you press an unlighted button, the SSC changes into that color mode and sends
out the appropriate colored parameter printed below a pot as it is dialed.
Pot dialing without sending data
Changing between the colormodes logically has the unwanted side effect, the dial
position of a pot often won't correspond to the appropriate parameter value. Moving
such a pot will cause the synth parameter to immediately jump to the new value
causing a sometimes unpleasant sonic experiance.
Example on a Korg DW-8000: the synths delay level is at 0 % and you want to increase the
delay level softly but, after switching into the blue color mode you realize, the last pot in
the second row for the delaylevel unfortunately is set fully clockwize. If you would move the
pot now, the delay level of the DW-8000 would most likely jump shortly to a high level, even
if you tried turning the pot quickly to it's 0 % position.
We have a workaround: pressing and holding an already lighted color-button will
prevent the SSC from sending the pots SysEx message. Release the color-button
and the SysEx messages will be sent again - of course from the new pot position on.
For the upper example, we would hold the lighted blue color button, dial the pot to the left,
release the button and start to softly fade in the delaylevel dialing the pot clockwize - with a
masterfully smile on our face.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Button Combinations and special modes
According to the edition you purchased, the one or other mode mentioned here might
not be available. Nothing cryptic, if your SSC adaption offers a special mode, it will be
printed on it's frontpanel in the button area.
All Notes off
It should not happen and during development we did not experiance problems here.
But for several reasons it might happen during operation a ringing note will not stop
anymore. This is caused by a missing Midimessage called 'Note Off' which was lost for
some reason. It is not necessary to power your synth off and on again. Powering off
and on the SSC would be even more useless. For these occasion the SSC offers help:
to send an 'All Notes Off' event to your synth, shortly press the button
combination printed on the frontpanel. In most editions, the combination consists
of the upper 2 buttons. Hopefully all your synths voices should be quiet then.
Midi Channel Learn Mode
The SSC has (in most editions) a Midi Channel Learn Mode. Once engaged, the SSC
waits for an incoming Midi note on it's Midi In jack. The wiring should look like this:
As a note comes in, it stores the note's Midichannel permanently in it's memory. The
learnt channel will be restored on the next powerup. To enter the Midi Channel
Learn Mode, hold the button combination printed on the frontpanel for about 2
seconds. In most editions the combination consists of the upper 2 buttons. The lights
of the pressed buttons will start flashing, you can release the buttons now. The SSC
waits for an incoming note on it's Midi In jack. If nothing comes in for about 30
seconds, the SSC will return to normal operation mode, keeping it's old Midichannel.
You can also leave this mode manually by shortly pressing any of the buttons. If the
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
SSC learnt which channel to use, it will nicely flash and also return to normal
operation.
Normaly in this mode you send a Midinote to learn the Midichannel. There is one
exception: the 1006R edition for Oberheim Matrix1000 and Matrix 6 / 6r
distinguishes between incoming note and pitchbend.
• Sending a note sets the SSC as a programmer for the Matrix 1000 and extracts
the Midichannel from the note
• Sending a pitch bend sets the SSC as a programmer for the Matrix 6/6r and
extracts the Midichannel from the pitchbend message
The mode (Matrix1000 or Matrix6) is – besides the channel of course - also stored
permanently in memory.
Bypass Mode
This mode is for optimizing Mididata flow and locking the user interface against
unintended parameter changes at the same time. You can enter the Bypass Mode by
holding the button combination printed on the frontpanel. The corresponding lights
will flash to indicate your SSC is in Bypass Mode.
In Bypass Mode, most routines of the SSC's software are skipped and incoming Midi is
passed through unprocessed offering the least latency. In addition any dialing of the
pots is ignored. This is useful for several situations:
• your perfect song is ready for being recorded and you want to ensure the
smallest latency for Mididata going through the SSC
• you want to dump a SysEx soundbank into your synth (SysEx is normally
blocked by the SSC to optimize Midi-performance)
• you got kids or cats (or both) in your studio and want to prevent, they destroy
your soundpatch masterpiece at the moment they see the awesome SSC and
can't stand to fiddle the pots
You can leave Bypass Mode by pressing any of the 3 buttons.
Letter Dial Mode
Some synthesizers offer changing the patchname via sysEx. These editions offer a
'Letter Dial Mode' which you can enter by holding the button combination printed on
the faceplate for about 2 seconds. The corresponding lights will flash to indicate the
mode your SSC is currently in.
In Letter Dial Mode you can use the pots to easily change the patch name. Depending
on the lettercount of the patchname there might be some pots left over doing
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
nothing. This not only saves you time, it is also funny and inspiring finding crazy
names while cranking the pots around.
The span of available letters normally corresponds to the ASCII character standard.
That means there are nearly 100 different characters to choose from, some
synthesizers from japan even offer additional hiragana or kanji characters. To enhance
precision for hitting the desired letter we clamped the span of a pot dial to the first 64
letters omiting the small characters at the end of the ASCII table. So keep in mind: if
you want to use small letters in your patchname you have to use your synths interface
for fine tuning the patchname. You can leave the Letter Dial Mode by pressing any of
the 3 single buttons.
Multi Edit Mode of the Microwave-edition
Holding the upper and lower buttons on the SSC edition for the Waldorf Microwave
causes the SSC to enter a very cool Microwave specific 'Multi Edit Mode'. Please refer
to Section '7. Synth specific addendum' on how to use this cool mode.
Init patch dump on 1006R-edition
Holding the upper and lower button on the SSC Matrix1000/6/6r edition dumps a
basic initialisation patch into the Matrix 1000's edit buffer. Please refer to Section '7.
Synth specific addendum' for more information.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
4. The Midi data filter and the Midi Control Change message to SysEx
translator
Midi data filter
To optimize the small bandwith Midi offers we implemented a datafilter inside the SSC
thinning out incoming Mididata before it is mixed with the generated SysEx messages
for sending both to your synth over the SSC's Midi Out jack.
Example: if your synthesizer and the SSC are talking on Midichannel 3, your synth is
completely indifferent about the other 15 Midichannels, so why send data on them? The
SSC just ignores this data and prevents your synth from being fired with them.
What's the benefit? You will get more data bandwith for the 'heavy' SysEx messages
on the route from the SSC's Midi Out to the synth's Midi In, resulting in better timing
of your played notes.
Here is an overview what the SSC filters out and what is passed unprocessed.
Incoming Data on Midi In
Treatment inside SSC
Data sent to Midi Out
System Realtime
Filtered out
Nothing
SysEx-Data
Filtered out
Nothing
Mididata of unused Midichannel
Filtered out
Nothing
Mididata on used Midichannel
excluding Midi Control change
messages for numbers 11-63
Passed
Same as incoming data
Midi Control change messages for
numbers 11 to 63 on used
Midichannel
Translation into sound changing
SysEx message
SysEx message for
changing the synths
parameter
Please remember: in Bypass Mode all incoming data from Midi In is passed through
without any filtering to the Midi Out jack.
'Midi Control change' message to SysEx translator
Midi hardware sequencers, workstations and software sequencers mostly offer quite
few possibilities for the handling of SysEx data. But they can cope with Midi Control
messages quite well. The most commonly used Midicontroller (sending Midi Control
Change messages for midicontroller number 1) is the modulation wheel found on
almost any keyboard synth.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
We spent the SSC a little data translator which offers the possibility to remote control
the parameters on the frontpanel by incoming Midi Control changes. This is what the
little numbers besides the knobs are for. They describe the Midicontroller numbers
used to alter this parameter. It's that simple.
The Midi Control change message must be sent on the Midichannel used for the SSC
and the targeted synth. When the SSC detects a Midi Control change message with a
suitable controller number, it translates it into the appropriate SysEx message and
sends it out to your synth - which should change the desired parameter immediately.
As the pots themselfes, the translator is also bandwith optimized, meaning that
already sent parameter values won't be sent again until they change the synth
parameters value.
You will have realized, the little Midicontroller numbers start with 11. Simple reason:
Midicontroller numbers 1 to 10 are commonly used to set modulation (Ctr 1),
volume (Ctr7), paning (Ctr 10) or other things and are therefore passed through
the SSC unfiltered. By the way, the controllers above 63 are also passed through.
Example: you own the 'K3' edition for your beloved Kawai K3 and want to automate the Lfo
speed to make your recently finished new composition even more exciting. Having a short
peek on the frontpanel reveils, you just have to send Midicontroller number 18 from your
DAW to the SSC to change the LFO speed in your K3.
Technical info: depending on your synth and it's internal hard- and firmware, the
change of some parameters can be performed in realtime without problems while
your synths plays incoming Midinotes. Other parameters might cause the notes to
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
sound sluggish or delayed. The Oberheim Matrix-Synths are known for their not so
optimal behaviour on remoting parameters.
Another technical info: remoting parameters by Midi Control change messages will not
improve the problem of sluggish, delayed notes due to the small Mididata bandwidth.
Although Midi Control change messages are using much fewer bandwith than SysEx,
they are just used on the way from the DAW to the SSC for remoting knobdials. The
heavy SysEx-data to be sent from the SSC into your synth to perform parameter
changes can not be avoided.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
5. Technical Limitations
Lacking of some parameters
Some synthesizers offer far more parameters than the SSC's concept can handle.
Mainly the Waldorf Microwave and the Oberheim Matrix 1000 / 6 / 6r with their
extensive modulation capabilities can not be completely controled by a small box with
some dials even lacking a display. We tried to find and implement the most relevant
and interesting parameters into the SSC, but your synth might offer even more. Please
check your synths manual to find out what it has to offer apart from the SSC's
frontpanel.
Parameter jumps
In designing the SSC's hard- and software, we tried hard to find the best compromise
between minimalistic hardware for quick and errorsafe diy-assembly, easy operation,
small budget, cool design and the widest functionality. You must not come from
Vulcan to agree in the logical fact that trying to change 48 parameters with 16 pots
must lead to some limitations in user friendlyness. Changing an edit mode by pressing
one of the unlighted buttons naturally leads to knobs, dialed into positions not
corresponding to the parameter values in your synth. Dialing one of these pots lets
the appropriate parameter jump immediately onto it's new value which might result in
unpleasant sound changes. This is normal operation and due to the concept of the
SSC. To overcome this issue, we would have needed much more complex and
expensive hardware, for example by using endless encoders.
But we implemented a handy shortcut feature which helps in many cases:
a pots parameter is NOT sent to your synth as long as the already lighted button
is held down. Let the button go and the messages will be sent again on dialing. Hit is
describes in detail in chapter '3. Single Button Functions → Pot dialing without sending
data'
Notes laging in time
Another issue you might encounter while using the SSC are delayed or timing related
unprecise notes while excessive pot fiddling. This problem is not caused by the SSC, it
is dismantled by it. It arises when too much data wants to travel the small pipe of the
Midibus. Synth editing through the SSC is performed using so called 'Midi SysEx data'
which uses quite many databytes and normaly plays a secondary role in every day's
Midi world. We dedicated an entire chapter on how to minimize the problem of laging
notes.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
6. Updating Firmware
There might come up suggestions or issues from users which can make an update of
the firmware necessary. The SSC offers a bootloader mode to update it's firmware by
sending a Midi-SysEx file into the Midi In jack. The most recent firmware files can be
downloaded from our homepage
www.stereoping.com -> Products -> Synth Controller -> Downloads
Your hardware of the SSC is compatible to all other SSC synthesizer editions. If you
own more than one synths supported by the SSC, you can safely dump firmware files
of other editions into it and play around with them. Only one at a time of course. The
internal processor allows you to flash a new firmware about 10.000 times until the
memorycells are starting to die. As it is not likely we will offer more than 10.000 synth
adaptions, you can safely try them all multiple times. If you decide to swap to another
adaption permanently, you can even get a sticker from us to change your editions
frontpanel. (Although it might not be very funny nor easy to get the old sticker off the
case).
Now on to the technical stuff. Your computer should be able to send the firmware
from it's Midi Output to the SSC's Midi Input:
To enter bootloader mode, hold the topmost button while powering on the SSC.
The middle button (in most cases green) will light up indicating the SSC is awaiting
a SysEx Midi stream. Normally, when powering up, the red button is lighted after a
short welcome flash. You can release the button then of course.
Now send the firmware file into the SSC using a SysEx dump tool of which are several
available as freeware for different operating systems. Configure the SysEx-dumpOperation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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software to use the correct Midi Output, open the firmware file and send it into the
SSC, which still should be in bootloader mode.
While the incoming stream is valid and saved into the SSC's program memory, the
lights are flashing up slowly one after the other. The dump process should take less
than a minute. Do not remove the power supply. Doing so would not make any harm
to the SSC itself or it's bootloader but the synth-specific firmware in it's memory will
most probably be damaged. You will need to flash the firmware again doing the steps
described above.
If the LED-rotation stops and the bottom LED is blinking, a checksum error
occured. In clear that means, the SysExfile you tried to dump was either corrupt or
the SSC could'nt write fast enough.
The first is quite unlikely. You can of course try to grab the firmware again from our
homepage and start over.
More likely is, the SysEx packages were
sent to fast from your computer into the
SSC. The SSC needs some time to save an
incoming datapacket into it's memory
before it can receive the next packet. Your
SysEx dump software should offer a
setting where you can set a certain
amount of delay the software waits, until
sending the next SysEx-packet. Try
increasing this delay value. E.g. we use
MidiOX and set a delay of 100 ms. If it still
does not work please contact
[email protected].
After the successful dump, the SSC
restarts again, welcoming you with some nicely flashing buttons going into normal
operation, indicated by the red lighted button.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
7. Synth specific addendum
This section describes special issues only relevant for certain editions of the SSC.
SSC edition '8P' for Roland JX8P
There are 2 parameters we did not get on the frontpanel and which need to be edited
on JX8P synth itself:
• Env1 Keyfollow
• Env2 Keyfollow
SSC edition 'Microwave' for Waldorf Microwave
Please keep in mind the Waldorf Microwave has much more to offer than the SSC is
giving you direct access to. Please dig in the Microwave's manual for more.
The Waldorf Microwave does not take the Midichannel into account for SysEx editing.
Therefore we do not need and offer a 'Midi Channel Learn' Mode.
Each parameter on the frontpanel containing the term 'Mod Amnt' is bipolar which
means, it can go positive or negative, center position is neutral. We would have felt
unpleasant to destroy our design if we printed about 8 times a small '0' on the
frontpanel.
In case you miss the small Midicontroller-Number besides the parameter
'Wavetable' ... changing the wavetable takes a looong time until the synth is capable
playing notes in time again. In addition it is very annoying, having changed the
wavetable unintended, particularly if you can not remember which wavetable was set
before the change. Therefore we intentionally left out changing wavetables by Midi
Control change message.
Issue using Letter Dial Mode: The Waldorf Microwave does not update it's display
after receiving the SysEx message for changing a patchname letter. We therefore
hecked out a workaround by remotely telling the microwave the message 'press O.K.
button' after each letterchange. This leads to the side effect that the display cursor
skips one digit on each letter change. This is not a bug, it's a feature to keep you
awake while editing and won't do any harm to your beloved Microwave. Caution: the
O.K.-button is also used for more serious tasks like e.g. to confirm patch saving. So
when using the Letter Dial Mode for name editing, it is advisable to have the
microwave set into it's appropriate patchnaming page.
The Waldorf Microwave itself offers a multimode where you have several instruments
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
playing different sounds on different or similar Midichannels at the same time. This
led us to the idea of a simple but interesting Multi Edit Mode. It is not a full editor but
a funny and powerful multi instrument performance mode.
You enter SSC's Multi Edit Mode by holding the upper and lower buttons for about 2
seconds. You can leave SSC's Multi Edit Mode by pressing any single button. Please
don't expect the Microwave to jump in it's multi mode when selecting the Multi Edit
Mode on the SSC. The Microwave's multi mode and the SSC's 'Multi Edit Mode' are
intended to be used together but they have be engaged separately on both devices.
After entering this mode, the SSC can adjust
• Midi Control change for controller number 7 (Level)
• Midi Control change for controller number 1 (Modwheel)
• Midi Control change for controller number 2 (Breath)
• Midi Control change for controller number 3
for the Midichannels 1 to 4 simultaneously.
The fun with the SSC's multi mode starts after preparing your patch(es) to make heavy
use of the Midicontroller numbers 1 to 3 inside the Microwave's modulationmatrix.
We intentionally have chosen Midi Control Change messages and not the fixed multi
instruments parameters like 'Paning' or 'Transpose'. The latter would have demanded
using large SysEx-messages instead of the smaller Midi Control change messages.
Another benefit of using Midicontroller Numbers is, they can be freely patched in the
Microwaves modulation matrix and make this mode therefore far more flexible.
'Modwheel' and 'Breath' are fixed modulation sources in the Microwave, to use
Midicontroller Number 3, simply assign it to 'Controller W'. Keep in mind: the
Microwave multi mode offers separate settings for the Controllers W, X, Y and Z and
overrides the setting inside the patch.
An example:
• initialize a patch
• set Modwheel (=Midicontroller 1) as Source for Cutoff Modifier 2
• set Breath (=Midicontroller 2) as Source for Resonance Modifier
• set 'Controller W' as Modifier for Detune OSSC 1
• set SAW as Wave1
• save it and make an new multi program with 4 times this patch, assigning the 4
instruments the Midichannels 1-4
• set 'Controller W' to 3 inside Microwave's multi mode settings
• let your sequencer fire the Microwave with notes on Midichannels 1-4 to let the 4
instruments all play the same pattern or melody
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Now the 4 pots on the left of the SSC set the levels for each instrument, the 4 pots in the top
row alter cutoff, the middle row tweaks resonance and the bottom row individually detunes
the oscillator. For each instrument individually! What you will hear is just - DELICOUS.
You think 'That whole multi mode thing sounds complicated' ?
Well, please have a seat and read on. There is even more!
The Waldorf Microwave does not take the Midichannel into account for SysEx editing,
it uses 'Instrument numbers'. Now the SSC's 4 pots to the left, responsible for the level
in SSC's multi mode have an additional important feature: they change the SSC's
internal target instrument number, to which the edit-messages in the normal editmode (=not the Multi Edit Mode) should be sent to. This allows you to switch between
SSC's multi mode (upper and lower button lit) and normal mode (only one button lit)
and use the SSC's normal parameters on any of the microwave's first 4 instruments.
Thanks to the 8 edit buffers of the Microwave, your changes will be held.
SSC edition '1006R' for Matrix 1000 / 6 / 6r
This edition was designed to get most out of the Matrix1000's presets. And it works
well together with the 'Init patch' you can send from the SSC into the Matrix.
In addition the 1006R-edition is highly specific optimized to allow a somewhat intuitive
and fluent programming of the Matrix-1000/6 family. They are commonly known to
behave mulish when being edited over midi. Unfortunately this is due to the
software-/hardware architecture of the synth itself and can currently not be improved.
(We say 'currently' because there are rumours about some nerds trying to develop a
complete replacement for the outdated main brain of the matrix-family...)
The Matrix 6 wants slightly other SysEx-messages than the Matrix 1000. You have to
teach the SSC which synth it should serve with messages. How to swap between them
is described in '3. Operation -> Learn Midichannel Mode'.
Due to a firmware bug of the Matrix 1000 Sustain of Env1 can not be set by SysEx
command. Therefore we intentionally left this parameter out to have space for
another additional parameter which works. Matrix 6 owners might forgive us.
(Massive complaints of Matrix-6 users about this missing parameter might lead to an
update of the parameter layout and a suitable faceplate.)
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
In case you wonder about the knobs labeled 'Ctr 2' and 'Pressure' ... Midicontroller
Number 2 is the default Midicontroller for 'Lever 3' and is therefore - together with
pressure - heavily used in the modulation matrix of the Matrix 1000's presets. So just
try it with the presets an see what they will do. And, Midi Control change and pressure
messages can be used without the SysEx Jittering.
LFO2 Amplitude was intentionally left out, there is not many use of it in the presets.
Holding the upper and the lower button sends a special initialized patch into the
Matrix-1000's edit buffer. This function is only available when the 1006r edition is in
Matrix-1000 mode. In Matrix6 mode the 'send init patch'-function is disabled. There
will nothing be overwritten in your synth, all saving of your work is up to you. The
patch is designed to work best with the SSC's parameter offering and some common
Midi Controller numbers making use of the modulation matrix. That means, after
sending the init patch to the Matrix, you can alter cutoff and resonance by ordinary
Midicontrollers 1 and 2 without the enoying jittering.
The most relevant settings of this patch:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All fixed modulations set to 0
DCO1 Pulse 50%
DCO2 Pulse 50%
Balance 100% DCO1
Velocity on VCA2 Envelope
Cutoff 50%
40% Env1 amount on VCF
Matrix modulation slot 1:Ctr1 (Modwheel) -> Cutoff
Matrix modulation slot 2:Ctr 2 (Breath) -> Resonance
Matrix modulation slot 3: Pressure -> DCO1 tune (use with sync!)
Matrix modulation slot 4: Pedal (Ctr4) -> DCO1 PW
Characteristics of the Matrix-6 mode: The Matrix-6 mode was developed with a
Matrix 6 running Firmware V 2.13.
For reacting to parameter changes over Midi the Matrix-6 must be in "Quick Edit"Mode (Patch Edit / Quick). To make things easier, the Synth Controller causes the
Matrix-6 to jump into that mode automatically when you press any of it's 3 buttons. So
remember: after switching on the Controllers and the Matrix-6, you have to press
either one of the 3 Synth Controller buttons or manually enable the Matrix-6's Quick
Edit mode before the Matrix will react to any knob fiddling.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Due to a firmware bug the modulation depth for the following parameters can only be
set in the positive half over Midi-SysEx:
• OSC DETUNE
• DCO1 LFO1 AMT
• DCO2 LFO2 PWM AMT
• ENV1 VCF AMT
• ENV3 VCF FM AMT
Therefore these parameters are unipolar when using the 1006R-edition in Matrix6
Mode (0 to +63 instead of -63 to +63). Setting negative modulations would be possible
with some tricks but it would cause much more stuttering of the Matrix-6. Remember
you can always set the parameter value using the number pad on the Matrix-6's
frontpanel.
Some parameters seem to cause heavy work inside of the Matrix-synths. Fiddling the
pots with these parameters easily can cause your Matrix to seem dead for over a
second. We slowed down these parameters in the Synth Controller intentionally by
sending it to the synth in larger time delays. The advantage is, your matrix has less
blackouts and responds much better to further changes or incoming notes. Of course
there is a downside: you have to turn these knobs slower to get the desired changes
because the knob is not so often updated (or sent to the synth).
We talk about the following parameters:
• DCO1 LFO1 AMT
• DCO2 LFO2 PWM AMT
• ENV1 VCF AMT (to bad ...)
• ENV3 VCF FM AMT
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
8. Understanding Midi timelags and how to minimize them
As you know, Midi is the 'Musical Instruments Digital Interface'. In this chapter we
want to share some interesting basics to help you getting the best out of the SSC. We
do not go into details like timing of software sequencers or latency in external
hardware samplers. We even leave the 'running mode' out of account.
If we talk about a 'Midi bus' in the following, it describes a separately adressable Midi
Out-jack of a device (sequencer, daw, Midi-interface) generating Midi data. One Midi
bus has 16 adressable Midi channels.
Limits of the Midibus
Midi is some decades old now but still has some cool features:
• most reliable
• compatibility of all devices over decades
• hot plugable
• cheap cables
But Midi also has 2 severe disadvantages:
1. the amount of data per second is very small
2. data is transmitted serial
We want to concentrate on these two issues and how to cope with them as good as
possible when working with the SSC.
1. small amount of data per second
Midi sends it's digital messages (which note to press how hard, what wheel was
turned how far, what synth parameter to change to which value ...) in data packets
called 'bytes' one after the other. Only ~3000 of these bytes can be sent per second
from a sender (e.g. sequencer) to a receiver (e.g. synth) until data jam begins to occur.
And most of the messages consume more than one byte.
Some numbers to give you a little insight: a single 'Note On' Event eats 3 bytes, a 4 Note
chord therefore demands 12 bytes, another 12 bytes when you release the keys (for terms
of simplification we leave 'running status' out of account here, it does't solve the main
problem either). A typical SysEx message of the SSC needs - depending on the edition about 10 Bytes. 10 Bytes on each single parameterchange! Turning a knob fully from left to
right on the SSC (which has a resolution of 127 steps) generates 127 * 10 = 1.270 Bytes. So
one full turn of a knob over one second eats nearly half of the data handling capacity of
one single Midibus.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
2. serial transport of data
The count of bytes is not the only problem, the timing is even more critical considering
the fact, that the bytes must travel one after the other. Unfortunately music is
something that consists mainly of pauses between very short timestrokes which doing things either worse - strike many instruments at the same time.
Example: If a drumset (BD+HH), a bass, a guitar (3 note chord) and a piano (6 note chord)
all want to play their part straight on the '1' at the beginning of a bar, there are 12 x 3 = 36
Midibytes which should all be sent at the same time. But in Midiworld all bytes must be
sent one after the other with a speed of about 0.3 mS/Byte resulting in a timing difference
from the first byte to the last of ~12mS which almost starts to get critical for experienced
listeners.
What does this all mean? It means, you cannot send as many messages through the
Midicable as you like (by fiddling the SSC knobs like mad while firing your synth with
lots of Midinotes at the same time) without encountering timing lags sooner or later.
All the bytes pass the cable one after the other through one wire like a row of
penguins waddling down a small tube, heading their destiny. If more messages try to
pass the bus, exceeding it's bandwidth, the messages waiting for free bandwidth are
delayed resulting in effects like delayed notes. Well, this is not a problem caused by
the SSC, this is unfortunatly the nature of the Midibus.
General concepts for optimizing Midi timing
As you know by now, the SSC makes extensive use of Midi SysEx messages, which can
cause Midi notes to lag in time more or less. To empower you pushing this issue
towards the 'less' direction, please read the following.
Try to keep bandwith on your individual Midibuses as small as possible by using
multiple Midi Outputs of your Midi interface or sequencer. If your sequencer or
DAW's Midi Interface offers multiple Midi Outs - USE THEM! Using multiple Midi
outputs on a groovebox, sequencer or Midi interface distributes the Mididata you
have to send onto several buses. Using multiple buses thin out the data each
individual bus has to handle, resulting in better timing of notes and gear using
Midiclock to sync. Projected on our example with the penguinrow in the small tube
from above: offering your crowd of penguins TWO small tubes instead of only one, will
help them waddle to their destiny without jam MUCH better than if they had to share
just one small tube.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
Example:
• you have 6 tracks on 6 Midichannels
• one channel delivers an external Midi drumbox playing many groovy drumsounds
even some non quantisized ghost notes
• another channel delivers a Midisynth and modulates it's parameters with realtime
Midi Control change messages using your SSC
• the remaining 4 channels play the ordinary bass, piano or whatever
If your Midi interface offers multiple outputs:
• use one Midi Output JUST for the drums which are so important to keep the groove
• use another Output dedicated JUST for the synth with the extensive use of the SSC's
controllerdata
• use a third Output for the 4 ordinary instruments in common, the Midibus will most
likely handle it without problems
If you run external Midi gear synced to your sequencer/DAW via Midiclock ... spend
it it's own bus or plug it on a bus with few dataload. The timing bytes (Start/Stop/Tick)
are queued in a line like any other Midibyte meaning that the clock timing will also lag,
if the amount of bytes in the row before the timing byte is larger than the Midibus can
handle.
A word on Midi patchbays. Midipatchbays can help you avoid permantly pluging
Midi cables around in a changing setup. They also can be used to plug multiple target
devices (drumboxes, synths) onto one sending device (DAW) to avoid unwanted setups
like devices plugged in a chain with their Midi Through jacks.
Although both purposes are perfectly legit, the patchbay can not overcome the limited
bandwith of the Midibus. One Midipatchbay's main purpose is to ensure, the electrical
signal of the Midibus will be availabe on multiple jacks at the same time and with the
same level. But even if the signal is technically the same on all Out jacks of the
patchbay - if the Mididata going INTO the patchbay comes from ONE Midi Out port,
the rare bandwith will not be increased until you start to use multiple Midi Out ports
on your device (Sequencer, Midi interface,...) generating the Midi data.
Tips for minimizing timing lags on parameter automation with the SSC
•
•
If your Midi interface/sequencer allows it, use a dedicated Midi output entirely
for the SSC together with your synth
there is a lot of free Midibus bandwidth BETWEEN the Key-Down and Key-Up
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
•
•
•
events. Use this timespace to send parameter changes and try to avoid
excessive parameter changes in passages playing many notes on your synth
stumbling released notes are much more unobtrusive than stumbling pressed
notes
Try to send single events instead of event animations. Slowly turning a SSC pot
generates many many messages. Just moving it a bit generates few data.
Remeber the 'hold lighted button while turning pot to avoid sending data'-feature?
It will work better to send Midi Control change messages from your
sequencer/DAW into the SSC (and let the SSC translate them) than recording the
SysEx-output of the SSC into your sequencer/DAW. You not only have better
control inside your DAW over generating and editing the Mididata when using
Midi Control change messages. They also consume fewer bandwith from your
Midibus than SysEx. And the Midistream going from the SSC into your synth is
filtered (no other Midichannels, no Midiclock) and has therefore more
bandwidth for the heavier SysEx data.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
9. Troubleshooting
This section will hopefully never been read :-)
If something does not work as expected, you might find some help here. If you don't,
please contact [email protected]. We will do the best to help you.
For reasons of simplification we use the term 'input/in' here to describe a Midi In jack
and the term 'output/out' for a Midi Out jack.
The SSC does not light up when i plug in the power supply.
Have you checked the polarity of the PSU-connector? Some PSUs have a removable
connector allowing to swap polarity. Is the PSU a DC-type (direct current)? Does it provide
at least 9 Volt? A 5 Volt PSU will not work.
The sound of my synth does not change when dialing the pots of the SSC. The
SSC is directly plugged into the synth.
There are four possible reasons. Please check the following:
a) SSC and synth must use the same Midichannel
b) SSC's out must be connected to the synths Midi input with a working Midi cable
c) Many synths block 'SysEx data' per default. If so, you have to dig into your synths menus
to allow the receiving of SysEx data. Please consult your synths manual.
d) You or someone else flashed the firmware for an edition, not working together with the
synth you are trying to use together with the SSC.You might flash your editionfirmware to
go sure.
The sound of my synth does not change when dialing the pots of the SSC. The
SSC is plugged into my sequencer/DAW and the sequencer/DAW is plugged into
the synth.
a) SSC and synth must use the same Midichannel
b) SSC's out must go into sequencer's/DAW's Midi In jack. The sequencer's/DAW's out must
go into the synths Midi In
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
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© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
c) Either your sequencer/DAW or your synths or both are set to ignore or filter SysEx data.
Please consult your sequencer's/DAW's and the synths manual
d) You or someone else flashed the firmware for an edition, not working together with the
synth you are trying to use together with the SSC.You might flash your editionfirmware to
go sure.
I have multiple synths attached to a Midi patchbay and the patchbay is hanging
on the SSC's output. The SSC's input is fired with Midi on multiple channels from
my sequencer. But only one synth plays notes at all, the others are quiet.
The SSC - if not in Bypass Mode - filters out Mididata NOT corresponding to the channel it is
set to. It also filters Midi timing information and incoming SysEx-data. You should
reconfigure your Midi cabeling in a way, the SSC is plugged just before the synth for which
the parameters should be changed.
My Midi drumcomputer set to 'Midi sync' does not run when starting the song in
my sequencer. I plugged the drumbox's Midi In to the Midi Thru of my synth
which is controlled by a SSC.
The SSC - if not in Bypass Mode - filters out Midi timing information. Therefore your
drumbox will never see any 'Start'- or 'Clock'-messages. Plug the Midi In of your drumbox
on a free Midi Out jack of your sequencer/DAW or use a Midi patchbay or - if not otherwize
possible - try plugin it this way:
• Sequencer/Daw out -> Drumcomputer Midi In
• Drumcomputer Midi thru jack -> SSCMidi In
• SSC out -> synth Midi In
I held two buttons and now the lights are flashing and i cannot change
parameters anymore.
Ah, easy. You just entered the Bypass Mode. This mode lets all incoming Mididata pass
unfiltered - AND - it blocks all parameter changes. Just press any of the 3 buttons to
leave Bypass Mode.
The timing of the notes is stuttering and destroying the groove.
You are probably jaming your Midibus. Please read the chapter '8. Understanding Midi
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
timelags and how to minimize them' how to solve this issue.
Apart from that, some synths are known to stutter or feel sluggish on parameter changes
over SysEx. On theses synths this is unfortunately a normal behaviour of a very old piece of
hardware.
Some knobs of my 1006R Edition react quite lazy.
Some parameters are a heavy burden for the Matrix-Family, there were intentionally
slowed down. See Kapitel 7 -> 1006R-Edition.
My Matrix-6 does not responspond to the SSC when turning knobs.
The Matrix-6 only accepts parameter changes over midi when in Quick Edit mode (Patch
Edit / Quick). Just oress one of the SSC's 3 buttons to let the Matrix jump into Quick Edit
mode. See chapter 7 -> 1006R-Edition.
Some parameters of my Matrix-6 jump to strange values when turning knobs.
Sounds like you are using the 1006R edition in Matrix1000 mode which sends slightly
different commands the Matrix 6 interprets faultly. Set the SSC in Matrix-6 mode by
sending it a pitchbend message in learning midichannel-mode. See chapter 3 -> Button
Combinations and special modes -> Midi Channel Learn mode.
The firmware update always fails with a blinking light.
Most probably the software you use for sending the SysEx-data is sending the data to fast
causing a hickup inside the SSC. Please read in the chapter '6. Updating firmware' how to
fix that.
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
10. Changes to recent versions
Changes to manual version 1.0
• 1006R edition now supports Matrix 6 / 6R, various text changes
• revised version of chapter '7. Synth specific addendum' -> 1006R-edition
• Matrix-6 specific issues added in chapter '9. Troubleshooting'
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014
11. Imprint
The name 'Stereoping' is registered by Gregor Zoll, Hattingen, Germany.
All other company, brand and product names are - unless otherwise mentioned registered trademarks of their owner. Stereoping is not in relation with or in
dependency to any company mentioned in this manual.
Any text and pictures in this manual are copyrighted and might not be reproduced
without the permission of the author.
Adress
Stereoping
Gregor Zoll Musikelektronik
Waldstrasse 52
45525 Hattingen
Germany
E-Mail
[email protected]
Homepage
http://www.stereoping.com
Operation Manual 'Stereoping Synth Controller'
V1.1 - 08.2014
© Stereoping Germany, Hattingen 2014